Pura Sakenan is an important temple for Balinese people. The temple was built in the 16th Century by a Javanese priest named Nirartha and during the Galungan festival, particularly the closing day of Kuningan, the temple is very busy. In years past Balinese people would wade across the Strait from Tanjung Benoa at low tide, when boats could no longer get across. The building of the bridge now means people are not likely to want to do this, another famous Balinese scene changed forever. Pura Sakenan is a public temple, meaning Balinese people from all over the island can come and receive blessings. Tourists can also enter the temple, even during Kuningan, as long they are wearing a sarong and sash. This is a great photo opportunity. During the ceremony you will find many food and drink sellers outside the temple, its quite a scene.
Straight west from Pura Sakenan, is the small fishing village on the north shore of Serangan. Its fun to check out the locally made boats and during low tide, there are many strewn in the mud. This area has a school, a clinic and a Pertamina petrol station, complete with convenience store!
Away from the local fishing village the landscape is crossed by many dirt tracks. Cars and motorbikes can get all over the island without trouble. Javanese men working in Bali like to race pigeons here, as the land is flat, unused and does not yet have any specific purpose. The surfing beach on the eastern coast of the island is easy to spot as it has several warungs. The edge of the reef is quite far out so you’ll have to bring your reef boots, in order to get out there.Serangan is a popular surf spot during the wet season (Nov-Apr) as the winds favor this side of the island during that time.
During the reign of President Suharto, Serangan Island was viewed as prime property and developers began a massive reclamation project that tripled the size of the island and built a bypass land bridge in anticipation of a luxury golf resort. But due to financial difficulties the entire project went into bankruptcy and the island and its sacred temple were saved from the clutches of greedy developers. As a result, Hindu worshipers now visit the island by car or motorbike, which some scholars believe de-sanctifies the overall pilgrimage.
Serangan Island is inhabited by over 3,000 people and almost half of them are involved in the fishing industry. Interestingly enough there is also a local Bugis community of approximately 300 Muslims who live side by side with the Hindu’s complete harmony. There is a rare mutual respect that exists between these two ethnic groups.
Serangan Island is also known as Turtle Island as for many years it was nesting ground for the Green Sea Turtle. Locals used to catch the live turtles as well as their eggs for consumption and unfortunately this exploitation resulted in the near elimination of all turtles in this area. In 2004 with the aid of international funding a Turtle Conservation and Education Centre was established on the island and the government imposed a strict ban on turtle trading. With local help, the aim of this centre is to nurture the growth of newly hatched turtles and release them at an age where survival rates are quite favourable. The fishermen of Serangan now try to safeguard these ocean creatures to prevent extinction.
The main reason to visit for people who aren’t surfers, would be to have a look around, check out the boats, grab a cold drink drive around on the sand flats, before getting back to the mainland. It could be a relaxing hour long break for someone staying in Sanur or Kuta.
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