Top things to do in Bali

Bali is a relatively small island. With 2 weeks you have plenty of time to navigate through the island and enough to spare to relax on one of the many beaches.

Best beaches

Kuta beach; this beach has a nice long stretch of white sand. With the massive waves it’s great for surfing. One of the local surfer dudes on the beach will give you a 1.5 hour lesson for about €10. Because of the waves it’s not good for swimming with small children.

Gili Trawagan; this Gili island is not exactly Bali but close enough to include it. On the East coast are lovely beaches and the water is crystal clear. There is plenty of shade from the trees when needed and perfect for swimming.

Ulu Watu beach; you get to this secluded beach after walking down quite a few stairs. In the distance you’ll see the advanced surfers hit the waves, but up close you can cool down in one of the pools. Combine a visit to this beach while you visit the Ulu Watu temple.

Best temples

Pura Ulu Watu; this temple is on the top of a cliff in the southern peninsula. From a small distance you get magnificent views of the temple, the cliff and the ocean. Keep a close eye on your valuables, a monkey tried to snatch my lens while I was changing it on my camera. Luckily with the help of some locals who distracted him with other stuff I was able to get it back. Close call though.

Pura Tanah Lot; this temple stands about 20 meters from the shore in the ocean and is about a 40 minute drive from the popular beach Kuta. You can only reach this temple during the low tide, during high tide the wild ocean keeps you away.

Pura Batukaru; the temple itself isn’t that impressive, but it’s the remote location that draws you here. When visiting the Jatiluwih rice terraces, it’s just a bit further to get to this place.

Best water activities

Diving; Bali has many dive sites. I did a fun dive in Gili Trawagan to see turtles. But wherever you go down you’ll get an unforgettable tropical underwater experience. Why not get PADI certified while you’re here?

Surfing; the Southern beaches are great for surfing, isn’t it just thrilling to keep your balance on a board while the forces of water rush beneath your feet?

Dolphin watching; go to Lovina in the North, set your alarm at 5 AM and you’re on the boat at sunrise. While watching the sun come up you get to see dolphins jump out of the water up close.

This is just a small list of the many things that this island has to offer. Don’t forget to go to Ubud, visit the rice terraces (see top image), see a traditional Balinese dance, receive a massage, get in contact with the locals and buy some local wares. The people here are one of the nicest I have encountered in Asia. Plenty of reasons to come right?