Diving and snorkelling
Numerous diving and snorkelling spots border the island. Sanur, Tanjung Benoa and Lovina are for beginners; Amed, Tulamben and Menjangan (within Bali Barat National Park) offer isolated reefs; Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida across the Badung Strait contain rich marine life. Dive operators offer PADI certificates, but check that they have five-star PADI approval rating before booking in with anyone.
Walk the sea bed
No diving or swimming experience is required to marvel at the marine wonders of the ocean around Bali. Put on a helmet with a clear shield before walking for 15-minutes on the sea bed up to 8-metres under water. Packages from Marine Walk bring you to the waters of Lembongan island.Surfing
Surf virgins and beginners can easily pick up the sport at Kuta and Legian beaches. More challenging breaks are found at Dreamland and Canggu beaches, while experienced surfers should check out breaks at Nusa Dua, and at Shipwrecks and Lacerations of Nusa Lembongan.
Stand Up Paddle Surfing
Unlike traditional surfing, this involves standing on a board with a paddle. Think paddling in a boat except that you are standing on a board. Surfing the waves is still possible, but this also allows you to surf on water anywhere, whether it is the pool or out in the open sea.Mountain climbing
Experience sunrise atop Mount Agung, Bali's highest peak at about 3100m, which is a relatively easy climb of approximately three to six hours, or Mount Batukaru, the second highest peak at 2200m. They're best scaled from April through to October. For more thrills, hike up Mount Batur, an active volcano rising 1500m high with a large crater lake. Taking a guide is strongly recommended.
If simply jumping off a 45m tower is boring, then execute some fancy leaps on a bicycle or motorbike at the only bungee jumping facility on Kuta Beach, operated by AJ Hackett. Or do a reverse bungee in the Bali Sling Shot (Jalan Kartika Plaza No 8X, Tuban; phone +62 361 758838), where you are hurtled 52m in to the sky while strapped in a chair within a capsule of metal bars.
My 77-year old mother-in-law has careened down 8km of the Ayung River in an inflatable raft and survived to tell the tale, so there is no excuse for anyone younger to not follow suit! The Telega Waja and Unda rivers offer equally exciting drops and impressive waterfalls. Check with Bali Adventure Tours for information on their packages
Canyon tubing
Unlike water rafting, you go solo in a smaller inflatable raft through narrower streams and more challenging drops on this adrenaline experience. Offered by Bali Canyon Tubing, the journey through the Siap stream in Payangan also combines a flying fox trip and treads over wooden footpaths through parts of the canyon that are inaccessible on the raft.
The best way to get a panoramic view of the beaches of Timbis, Sanur and Tanjung Benoa is from 100m in the air. Make sure your operator includes insurance! Exo-Fly is a reputable outfit with loads of experience doing Timbis Beach flights. April through to December is the best time to do it.
This will appeal to off-road junkies as you get to manoeuvre a 4WD motorbike or specially designed off-road car across some of the most picturesque rice fields, mountains and riverbanks in Bali. Tours by Bali Quad usually stop at a traditional house and bring you past several of the island's Hindu temples.
This
activity involves shooting paint pellets from air guns while running,
and ducking from incoming paint pellets shot by opposing players. Not as
simple as it sounds — dexterity, stamina and a good aim are essential
if you really want to win. Paintball Bali's the place to go for more.
Try out your best Tarzan (or Jane!) as you navigate the circuits at Bali Treetop Adventure Park.
Various challenge levels are at five, eight, 11 and 20 metres above
ground. Thrills along the circuit are provided by various jumps, a
flying fox and swings through the air.
Bali: 24-hour itinerary
With just 24 hours in Ubud you'll have to make the most of your time. Follow our Insider's expert one day itinerary.
Market tour
Begin the day with an explorative walking tour or join a market tour cum cooking lesson for the best intro to the place.
Join an experienced guide from Keep Walking Tours (Tel: +62 361 973361) on a two- to three-hour walk through rice fields, local villages, and the countryside. You'll learn about the complex Subak irrigation system employed in the rice fields, and meet local craftsmen and artisans in their homes. Those who prefer wandering without a guide will find rice fields in Abangan (accessible from Jalan Raya Ubud). After 20 minutes of strolling, you can break for lunch at Sari Organic, a restaurant that uses organically-grown produce from its own gardens in their dishes (tel: +62 361 972087).
Market tours are given twice weekly by author, cook and long-time Ubud resident Janet de Neefe (phone +62 361 973282; info@casalunabali.com), who introduces local herbs and spices used both for cooking and for traditional remedies to travellers on her walks. After the tour, learn how to prepare Balinese dishes following recipes handed down from Janet's Balinese mother-in-law and other relatives. What you prepare makes up your lunch; don't worry if you aren't a natural — you can chase down your grub with plenty of rice wine.
If your tummy still has space, grab some babi guling (spit roasted suckling pig) at Ibu Oka (Jalan Suweta, opposite the Royal Palace). Highly recommended by food connoisseur Anthony Bourdain, countless travelers to Bali and even the locals, get some takeaway for a savory mid-afternoon if your stomach is still bursting from breakfast or lunch.
The Royal Palace
Join an experienced guide from Keep Walking Tours (Tel: +62 361 973361) on a two- to three-hour walk through rice fields, local villages, and the countryside. You'll learn about the complex Subak irrigation system employed in the rice fields, and meet local craftsmen and artisans in their homes. Those who prefer wandering without a guide will find rice fields in Abangan (accessible from Jalan Raya Ubud). After 20 minutes of strolling, you can break for lunch at Sari Organic, a restaurant that uses organically-grown produce from its own gardens in their dishes (tel: +62 361 972087).
Market tours are given twice weekly by author, cook and long-time Ubud resident Janet de Neefe (phone +62 361 973282; info@casalunabali.com), who introduces local herbs and spices used both for cooking and for traditional remedies to travellers on her walks. After the tour, learn how to prepare Balinese dishes following recipes handed down from Janet's Balinese mother-in-law and other relatives. What you prepare makes up your lunch; don't worry if you aren't a natural — you can chase down your grub with plenty of rice wine.
If your tummy still has space, grab some babi guling (spit roasted suckling pig) at Ibu Oka (Jalan Suweta, opposite the Royal Palace). Highly recommended by food connoisseur Anthony Bourdain, countless travelers to Bali and even the locals, get some takeaway for a savory mid-afternoon if your stomach is still bursting from breakfast or lunch.
The Royal Palace
After lunch, visit Puri Saren Agung or the Ubud Royal Palace
(corner of Jalan Suweta and Jalan Raya Ubud). Descendants of Ubud's
last king still reside here, where building structures are decorated
with intricate carvings and antique ornate furnishings. From the palace,
you can stop at Pura Desa Ubud or the main town temple along Jalan Raya Ubud, or walk up Jalan Suweta to Pura Peseh, "the temple of origin", which is dedicated to Ubud's ancestors.
Body treats
Body treats
Soothe your tired body with a range of treatments. Besides foot massages, Kenko Reflexology
(Jalan Monkey Forest; phone +62 361 975293) also has pedicure and foot
bath treatments. Knead away tense muscles with an hour-long traditional
Balinese body massage at Sara Spa (Lotus Lane, at the end of the
small track next to Lotus restaurant on Jalan Monkey Forest; phone +62
81 2462 222). If you fancy having a fresh papaya slathered over your
body after the massage, followed by a flower bath, head to Sedona Spa.
Time to eat
You're
hungry by now, aren't you? Have some quality homemade desserts and a
cup of coffee, brewed from daily fresh roasted beans, at Tutmak (Jalan Dewi Sita, phone +62 361 975754). Later you can have a meal of smoked duck at Arie's Warung next door (phone +62 361 977580), or barbecued spare ribs at Naughty Nuri's (Jalan Raya Sanggingan; phone +62 361 977547). Otherwise, chow down nasi campur (dishes of rice with mixed ingredients including chicken, egg, and vegetables) at Mangga Madu (Jalan Gunung Sari; phone +62 361 977334), or try the chicken with cashew nut rice at Dewa Warung (Jalan Goutama, off Jalan Dewi Sita).
Balinese dance
Once done stuffing your face, catch a traditional Balinese dance performance at one of several venues, including the Ubud Royal Palace, the Ubud Water Palace (in Peliatan), or Pura Dalem Ubud
(Jalan Raya Ubud). Performance times differ but usually commence from
7pm, and a ticket for each performance ranges between Rp50,000 to
Rp150,000 ($8.25 to $24.80), depending on the length of the performance
and the elaborateness of the dance.
Details such as location, price and type of dance are available at the Ubud Tourist Information Office (junction of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Monkey Forest, diagonally opposite the Royal Palace).
Mountain Bromo, Indonesia
Mountain Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. At 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but it is the most well known. The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke. It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly.
Details such as location, price and type of dance are available at the Ubud Tourist Information Office (junction of Jalan Raya Ubud and Jalan Monkey Forest, diagonally opposite the Royal Palace).
Drinks and nibbles
Start with drinks and nibbles at the Jazz Café, where musicians perform live from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Continue with tapas, cocktails and smokes from shisha pipes at XL Shisha Lounge or dance late in to the night at CP Lounge (Jalan Monkey Forest).
Mountain Bromo, Indonesia
Mountain Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. At 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but it is the most well known. The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke. It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly.
Located some 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java, Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres. While it may be small when measured against other volcanoes in Indonesia, the magnificent Mt Bromo will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscapes.
From a vantage point on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 meters above sea level), 2.5 hours from Malang. visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mt Bromo. From this spot the vista is magnificent. All you will hear is the click of cameras as visitors snap their camera’s hoping to capture the incredible scene of Mt Bromo in the foreground with Mt Semeru smoking in the distance and the sun shining brightly, quickly rising in the sky.
The eerie landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. The people here appease the Gods once a year during the annual Kasada festival where offerings of vegetables, chickens and money are thrown into the crater of the volcano.
The temperature at Mt Bromo ranges from 3
to 20 degrees Celsius but the temperature may be several degrees below
zero during the dry season. If you can’t stand cold weather, you should
bring a jacket, gloves and a head cover or cap. After the sun rises,
the weather becomes hot pretty fast.
Don't forget to bring a camera or handycam so you can capture the natural beauty.To Stay
There are a number of guesthouses and
basic hotels located around Mt Bromo. The Bromo Guest House is located
at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other
hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.
Visitors can also stay at Tretes,
Pasuruan or in Malang, the nearest towns to Bromo, and cool mountain
resorts, where there are a number of good hotels with spectacular views
on Mt. Semeru and Mt.Arjuna.To Eat
If you forget to bring food, the restaurants near Mount Bromo open from 3 am. They generally provide various types of Indonesian traditional dishes such as Ketoprak, fried rice, Rujak Cingur, Bandrek, etc.
Bunake, Indonesia
Located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Bunaken is one of
Indonesia’s most famous dive and snorkeling areas. The island is part of
the Bunaken Marine Park where you can see more than 70% of all fish
species that live in the western Pacific ocean. The best time for diving
in Bunaken is between the months of April and November.