Find a trusted local tour guide who can take you off-the-beaten paths and show you the true Bali.
Usually, the package will include all the transportation fees so you don’t have to worry about getting around the island by taxi.
The majority of these tours are ok to do in one day, but there are a few bonus ones that take 2 days but oh-so worth it.
Here are the best day trips from Canggu we recommend adding to your Bali journey.
Things You Need To Know Before Going On Day Trips From Canggu
Important note for female travellers: if the day trips include temple visits, you can’t enter them during menstruation.
It is better to have some cash on hand to buy souvenirs or snacks and tip the driver or the tour guides.
During peak hours Bali traffic can be rough, so try to not be late for your pick-up and do not plan too many activities in one day.
Do not skip sunscreen during the day trips. The sun in Bali has a strong UV index and you won’t even notice how quickly your skin can burn.
Visiting Monkey Forest, keep all your personal belongings in the closed bag in front of you. Monkeys are quick and smart, they steal anything you don’t hold from your sunglasses to phones and money.
After a long day trip exploring Bali, once you back to Canggu head to FINNS Beach Club (one of the best beach clubs in the world) on Berawa Beach to relax, have some cold beer, and snacks and enjoy the sunset.
Every site has either fixed ticket prices or donation-based entrance fees (usually temples work like this). And it is best to pay it in cash. However, when you’re joining the day trip tour, all the expenses like this will be taken care of.
Visiting waterfalls, doing beach hopping, and going on longer trips, wear comfortable shoes. Some locations may require some trekking through paddies, jungles or forests, and the path can be muddy and slippery.
Best Day Trips From Canggu You Won’t Regret Taking
Tanah Lot Temple Day Trip in Tabanan, Bali
One of the main water temples in Bali is located a bit west of Canggu right on the shore of the Indian Ocean. It is an important sacred site in Tabanan Regency, home to 6 temples all dedicated to celebrating water gods and spirits and have special ceremonies throughout the year.
The main Tanah Lot temple is sitting on a volcanic rock that you can reach during low tide, but during high tide, waves will separate it from the shore.
It is an amazing place to walk in the gardens, explore Balinese spirituality, take pictures, and also drink water from the holy spring that is believed to cure diseases.
The entrance fee is 75,000 IDR (7 AUD) for adults and 40,000 IDR (3.8 AUD) for kids plus a small fee for a bike or a car.
If you want to take professional photos or fly a drone, you have to make arrangements with the temple administration first.
The Best Of East Bali’s Cultural Heritage
Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Lempuyang Temple, Besakih Temple, and the Bat Cave (Goa Temple) are the three main attractions of Eastern Bali.
Lempuyang Temple
You most definitely saw the beautiful photos of Lempuyang Temple aka Gate of Heaven – magnificent Balinese gates on top of the hill surrounded by green hills covered in rainforest with Mt Agung views.
Besakih Temple
Besakih Temple is a holy site, or Mother Temple, built in the 8th century and hosting 23 Hindu temples on the slope of Mt Agung – the most important mountain in Bali, where Gods and dragons are believed to have lived before.
Goa Lawah Temple
Bat Cave (Goa Lawah Temple) is a very interesting cave system and an 11th-century temple where large bats live and Batara Tengahing Segara, the ruler of the ocean is worshipped. It is one of the 6th most sacred sites in Bali.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
Tirta Gangga Water Palace is a unique royal palace complex with walking paths, gardens and ponds with colourful koi fishes. Absolutely stunning place, that you may think of like the Versailles Palace of Bali.
Klungkung
If you have time, we highly recommend stopping by Klungkung Royal Palace. It carries a lot of history of both the Balinese kingdom and Dutch colonial occupation and preserved some of the most exquisite wall paintings.
Dolphin Watching Day Trips In North Bali
Lovina Beach, up north in Bali, is the best place in Bali to see these majestic marine mammals.
Early in the morning, you can go on a small fishing boat out in the ocean to look for a dolphin family to carefully follow from afar fascinated by their grace and beauty.
Dolphin-watching tours often come in a package with snorkelling which north Bali is very well known for! You will see tons of fish, corals, and marine life.
We highly recommend choosing the tour provider for the dolphin tour very carefully as some are not doing it in a sustainable way and may chase the animals. Always connect with local residents who will find the best option for you and the environment.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces & Subak System Day Trip
Endless rice paddies are the beauty of the island. The Jatiluwih Park is a UNESCO-protected site of 19,500 ha with the largest water distribution system called subak, water temples and rice fields.
The big trekking path around the park that reaches the Supreme Water Temple of Pura Ulun Danu Batur takes around 3 hours and is a nice stroll where you can also do some shopping: rice grown in that area, vanilla beans, coffee and cacao, as well as banana chips and rice cookies.
Smaller trekking routes are also available for all visitors on foot or by bicycle.
Visiting this part of the island, you may stop by Gunung Kawi and Taman Ayun on your way.
Bali Snorkelling & Diving Day Trips
Bali and the nearest islands have fantastic opportunities for both beginners and experienced divers and those who love snorkelling, including kids.
Spots like Blue Lagoon Beach, Amed, Northern Bali, and places around Nusa Penida island have such a rich a unique marine life with dozens of different tropical fishes, turtles, reef sharks, eels, corals, and in some areas even shipwrecks!
All these beaches are also amazing for swimming, even for kids. Amed is also amazing to snorkel right off the shore and you can rent the equipment in the cafes on the beach for around 50,000 IDR (5 AUD).
Read more: Best Diving Schools in Bali
Make Silver Jewelry In Sidemen
Sidemen is a destination for those looking to spend some quiet time with loved ones. It sits in a lush valley and the views stretch from the ocean to Mount Agung. It is a real hidden gem on the island.
It is a perfect area in Bali for a romantic day trip from Canggu, especially if you book a 2-hour class to make matching rings.
This area is well known for silver making, so there are a few great studios, for example:
Adi Silver Class Sidemen
Yellow Bridge Silver Sidemen Workshop
Pande Silver Workshop
The pricing varies, and it starts from around 600,000 IDR (57 AUD) per couple.
Ubud Day Trips
Ubud is the spiritual and historical capital of Bali and it holds so many artifacts till today. Here you can visit the royal palace, some of the oldest healers, and rituals to discover Balinese spirituality and get Instagram-worthy photos flying over the jungles on a swing.
Want to try yoga? Head to Yoga Barn for a session. After this, you should definitely visit the Tirta Empul Temple for the iconic water purification ritual, one of the ancient Balinese rituals.
One of the popular tourist destinations in Ubud is Monkey Forest – a sanctuary partly opened to the public where you can see monkeys in their natural habitat. They are not shy and will climb all over you!
If you love nature, Tegallalang rice terraces are one of the most scenic rice fields on the island and a short trekking through them guarantees many pictures and memories.
Sunrise Tour to Mount Batur in Kintamani
Welcoming the new day on top of the active volcano with 360 panoramic views of the island – how does that sound? Not too bad, right?
Mt Batur is an easy hike in Bali but you will never forget this sunrise. Some people do it every year, just because they can’t get enough of the beautiful views and the thrill.
The day trip can also include a visit to Tegallalang Rice Fields, a barong and kecak dance with a fire show, and a stop at one of the coffee shops with panoramic views of the mountain, lake, and valley.
For your next hike, try Mt Abang or Mt Agung. Note that during big ceremonies, Mt Agung is closed to all visitors.
Jimbaran Fish Market Day Trip
To get the freshest fish, crabs, massive prawns, squids, or baby octopus head straight to the Kedonganan fish market.
You can buy the fish and get it grilled right in the nearest warung (cafe). These cafes charge per kilo and will set you up with rice, and sauce, and you can order some drinks there too.
It is best to combine the market experience with a day trip to Uluwatu as the Jimbaran area is right on the way.
The market is also very close to Kuta in case you want to swing by the beach or one of the biggest shopping malls on the island.
Where Is It: 65V9+2CG, Jl. Pantai Kedonganan, Kedonganan, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Uluwatu Day Trips From Canggu (South Bali)
Uluwatu is a land of beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and surfing.
For sunbathing you should go to Thomas Beach, Melasti, or Bingin Beach, and to explore hidden gems, stop by Suluban Beach.
After this, get to the clifftop Uluwatu temple from where you can enjoy the stunning views of the rocky and limestone cliffs and waves crashing against them. It is best to have your tour guide arrange the tickets beforehand for you as the queue can be rather long.
Right around the sunset, local dancers dressed in traditional costumes will gather to perform one of the traditional Balinese dances – Kecak. A dance and fire show that you have to witness at least once in your life.
Stunning Waterfalls, Munduk Day Trip
There are a few areas on the island that are abundant in beautiful waterfalls that you can hike up to and plunge into their cold waters.
Munduk area is a rainforest mountain region in Northern Bali right next to the Twin Lakes. The 4 of the most popular Munduk waterfalls are Golden Valley, Red Coral, Labuhan Kebo, and Melanting.
But there are many more than these four in the area, for example, the breathtaking Banyumala Twin Waterfalls.
All of the Munduk waterfalls require a short trek through tropical rainforest which is an added bonus to your day trip.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is a popular destination, a small waterfall with a basin below it for plunges.
It is absolutely beautiful as it is surrounded by jungles and volcanic rocks, and the area has a few different viewpoints looking at the waterfall.
More Waterfalls In Ubud, Guanyar, and Bangli Areas
It is only one of many waterfalls in the Gianyar and Ubud area, and there are some worth visiting like Suwat Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall with small cascades, Taman Sari Waterfall & Natural Pool, Goa Giri Campuhan Waterfall, and others.
Your local guide will also know secret waterfalls that very few tourists heard about! Many guides are also excellent at taking pictures and will even suggest the best pose.
Bedugul Day Trip, North Bali
Bedugul is one of our favourite tranquil areas in Bali. It has chilly mountain vibes with the best golf resort in Bali, a big botanical garden, a small charming lake, and one of the prettiest water temples in Bali – Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
But that’s not all! Bedugul is also a well-known destination for strawberries. Technically the season never ends but during Balinese holidays many domestic tourists visit the farms and there can be fewer ripe strawberries if you come later in the day. They are anyway sweet and juicy! Tested.
If you love camping, there are a few camping sites on the hills and around the lake where you can set up your tent or rent a comfy one with matrasses, or a fancy glamping tent.
Water Sports & Rafting Day Trip
If you love adventure, Bali rivers and bays are waiting for you to get wet.
Rafting is incredibly popular up in North Central Bali, while the best water sports are around Benoa Beach and not far from Lovina Beach. Whatever you want – jet ski, banana boats, wakeboarding, inflatable water castles – Bali has it all.
Plus, around Kuta, there is one of Asia’s best water parks – Waterbom that features some of the most extreme and fun slides in Indonesia.
Online: Adventure Tours With Bali Res Center
2-Day Trips From Canggu To The Closest Islands
Just a quick ride on a fast boat will take you to some of the prettiest islands near Bali for a beach-hopping trip.
You can travel from Panang Bai or Sanur Harbour. But wherever you stay in Canggu, the tour manager will organize a pick-up for you.
Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan
Two small islands that you can drive around in 2-3 hours connected by a narrow yellow bridge. These islands are famous for seaweed production, more advanced surfing and diving spots, pristine white sand beaches, and a serene atmosphere (with minimal nightlife).
Worth visiting beaches are Dream Beach, Devil’s Tear, Pantai Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach), and Mushroom Bay Beach.
Kelingking Beach & Nusa Penida Day Trip
It is a beautiful island east of Bali with green hills and lots of untouched territories. Nusa Penida’s most famous tourist attractions are T-Rex Beach (Kelingking Beach), Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach, and diving to see massive manta rays (around Crystal Bay and Manta Bay).
Gili Islands
There are 3 neighbouring islands: Gili Meno, Gili Air, and Gili Trawangan, lovingly called Gili T.
With Gili Air and Meno being quiet escape destinations for those tired of Canggu hustle and bustle, Gilig T is the place to dive, dine, party, and make friends, while still being on a small island where no vehicles or dogs are allowed.
Final Thoughts On Day Trips From Canggu
No matter what option you choose from our list, you’re guaranteed to have a great day exploring Bali’s hidden gems.
From sea to mountains, Bali has something for everyone. Adventure lovers can explore rivers and jungles in rafting boats and ATVs.
Art and cultural heritage admirers will find quirky art galleries and stunning temples all over the island, and whenever you go, you will also experience unique tropical landscapes and breathtaking views.
