6 Best Cruises and Boat Tours in Bali

Bali is one of the largest islands in Indonesia and is not only a tourist attraction in itself, but is also surrounded by paradise archipelagos. A cruise is one of the best ways to discover the maritime profile of this destination, and it is from the deck of a boat that you can enjoy some of the most outstanding views and discover another side to the beautiful local beaches.

Among the best activities you can do in Bali are taking a sunset dinner cruise, going on a boat trip to Nusa Penida with snorkelling, touring Turtle Island on a glass-bottom boat and visiting the Dolphin Beaches in Lovina on a tourist boat.

Embark on a unique evening with this sunset dinner cruise in Denpasar and enjoy a complete experience on the high seas with live music, a cabaret show and an exquisite buffet dinner. You will sail for about 3 hours aboard a luxurious catamaran while watching the sunset over the Balinese coast.

The adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel and a welcome cocktail upon arrival at the boat. From that moment on, everything is designed for you to relax and enjoy: international cuisine, live entertainment and the perfect setting for a magical evening. Whether as a couple, with friends or family, this plan is ideal for those seeking a sophisticated and entertaining experience in Bali.

More information

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours
• Price: From £64
• Advantages of these excursions: perfect for combining a gastronomic evening with live entertainment while enjoying the sunset from the sea.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: no water activities or time for swimming during the tour.

Enjoy an unforgettable day with this full-day cruise to Lembongan Island and immerse yourself in water fun and tropical relaxation in one of Bali's most exclusive destinations. You'll board a luxury catamaran that will take you to the Bali Hai Beach Club, where you'll find idyllic beaches, a barbecue by the sea and activities for all ages.

During the 7-hour excursion, you can snorkel among coral reefs, go kayaking, ride a banana boat or simply lie back and soak up the sun. The kids' club also offers entertainment for the little ones, making it ideal for families. With food included, drinks throughout the day and transfers from your hotel, this excursion has everything you need to enjoy Bali by sea.

More information

• Duration: Approximately 7 hours
• Price: From £97
• Advantages of these excursions: offers a full day with access to a private beach and a wide variety of water activities for all ages.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: as this is a popular excursion, there may be a higher number of visitors during high season.

Nusa Penida is one of the most beautiful islands located around Bali, and one of the best ways to discover it is by taking a cruise along its coastline. This trip will take you from Benoa Harbour to the crystal-clear waters surrounding Nusa Penida, a tropical paradise known for its natural beauty and the fascinating marine life that inhabits its surrounding seabed.

During the cruise, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a snorkelling experience in some of the most fascinating sites in the region, allowing you to explore colourful coral reefs and an underwater world that reflects the richness of the local fauna. This experience is usually one of the best excursions you can do from Bali.

However, the trip is not only about exploring the turquoise waters, but also about enjoying the serenity of Nusa Penida on land. Many cruises include stops at notable points of interest, such as Kelingking Beach, famous for its cliffs and panoramic views. In addition, the island offers opportunities for walking, taking photographs and enjoying the unique experience of interacting with the local culture.

One of the most memorable moments of this cruise to Nusa Penida is undoubtedly the sunset. On your return to Bali, you can enjoy one of the best sunsets in the world as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, especially if you plan to visit the island in October or during the dry months, which also offer clear skies.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £30 per person.
• Duration of these cruises: around 3 and a half hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: not only will you get to know Nusa Penida, but you can also enjoy snorkelling around the coral reefs and learn about the local culture of the island.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: the price of these itineraries does not include snorkelling equipment rental.

A glass-bottomed boat trip to Turtle Island is a traditional Balinese adventure that will allow you to discover the diversity of marine life found off the island's coast, including everything from coral to tropical fish. During the trip, you will be able to snorkel without getting wet, while learning from the expert local guide who will accompany you on the journey.

Some of these trips also include a stop on the island to enjoy the white sandy beach and crystal clear waters, as well as to get up close to a local turtle population. What's more, if you plan to visit Bali in summer, which coincides with the breeding season for these animals, you can learn about the behaviour of this species during mating.

Apart from the marine life and its famous inhabitants, Turtle Island also offers a spectacular setting to enjoy one of the best sunsets in the world. Most of these excursions take place in the afternoon and, at the end of the day, as the sun begins to set on the horizon, you can capture the magic of the sunset from the deck of the boat on your return to Bali.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £25 per person, including the trip and the services of an expert local guide.
• Duration of these cruises: between 2 and 3 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will discover a very famous place that is rarely visited by the island's most popular excursions.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: if you travel during the winter, you may see few or no turtles as this is the hibernation season for this species.

If you want to explore Lovina Dolphin Beach in Bali, one of the best options is to take a boat trip. This destination, located on the north coast of the island, is famous for its resident dolphin population, which you can see in their natural habitat. These tours usually offer visitors the opportunity to interact with these marine mammals.

The boat trip to Lovina is not only about the dolphin watching experience, but also offers the opportunity to enjoy the calm waters and views along the north coast of Bali. Many of these tours take place early in the morning, when the chances of seeing dolphins are highest and the island's best beaches are mostly empty.

In addition, in Lovina you will find one of Bali's most famous fish markets, where you can buy fresh produce, have lunch at street stalls or take part in a food tour to discover the local cuisine and the interrelationship between fishing and the island's culinary offerings.

Please note, however, that although dolphins usually appear during the excursion, sightings may not always be successful. To reduce the margin of error, I recommend confirming in advance the times of year when these mammals are most likely to be found in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £38 per person.
• Duration of these cruises: between 10 and 11 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: they allow you to get up close to dolphins and interact with them.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are intense experiences and require a lot of physical exertion, so they are not recommended for people with reduced mobility, unless they follow the route exclusively from the deck of the boat.

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable experience that allows you to discover Bali from a different perspective, don't miss out on a sunset dinner cruise. These tours combine the serenity of the Indian Ocean with the rich local cuisine, creating a magical evening as the sun sets on the horizon. The experiences start from Benoa or Seminyak and offer a unique perspective of the Bali coastline.

During this cruise, you will have the opportunity to sample a dinner of local dishes while sailing on calm waters. The sea breeze and panoramic ocean views add a romantic touch to the experience. Many cruises also offer live entertainment, from traditional Balinese music to contemporary performances, turning the trip into a live concert.

The highlight of this cruise, however, is the chance to watch the sunset from the deck of the boat. Bali is famous for having some of the most breathtaking sunsets in the world, and this cruise will give you the opportunity to enjoy this natural phenomenon that enhances the landscapes of the island's already idyllic beaches.

These cruises are often included in the list of the best tours in Bali because, as the sun paints the sky with warm, golden tones, the view from the boat offers a unique perspective of the beauty of this island.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £79 per person, including dinner.
• Duration of these cruises: around 4 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can take part in one of Bali's most traditional experiences.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: drinks are not included in the price of the trip.

You can book a cruise excursion in Bali in advance online or once you are on the island. If you choose the latter option, keep in mind that if you plan to visit this destination in October or during the high season, spots on the tours may sell out or the rates, which are dynamic, may increase for last-minute purchases.

On the other hand, these experiences usually take place in the morning or afternoon, so if you book in advance , you can put together an itinerary to visit different parts of this destination, such as the best temples in Bali or take part in an adventure tour on quad bikes, which are usually in the afternoon.

Also, keep in mind that many of these experiences are for small groups or are private excursions, so if you plan to visit Bali with a group and book in advance, you can ensure that you and your companions will be the only passengers on board.

On cruise tours in Bali, you can discover some of the island's best landscapes, but also marvel at the local sunsets, which are considered among the most outstanding in the world and are one of the main attractions of these sea voyages. From the deck of the boat, you will have an ideal view of the sunsets.

In addition, during these tours, you will have the opportunity to explore many of Bali's best beaches. Some excursions also include strategic stops that allow you to step onto white sand, dive into crystal-clear waters and enjoy water activities to explore the region's rich marine life through activities such as snorkelling or surface diving.

On the other hand, the coast of Bali is adorned with cliffs and unique rock formations that allow you to discover a different and little-explored side of this destination. Some itineraries will take you to iconic sites such as Dolphin Beach, where you can spot these marine mammals and interact with them.

Cruise excursions can also take you to islands near Bali, such as Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, where you can gain an in-depth understanding of island life, explore pristine beaches and participate in water activities.

Firstly, when choosing the cruise you want to go on, make sure it suits your preferences and needs. There are a variety of options available, from romantic sunset cruises to excursions that include snorkelling experiences, so researching the itinerary in advance will avoid any surprises on these trips, which are among the best tours in Bali.

Another crucial tip is to check the weather conditions and seasons in Bali before planning your cruise excursion. Although the island's tropical climate offers warm temperatures throughout the year, it is important to consider that the rainy season coincides with summer in Bali. Being aware of these details will save you from any mishaps.

During the cruise, don't forget to bring essential items such as sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable clothing. Exposure to the sun at sea can be intense, so make sure you protect yourself properly to enjoy the trip without any worries. Also, if you participate in activities such as snorkelling, check whether the necessary equipment is included or if it is advisable to bring your own.

Finally, relax and take the opportunity to explore the island from a different perspective. Don't miss the chance to discover the marine life, take pictures of the sunset and don't forget that the trip back to the port after sunset is one of the best things to do in Bali at night.

Taking a cruise in Bali is a highly recommended experience for several reasons. The wide variety of options available allows visitors to choose the experience that best suits their preferences and desires, but it is very difficult not to find an alternative that satisfies them and allows them to see the island from a different perspective than the traditional one from land.

In addition, Bali has extraordinary natural beauty, and a cruise allows you to appreciate it from the Indian Ocean. Crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and cliffs are just some of the landscapes you can enjoy from the deck of the boat. From the sea, you can also get a sense of the intimate connection between Bali's marine spirit and its surroundings.

The experience of taking a cruise in Bali is also recommended for its relaxing nature. As you sail through calm waters, you can enjoy the sea breeze, relax on the deck of the boat and surrender to the tranquillity of the ocean. This peaceful getaway offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life and a chance to disconnect from the crowds through panoramic views and magical sunsets.

Also keep in mind that the chance to explore nearby islands, participate in water activities such as snorkelling or surface diving, or enjoy the beauty of a Balinese sunset from the water are unique experiences that make a cruise excursion highly recommended, both for its versatility and its carefree atmosphere.