Boating in Bali is another cool thing to do while you’re on a tropical island!

You can go fishing to catch an 8kg tuna, dive to explore marine life, swim with dolphins, or sail away to discover other Indonesian islands – the sea is calling.

Paired with the fact that boat tours in Bali are super affordable, water lovers are in for a treat! So, we gathered the best ideas to go boating around Bali for couples, solo travellers, and families.

Summary: Bali Boat Trips Editor’s Choice

There are 4 types of boat trips in Bali: boats between islands, boating trips for diving/snorkelling, fishing trips, and sunset cruises along the coast of Bali.

• Must-try boat trips in Bali are diving trips around Amed and a Nusa Penida day trip.
• If you love partying, don’t miss Beat Boat Party cruises.
• For couples and special occasions, book a sunset cruise with dinner service in Benoa or a private catamaran charter to Nusa Lembongan.

Best Bali Boat Tours For An Unforgettable Day

Beat Boat Bali

Have you ever wanted to get on a sunset boat party with a DJ, drinks, and a bunch of fun young people?

Well, a Beat Boat Party will take you right out in the ocean to see the most beautiful sunset while dancing and swimming for only 350,000 IDR (35 AUD), including a welcome drink.

If you prefer privacy, you can also book a party just for your group of friends.

Online: Instagram

Rent A Yacht For A Special Occasion

If you’re planning a date, a proposal, or simply want to sail out in the ocean with just your family, renting a private boat or a yacht is easy in Bali.

A few firms on the island have comfortable and luxurious yachts, big sailing boats, and catamarans for rent for half a day or a full day trip (8 hours). You can sail around Bali or go as far as Komodo!

Companies like Pulau even offer private boats with overnight accommodation to Penida, as well as dream tours to Labuan Bajo and Flores.

Nusa Penida Boating Day

Book a full day (9 to 11 hours) of diving and snorkelling with professional dive masters at some of the best spots around Nusa Penida.

You can see Mola Mola, huge mantas, eels, tropical fish, corals, enjoy the views, hop on the beaches, and so much more!

If you have an advanced diving certificate, you can dive really deep and see some unique creatures. Given strong currents there, we don’t recommend ignoring any rules or limitations of your current certificate or dive guide.

Sunset Cruises In Benoa

Enjoying sunset views from the water is a beautiful moment that should be on your Bali to-do list. You can either go with a simple sailing cruise or book a dinner cruise.

Benoa is one of the best spots to do so, you have Bali Hai sunset dinner cruise, famous pirate boat Bali Phinisi, and some 5-course dinner cruises from Benoa to Nusa Dua with live band.

The last one will be perfect for a fate night: you, on a 64-ft luxury catamaran with only a few couples on board, delicious food, top-notch service…sounds perfect! We saw that experience on GetYourGuide.

Nusa Lembongan Boat Trip

Instead of a speed boat, you can take a stunning private catamaran to Nusa Lembongan, with snacks and drinks on board.

Perfect for couples, this boating experience often comes with the “Lembongan Paradise Escape” accommodation package at beachfront Hai Tide resort – we went and really enjoyed the experience and how we were treated as guests.

Gili Islands Boating Trip

To explore small islands with different vibes (from party to serene), swim with turtles, dive, and enjoy island life on white sand beaches, set sail to the Gili Islands near Lombok: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno.

Gili T is a fantastic destination for a vacation: lots of great food, endless beach, walkable streets, and no cars!

You can either hop on a speed boat from Padang Bai (it makes a stop in Lombok first) or book a private boat charter straight to Gili if you feel like avoiding the crowds.

If you’re already in Gilis, you can also book a BBQ cruise trip between the three islands with Bali Hai, which comes with food and lots of snorkelling!

Lake Batur Cruise

Lake Batur (Danau Batur) is a gorgeous destination: mountains on one side and towering Mount Batur volcano on the other. The valley is incredibly lush and has many hot springs.

Recently, they started operating a 90-minute cruise that slowly takes you around the lake for views and a bit of entertainment: a dancing and art performance recounting the Tale of Balingkan (about trade with China in the 9th century).

Tickets start from 360,000 IDR (36 AUD); you can order food and drinks at an extra charge.

Online: Royal Songan

Lovina Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

We recommend booking a tour when you’re already in Lovina; there are a few friendly captains, and prices are much better (Wisata Dolphin Lovina is a good option).

You will go on a small traditional fishing boat, watch dolphins, and then also snorkel.

You will have to get up early, though, as the best time (and most spectacular) to see free-roaming dolphins is sunrise.

Read the reviews! Avoid operators that are known for chasing dolphins.

Fishing Boat Trips In Bali

Private fishing boats will cost around 200-300 USD on Klook or GetYourGuide, but you can also make friends with locals and simply ask fishermen in Amed, West Bali (where you can find lobsters), or around Sanur to take you with them (Sanur Fishing Charter is good).

Depending on your skills, you can go with a beginner fishing day trip, a traditional fishing experience, or even spear fishing. Patient tourists can catch big fish, like mackerel, barracuda, or tuna.

Amazing experience, plus, after the trip, the restaurant can cook your fresh fish for you!

Diving & Snorkelling Boat Tours

If you don’t want to travel all the way to Nusa Penida, these are the best locations around Bali to go diving and snorkeling:

• Amed: snorkelling from the shore, muck diving, turtles, tropical fish, an underwater small temple, dramatic drop-offs, and corals
• Candidasa: night diving with sharks, snorkelling
• Panang Bai & Blue Laggoon: small spots with great marine life diversity
• Tulumben: diving to the USAT Liberty shipwreck, snorkelling
• Pemuteran: an underwater paradise for diving and snorkelling with a lot of coral reefs

Usually, you will either need to drive to those areas and find a dive guide to take you, or you can simply book online, and it will often include a pick-up, too.

Choosing the scuba diving tour, check if the divemasters are all PADI certified (or similar internationally accepted certification), boat and weather conditions, and, of course, make sure to have travel insurance.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Yacht In Bali?

In Bali, a boat or a private yacht for 12 people will cost from 860 USD (1300 AUD) for 4 hours. The price usually includes snacks, water, towels, and snorkelling gear is also provided. Staff will speak English (basic, at least).

What Are The Boats In Bali Called?

Traditional boats in Bali and Indonesia are called jukung – these are the narrow fishing boats you will see on the beaches.

Now, Bali also has standard yachts, speed boats, and ferries.

How Long Is The Boat From Bali To Nusa Penida?

If you take a ferry, it will take about an hour to reach Nusa Penida from Bali, while speed boats can take only 45 minutes (if departing on time). The price on 12Go Asia is about 150,000 IDR (15 AUD).

Don’t forget to come early to check in!

Is Food Included On Bali Hai cruises?

Bali Hai has several cruises; the food and show are included in most of them, like 3 islands BBQ cruises, sunset dinner cruises, Aristocat sailing cruises, and Beach Club cruise (day trip).

What Is The Best Website To Book Fast Boats In Bali?

You can book fast boats in Bali at 12Go Asia, or if you don’t mind navigating pushy sellers, you can actually buy tickets at the harbour.

How Much Is A Fast Boat To Nusa Lembongan?

Fast boats from Sanur straight to Nusa Lembongan are about 175,000 – 200,000 IDR (17-20 AUD), EkaJaya boats from Padang Bai are 300,000 IDR (30 AUD) per person.

Tickets on a boat do not include transfer to or from the port.

Is It Better To Fly Or Boat From Bali To Lombok?

During the rainy season, it is safer to fly between Bali and Lombok; however, during the dry season and on a clear day, a boat is an amazing experience, and it is pretty fast.

Check the forecast and if you have any questions, ask your hotel manager or in the Facebook communities, if anyone has travelled between islands recently.

Don’t rely solely on boat operators; they don’t always cancel the trip if the conditions are bad.

Final Thoughts On Boating, Bali

Sail out in a traditional jukung to go fishing with locals, book an island-hopping day trip, or splurge on a private yacht – boats in Bali are more than just a transport, but an amazing chance to add some adrenaline and memories to your trip.