As the leading expert on Bali, it’s only fitting that OnBali should give you the best travel guide for your next trip to the island. We’ve got the most exciting Bali excursions for you to experience, from seeing the historical temple to having the most incredible traditional dance show. And if this is your first time visiting the Island of the Gods, take notes, as you never want to skip all these places and activities to do on your tropical escapade.
Are you ready to explore the best places and activities to do in Bali? Let’s get started!
1) Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
The first thing we recommend for you is to do the sunrise hike on Mount Batur. There’s no need to travel from Bali to Surabaya to see a beautiful sunrise, on par with the view from Mount Ijen and Bromo. If you book the tour with a travel agent in Bali, get ready to wake up after midnight before they pick you up. You’ll start hiking around 4 AM to catch that glorious sunrise among the sea of clouds and the calm Lake Batur.
Don’t worry if you’ve never hiked; the terrain is extremely forgiving with only a few hilly sides, but mostly, it’s flat. Even kids can join in, as long as they are older than 7 years old! You can also include breakfast in your Mount Batur Hike. Think of having a hot breakfast with the sun slowly rising. Talking about breakfast with a view!
2) Uluwatu Temple
If you travel to Bali from Malang to see a spectacular sunset, the view from Uluwatu Temple won’t disappoint you. Sitting 70 meters on the cliff edge at the southern tip of Bali, the temple is iconic for more than its setting. Walk around the temple complex to admire its architecture and the sprawling view of the Indian Ocean. Be careful with your belongings as the monkeys in Uluwatu Temple are notorious for being cheeky and love snatching your glasses or your phone!
But one of the best things about visiting Uluwatu Temple is the chance to see the Kecak Fire Dance. You will see the traditional dance performance with the backdrop of the ocean and the stunning sunset. It’s definitely an experience you don’t want to miss in Bali!
3) Water Sports
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush during your travel to Bali, feel free to go beyond the ordinary tour by trying different water sports in Tanjung Benoa. Whatever your heart’s desire, chances are you can find a water sport to your liking. From the glass-bottom boat, where you can see the marine animals without getting wet, to the ocean walker, where you can walk on the sea floor, to snorkelling and learn to dive, you can try them all.
If you take your buddies or the whole family with you, definitely don’t skip the banana boat, knee boat, or disco boat, as the more people, the better. You can also try jet skiing, parasailing, and wakeboarding, if you’re interested in the ‘kinda extreme’ type of water sports.
4) Nusa Penida Day Tour
Your Bali travel won’t be complete without taking a day tour to Nusa Penida. The island next to the Bali mainland has become the go-to for a short trip. Though you’re welcome to stay on the island and immerse yourself in many of the natural attractions, the day tour remains the popular option among travellers with a time crunch. Whether you go for the West or East tour, make no mistake, because whichever one you end up choosing, you’ll enjoy every minute of it.
Kelingking Beach is a must because where else do you get the rex-shaped limestone but here? But Nusa Penida is more than just Kelingking Beach. You have Angel’s Billabong with its naturally formed infinity pool, though you need to read the tides as they can come unexpectedly. The Molenteng Tree House, with the turquoise ocean water and the scattered rocks, makes a perfect background for your Insta feed.
5) Tukad Cepung Waterfall
If you plan to do waterfall hopping in Bali, renting a motorbike is the best way, but make sure you have travel insurance. And don’t skip Tukad Cepung Waterfall from your list. The spot is famous due to the sunshine that goes through the gorge and into the cave, creating an amazing play of light. Morning is the best time, as the combination of the light and the shadow will make your photos stand out.
What you need to know is, getting to Tukad Cepung is relatively easy on the first part. But the last part, you need a little trek by crossing large boulders and rivers. It’s totally worth the effort, though, as you will be rewarded with the cascading water that falls into a cave. It’s a surreal sight you can only find here.