Bali is a water lover’s paradise, offering every kind of water sport under the sun. The opportunity to get wet and wild in Bali’s water wonderlands attracts many tourists to its shores yearly, with a wealth of water activities available from wild jet skiing, banana boating, water Skis, wake boarding, and flyboarding. Why not grab a snorkel and search for manta rays at some of the best dive spots in the world? Whatever water activity you prefer, we offer our pick of the best water sports in Bali – and where to find them.
River Rafting
River rafting on the Ayung River is so much fun, and a good way to meet other people. Guests raft for about two hours then have lunch at a riverside restaurant. The scenery along the river is beautiful; the food provided is delicious and served by welcoming staff. There are three rivers available, making it possible for you to enjoy different difficulty levels of white-water rafting. A great experience with good people to look after you; safety is their priority. Be prepared to get very wet!
Dinner Cruise
Why not enjoy Bali’s finest evening cruise aboard a 64-ft luxury catamaran? From scrumptious fresh food to the sounds of the sea, this cruise promises a truly memorable evening as you watch the sun set across the south of Bali. Strewn with twinkling lights, the catamaran sets sail towards Nusa Dua for an evening of fine dining and entertainment, with a maximum of eight couples on board. After boarding, ascend to the top deck to enjoy stunning views of Benoa Harbour.
Snorkelling in Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is one of the best places in the area to go snorkelling and this stunning location allows guests to experience an underwater cornucopia of colourful marine life. You can even travel to the island by speedboat to save time. You’ll be taken to several bays, beaches, and caves around the island, where you’ll enjoy snorkelling with the sea life, including manta rays. There is the option to receive personalised attention on a private tour, where you can eat a scrumptious buffet lunch on the top of the boat, soaking up the sun’s rays.
Best Beaches
Bali has many great beaches for swimming, surfing, or just lounging on the sand, with daily clean up and grooming of its beaches. The island’s beaches vary from palm-fringed, white sand coasts on the island’s south like Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur, to the cliff-guarded “hidden” shores of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Dreamland, and Bingin. Just one hour from Bali by fast boat lies Kelingking Beach. By far the most famous shoreline in Bali; this place is magnificent! The scenery from the top is really spectacular. It’s one of the most beautiful and remote beaches to visit.
Waterfalls
Gitgit Waterfall is a 10km drive south of the town of Singaraja, or an 80km drive north from Kuta in the south of Bali. A 40m-tall cascade constantly pours into a rocky pool with a small shrine that “guards” the site. You can enjoy a cool plunge in the rock pool all year round. The falls are a popular tourist destination in Bali due the bridge walkway and the refreshing, cool water. The most popular time of year is during the dry season, when you can enjoy views of the rice terraces.
Swimming with Manta Rays
Swim alongside majestic manta rays on an amazing snorkelling trip leaving from Bali. Stop at the famous Manta Bay, where you can see fair sized manta rays near the natural beauty of Crystal Bay, and then continue on to Toyapakeh for a perfect snorkelling adventure in the Indian Ocean. The trip is recommended for competent swimmers because the sea in this area can be a little rough. When your boat captain spots them you may need to jump in quick and start swimming fast to keep up with the rays!
Waterbom & Splash Waterparks
Voted the Best Water Park in Asia, Waterbom consists of various exciting water slides, slicing through 3.8 hectares of landscaped tropical parks, providing hours of fun and entertainment. Built and maintained to strict international safety standards, wait times are minimal. Alternatively, Splash Waterpark spans 2,400sqm with a number of interesting pools and slides, and its build and design is top quality, with supporting facilities that promise a fun and safe day out to suit children of all ages.
Water Sports in Sanur
Whether it’s surfing, wakeboarding, freediving, body boarding, kitesurfing, stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving, or windsurfing, you have it all at the Rip Curl School of Surf. With locations in Legian and Sanur, the school has rental gear for lots of activities and lessons for many water sports at all levels – from beginners to advanced. It’s a great place to hang out, with a grass area to relax on, and a helpful team behind the desk. You can leave personal gear with the staff, securely stored for a small cost. Have fun!
Flyboarding
Bali Flyboard operates in two locations on the Tanjung Benoa coast. One is at SMS Marine Adventures and another at Pandawa Marine Adventures. Using the original Zapata boot-type Flyboards, they reckon most of their guests get the hang of riding within the first ten minutes: it’s natural and intuitive! Their instructors are friendly and patient in guiding guests on how not to fall down. In just 15 minutes guests can be flying a good four to five metres above the sea. This experience cannot be forgotten.
Banana Boat Tour
Banana Boat riding at Tanjung Benoa is a spectacular water activity to explore on the warm blue water, each trip lasting 15 minutes. The inflatable recreational boat has many surprise moments in store for customers, and accommodates three to ten riders sitting on a large main tube, resting their feet on two laterally flanking tubes. The experienced driver of the powerboat attempts to flip the banana boat upside down by doing sharp turns for fun. It’s all about falling off, and having a laugh.
See: Ten Great Instagram-Famous Sights in Bali