Bali Water Activities and Coastal Things to Do Beyond the Sand
Published · Updated · 7 min read
Bali's coast is more than somewhere to lie down. Good snorkeling is on the east and northwest coasts, diving centres on the Tulamben wreck and Menjangan Island, water sports are concentrated at Tanjung Benoa, and the best sunsets are at Uluwatu and Tanah Lot. Which of these suits you depends mostly on which side of the island you are staying on. For plain beach days, see our guide to the best beaches in Bali instead.
Where is the best snorkeling in Bali?
Jemeluk Bay in Amed and Blue Lagoon at Padangbai are the easiest places to snorkel from the shore, and Menjangan Island is the best known by boat. All three sit well away from the south-coast surf beaches.
At Jemeluk Bay the water is sheltered and generally calm, and you can walk in from the sand. A small underwater shrine sits 10 to 15 metres offshore in front of the warungs. Mid to high tide is best, and the calmest water is usually between about 7 and 10 am, before the wind picks up. Lipah Beach nearby is also rated beginner-friendly.
Blue Lagoon is a small beach just north of Padangbai harbour. Coral starts close to shore and the bay is shallow, so it suits first-timers. Avoid the middle of the day, when ferry traffic means boat noise. Our Blue Lagoon snorkeling tour is from $55 per person, and there is a version that adds a waterfall, the Blue Lagoon snorkeling and waterfall tour, from $60 per person.
Can you dive or snorkel the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben?
Yes. The Liberty is a World War II cargo ship that lies about 40 metres off the beach at Tulamben, close to Amed in eastern Bali, so divers swim out from the shore.
The history is short. The ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on 11 January 1942 and beached. Tremors from the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung then slid it off the sand and into the water. Today the highest point of the wreck is about 5 metres down and the deepest about 30 metres, which is why it works for both snorkelers and divers. Coral grows on its guns, and a patch called Coral Garden runs alongside at 4 to 25 metres.
Snorkeling over the shallow stern is possible, though the depth makes diving the better way to see most of it. Tulamben is on the east coast, a long way from the southern resorts, so plan it as a full day or stay nearby. Ask us if you want a driver to the wreck and back.
What is Menjangan Island like for diving and snorkeling?
Menjangan sits inside West Bali National Park, off the northwest coast, and is known for wall dives and clear water. Boats leave from Labuhan Lalang or Teluk Terima Beach, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes.
You arrange everything at the park ranger offices, which open at 8 am. Go then, since the wind builds later. Entry fees apply and are higher at weekends, so confirm the current price at the office. A snorkeling trip is a 2 to 3 hour activity with two stops in the water. There are no shops on the island, so bring water and snacks. Plastic in the water can be a problem at times, whatever the month.
Where can you try water sports in Bali?
Tanjung Benoa, a short drive from Nusa Dua, is where the parasailing, jet skis and banana boats are. The water is calm with light waves, which is why the operators set up there. Mornings are calmer and less crowded, and afternoons are busier around the activity areas.
Typical options are parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides and a boat trip to nearby Turtle Island. Prices vary widely between operators and sources disagree, so agree the price per activity before you start, and ask to see the safety gear. Leave valuables at the hotel. By car it is about 30 minutes from Kuta or Seminyak, depending on traffic. See our Tanjung Benoa page for the place details, and our Nusa Dua Tour, $40 per car, if you want the area with a driver.
Where should you surf in Bali for your level?
Match the wave to your level and the season. Our own surf reports grade each spot, and the grades below come from them.
| Level | Spot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Canggu (Batu Bolong) | Mellow rolling wave, busy lineups, go at dawn |
| Beginner to intermediate | Dreamland | Sandy-bottom takeoff, best mid to high tide |
| Intermediate to advanced | Balangan | Long left, reef exposed at low tide |
| Advanced | Uluwatu | Paddle out through the cave below the temple |
| Advanced | Bingin, Impossibles | Shallow reef, unforgiving at low tide |
| Expert | Padang Padang | Only works with size, heavy barrels |
| Advanced | Keramas | Right-hander on the east coast, wet-season option |
Kuta also has a sandy bottom and plenty of surf schools, which is why many first-timers start there. The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the best swells to the Bukit and west coast, with the biggest waves in July. From about November to March the east coast spots such as Keramas, Sanur and Nusa Dua come into their own.
Where are the best sunset spots in Bali?
Uluwatu Temple and Tanah Lot are the two classic coastal sunsets, and they are on opposite sides of the south. Pick one per evening. Both are active temples as well as viewpoints, so wear a sarong and sash.
Uluwatu. The temple stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the sea. It is open roughly 8 am to 7 pm and the sarong and sash are free to borrow inside. A nightly Kecak performance runs at a nearby arena. Macaques live in the forest and grab small items, so keep valuables in a zipped bag. There is no public transport, and getting a ride back at sunset can be hard, which is a good reason to have a driver waiting. Our Uluwatu Sunset Tour is from $35 per person, and the Uluwatu Temple page has more.
Tanah Lot. The temple sits on an offshore rock. At high tide it looks like it floats, and at low tide you can walk closer to its base, so check the tide chart. A 2026 guide put adult entry at about IDR 75,000 to 85,000, with parking charged separately, and suggested arriving between 4 and 4:30 pm to beat the tour groups. It takes roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours from Seminyak or Kuta. Our Tanah Lot Sunset Tour is from $35 per car, and the Tanah Lot - Uluwatu Tour from $50 per car combines both. Read about the Tanah Lot Temple first.
Is a boat trip to Nusa Penida or the Gilis worth it?
Both are straightforward by fast boat, but they are full-day or overnight plans, not quick add-ons. From Sanur, the fast boat to Nusa Penida takes about 45 minutes and cost roughly IDR 170,000 to 215,000 one way when booked online, according to a guide last checked in September 2026. Boats run from about 6:30 am to 5 pm. Book ahead in peak season, because boats can fill.
For the Gili Islands we sell one-way fast boat tickets, for example the Gili Trawangan / Gili Air Fast Boat One Way Ticket from $25 per person. Ticket sellers list the Padangbai to Gili Trawangan crossing at about 2 to 2.5 hours, and operators often want you at the port early to check in. Read the departure port and check-in time on your ticket. If you are heading on to Lombok, there is also the Gili Getaway fast boat transfer, from $49 per person.
Can you see dolphins at Lovina?
Often, but never on demand. Dolphins live in the waters off Lovina all year, and the best window is early morning, roughly 5 to 9 am, when the sea is flat. Nobody can promise a sighting.
Lovina is on the north coast, about 2.5 to 3 hours from the south, so a driver typically collects you around 2 am for the dawn boats. Local outrigger boats called jukung run the trips. Boat crowding at sunrise is a known problem. Guidance says boats should stay at least 25 metres from dolphins and never cut through their path, and that you should not feed, touch or try to swim with them. Pick a boat that follows that. Our Lovina Dolphins Tour is $90 per car, and the Lovina dolphins page explains the setting. If the water is not your thing, our hiking and outdoor guide covers the land side.
Tell us the coast you are staying on and the activities you want, and we will build a day around them. Reach us on our contact page.