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| active bali |
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| leisure
Activities & Sports in Bali, from Golf
to Surfing |
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| For those of you with an adventurous mind and
with energy to do more than just sun bathe, shop, or go sightseeing,
below follows a few suggestions of exciting landbased and aquatic
activities. If you know what you like - go for it. If you don’t,
then we suggest that you just try everything! |
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WATER SPORTS
CRUISES
To Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida
- duration: 1 day.
Nusa Lembongan is an island of 12km2, situated 28 km east of Benoa.
It’s one of Bali’s most popular destinations for leisurely
day trips; its offshore coral reefs make it an excellent spot for
diving, snorkeling and surfing. Nusa Penida is a larger island off
the southeast coast of Bali with a dry climate and a population of
45,000 people. This island too is a great spot for diving and snorkeling
but beware of strong currents. Be safe and never dive alone!
Several cruise companies offer day tours to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida islands. Alternatively there is a local boat from Sanur Beach that leaves daily for both islands.
- Bali Hai Cruises offers eight cruise packages, with a choice of three sailing vessels, to suit all your needs. Call (62 361) 720 331 or visit the website www.balihaicruises.com.
- Bali Bounty Cruises sail everyday with a cruising speed up to 30 knots. Come aboard the magnificent 400-passenger catamaran! Join the cruise for a full day of water activities - above and below the sea - on a 48-meter pontoon located in the beautiful, crystal clear waters of Shanghiang Bay on Nusa Lembongan Island. Check out www.balibountycruises.com.
- Quicksilver Day Cruises has Semi-Submersive vessels for viewing the coral formations. Enjoy a splendid tropical buffet lunch in the air-conditioned salon or dine on the floating pontoon. For more information see www.quicksilver-bali.com.
DIVING & SNORKELLING
If you have not yet tried any of these sports, we recommend that you
start at Sanur or Tanjung Benoa Beach where you can hire the necessary
equipment either right on the beachfront (at a beach club) or at one
of the hotel-run dive centres. Instructions are available at the dive
centres. Most of the centres offer International (PADI) diving certificates
but be sure to check their PADI Resort Code as well
as the insurance and medical facilities. It is advisable to look for
dive centres that have a ‘five-star’ PADI Approval
Rating. Please note that Bali’s only decompression
chamber is at Sanglah Public Hospital in Denpasar (see ‘Hospitals’
in the ‘Essential Info’ section for more info).
WHERE TO DIVE?
East Bali
Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha and
Gili Mimpang - Only for experienced divers. Other spots are;
Amed, Nusa Penida, Tulamben (wreck of USS Liberty),
Padang Bai, Balina Beach.
South Bali
Nusa Lembongan - One of Bali’s best dive sites. Sheltered
coral reefs provide outstanding diving and snorkeling, but be aware
of strong undertows.
Nusa Penida - Witness the most diverse variety of fish and
coral. Beware of strong currents!
North Bali
Pulau Menjangan
- An island covering 7,000 hectares of coastal waters and coral reef,
within the confines of Bali Barat National Park. Early morning is
the best time to dive.
Lovina Beach - Calm inner reef
area. Good place to teach kids to snorkel.
Ceningan
Island
Just off Bali’s East coast. Great snorkelling for beginners
and intermediates as currents are not too strong!
Lombok
Bali’s neighboring island. Off its coast are the famous Gili
Isles, with some of the best snorkeling and diving in the region.
Be aware of potentially strong currents between these islands.
PARASAILING
Try the beach clubs in Sanur and Tanjung Benoa, or Bali Hai can safely parasail you over Nusa Lembongan. Call Bali Hai Cruises on 720331
for info. For your own safety check that companies have insurance
coverage.
SAILING
A number of professional cruise companies can take you to some of the most spectacular islands in the area.
SURFING & BODY BOARDING
In Bali there are definitely waves for everyone to surf. If you don’t have your own board, check out the Kuta or Sanur beaches for rentals. On Jl. Pantai Kuta is Pro Surf School. Surf lessons for all levels are offered. For more info check out www.prosurfschool.com or call 7441466. Rip Curl School of Surf on Blue Ocean Beach in Seminyak guarantees learning! If you’re not standing up on your board by the end of the day, your next lesson is gratis; An offer you can’t refuse! Check out www.schoolofsurf.com or call 735858. At the Mercure Kuta Hotel Arcade you’ll find Odysseys Surf School. Odysseys guarantee customized surf lessons for students from 6 and 60. Odyssey offers fantastic value and terrific teachers in Bali’s safest surf breaks. Students will be thrilled to stand on the board – in their first lesson! Ride the wave with professional instructors. Find more info on www.odysseysurfschool.com.
WHERE TO SURF...?
Kuta & Legian Beach - soft beach breaks, perfect
for learning.
Medewi Beach - reef break for intermediates or for
pros on a mellow day out. Good for long boarders.
Canggu & Dreamland - beach and reef breaks for
intermediate to experienced surfers.
Nusa Dua - reef break for experienced surfers. Best
in the wet season (November to March).
Nusa Lembongan (except Playgrounds) &
Uluwatu ) - reef breaks for experienced surfers only.
Padang Padang - Bali’s most dangerously tubing
left-hander; works only on huge swells and should be left for the
pros to ride...
WATERBOM BALI
Bali’s only waterslide park, set in beautiful, lush, tropical
gardens, in the heart of Kuta. More than 1 km of slides, for all levels
of bravery and under 5's get in free! Exelent restaurant for Park
guests only. Theis Kidz Park is one of the best yet! Jl. Kartika Plaza,
call 755676
WATER
& JET SKIING
Jet skis, boats and water-skis are available for hire at Sanur, Nusa
Dua and Tanjung Benoa beaches.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Several professionally-run companies operate on the Telaga Waja, Unda
and Ayung rivers; all of which are rated ± Grade 3. Usually
more challenging in the rainy season, a day of white water rafting
is sure to be filled with some really wet ‘n’ wild moments
as well as some more introspective and peaceful ones.
WINDSURFING
Sanur Beach, some of the Nusa Dua Resort hotels and Tanjung Benoa
Beach provide boards and sails for rent & can also provide tutoring.
LANDSPORTS
For those of you wishing to sweat it out on dry land, the
following pages outline some of the exciting land-based activities
and sports on offer in Bali.
Bali Safari and Marine Park
Explore the divided continents and islands on a tour at Bali Safari and Marine Park. From Sumatra to Kalimantan, Africa to India, name the animal as you meet them; orang-utans, white Indian tigers, leopards, camels, alligators, eagles and many more. Get entertained by the animals’ impressive tricks as you’re being informed about jungle life. Relax in the magnificent bungalows and catch a feel of how Tarzan lives surrounded by ‘the wilds’. Call: 950 000.
BUNGY
Established in 1994, AJ Hackett at Double Six Club in Seminyak offers bungy jumps with a stunning view. The 45m high bungy tower (with lift) is situated over a 5m deep pool, which makes for refreshing dips! The tower is also open to non-jumpers and offers a great place to catch those beautiful Bali sunsets. Open daily noon-8pm and nightly; Fri & Sat 2am-5am.
CLIMBING
It takes about 3-6hours to climb Mt. Agung, Bali’s highest mountain
and it takes a day (return trip) to reach the summit of Mt. Batukaru
. Guides are a must! For a more adventurous climb, try Mt. Rinjani
in Lombok (ascent and descent - 3 days). Not advisable during the
rainy season (Nov-March).
CYCLING
Cycling is a fantastic way to see Bali ‘off the
beaten track’. Most pedal-pushers can find their own way around
but there are also adventure companies offering guided excursions
on bikes through mountain trails.
GOLF
Golfers in Bali have the choice of 4 golf courses. On Bali’s southwest coast, close to the famous temple of Tanah Lot, is the spectacular Nirwana Bali Golf Club, which again and again has been voted Asia’s top venue. In Nusa Dua, you can tee off at the Bali Golf and Country Club. The Grand Bali Beach in Sanur offers a 9-hole course, whereas the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club in the beautiful and cool countryside of Mt. Catur in central Bali is an 18-hole Golf Resort.
The beautiful New Kuta Golf, with its 18 hole championship-standard course, is also worth checking out! Call 8481 333.
LAND CRUISE
Cruise along the route to sacred Mt. Batukaru; Visit a typical Balinese family compound and stroll around the fragrant gardens with an abundance of fruit and spices. Visit a sacred hot water spring and a traditional stone quarry.
OFF ROAD TOURS
Get off the beaten track and discover the natural beauty of Bali with Bali Quad & Balibuggy tours. Great fun for the
whole family! More info. at: 720766.
TENNIS
Check out the nearest 5-star hotel in your area for courts. It is
advisable to play in the early morning or late afternoon when Bali’s
hot tropical sun is a bit more forgiving. The Nikko Bali runs the
Bali Tennis Academy, at which you can improve your skills.
TREKKING
As it is easy getting lost while trekking in Bali (parts of the jungle
can look identical and paths often lead to nowhere), using a guide
is advisable. The Eco Tour Trek is a pleasant trek through forests,
plantantions and rural hamlets, complete with picnics by the lake.
This unique tour introduces the uninitiated to a seldom-seen side
of Bali.
WARNING
!!!
You are only 8° south of EQUATOR -sun burn is common
and can ruin your holiday, so COVER UP! ALWAYS use water
proof sun block if you plan on getiing wet and don’t
forget to anoint ears, neck, feet and bald patches! Wear sunglasses
and hat when necessary and don’t forget to drink LOADS
of water.
When swimming in the sea, beware of strong curents, even
if you are good swimmer! Only swim between the red and yellow
flags as they are there for your safety. |
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