BaIi, booze, beach, bikinis and beats. FHM wanderer CHRIS STEAD soaks up the sun, sand and good vibes at FINNS, a Canggu club with a conscience…
The sun is setting, but it’s far from the day’s end. In truth, I’ve been reclining on my thick, plush sunlounge since midday. At FINNS Beach Club, the VIP pool sits on the edge of the sprawling complex, looking over Canggu’s Berawa Beach and the waves of Bali. It’s been bloody hot all arvo; this is Bali after all. But a relentless, stiff breeze has been whipping in over the white caps, doing its best to take the sting out of the heat. And so have the drinks. Barely more than a glance is needed for a waiter to come scurrying over, a big smile on their face. Booze, smokes, food – whatever you please. Whatever makes you happy.
I’ve had company; the VIP sunlounge can hold six and the umbrella offers shade to half that number. We rotate, shuffling into the shadow or into the sun as fancy takes us, broken up by blissful plunges into the pool. And all the while, epic music. House, predominantly. A funky, dance-worthy remix of contemporary hits and certified bangers.
I’m toasted, figuratively and literally, as the sky begins its colourful transition and the convoluted, colourful array of LEDs start to take over from natural light. I’m ready; this day is only just getting started.
As far as I can tell, Finns has never actually been awarded the title of world’s best beach club. The moniker, which has stuck, is literally marketing of its own doing, but it’s not an outrageous claim either. It has certainly got a lot going for it, even if I’m not sure it would win in a straight fight with compatriots from Ibiza or the Caribbean. But on our side of the world, perhaps…
You’ll find FINNS at the end of the road coming in from central Canggu, terminating at the sand. Entry requires numerous security checks – as is the way in such places, you can’t bring in your own water bottles or drinks (they will store them for you) and your photo is taken. Also check the dress regulations – I was turned away in a Bintang singlet!
Security is everywhere, but I never found them overbearing like you might expect in Australia – they instead operate with that usual Indonesian friendliness. The staff throughout are bubbly and get into the spirit of it, which must be hard night after night. Especially given that by the darkest hours, alcohol, heat and who knows what else see some patrons requiring assistance. The unsurprising side-effect of a great time.
Music and Mayhem
And a great time it is. Upon entry you’ll be immediately taken by the large bamboo-like structures that house a litany of bars, restaurants, soundstages and pools, with the ocean ever present like a living wallpaper. There are sunlounges everywhere, lined up with military precision –
many offering umbrellas, towels and ample space. It’s colour-coded into different neighbourhoods, which you can buy into.
The first thing you’ll notice during the day is the music; relentless and awesome. I went back three days in a row and can’t recall one bad beat. It’s cruisy and atmospheric early, before upping the tempo into the night. DJs are frequently buoyed by live singers, dance troupes and even instruments.
But once night falls, the lights play an equal role in proceedings. Imagine a bush doof meets beach party experience.
Be Cool
Regardless of the time of day, the pools are the centrepiece. There are three main ones – the VIP pool, then two general pools that surround a central complex with multiple swim-up bars below and party platforms above. The latter is often snatched up by Hens or Bucks groups.
One of these pools has a cluster of sun lounges perched like islands within the water itself. It looks spectacular and it’s so much fun being able to sit in comfort while your ankles dangle in the water. I enjoyed mingling and dancing in the pool as much as I did in front of either of the two main stages. Although I shudder at the thought of the water’s cleanliness by the late evening. Chlorine can only do so much.
Elsewhere you’ll find the party restaurants, so named for the dancers standing on tables, atmosphere, music and theatrics. However, in truth, the same food can be ordered wherever you are. On a sunlounge, in a restaurant – which also includes a great Sushi bar – at a stool. The experience is flexible and adapts to your wants as the party unfolds. In general, the food was well portioned and tasty, some seafood to Italian and everything in-between.
I was also impressed by the amenities. For example, the change room not only has lockers, but showers that would make a luxury hotel jealous; very impressive.
Finns Up
With the sun now truly set, the atmosphere at FINNS goes from cruisy to rave mode. The beats are relentless and the spectacle pulls you into the fun like a tornado. Tequilla-based cocktail shots turn up for free whenever a Mexican-themed beat lands. Dancers with giant, Daft Punk-style costumes emerge to pump up the crowd, while other staff leap up on the table to shake their wares.
At one point, a conga-line of drummers emerge, belting jungle beats as lights flash across their exposed torsos. Then, a bloke riding a Harley Davidson meanders through the crowd looking like Arnie on a bender. My favourite moment sees the thousands of revellers suddenly handed sparklers, which are all lit at once and create a pyrotechnic show unlike any you’ve seen before. One in which the chaos is corralled into unity simply through the rhythm of the tunes.
Everywhere you look, there’s people having the time of their life. At first, I’m in front of the stage, watching the DJ. Then I’m watching people dance on their sunlounge islands. Later I lean against the wall of the infinity pool, watching the reflection of lights move in the ripples created by hundreds of water-bound groovers.
If all that sounds bloody awesome to you, it’s because it is. World’s best beach club? Yeah, it very well could be.
Party Like There’s a Tomorrow
One of FINNS more interesting mottos is “party like there is a tomorrow,” which is a nod to the club’s efforts with sustainability and supporting the grander community. From beach clean-ups and waste reduction systems, to supporting Indonesian schools, medical services and local suppliers, the executive staff I spoke to were passionate about how FINNS could use its privileged position and income stream to better the world.
In 2026, this extended to funding Bali’s first search and rescue helicopter fitted with a hoist, in partnership with the local emergency organisation SGI (Sayap Garuda Indah). FINNS COO Paul Hussey spoke to FHM about what success looks like, hoping the initiative would save at least one life. From what I saw as it flew over some heaving surf, it’ll do far more than that. More than just ocean rescues, the helicopter can provide emergency support to remote mountainous regions and can, of course, bypass Indonesia’s choked roads.
You’ll notice during your time a FINNS the party like there is a tomorrow ethos emerge through various funding initiatives. For example, FINNS x SGI menu items where proceeds contribute to rescue operations. Or through signature guest experiences like “What the Heli” and themed cocktails that turn simple moments into support for the cause. FINNS commitment feels genuine and it adds another compelling argument for its “world’s best beach club” claims.
How it Works
One of the standout features of FINNS Beach Club is that there is no entry fee, well not as such. There are a few bars within the complex where you can walk in and just have a drink or some food; dabble without going all in. Otherwise, you can book a sunlounge or space at a cost that increases depending on how premium the position.
This cost, however, isn’t absorbed by FINNS, but instead goes onto a pre-paid tab. So, the upfront cost, while relatively expensive in some instances, is ultimately consumed by your group through drinks, food, lockers, a hooka, and so forth. It works well.
Ultimately, the prices are much steeper than out on the street – especially once you add the “plus plus” of tax and service – but it’s still cheap by Australian standards. You also get discounts for bulk buys, and can maximise various deals during the day, such as two-for-one cocktails. Just be warned though, there is no refund. So, if you don’t spend your tab, you don’t get the difference back.
As a general idea, I spent around 2,000,000 IDR (approximately AU$170) and I had around a dozen drinks and a couple of meals over the course of 10-hours.
Going VIP
You don’t need to go VIP to have a great experience at FINNS Beach Club, but especially if you’re going with a big crew and planning to really get on it, it’s a sweet upgrade. Especially given the cost of going VIP ultimately comes back to you in food and drink.
When you go VIP, the rest of FINNS knows about it! You waltz through a separate entrance and get a welcoming cocktail. You’re shepherded up to the premium spots at the best and least-crowded pool right on the beach. You get nicer, different coloured towels, an amenities bag chockfull of goodies, larger sunlounges and a better, quicker waiter-to-patron ratio.
That’s the basic VIP experience, too. Bigger groups can step it up to cabanas with their own private pools and an outlook over the main stage. While for a much more prestigious experience, there’s a second floor with private pools, larger spaces and a grander view over the ocean.
Even beyond that, there is more. Above the main entrance, a set of guarded stairs leads up to a secret bar hidden behind a rotating wall. Here, the “super V”IPs can drink unique cocktails, eat and party away from all eyes. While several balconied booths also exist in this area, looking down over the chaos unfolding below.
I don’t feel like I would have missed out if I had not gone VIP, but if you want to go in style, the benefits add to the fun.
Rapid Expansion
Believe it or not, FINNS was co-founded by ex-AFL star Tony Smith. It started life in 2011 in a different location – Uluwatu – before shifting to its current spot in 2016. Canggu is a region of Bali known for its party atmosphere and nightlife, as well as its surfing culture. Beach clubs line the lengthy beachfront, attracting an audience of younger travellers seeking to let loose in paradise.
Originally a lot smaller than its current footprint, FINNS phenomenal success with up to 4,000 guests a day has seen it consistently expand and offer more neighbourhoods, experiences and international guest musicians.
The next project, coming soon, is FINNS Resort, which is aiming for a five-star luxury experience. It’s being built within the same complex as the beach club, and it will be interesting to see if being a stone’s throw from bumping beats will make for a great experience or one that’s too loud. I can’t wait to find out!
Where to Stay?
Your accommodation in Canggu is largely defined by who you are staying with. As a group of mates, you may opt for somewhere cheaper and closer to the action. But as a couple you might want something a bit more romantic and private. I fell into the latter category on this trip, so ended up staying a bit further inland from the noise and chaos of the beach at Astera Resort.
While called a resort, Astera is in truth a series of spacious villas designed to cater for romantic getaways. Broken into two halves, on either side of a road, it has a spa, public infinity pool looking over the jungle and two restaurants, one of which – Paed Thai – I found particularly excellent.
The rooms are well set up to be a refuge from the heat and noise. My two-storey loft had a kitchenette, living space and bathroom, with a huge shower, on the ground floor. Then a king bed on the top floor looking out over the garden below. Rather than being fully enclosed, a large space in-between the floors has been turned into a large hammock, a peculiarity that gives you a relaxing space in the air-conditioning.
In the walled garden, private and thick with flora, a small plunge pool wraps around a jacuzzi, too. It’s all done to a high standard with its finishes and is a very comfortable stay. If you’re considering the Astera Resort, do note the location away from the beach isn’t for everyone. But thankfully, there is a shuttle service that will take you straight to FINNS, or the waves, when you are ready. ■
