Nature lovers and thrill seekers alike love to come to Bali and spend time in the great outdoors. The island is beautiful and the tropical climate lends itself to good times outside.
We’ve got a list of the 24 best outdoor activities you can enjoy here and create your own Bali Adventure while you’re on holiday! Enjoy!
Our 25 Top Choices Of Outdoor Fun In Bali
Soaking Up The Sun On Bali’s Beaches
Not every outdoor activity needs to involve walking, hiking, running, etc. in fact, the most popular outdoor activity in Bali tends to be lounging around on the beach.
That’s because Bali’s beaches are incredibly beautiful, there are the white sand beaches of Nusa Dua and Uluwatu and the black sand beaches of Canggu and East Bali.
There are hidden beaches in remote locations like Nusa Penida where you can enjoy a beach nearly entirely to yourselves, it doesn’t get much more romantic than that.
On most beaches, you’ll find easy access to food, drink, shade (sunloungers and umbrellas are available to rent), etc. which means you can enjoy the beauty of the island without any real effort at all.
We also recommend hanging around for sunset if you’re on the West of the island, Berawa Beach, for example, the home of FINNS Beach Club, offers amazing sunsets for you to enjoy with a cold drink in hand.
If you’re in the East, you will want to get up early and enjoy the sunrise. Sanur has an amazing early morning light show, for example.
Hiking In Mother Nature
One of our favourite adventure activities in Bali is to go out hiking. There are so many amazing places where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the island and explore beyond where the crowds ever see.
If you’re looking for a gentle start, you might try the Campuhan Ridge Walk which is one of Ubud’s most famous hiking trails and won’t take more than an hour from end to end.
For those seeking a little more adventure, West Bali National Park is a great place to go hiking and somewhere you might get a glimpse of the critically endangered Bali Starling in the wild too.
We’ve got a great guide to some of the best hikes on the island of Bali to help you decide where to go.
Do A Waterfall Tour
One of the most dramatic natural sights in Bali is a waterfall cascading down from a cliff top in the middle of the jungle.
These scenes are beloved by Instagrammers and influencers but they’re open to everybody and there’s no reason that you shouldn’t visit, at least one, waterfall while you’re here on the island.
Gitgit Waterfall, for example, is a short walk from a car park and yet, it’s an unforgettable experience for those who have never seen a waterfall before.
Alternatively, you could do a waterfall tour of all the amazing waterfalls here in Bali, we’ve got a list of some of the best waterfalls for you to put an itinerary together with.
You may need a tour guide to reach some of the more remote spots, mind you, if you do, please contact the Bali Res Centre (their details are in the FAQs) to find someone reliable.
Cultural Exploration Of Sacred Temples
Bali is an island of intense Hindu faith in an Islamic nation and its temples are famed throughout the world for their beauty and cultural value.
It would take more than a lifetime to visit every temple here, there are over 20,000 of them (it’s how Bali has become known as “the island of the Gods”) but there are some amazing highlights that are very much worth your time.
If you’re only here for a short while, then the best place to find temples is in and around Ubud where there are a huge number of amazing temples (see our guide to the best Ubud temples) and many of them within a short walk or drive of any hotel in town.
However, if you’re on a longer holiday we’d recommend that you explore some of the best temples in Bali too. There’s nothing quite like the sight of the Mother Temple or Ulun Danu Beratan to blow your mind completely.
Catch Some Awesome Barrels While Surfing
It won’t come as any surprise that water sports are hugely popular on this tropical island and one of the biggest sports here is surfing.
You can surf at various locations around the island (we’ve got a great guide to all the Bali Surf Spots) and it’s very easy to find lessons and rent the necessary equipment in many places.
We would note that not every surf spot is suitable for surfing by every surfer, some of the more famous surfing destinations, like Uluwatu are not made for beginners.
If you’re hoping to learn to surf, then why not come to Sanur, Canggu or Kuta where you can get the kind of instruction that you need? (Check out our guide to Canggu Surfing here).
Bali also sees some of the world’s best competitive surfing during the year and it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for events during your holiday if you’d like to see just how awesome the barrels here can really be.
Tee Off With Golf By The Ocean
If there’s one activity that’s super popular for Bali tour operators and their guests, that you might not immediately associate with island life – it’s golf.
Golfing in Bali is absolutely amazing and while there are only a few golf clubs here (see our guide to the best golf in Bali for details) they each offer a high-quality golfing experience.
You can tee off at Bali National Golf Club, for example, and enjoy dramatic cliff-top views out over the Indian Ocean as you play your round.
Alternatively, you could visit the Handara Golf Course which is deep in the Balinese countryside and has some of the most dramatic and famous gates of any place in the nation.
Then, you can hit the course for an amazing view of the local mountain ranges and some of the best fairways anywhere.
Go Out And Then Go Deep With Scuba Diving
One great addition to a Bali adventure is diving.
While anyone can go snorkeling, you need some training to be able to go diving and there are many different PADI-qualified dive schools around the island where you can learn with experienced and talented instructors.
They can also ensure that you have all the necessary equipment to dive safely and arrange trips out into the refreshing water of Bali’s oceans to explore the marine environment.
East Bali is very popular for diving as Amed is home to some of the best dive sites and it’s a bit less expensive than some of the other locations on the island, particularly the Western Part.
The crystal clear water of Nusa Penida is also a great place to spend a day diving and you can meet the Mola Mola (Giant Sunfish) and Manta Rays there too.
You can get a full run down on Bali’s Diving and Dive Spots here on our website too.
Get The Adrenalin Flowing With White Water Rafting
White Water Rafting is a very popular sport here in Bali and you can enjoy White Water Rafting on the Ayung River, Telaga Waja River and Melangit River.
You will need to join an organized tour to enjoy this sport and if you’re looking for an easy introduction to rafting, the Ayung River is probably the simplest course and suitable for most families.
The course will take you through the jungle and rice paddies and provide plenty of thrills and spills to get your heart beating and adrenalin racing.
To help you plan a white water rafting trip, we’ve got a complete guide to rafting in Bali. Our team here at FINNS recently went white water rafting for a day and we had a blast, we’re sure you will too.
Try A Workout On The Beach
There are some organized workouts on the beach but you don’t really need to pay for a workout on the shores here.
Just head down to the beach with a skipping rope and some weights and you’re good to go.
You can also do yoga (we’ve got a great guide to yoga in Bali) and other sports on or around the beach.
Be Chill And Do Some Glamorous Glamping
As we said earlier, not every Bali adventure needs to be a strenuous activity like a boat ride on the Ayung River or a hike through the rice fields.
One awesome way to see the island without giving up any creature comforts is to go glamping.
There are glamping sites on the beaches, in the jungle and on the clifftops of Bali if you know where to look and they’re usually very reasonably priced.
Check out our guide to all of Bali’s Glamping Sites for some ideas of where to stay in comfort and luxury under the stars.
Explore The Jungle On An ATV Ride/Quad Bikes
There’s nothing quite like an ATV ride through the rice fields and villages of Bali to make you feel alive!
The good news is that this is one of the most popular adventure activities on the island and you can find plenty of trained tour operators that will take you on a thrilling journey on the road less travelled.
Just be aware that ATVs and quad bikes can be dangerous and it’s important to follow any safety instructions that you’re given as well as to use the safety equipment provided to you.
Check out our guide to some of the best ATV tours in Bali for some ideas on where to go!
Take Up Kite Surfing
Kite surfing is a very different sport from regular surfing and it presents a very different level of challenge.
The best place to learn in Bali is Sanur where the onshore breeze and relatively calm waters make for epic use of the traction kite as it pulls you over the water.
If you want something a little more challenging, then Tanjung Benoa is the top kit surfing destination on the island.
The biggest challenges, however, are to be found in Canggu where advanced riders can show off their awesome aerial techniques. It’s best to come in the off-season if you want the best winds and cleanest waters.
Discover The Marine Environment While Sea Walking
Sea Walking lets non-divers and snorkellers explore the world beneath the waves without any training at all.
You are given a suit with a helmet that provides you with a clear view of the marine environment and oxygen to breathe.
Then, you’re lowered down to the ocean floor and you can simply walk around and enjoy the show.
You may find that the pressure difference hurts your ears when you first try sea walking but it soon clears up and the colourful displays of fish make it worth enduring the discomfort.
Feel The Wind In Your Hair Mountain Biking And On Cycling Tours
One amazing Bali Adventure is to jump on a mountain bike and/or join one of the main cycling tours that run on the island (we’ve got a full guide to cycling Bali here).
There are plenty of places to cycle from an easy run through the rice paddies and rice fields to a more challenging uphill climb around one of Bali’s mountainous areas – Kintamani is an amazing place for cycling.
Just make sure to use plenty of sunscreen if you opt for a cycling adventure and consider some padded shorts as the bumpy roads here can be a bit painful otherwise.
Canyon Tubing For A Proper Bali Adventure
If rafting wasn’t exciting enough for you, you can always consider canyon tubing, instead, it’s another popular sport in the rivers around Ubud.
You get a large inflatable tube to sit in and then, you lay back and enjoy the trip downriver.
You’re going to get very wet but it’s a wonderful way to see the lush local scenery while staying cool and having huge amounts of fun.
Mountain Climbing For The Best View Of This Beautiful Island
Mount Agung and Mount Batur are the two most popular mountains to climb here in Bali as they’re both active volcanoes.
Mount Batur is quite an easy climb and offers amazing sunrise views from the caldera for this willing to get up early in the morning to see it. (See our guide to Mount Batur). You can also enjoy the hot springs at Lake Batur afterwards too.
Mount Agung, on the other hand, is a far bigger challenge and we only recommend it to people in peak physical form. (See our guide to Mount Agung).
Far fewer people tackle Bali’s tallest volcano but for those who succeed the views are unmatched elsewhere.
However, you don’t have to climb a volcano, there are dormant/extinct volcanoes here too and that makes them regular mountains – Mount Batukaru near Bedegul, Mount Catur and Mount Abang are all excellent places for climbing too.
Glass-Bottomed Boat Ride
If you’re looking for a Bali adventure that’s a little bit more laidback than rafting or tubing, why not consider a glass-bottomed boat ride?
You’ll find that there are boats all over the island that take passengers where all you have to do is sit aboard and look down to see the creatures and scenery beneath the waves!
Our favourite rides are out of Tanjung Benoa near Nusa Dua where you can see some amazing marine life.
Have Some Great Fun At Heights Parasailing
You can go parasailing on many of Bali’s beaches, including Berawa Beach near FINNS, and it’s a very cool way to see the island from above.
Parasailing isn’t expensive and you don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy a parasail ride. However, most rides are tandem which means it’s not always easy to get a flight if you’re travelling solo.
Meet Monkeys In A Monkey Forest
One of the most famous animal groups here in Bali are the monkeys which can be both cute and incredibly annoying.
If you want to visit them, then the best place to see them in the wild is one of the monkey forests – the most famous of which is the Ubud Monkey Forest.
However, there are plenty of other places to see monkeys in Bali and our guide to meeting monkeys here will help you find them and get some awesome photos.
Please don’t forget that they are wild animals, however, and it’s best not to get too close to monkeys here in Bali even in a monkey forest.
Stroll Through Beautiful Rice Terraces
If you want one of the more gentle adventure activities you can do in Bali, then a stroll among the beautiful rice terraces is a great day out.
There are two famous rice terraces – the Tegllalang Rice Terraces and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces that most tourists choose to see.
However, there are plenty of other amazing rice terraces in Bali that are worth a visit too.
Wander Remote Villages
There are some amazing villages in Bali to explore and you’ll find that places like Sidemen and Peglipuran offer incredible experiences that many tourists will never discover.
Villages are the best way to meet the local people and to understand the culture and history of this beautiful island.
Canoe On Lake Beratan
This is a lovely way to see more of the mountain scenery and the temple on the lake in Northern Bali.
You can rent a canoe and take it out on the lake, this will ensure you get the best photographs of the temple which appears to float on the water there and of the surrounding countryside.
There is no current in the lake, so rowing is very easy and this is suitable for almost everyone to enjoy. Water sports don’t get much more relaxing than this.
You could even take a drone with you as flying a drone in Bali is easier than you think.
Enjoy Some Street Photography
As you might expect on an island with so much water, there are some amazing opportunities for fishing here and you don’t need to rent a boat to go deep-sea fishing to enjoy using your fishing rods.
As you’ll see in our guide to fishing in Bali, it’s perfectly possible to do some angling from the shore line and still reel in some tasty catch.
There are plenty of other opportunities for fishing that will suit larger budgets too.
Enjoy Some Natural Speed While Horse Riding
If you love animals and want to spend some quality time with them in the outdoors, why not consider going horse riding in Bali?
You can gallop along the sands of the beaches at sunset or enjoy an organized tour of the local countryside.
There are horses for all ages (including ponies for the little ones) and several riding schools where you can get lessons and the equipment you need
to have a great time on horseback.
FAQs
Do You Need Travel Insurance To Enjoy Outdoor Activities In Bali?
You’re not legally obliged to buy travel insurance for any activity in Bali. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need travel insurance.
Every year the tourist crowds descend on Bali and most people have a great time and then go home in exactly the same state as they arrived in.
However, some people fall asleep on the beach, for example, and get horrific sunburns, some get bitten by stray dogs, some trip and fall in the rice fields, and so on.
When you do get injured in Bali, a trip to the hospital can turn out very expensive, indeed. That’s why we recommend that you do have travel insurance and that it’s appropriate to your needs.
We don’t sell travel insurance, but we do have a guide to help you choose the right Bali travel insurance for you.
Where Can I Book Adventure Tours In Bali?
We always recommend that you book any Bali adventure through the awesome people at the Bali Res Centre.
They can arrange your flights, your accommodation, your tour guide, etc. and ensure that you have a fantastic time on the island.
The Bali Res Centre is locally owned and operated and specializes in Balinese travel. When you book your holiday and tours through the Bali Res Centre, you know that your holiday money is helping the local economy and not being sent overseas to a multinational corporation.
Final Thoughts On Outdoor Activities And Adventure Tours In Bali
The natural beauty and tropical climate of Bali make it an amazing part of the world to spend some time outdoors.
Whether you want to stroll through rice paddies, swim with sea turtles, or climb an active volcano, there’s something here for you to enjoy.
And of course, once you’ve been out to explore and enjoy the outdoors, you can always end the day at FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, where you can have a nice cold drink while watching the most amazing sunset.
