As a destination, Bali encompasses the best of tropical island life. Not only are their abundant jungles, lush rice fields, and palm lined beaches, but also a rich cultural heritage that is apparent wherever you go. The seas surrounding Bali are filled with their own natural wonders, serving as a route to many other Indonesian islands nearby.

A boat tour in Bali is ideal if you want to view the island from a different perspective. From the water, you can see the dramatic splendor of Bali from a distance and experience some of the many activities that make this destination such a popular place to visit.

Here's all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Bali.

What are the most popular boat tours in Bali?

As an island paradise, Bali offers a variety of different boat tours and excursions to make sure you experience all the sights and excitement offered by an island holiday.

Nusa Penida full-day tours by boat

Starting at Sanur Beach, a fastboat or speed boat will transfer you to the small island of Nusa Penida. Your island guide will drive you to sites including Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) and the natural pool at Angel’s Billabong. The tour includes a stop at the popular Crystal Beach before you return to your boat for your return trip to Bali.

Lembongan Island Bai Hai Beach Club cruise

This tour begins with a pickup from your hotel for a transfer to the luxury Bai Hai II catamaran. Once onboard, sail to Mushroom Bay on Nusa Lembongan Island. Here you will anchor and spend the day enjoying all the activities on offer at the private beach club.

A BBQ lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, island tour, snorkeling equipment, sea kayaks, multiple activities and a children’s club are all included. In the late afternoon you will reboard your catamaran and sail back to your starting point for your hotel transfer.

This tour can be upgraded to include undersea walking or scuba diving (for certified divers).

Discovery Island snorkeling cruise

For a full day of sailing and snorkeling, a Discovery Island cruise from Nusa Lembongan is ideal. On your day tour, you will sail between the best snorkeling spots around Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The catamaran has plenty of space to relax and a gourmet buffet lunch will be served.

Bali Dinner Cruises

The Bali dinner cruises include return hotel transfers. Departing form the port of Benoa, you will head out to see to watch the spectacular sunset over Bali. Dinner cruises usually serve a buffet style meal and you will be entertained with live musical performances of Bali’s traditional folklore.

For a dinner cruise with a difference, you can join a pirate themed experience on a traditional Indonesian Phinisi ship. Live music, games, traditional Balinese dancing shows, and a breath-taking fire dance are all a part of this fun experience.

Kamandalu Ubud: tropical lagoon boat dining experience

Just because you are staying in Ubud doesn’t mean that you can’t have an dinner experience on the water. After a pickup from your hotel, you will arrive at a luxurious resort where you can stroll through the Balinese wilderness before travelling by row boat to the lagoon. You will enjoy a 6-course gourmet meal at your romantic dining space.

You can also choose a lunch-time picnic lunch on your boat in the lagoon.

Tulamben Wreck Driving day trip

A Tulamben wreck diving cruise is suitable for divers of all levels. The USS Liberty lies only 30 meters below the surface and is located in an area with excellent visibility. The trip includes two dives under the supervision of a professional PADI instructor, lunch and refreshments.

Trunyan Cemetery boat tour

For a tour of a different kind, you can book a Terunyan Cemetery boat tour. After a leisurely boat trip across Lake Batur you will dock at the unique Terunyan Cemetery where you will observe the walls of skulls and human bones at this burial site.

You can upgrade this tour to include lunch and a visit to the hot springs.

Boat transfers from Bali

Bali lies close to many Indonesian islands. To get between Bali and other islands in the region, you can book one of the several boat transfers available. Destinations accessible by boat include: Gili Islands, Lombok and Nusa Lembongan.

How much does it cost?

Nusa Penida full-day tours by boat start at US$90 per person, and include the boat trips and touring on Nusa Penida.

Lembongan Island Bai Hai Beach Club cruises cost around US$120 per person, for the standard inclusive package. An upgrade to include an underwater walk or scuba is at an extra cost. Children under 3 can join this tour at no charge.

Discovery Island snorkeling cruises start at US$140 per person, and includes all snorkeling equipment.

Luxury Bali Dinner Cruises that include traditional entertainment cost from US$70 per person, for a fun pirate themed cruise, expect to pay around US$40 per person.

A Kamandalu Ubud: tropical lagoon boat dining experience starts at US$250 for a 6-course evening dining experience for two, and US$120 for a lunch-time boat picnic experience.

Tulamben Wreck Driving day trips include two dives and costs from US$130 per person.

A Trunyan Cemetery boat tour costs US$240 for up to six people.

Boat transfers from Bali cost from US$20 to US$60 one-way depending on your destination

What are the most famous places to visit?

Broken Beach

At Broken Beach on Nusa Penida, an enormous rock arch connects you to the natural pool created over the centuries by sea abrasion.

Bai Hai Beach Club on Lembongan Island

The Bai Hai Beach club is a holiday-makers paradise with a choice of land and water based activities to keep the whole family busy. A kid’s club ensures that everyone gets some down time and has fun.

USS Liberty Wreck

Off the waters of Telamben, the wreck of the USS Liberty provides a fascinating shallow coral reef, suitable for beginner and certified divers.

Trunyan Cemetery

Hidden among the forests close to Lake Batur is Trunyan Cemetery. For centuries, local villagers have buried their dead above the ground here. This bizarre but fascinating site is open to visitors, but only by boat.

How long does it last?

Nusa Penida boat tours, Lembongan Island Bai Hai Beach Club cruises, Tulamben Wreck Diving and Discovery Island snorkeling cruises are full-day activities and last between 8 and 10 hours.

Luxury Bali Dinner Cruises take around 3-4 hours while the pirate themed dinner cruise is 2 hours long.

A Kamandalu Ubud: tropical lagoon boat dining dinner experience lasts 4 hours and a lunch-time boat picnic experience takes around 1,5 hours.

Tulamben Wreck Driving day trips include two dives and costs from US$130 per person.

A Trunyan Cemetery boat tour is a half day excursion, but can be extended to include lunch and a visit to the hot springs.

Boat transfers from Bali vary in length depending on your destination. A fastboat to the Gili Islands will take around 2 hours while a speedboat can transfer you to Nusa Lembongan in half an hour.

Where do boat tours leave from?

Many tours depart from the port of Benoa, but your tour operator will communicate the details of your hotel pickup or meeting point when you confirm your tour. The Kamandalu Ubud lagoon dining experience starts at the Kamandalu Resort in Ubud.

When is the best time for a boat trip in Bali?

Bali has a typical monsoon climate with high amounts of rain and humidity occurring in the summer months. From May to October is the best time for a boat tour as the weather more pleasant and the seas are calmer. For snorkelling, a morning tour is always recommended.

Which other water activities can be done in Bali?

Travel tips

Remember your swimsuit and towel.
Bring a light jacket.
Wear comfortable and cool clothes.
Pack sunscreen and a hat.
Carry nausea medication if you get motion-sickness.

Boat Tours in Bali