Best Day Trips from Bali

Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. With a combination of cultural offerings, heavenly beaches and outstanding cuisine, the island is one of the most visited places by tourists, but its geographical location also makes it an ideal place to base yourself and discover the surrounding attractions on full-day or even multi-day excursions.

Some of the best things to do in Bali include taking a tour of the idyllic island of Nusa Penida, going on a private boat trip to the Komodo Islands to discover one of Indonesia's most fascinating sites, seeing Mount Bromo and the Ijen Crater on an adventure tour and visiting Gili Trawagan, a must for snorkelling and diving experiences in the region.

Nusa Penida is a hidden gem among the Indonesian archipelagos and you can discover it on one of the best cruise tours in Bali. Located just 30 minutes by boat from the port of Sanur, this island offers a unique experience combining idyllic scenery and rich history.

Nusa Penida is home to lush jungle and paradise beaches. Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach are two of the highlights of this site, which is characterised by cliffs that surround the island in a surreal setting. In addition, you can also visit Keling King Beach, a beach unlike any other in the region, surrounded by rock formations that resemble the figure of a dinosaur, hence its name.

The history of Nusa Penida, however, will also be present in these experiences. According to legend, the island was used as a place of exile during the pre-colonial era. Although it has undergone changes over the years, it has retained its authentic charm and has become a haven for nature lovers, but also for the curious who want to discover the ancient buildings built by the exiled generation.

The distance from the island to Nusa Penida is short, though be aware that these experiences are usually full-day experiences. If you plan to visit Bali for 5 days or even less, a day trip here is one of the best decisions you can make during your Balinese tour.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 63 euros per person.
• Duration of these excursions: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will get to know one of the paradise islands around Bali in a relatively short, full day experience, returning to the Balinese port during the night.
• Disadvantages of these tours: at some beaches you will have to pay a conservation fee which is not included in the tour price.

If you want to visit one of the most striking places in Indonesia, a tour of the Komodo Islands is a must. This destination is famous for being home to the Komodo dragon and is considered one of the most famous in the country due to its unique biodiversity and idyllic scenery. Embarking on a boat adventure to this site will allow you to immerse yourself in a world of wilderness.

The Komodo Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer the opportunity to visit the Komodo dragon, which is considered the largest lizard in the world, up close. In addition, the colourful coral reefs and crystal clear waters provide a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers. There you can also go cycling along the coast, a custom that is deeply rooted in Bali.

You can also discover remote corners such as Pink Beach, where the sand takes on a striking pink hue, and Rinca Island, home to a significant population of Komodo dragons and unspoilt resort areas, which allow you to experience landscapes different from Bali's best beaches, which are beautiful but tend to be very crowded at all times of the year.

In addition, the history of the Komodo Islands is intertwined with myths and legends, contributing to their unique charm. The giant reptiles that inhabit the region, believed to be the descendants of ancient dragons, have inhabited these islands for centuries, and their presence adds a magical tinge to the experience. These islands are located approximately 400 kilometres from Bali, but these boat trips offer the chance to explore the site during a 2-day excursion.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 750 euros per person, including boat transfers, hotel accommodation on the Komodo Islands and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration of these tours: about 2 days.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get to see one of the most fascinating places in Indonesia in an organised experience.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Meals are not included in the price of the experiences and are an extra cost.

The more than 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia are volcanic in origin, so it's no surprise that many of the country's attractions revolve around discovering still-active craters. From Bali, you'll have the chance to see Mount Bromo and the enigmatic Ijen Crater on a 3-day tour of Java, where you'll have an unforgettable experience of some of the best volcanic landscapes the region is famous for.

Mount Bromo, a volcano located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, is famous for the sweeping views and sunrises you can discover here. During this visit you can climb to the top of the Penanjakan lookout to witness the sun tinting the sky with reddish hues as it rises over the surrounding peaks, creating a scenic beauty not to be missed.

In contrast, the Ijen Crater, which you can also visit in Java, allows you to experience a typical skyline of sulphur and clear waters. During the hike to the crater you will discover a lunar landscape where local miners work to extract sulphur. Upon arrival, you will see the turquoise-coloured acid lake, which forms a natural spectacle characteristic of this site.

These places, however, not only offer unmissable panoramic views, but also carry with them compelling stories. Mount Bromo is an integral part of the local culture and is revered in festivals and ceremonies. The Ijen Crater, on the other hand, is noted for its role in the sulphur industry, one of Java's economic engines. During these tours, you can discover all this and more on 3 full day ferry and bus tours.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 371 Euros per person, including ferry and bus transfers, accommodation and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration of these tours: about 3 days.
• Advantages of these tours: You will see one of the most striking volcanoes in the world and the Ijen Crater, which is famous for sulphur extraction.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are very long experiences that might not be compatible with a short stay in Bali.

Gili Trawangan is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia, which is why it attracts many tourists looking for white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a relaxed atmosphere. One of the best ways to tour this place is to opt for an organised tour that will allow you to discover the surrounding coral reefs, but also the shores that are conducive to aquatic experiences such as snorkelling and scuba diving.

These tours usually include transfers and accommodation in Trawangan, which is the largest of the Gili Islands, as well as some adventure experiences. Trawangan is also a favourite Christmas destination in Bali, so if you plan to visit the island in December you can combine your experience with the festive atmosphere on Gili T, as the island is known.

These 2 full day excursions, then, will allow you to explore the island's environment on a private cruise, with the assistance of an expert local guide who will provide you with the information you need to discover the local marine wildlife. If you plan to visit Bali in summer, you will also be able to enjoy the paradisiacal beaches of Gili, which are outstanding all year round but are at their best during the summer season.

Gili Trawangan is also home to some of the best sunsets in the region, which have nothing to envy those of Tanah Lot on the Bali peninsula, which boasts some of the best sunsets in the world and often offers sunset tours to Uluwatu.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €285 per person, including transfers, accommodation, the assistance of an expert local guide and discounts for water sports experiences.
• Duration of these tours: about 2 days.
• Advantages of these tours: You will get to see one of the most famous paradise sites around Bali and stay in Trawangan, the main island of the Gili Islands.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: these experiences are focused on the beach atmosphere of Gili T, so you won't have much free time to get to know other cultural aspects of the island.

You can either book a tour from Bali in advance online or book the experiences once you're on the island. However, bear in mind that if you plan to visit in October or during peak season months, you may find that places on tours may sell out or increase in price for last-minute bookings, as rates are dynamic.

Also, if you book in advance you can put together an itinerary that allows you to get the most out of your stay in the city, especially if you plan to visit Bali in 7 days or even less. This way, with the right planning, you can combine these tours with some of the best tours on the island without too much hassle.

On an excursion from the island to nearby sites you can discover the diversity of the region, as each site has its own distinct landscape, but also a strong cultural tradition that sets it apart. While in Bali the roots of its tradition can be found in the waterfalls and rice terraces of Ubud, on Mount Bromo and around the Ijen Crater you can find the sulphur pools that are the basis of the local economy.

This will not only give you an insight into the age-old interrelationship between each place and its inhabitants, but also the marked differences that can be found between each island within a few kilometres of each other. Also, if you plan to visit Bali in January or during the summer months, which in many cases is part of the rainy season, you'll notice that each destination has a particular microclimate that distinguishes it.

When planning an exciting excursion from Bali, it's essential to keep several things in mind to ensure a successful experience. As a first step, bear in mind that the region is culturally rich, so to get the most out of your visits you'll want to research alternatives beforehand, choose the one that best suits your travel plan or interests, and then learn the ins and outs of that activity.

Also, be flexible in organising your itinerary. While it's great to have a plan, being open to unexpected changes can lead to unforgettable discoveries. Bali's surroundings are full of surprises, and allowing yourself the freedom to explore can lead you to authentic places and experiences that weren't on your initial radar. Of course, you'll need to have the time, budget and means of transport to do so.

On the other hand, wherever you go, don't forget to respect customs. Bali is known for its rich cultural heritage, and soaking up this will give you a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the island. From sampling the delicious local cuisine to participating in traditional ceremonies, each cultural interaction will enhance your visit.

Finally, be prepared to enjoy nature and the tropical climate. Don't forget to pack comfortable clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent and, if you plan aquatic adventures, bring your snorkelling gear or rent one from the beach stalls.

Excursion from Bali is more than just a tour, it's an experience that will allow you to discover a natural and cultural universe of its own in the island's surrounding areas. Bali is an ideal starting point to explore the diversity of the region and from here you can discover everything from white sandy beaches to dense jungles, towering volcanoes and colourful coral reefs.

The variety of nearby destinations also makes Bali the perfect epicentre for discovering unique places. Every excursion will take you to magical corners, such as the Gili Islands with their idyllic beaches or Mount Bromo with its distinctive sunrises and the sulphur pools of the Ijen Crater. The accessibility and diversity of activities make excursions from Bali suitable for all tastes.