SUGGESTON OF EXCITING LANDBASED AND AQUATIC ACTIVITIES
leisure Activities & Sports in Bali, from Golf to Surfing
For those of you with an adventurous mind and with energy to do more than sunbathing, shopping, or sightseeing, below are a few suggestions of exciting landbased and aquatic activities. If you know what you like - go for it! If you don’t, we suggest you try everything!
WATER SPORTS
CANYON TUBING
Canyon Tubing Adventure is calling out explorers to experience this island in a unique way by discovering a hidden canyon in the heart of Bali by means of floating down a crystal clear stream in your own tube. Have a thing for flying fox? The obstacles of this particular flying fox construction will wow your eyes over Bali’s unspoiled nature.
CRUISES
To Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida - 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 wonderful day trips; its marvellous coral reefs make it an excellent spot for diving, snorkelling 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 snorkelling 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. Bali Hai Reef Cruise and Beach Club Cruise depart at 9.15 am, return at 4.15 pm. Sunset Dinner Cruise departs at 5.45 pm, returns at 8.45 pm. Aristocat Evening Cruise departs at 7.00pm, returns at 9.30pm. Aristocat to Nusa Lembongan and Castaway Cruise to Crystal Bay depart at 9 am, return at 6 pm. Ocean Rafting 3 Island Cruise departs at 10.30 am, returns at 5.30 pm. Ocean Rafting Dolphin Cruise departs at 7.30 am, returns at 9.30 am. Stay a night at the Hai Tide Huts and enjoy all Bali Hai Reef Cruise and Beach Club Cruise activities. Other water sport activities available i.e. snorkeling, semi submersible coral viewer, banana boat, ocean kayaking, water slide, lagoon swimming pool, guided village tour. Optional activities: Parasailing, Scuba Diving and Massage. Cruise includes return hotel transfers. For further information please call 720 331 or visit www.balihaicruises.com
Sundowner Cruises offers very memorable Overnight Cruises with their Bali-Cat 48 Flybridge-Motorsailer-Catamaran from Serangan to Lembongan, South Lombok, the Gili’s, Nusa Cenangan and back to Bali for up to 6 Guest in different Cabins. This are really unique 5 days / 4 nights-Yacht-Cruises for very reasonable rates (up from 850 USD for the cruise “all in”!). The professional crew will take care of everything and you just lay back and relax, enjoy the cruise and the great places for snorkelling and swimming. The Cruises are offered every month on schedule, but other dates could be arranged on request if there are more then 4 guest. Information:www.bali-cat.com or +62 (0) 8133 753 4097
DIVING & SNORKELING
If you’ve not yet tried 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 these diving centres. Most of the centres offer International (PADI) diving certificates but be sure to check their PADI Resort Code as well, for the insurance and medical facilities. It is advisable to look for diving 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 the USS Liberty), Padang Bay , Balina Beach.
South Bali
Nusa Lembongan - One of Bali’s best diving sites. Sheltered coral reefs provide exceptional diving and snorkelling, but be aware of strong undertows.
Nusa Penida - Witness the most diverse variety of fish and corals. 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 how 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 neighbouring island. Off its coast are the famous Gili Isles, with some of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the region. Be aware of potentially strong currents around and between these islands.
PARASAILING
Try the beach clubs in Sanur and Tanjung Benoa for a safe yet thrilling parasailing experience over Nusa Lembongan. For your own safety, make sure the 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 breaks 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 breaks 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 and lush tropical gardens on Jl. Kartika Plaza in the heart of Kuta. There is over 1 km of slides for all levels of ability or bravery, excellent restaurants for park guests only and one of the best Kidz Parks yet! More info at: 755 676.
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 more introspective and peaceful ones. Rage your oars on an 8km stretch of Ayung River. Everybody is in the right hands with Bali Adventure Tours to have fun with awesome rides through some of the best river runs, dramatic drops, and spectacular waterfalls.
LAND SPORTS
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!
Elephant Safari Park
Always know yourself as a ‘big animal lover’? Start your day awaking among the Sumatran elephants at Elephant Safari Park in Taro. Watch these humble big fellas from your very own lodge balcony. Ride the ‘Elephant Taxis’ to the restaurant feeling like royalties sprung from Scheherazade 1001 Arabian night tales. It’s known that elephant never forgets. Neither will you after mingling among those trunks. Call: 721 480.
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.
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, plantations and rural hamlets, complete with picnics by the lake. This unique tour introduces the uninitiated to a seldom-seen side of Bali.
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