The simple construction of the temple and its dramatic location right by the sea makes Tanah Lot one of the most popular places of interest in Bali.

Located on the west coast close to the village of Beraban Tanah Lot is built on a small promontory only accessible at low tide. Nearby in coral caves poisonous snakes are to be found, said to be temple guards. The name means “sea isle” and its history or that of the site at least goes back to Megalithic.

Although a small sanctuary, Tanah Lot is linked to a series of temples on the south coast including Pura Sakenan, Pura Ulu Watu, Pura Rambut Siwi and Pura Peti Tenget, in turn all of which are related to the principal mountain sanctuaries: Besakih at Gunung Agung, Pura Batur at Batur and Plura Luhur at Mt. Batukau. The upland temples are dedicated to deities associated with mountains and mountain lakes, while the sea temples include homage to the guardian spirits of the sea within their ritual.

History associates the temple at Tanah Lot to the 15th century priest Nirartha who spent a night here and told local fishermen they should build a temple.

Visits at sunset are usually beautiful if busy affairs.