Staying in Nusa Dua 5-star resort haven is a dream vacation for many. Pristine waters, luxury hotels, spas, and restaurants, and a peaceful atmosphere.
And yet, Bali is calling! The island has so much more to offer when you are ready to explore. We have the best day trips from Nusa Dua that will surely create memories to last!
Best Day Trips From Nusa Dua
East Bali Day Trips
The eastern coast of Bali has many places to visit and things to do, so it can’t be squeezed in just one day. But you can book a private driver and pick and choose some highlights.
Start the day trip on Blue Lagoon Beach – a paradise for swimming and snorkelling from the shore. Then, check out Lempuyang temple to take iconic pictures at the Heaven Gates with Mt Agung as your backdrop.
Our favourite next stop, just 30 minutes from the temple, is Tirta Ganga Water Palace – the actual king’s palace that still remains a beautiful experience surrounded by nature. You can feed koi fish in the ponds here, too!
On your way back, stop by one of the holiest temples in Bali – Goa Lawah Temple. It is a temple built next to a cave inhabited by thousands of bats.
Ubud Day Trip
It takes about 1.5 hours to get from Nusa Dua to Ubud, but the ride is beautiful and you can enjoy the scenery and make a few stops on the way!
Ubud itself is a cultural and royal capital of Bali, and it really shows the rich heritage of Balinese architecture, arts, and crafts scene.
The majority of travellers agree that the must-do and see things here are the Monkey Forest Sanctuary to see wild monkeys, walking along the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and Tegallalang Rice Terraces, visiting the ancient Elephant Temple Goa Gajah, and enjoying Balinese lunch and dinner with fried duck at one of the many specialised restaurants.
Of course, this will just scratch the surface, and we highly recommend travelling to Ubud for at least 2 or 3 days to go see waterfalls around the area, like Kanto Lampo, Ulu Petanu Waterfall, or Sumampan Waterfalls.
Uluwatu Temple & Beaches
Uluwatu is the closest area to explore while staying in Nusa Dua.
You can start from the Pecatu area, where you find the Garuda Wisnu Kencana park and that massive statue you can see from anywhere.
Next, beach hopping is a must. Uluwatu has some of the best and cleanest beaches in Bali, like Melasti Beach, Dreamland Beach, Bingin Beach, and some more secluded ones like Sulumban Beach.
If you want to try surfing, book a session with a local coach in advance, but be warned, the waves are powerful and merciless in Ulu!
To top it up, finish the day strong with a visit to the 11th-century clifftop Uluwatu Temple that overlooks the Indian Ocean and stay to watch Kecak Fire Dance shows at sunset!
Munduk Waterfalls & Bedugul
North Bali is one of our favourite destinations on the island. It takes a bit of time to get there from Nusa Dua, but it is absolutely worth it, especially if you are getting tired of the tropical heat.
Completely different landscape, scenery, and atmosphere. You can play golf, visit the lake Bratan temple (Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Bedugul), take the iconic photo at the Handara Gate, visit Twin Lakes, feed monkeys on your way up the mountains, and so much more!
The main reason why many come to Bedugul and Munduk is the waterfalls. There are simply so many that you can’t visit them all in one day, but the must-see ones are: Melanting Waterfall, Banyumala Waterfall, Sekumpul Waterfall – the biggest waterfall in Bali, GitGit, and many other waterfalls.
Tegenungan Waterfall
If you really want to see waterfalls but don’t have time to go all the way up north, there are a few waiting for you on the East Coast!
Tegenungan Waterfall is a spectacular waterfall with a natural pool to take a dip in. Right after a big rain, the waterfall will be plentiful and the most beautiful!
While you’re on this side of the island, you can also swing by Air Terjun Dedari – a secret waterfall with much fewer crowds and yet all the same natural beauty!
ATV Adventure
If you love a bit of adrenaline combined with views, ATV adventure is right for you!
Gladly, in Bali, there are dozens of spots where you can hop on a ride as a driver or passenger. You can drive along the black sand beaches in South-West Bali or in the rainforest around Ubud.
Rafting
Bali rivers are perfect for beginners to try white water rafting, especially the largest river, the Ayung River. There are dozens of agencies offering all sorts of tours for kids and adults.
And if you’re a bit scared and can’t properly swim, you can try tubing – floating down a river with much calmer rapids.
Canggu Day Trip
Your stay in Bali can’t be complete without visiting the nightlife and digital nomad hub of the island. Every adult knows that the best parties and DJs on the island are to be found at FINNS – the world best beach club located right on Canggu Beach.
While in South Bali, you should do some shopping, but also don’t miss the opportunity to go a bit more West and visit the holy water temple – Tanah Lot, where you can stroll around the park, see a beautiful temple perched on a rock, and even meet its guardian snakes!
Water Sports Day
If you’re travelling with kids, they will be absolutely ecstatic about water sports in Bali.
First, Bali is home to the biggest water park in Southeast Asia – Waterbom. It is a real water kingdom with slides for all ages and thrill seekers, comfy cabanas to stay in, and a few restaurants.
Plus, around Nusa Dua and Benoa, you can find plenty of operators and activities from parasailing to banana boat rides and wakeboarding (Bali Wake Park).
Day Cruises
Another laid-back activity to do with your partner or family while staying in Nusa Dua is a day or sunset cruise. They usually take you around the shore and into the ocean on a nice boat while serving you yummy food and cocktails.
Ayana resort and private tour operators in Jimbaran and South Bali have many sunset cruises (as that side of Bali is best for sunset watching) to offer.
But there is one special boat that is a party cruise! Beat Boat Bali has an all-you-can-drink option for all guests who can sail for 4 hours while enjoying DJ sets and sunset.
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike
An absolute must to witness the majestic beauty of the island from a different angle. And don’t worry, you don’t have to actually climb or walk anywhere if you don’t want to. There are options with 4×4 rides right up the mountain.
Insider tip: pick the tour that takes you to natural hot springs around the volcano after the hike! It is well worth it and super beneficial for skin health.
The region of Kintamani (where Mount Batur is) is also famous for coffee plantations and roasting, so make sure to stop at one of the coffee shops with a panoramic view of the volcano valley and lake.
Bali Safari
For those travelling with kids, visiting zoos to see new animals is always a fun day trip from Nusa Dua.
Bali zoo and Bali Safari Park are not the biggest in Southeast Asia, but they have safari options and activities like breakfast with orangutans or lions, or elephant feeding that many families enjoy.
On the same note, other animals and creatures you can meet in Bali are dolphins (a long day trip to Lovina up north), sharks (rare encounters for experienced divers around East Bali), monkeys, birds, butterflies, and, of course, myriads of tropical fish.
Nusa Islands & Gili Islands
Nusa Dua is super close to ports, so you can sneak out to explore the Nusa islands or the Gili islands.
Both are stunning tropical islands, with Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan being mostly for diving, surfing, and beach life, while Gili Trawangan is known for nightlife, diving, and snorkelling.
Gili Air and Gili Meno are two sweet, secluded escapes for lovebirds and solo travellers who prefer quiet island life.
Tips To Organise Stress-Free Nusa Dua Day Trips
It is easier to customise your itinerary when you have a private driver. They can schedule the pickup from your hotel whenever you want, and take you to all the fun places. A taxi ride doesn’t go everywhere and isn’t always reliable.
A guide is a must if you want to learn about each place. Unfortunately, there are rarely any stands with information you can read up on. You have to either Google it or ask locals. A local guide will share stories and facts, and the price is usually very affordable.
Don’t overload yourself. A schedule too tight will make you tired and overwhelmed. Choose excursions you absolutely want to do and plan them ahead. Bali has so many events and activities, it is easy to get FOMO, but stay reasonable! You can always come back!
FAQs
How Many Days Do You Need In Nusa Dua?
3 days in Nusa Dua is enough to soak in what the area feels like. But if you’re planning a honeymoon or family vacation, and Nusa Dua will be your base in Bali, we recommend 7 days minimum to have enough time to explore.
Can Nusa Penida Be A Day Trip?
Yes, day trips to Nusa Penida take around 8 hours and can be done in one day from Nusa Dua. You will have time to visit T-Rex, Broken Beach, Atuh Beach, and sometimes even do some snorkelling with Manta Rays or diving.
Final Thoughts on Nusa Dua Day Trips
Nusa Dua is an amazing place to stay in Bali with access to clean beaches and blue waters. It is also near boat rides to other islands and close to Ubud or Uluwatu to explore more of Bali.
Nusa Dua day trips can meet any needs, and you tailor your vacation the way you want: adventure, nature, or party – the island has it all!
Read more:
Nusa Dua: Your Ultimate Guide To Bali’s Premium Beach Destination
The Best Resorts In Nusa Dua, Bali: Your Complete Guide To Where To Stay
