Best Day Trips from Bali

Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. With a combination that proposes a wide cultural offer, paradisiacal beaches and an outstanding gastronomy, the island is one of the places most visited by the tourists, although by its geographic location it is also an ideal place to use it as a base and to discover the attractions of the surroundings in excursions of complete day or even of several days.

Among the best activities that you can make in Bali are to participate of a tour by the idyllic island of Nusa Penida, to make a private excursion in boat to the islands of Komodo to discover one of the most fascinating places of Indonesia, to know the Mount Bromo and the Crater Ijen in a tour of adventure and to visit Gili Trawagan, a destiny essential to live experiences of snorkeling and diving in the region.

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

In Nusa Penida you can find a lush jungle and paradisiacal beaches. Angel 's Billabong and Broken Beach are two of the highlights of this site, which is characterized by the cliffs that surround the island forming a surreal scene. 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 an exile site during the pre-colonial era. Although it has undergone changes over the years, it retains 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 of the island toward Nusa Penida is short, although it takes into account that these experiences are usually of complete day. If you have planned to visit Bali during 5 days or even less time, to destine a day to know this place is one of the best decisions that you will be able to take 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 be able to know one of the paradisiac islands of the surroundings of Bali in a relatively brief experience, of complete day, with return to the Balinese port during the night.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: in some beaches you will have to pay a fee of conservation that is not included in the rate of the tours.

If you want to visit one of the most striking places in Indonesia, you can't miss a tour of the Komodo Islands. 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 landscapes. Embarking on a boat adventure to this site will allow you to immerse yourself in a world of wild nature.

The Komodo Islands, declared 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 colorful coral reefs and crystal clear waters provide a paradise for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. There also you will be able to make tours in bicycle by the coast, a custom that is very ingrained in Bali.

Also there you will be able to discover remote corners like Pink Beach, where the sand acquires a pink surprising tone, and the Island of Rinca, home of a significant population of dragons of Komodo and areas of virgin spas, that will allow you to know different landscapes to the one of the best beaches of Bali, that are very pretty but usually they are very crowded during all the times of the year.

In addition, the history of the Komodo Islands is intertwined with myths and legends, contributing to its unique charm. The giant reptiles that inhabit the region, considered descendants of ancient dragons, have populated these islands for centuries, and their presence adds a magical tinge to the experience. These islands are located at a distance of approximately 400 kilometers from Bali, but these boat trips offer the possibility of exploring this site during a 2-day excursion.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 750 euros per person, including boat transfers, hotel accommodation on the islands of Komodo and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration of these excursions: about 2 days.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the most fascinating places in Indonesia in an organized experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: meals are not included in the price of the experiences and have an extra cost.

The more than 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia are of volcanic origin, so it is not surprising that many of the country's attractions revolve around discovering still-active craters. From Bali, you will have the opportunity to visit Mount Bromo and the enigmatic Ijen Crater on a 3-day tour of Java, where you will have an unforgettable experience to see some of the best volcanic landscapes that make the region famous.

Mount Bromo, a volcano located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, is famous for the sweeping views it offers and the sunrises you can discover here. During this visit you can climb to the top of the Penanjakan lookout to witness the sun tint 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, will allow you to experience a typical skyline of sulfur and clear waters. During the hike to the crater you will discover a lunar landscape where local miners work extracting sulfur. Upon arrival, you will be able to contemplate the turquoise-colored 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 some very compelling stories. Mount Bromo is an integral part of the local culture and is revered in festivals and ceremonies. Ijen Crater, on the other hand, is noted for its role in the sulfur industry, one of Java's economic engines. During these tours, you can discover all this and more on full 3-day ferry and bus tours.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €371 per person, including ferry and bus transfers, accommodations and the assistance of an expert local guide.
• Duration of these excursions: about 3 days.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the most striking volcanoes in the world and the Ijen Crater, which is famous for sulfur extraction.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are very long experiences that could not be compatible with a short stay in Bali.

Gili Trawangan is considered one of the most beautiful islands of Indonesia, reason why it attracts many tourists that look for beaches of white sand, crystalline waters and a relaxed atmosphere. One of the best ways to tour this site, is to opt for an organized tour that will allow you to discover the surrounding coral reefs, but also the coasts that are conducive to aquatic experiences such as snorkeling and diving.

These tours usually include transfers and accommodation in Trawangan, which is the largest of the Gili Islands, as well as some adventure experiences. This site, in addition, is one of the preferred ones to spend Christmas in Bali, reason why if you have planned to visit the island in December you will be able to combine its experience with the festive atmosphere that prevails in Gili T, as this site is known.

These excursions of 2 complete days, then, will allow you to explore the environment of this island in a private cruise, with the assistance of an expert local guide who will put at your disposal the necessary information to discover the local marine fauna. If you have planned to visit Bali in summer, in addition, you will be able to enjoy the paradisiac beaches of Gili, that stand out during the whole year but that show their better profile during the summer season.

Keep in mind, also, that in Gili Trawangan you will be able to contemplate some of the best sunsets of the region, that have nothing to envy to those of Tanah Lot, in the peninsula of Bali, that prides itself of having those that are considered the best sunsets of the world, and that usually offer tours to the sunset in 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 excursions: about 2 days.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will know one of the most famous paradisiacal places of the surroundings of Bali and you will be able to lodge in Trawangan, the main one of the Gili Islands.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are experiences that are centered in the beach atmosphere of Gili T, reason why you will not be able to count on too much free time to know other cultural aspects of the island.

You can reserve an excursion from Bali in advance by Internet or to contract the experiences once you are in the island. Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you have planned to visit this destination in October or during the months of high season, it could be the case that the places in the tours are sold out or increase of price in contracts of last hour, due to that the tariffs are dynamic.

Also, if you reserve with anticipation you will be able to arm an itinerary that allows you to take the maximum advantage of your stay in the city, especially if you have planned to visit Bali in 7 days or even less time. This way, with proper planning, you will be able to combine these tours with some of the best tours of the island without too much hassle.

On an excursion from the island to nearby sites you will be able to discover the diversity of the region, as each site has its own landscapes, but also a marked cultural tradition that distinguishes it. While in Bali the roots of its tradition can be found in the waterfalls and rice terraces of Ubud, in Mount Bromo and around the Ijen Crater you can find the sulfur pools, which are the basis of the local economy.

This will not only allow you to know the millenary interrelationship that exists between each place and its inhabitants, but also the marked differences that you can find between each island separated by few kilometers of difference. In addition, if you plan to visit Bali in January or during the summer months, which in many cases is part of the rainy season, you will notice that each destination has a particular microclimate that distinguishes it.

When planning an exciting excursion from Bali, it is essential to take into account several aspects to assure a successful experience. As first measure, keep in mind that the region is culturally very rich, reason why to take the maximum advantage of your visits it will be convenient to investigate previously the alternatives, to choose the one that better adapts to your plan of trip or your interests and, later, to know the details of that activity.

Also, organize your itinerary with flexibility. While it is 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 were not on your initial radar. Clear that for it you will have to have time and also to count on the budget and the suitable means of transport.

On the other hand, whichever is the place that you visit, do not forget to respect the customs. Bali is known by its rich cultural inheritance, and to soak of it will offer you a deeper and more significant understanding of the island. From sampling 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 snorkeling gear or rent one at the beach stands.

To make an excursion from Bali is more than a simple tour, it is an experience that will allow you to discover a natural and cultural universe of own edges in the near sites to the island. Bali is an ideal starting point to explore the diversity of the region and from there you will be able to discover from beaches of white sand to dense jungles, elevated volcanos and colorful coral reefs.

The variety of nearby destinations, in addition, turns Bali into the perfect epicenter to discover unique places. Every excursion will take you to magical corners, such as the Gili Islands with their idyllic beaches or Mount Bromo with its characteristic sunrises and the sulfur pools of the Ijen Crater. The accessibility and the diversity of activities do that the excursions from Bali are recommendable for all the tastes.