A picture-perfect vacation turned into a near-disaster for Los Angeles-based travel vlogger Katy Johnson, who recently faced what she calls the “scariest experience” of her life while recording a selfie at a popular tourist spot in Bali. Her now-viral video captures the exact moment a massive wave slammed into her at Angel’s Billabong, a scenic but risky coastal spot on Nusa Penida island.
In the video, Katy is seen smiling at the camera, dressed in white sunglasses and a pink necklace, with dramatic cliffs and turquoise waves behind her. Moments later, a monstrous wave erupts behind the rocks and crashes into her with shocking force, completely drenching her and shaking the frame.
In a split second, the serene scene is covered by a towering wall of water as the rogue wave crashes over the cliff, nearly sweeping her off the viewing deck.
Watch video
"Grateful I didn’t get swept out"
The incident took place on Easter Sunday, and Katy later joked in her post, “You wanna meet Jesus today? Because I almost did.”
Sharing the video on Instagram, she wrote, “One rogue wave came crashing in at Angel’s Billabong like it had personal beef with me and nearly swept me right off the viewing platform and into the next life. Not the kind of baptism I signed up for!”
"I was, soaked, shaken, and grateful I didn’t get swept out to sea," she added.
She pointed out that there were no warning signs, no security, and no reason to think the waves would even reach the deck.
“Responsible tourism means staying curious and cautious,” she wrote.
Video goes viral
Her video of the chilling moment when the wave hit her has gone viral. Uploaded in April, the clip has received more than four lakh views on Instagram.
Netizens reacted to her post and wrote, "Sooo lucky and blessed you are safe… otherwise i can only imagine worse… Definitely need to be careful."
"Been there. Not a chance in hell I’d be out there taking photos on the lower rocks. One big wave is all it takes and it literally does happen. People get seriously injured or worse every year at these locations and staff don’t seem to care much about warning or restricting tourists from getting hurt", another added.
