Activities in Bali
Next to diving there are lots of other activities that can be done on Bali.
On the map below we have used symbols to indicate the kind of activity found there.
The explanation of the symbols are in the left side-bar and include golfing, trekking, surfing, rafting, horseback riding and
touring with a bicycle. As you can see there is enough to do around Bali for all!
All the activities mentioned can be arranged by us in advance, including accommodation at the different locations.
For overnight stays or longer we have a special selection of small authentic hotels.
Move your cursor over the map to jump to the indicated topic :
Golf courses around Bali
In recent years a few new golf courses have emerged on this island, next to the existing ones, which brings the total golf courses on Bali to 5. If you did not bring your clubs you can rent a set at any of the courses below as well as join their lessons.
Nirwana golf course
This course has 18 challenging holes sitting on Bali's Indian Ocean coast. Designed by the famous golfer Greg Norman, this 71 par golf course is one of Asia's most visually spectacular courses with holes carved through rice paddies, over creeks with three holes played along the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. On the 7th hole it offers a view on the sacred Hindu sea temple of Tanah Lot.
Bali Golf & Country Club
Located in the vicinity of luxury tourist resorts in Nusa Dua, BGCC offers different types of tropical golf course design, providing golf
enthusiasts with a world championship 18 hole golf course in a spectacular seaside setting.
The Nelson/Wright-designed course ensures playability for all levels of players with multiple tees of a variety of distances.
Expert grooming and superb maintenance assures championship playing conditions.
Another treat at BGCC is the amazing variety of birds that have taken "home" around the course's ponds and lakes.
The 17th and 18th holes run along the seashore.
The 9th and 17th to the 19th hole (the Clubhouse),
are favourites for beginners.
Bali Handara Kosaido
Bali Handara Kosaido is the oldest golf course in Bali as well as Indonesia. This is the only golf course in Asia with its location
set in an extinct volcano.
Nestled, 1,142 meters above sea level, the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club offers a 72 par, eighteen hole
championship course surrounded by lush tropical rain forest near vertical crater walls clad in vegetation.
The Handara is a
deceptively difficult course. There are plenty of bunkers, lakes and other water hazards to get you into difficulty. Clouds are
common in the afternoon, so the morning is the perfect time to start your game here.
Bali Beach golf course
Located at Jalan Hangtuah - Sanur, it is set in an environment of very mature, tall trees and has been given a face lift with the
introduction of lakes, mounding and features, including newly designed and constructed greens all of which add to the aesthetic
beauty of the course.
The Bali Beach Golf Course is a course with 9 holes that will provide challenges to all golfers of all skill
levels.
New Kuta golf course
Brand new golf course situated on the cliffs of Bali's Bukit Peninsula and overlooking the rolling blue surf of the vast Indian
Ocean in the area formerly known as "dreamland". This eighty-five hectare golf course, designed by Ronald Freeman, has 18 holes
and is part of a huge development which is branded the "new Kuta".
The whole 400 hectare project boasts, apart from the golf course, a new resort above the beach area, a convention centre, restaurants,
a health service centre and an international school as well as privately owned villas.
Surfing around Bali
Swells come in from the Indian Ocean so the best waves can be found on the Southern side of the island.
Depending on were the trade winds come from the best surfing on the West coast is between July and September and shift around the
Southern peninsula towards Padangbai for the other months.
The Kuta bay has a sandy bottom and is therefore perfect for learning how to surf or when you're satisfied with less thrilling rides. Boards
and shirts can be rented on the beach at the numerous surf stands for about Rp.60.000 an hour. They will
even give you for some extra money the basic surfing positions.
There are also numerous more "organized" surf schools were you join a group and will get a fancy shirt, a surfboard and the
additional drinks, towels and what more you have. They are around US$40,- for a session of 2 hours.
Around the Southern peninsula the waves are rolling longer and are year round good, but are generally considered for the more
experienced surfers because of the shallow coral sea bottom towards the shore. This area is the mecca of surfing in Bali together
with G-land on Java, the Southern coast of Lombok and Sumbawa.
Trekking around Bali
Apart from the West Bali National Park long walks without seeing anybody is not possible on this island of
more than 3 million people. But it does offer some really good walks in beautiful forests and through ricefields where you can have a good
idea what life in a traditional Bali village is like.
Most of the good hikes are there where nature is still more or less in control which means up in the mountains.
So more physical challenging but the upside is that its usually a lot cooler and you have the views.
Trekking around Munduk
Munduk, at an elevation of around a 1000 meters above sea level, is a fantastic place to spend a night or two and enjoy the fresh
mountain air during one of the many walks you can do. It has the whole range of what trekking and hiking in Bali is all about.
Watching the sun rise over the mountains from the porch of your veranda in Munduk is already worth the trip!
Trekking around lake Buyan and lake Tamblingan
Starting from the village Asan Munduk at lake Tamblingan on the Southern side of the lake, you cross between the 2 lakes to the Northern side of lake Buyan were you go can be picked up by the driver. For this walk there is no need to use a guide..
Trekking in the West Bali National Park
There are two entrances in this 19,000 hectare big national park: the headquarters entrance near Gilimanuk and the entrance around corner at Teluk Terima. The entrance itself costs almost nothing but the mandatory guide will cost you depending on your negotiation skills and the amount of time you will be spending inside the park. Or you can pre-arrange it through us so you can be sure to pay a fair amount.
There are a few tried and tested walks:
Walk 1: Departing and ending in the National Park Office in Teluk Terima, this walk will loop to explore the lowland tropical bush
and forest along the small river of Teluk Terima. The whole trek will take approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Walk 2: Departing and ending in the National Park Office in Teluk Terima, this walk is an extended trip of Walk 1 to further explore the highland tropical forest of Mount Ulu Teluk Terima which is 242 meters above sea level. The whole trek will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Walk 3: Departure is from the National Park Office in Sumber Klampok and ends at the National Park Office in Klatakan or Ambyarsari. This route covers the lowland tropical bush and forest of Sumber Klampok (in the North part of the Park) leading up to cross Mount Klatakan which is 690 meters above sea level. Leaving the peak, the trek will loop down to explore the West part of the Park to finally end either in Klatakan or Ambyarsari. The whole trek will take approximately 5-7 hours.
Hiking the Agung mountain
With 3142m the highest mountain of Bali and a crater rim with a diameter of 700m this is truly a majestic mountain/dormant volcano.
If you want to be certain of a good view from the top you should arrive there no later than 8AM. After that time the top of the mountain is
slowly fogging up again.
Also best to avoid the months during the rainy season when the path gets slippery and the month of April
when there are many religious ceremonies being held in the Besakih temple and the guides are unwilling to take you.
There are basically two ways to climb this mountain:
Route 1: For this climb you need to be well prepared;
good climbing shoes, warm cloths, rainjacket, flashlight
(preferably one attached to your head, since you need the use of both hands during your climb up), plenty supply of snacks and water.
You need to be in good shape, preferably used to mountain climbing, and well rested, before you start this adventure.
Especially the last part wil take a lot of effort climbing up an old lave stream which is slippery and full of rubble.
Do not try this when you are afraid of heights and do not underestimate this mountain!
Start from the North East side of the Besakih temple it is a 6 hour climb to the top so start no later than midnight.
At the top you will have a beautiful view over central Bali.
Route 2: Start from the Pasar Agung temple it is a 3 to 4 hours climb but once at the top you can only see the South and the
East of Bali. Unfortunately there is no way to go round the rim and descend via the Besakih route.
For both hikes it is possible to get there from the East coast of Bali the night of the climb or to make an overnight stay around
lake Batur. The Mt. Agung is a sacred mountain and cannot be climbed without an official guide.
The guide need to get permission from a priest at the temple, and on your way up, will stop
at a shrine to make an offering before continuing up.
Hiking the Batur mountain
Lake Batur is created by a huge eruption of Mt. Batur a long time ago. Still active this is a double caldera volcano meaning one crater inside another.
The outer crater is an oval about 14km long, with its western rim about 1500m above sea level.
The inner crater is a classic strato-volcano with a peak of 1717m.
This active volcano has created several smaller cones on its western flank in the last few decades.
Uninspiredly they have been given the names Batur I, II, III and IV.
For true volcano lovers this trek is a must, but you can also enjoy the views from the parking-lot in the village of
Penelokan.
Rafting around Bali
Best time for rafting is, obviously, when there has been plenty of rainfall to feed the rivers but even without
the thrill of going fast, taking a trip down the river this way is an opportunity to see Bali from a different vantage point. In
that respect it is not bad at all that the rivers are not the most challenging around...
There are many companies in Bali doing trips from various rivers and they all usually make a package were transport to and from
your hotel and a lunch is included. Or you can stop on your way going from one place to another with a chauffeur,
but you have to make it in time to join the group when they leave. There is a morning raft starting around 9am and an afternoon raft starting
around 1pm.
The following rivers are used for rafting:
Ayung river
About 5 to 10km north of Ubud is the starting point for the rafting companies on the Ayung river, the longest on Bali. The river brings you through a really amazing landscape of rainforest and rice paddies against the more sloping sides. Although it has about 27 "rapids" of class II to III it is on the whole not really difficult to stay on the boat.
Telaga Waya river
A long (12km) river winding down from the Agung mountain through rice paddy fields into the valley. Level of difficulty is equal to that of the Ayung river.
Melangit river
This 10km river flows between Gianyar and Klungkung and has some twists and turns through a rainforest canyon. Steep cliffs line parts of the river. Steep gradient in some places create waterfalls ranging from one to four metres. The Melangit River is one of the more challenging river trips available in Bali, classified as class III-IV.
Mountain biking around Bali
As with the trekking section, similar routes can be done using a bicycle. Below we have listed a few routes which are organized, that is with a guide whereby a quality bycicle and a rain coat, if required, are included. The cost of a day trip is approximately €25,- / US$35,- (date February 2011) and that includes at least a lunch and/or breakfast depending on the duration of the tour.
For the more fanatic ones there is the possibility to do longer rides on more challenging trails going down from every mountain in Bali to, in some occasions, all the way down to the coast. Here a back-up truck follows you all the way and you will use first-class mountain bikes and gear. The cost of these day trips are approximately €57,-/US$80,- (min. 2 pax. - date February 2011).
Around Ubud
Start is at lake Batur were you will have a breakfast overlooking the lake. After breakfast the tour begins with a two and a half
hours downhill ride. During the ride you can stop whenever you choose to take photos and visit the local people. You will be
able to find out details about village life including rice and vegetable farming, ceremonies, and family life. Then there is a visit
to a coffee plantation, a village temple before finally ending in the Ubud area where you will have a Balinese lunch in a traditional
Balinese home.
This tour is a full day tour: start from 7:45am (from Ubud) - 4:00pm.
Around lake Bratan
Starting high in the mountains at the village of Meyungan, this 25km ride winds its way down along valleys, passing temples and shrines and criss-crossing fields through landscape hardly affected by the changing times. You can see Balinese culture and customs while you pass through this beautiful countryside, arriving finally at the famous Monkey Forest Temple at Sangeh (see Nature).
Around lake Batur
Start is in the Kintamani region where you will enjoy a full breakfast overlooking Lake Batur in the shadow of the magnificent
Mt. Batur, a still active volcano. After breakfast is a canoe trip on the 'holy lake' were you can enjoy the peacefulness
of the surrounding area.
After having a traditional Indonesian lunch the dual suspension mountain bikes are ready to take you through the small
gangs of rural villages.
Kedisan still has many traditionally made homes which can be viewed on this tour, from grass huts to beautifully
ornamented family compounds. You will have the opportunity to walk around and get more information about the design of these houses.
During the tour you will also view family temples, meet local farmers and shopkeepers and experience life in a remote village.
After touring the village you will cycle on a small back road cutting back to the edge of the mountain and stop along the way for
photos.
You will end your day with a cold soft drink and a cold towel and enjoy the view overlooking Lake Batur.
This tour is a full day tour: start from around 9:00am (from lake Batur) - 4:00pm.
Note: there is the possibility to extend this trip into a 2 day/one night happening.
Horse-back riding around Bali
Although horse-back riding is not a favourite activity in Bali there are a few stables along the coast who
offer rides for both the experienced and unexperienced riders. There is a one-on-one guidance and if you really feel insecure,
somebody will even walk next to the horse and hold the leash for you. You can choose between ½hour rides to 2 hours rides and
since the stables are near the sea you can have the emphasis on rice paddy or beach rides.
Prices are around €28,- / US$40,- an hour (min. 2 pax. - date February 2011).
Watersports
If you like things like Parasailing, Jetskiing, Waterskiing, the Bananaboat or Windsurfing you should spend a day in Tanjung (Cape) Benoa (not to be confused with the harbour Benoa!). There you can do all of these activities for prices which you will not find anywhere in the Western world. If you want we can put together a whole package of these activities to fill a full day.....