Upon entering the round bar, a team of hosts welcomed us while offering a drink at the bar, or a table at the main dining area adjacent to its semi-open kitchen. The rule here is ‘first-come, first-served’, which also applies for the parasols and sun loungers. Thus, it is best to come earlier to guarantee one of the coveted spots at the front.

Further to the east is Finn’s mini-lawn platform where you will find the best combination of shade and open views. At the end are Finn’s Bale, two raised seaside huts that offer elevated views and the ultimate private space for a full-day retreat.

The lapping waves hardly reach the base of the platform, and low tides reveal rock pools and a clear lagoon that leaves interesting collections of tropical marine life to explore. The 165m stretch of sand is walled between rock faces on each side, and is well supervised.

The casual restaurant offers a large variety, from light salads to main dishes and hearty pizzas. Choosing from the all-day menu, we had the penne carbonara and an icy granita of pomegranate and mint that helped keep us nice and cool. The little ones love the ‘Oreo crazy’ and ‘the bounty’ shredded coconut-topped milkshakes.

Order a pizza selection, and soon you’ll see the kitchen crew snap into action rolling fresh dough through the kitchen’s wide service window. The king prawn pizza, with red onion, capsicum, tomato and fresh coriander is a must-try. For a unique experience, try the Rendang pizza, comprising the Padang-style stewed beef with onion and mixed capsicum.

Later in the afternoon before the sky gradually turned to pink, we thought we’d try out the cocktail of the month, which was a passion fruit mojito to pair with the soothing sunset. Finn’s wine of the month, a South African Mooiplaas Pinotage paired well with a tenderloin steak. Finn’s can also arrange private romantic candlelit dinners on the beach with a three-course menu and a bottle of champagne. Other nights, the well-equipped bar and DJs at their turntables help up the ante.

Those staying at Semara are in for this privileged treat. For outside guests, its only downside is its far-off location… Nevertheless, that simply keeps the hefty crowds away.

• Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00
• Location: Jl Pantai Selatan Gau, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma, Ungasan
• Tel: +62 (0)361 8482 111