One of the joys of life on this amazing island is that there are so many water sports in Bali that you could try something new every day for a month without a problem.
In fact, we’ve found 27 great water sports in Bali that you can enjoy from sea walking to scuba diving, to a voyage in a banana boat, there’s something for everyone and no, you don’t even need to be able to swim to enjoy some of these water sports.
So, check out your options and decide which Bali water sports you’re going to do on your holiday.
Our Pick Of 27 Bali Water Sports: Including The Most Extreme Water Sports In Bali To The Most Family-Friendly
There is a water sport for everyone in Bali and we mean everyone. However, choosing the right sport for you involves an honest take on your own level of fitness and your ability to swim.
It’s a very bad idea to attempt a water sport that you are clearly not currently able to tackle safely. Drowning incidents in Bali are fairly rare, but they’re not unknown. Please don’t become a statistic.
If you’re not sure whether you are up to a given activity, join a school and let them test you and show you the way. You want your Bali holiday to be a dream vacation, not a nightmare.
Rolling Donut Bali
You don’t need a huge amount of experience to try out the rolling donut boat in Bali.
This is a very easy activity to participate in and it’s open even to non-swimmers.
The rolling donut is not expensive and the best place to try out this sport is on Tanjung Benoa Beach. The best time of year for it is April & September.
The principle of the ride is pretty simple. You sit in a large rubber ring (as you would at a water park) and then get towed (quickly) by a speed boat.
If you fall out, you’ll be wearing a life jacket and will float until the boat picks you back up.
Jet Skiing
If you feel like you’re in the need for something more suited to adrenaline junkies, then you may be in the mood for jet skiing.
Jet skiing has been featured in so many movies now, that it has become the epitome of beach cool when it comes to water sports.
Mercifully, Bali doesn’t have the same issue with jet ski scams as they have in Thailand around jet skiing and you can rent a jet ski without issue at most resorts.
The most popular location for this is Tanjung Benoa Beach and you should be warned that it’s quite pricey to rent a jet ski.
We’d strongly encourage you to wear and fasten a life jacket when playing around with jet skis. If you fall and hit the water when jet skiing it can be a fairly substantial impact.
Snorkelling
If you want to see some of the amazing marine life in Bali and enjoy some of the colorful coral reefs available to you, what better way to do it than to go snorkelling?
You can even find the occasional shipwreck to swim around if coral reefs become too ordinary for you.
You don’t actually need to be able to swim to snorkel in Bali. You’re basically just floating and kicking your feet but it’s a good idea to have some basic swimming competence.
The equipment for snorkelling is cheap, but hiring a boat to take you out to the best spots tends to be more expensive than most other sports but it’s 100% worth it.
Head to Menjangan Island, Sanur Beach, Blue Lagoon, Tulamben and & Amed for the best snorkelling spots in Bali.
Surfing
Bali and surfing go hand in hand and you can find surf schools on nearly every beach on the island.
That doesn’t mean, however, that every beach is ideal for surfing. If you’re just learning then somewhere like Sanur Beach can make it very easy to master the basics.
But an expert surfer is likely to be bored to tears in Sanur and they will much prefer Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Impossibles, Balangan, Medewi, Kuta, etc.
If you have your own board then surfing is free to do. If you need to rent a board this can be done cheaply enough.
We will point out that you must be a confident and strong swimmer to learn to surf. Drowning is never a good idea.
Water Skiing
Water skiing is actually pretty challenging and you should never attempt water skiing if you don’t know how to swim.
However, if you do know how to swim, then water skiing is a thrill a minute and a great way to see the waters and beaches of Bali.
We strongly recommend that even excellent swimmers wear a life jacket at all times when taking part.
Good places to ski on the water include, Uluwatu, Kuta Beach and Tanjung Benoa Beach.
Fly Fishing
No, not fishing with flies. Fly fishing in Bali is a unique local water sport that is based on the action of the flying fish, a key feature of Balinese marine life.
You basically ride in a large flat rubber boat, when fly fishing, which mimics this action as it is pulled along by a speed boat. This sends the boat into the air with you on it!
Fly fishing is a very safe and easy way to spend time in Balinese waters and we’d note that you don’t even need to be able to swim to enjoy it.
The best place for this is Tanjung Benoa Beach and the best time of year is April or September.
As always, you should wear your life jacket when taking part in Fly Fishing. If you have kids, they’re going to love this amazing water sport.
Parasailing
If you want to fly high above the diverse marine life of Bali’s ocean then you want to go parasailing. This most famous water sport is really fun.
While it looks pretty dangerous, it’s actually very easy to start parasailing (as easy as the banana boats, in fact) and you still get photos like you’re into an extreme water sport!
Basically, you strap on a harness and a speed boat takes you out on the water and then over that water using the wind generated from the drag of the boat to get you parasailing.
If you have your life jacket on and are ready to pay a fairly modest fee, you could be parasailing before you know it.
For extra fun, you could always try a tandem parasailing ride with a partner or family member. This is a truly epic experience.
Scuba Diving
This amazing water sport is one of the most popular water sports in the world and it’s the best way to see the rich marine life in the tropical waters of Bali.
If you visit the Nusa Islands, you can go scuba diving with manta rays (and swimming with manta rays is a unique experience) or the huge mola mola fish.
But before you pack your bags for a boat ride, it’s best to get some training to dive properly. Scuba diving can be a very dangerous water sport if you’re not fully prepared to dive and ascend safely.
You should seek out a PADI-rated school among the numerous dive centres in Sanur Beach, Amed, Menjangan Island or Tulamben to learn how to dive safely among the captivating marine life and coral reefs of Bali’s underwater world.
Going beneath the water surface is not cheap though, and you will need to budget more for this one of Bali’s thrilling water sports than you would for nearly all of the others.
River Rafting
Not every water sport is a sea-based sport. If you want to enjoy river rafting then you’re going to need to come inland to the spiritual heart of the nation – Ubud.
Water sports enthusiasts come from all over the world to participate in this famous water sport in Bali.
There are three main rivers for this sport the Melangit River, the Ayung River and the Telaga Waja River and the best season is from November to March when the rivers are at their fullest.
We would note that small children and the elderly should never attempt river rafting as it can be dangerous or fatal if you can’t react properly if the boat is overturned.
As always life jackets are both recommended and required for this sport.
This is a relatively new sport and quite expensive, but it’s a ton of fun and might be the ideal water sport for somebody who is a little jaded and wants something less traditional to try.
An underwater scooter ride is a great way to meet the marine life of Bali and you can go down on your own scooter or share a tandem scooter with a friend (this comes with a head bubble suit rather like that used for sea walking).
The best place to try this water sport for the first time is Banjar Pujung Kelod and it’s quite expensive but worth it.
You don’t need to be able to swim to participate in an underwater scooter ride.
Water Tubing
Water tubing is another non-marine water sport. It involves sitting in an inflatable rubber tube and then letting the water take care of the rest.
Bali has a pretty good safety track record for water tubing, particularly when compared to other Southeast Asian nations and you can easily find a stream, river or canyon to try this sport in.
It’s surprisingly expensive, however, and the best time of year to try it out is December to March.
They say you don’t need to know how to swim to enjoy water tubing but we’d recommend that you have a basic level of swimming at a minimum, there are no life jackets in this sport.
Denpasar has some of the best water tubing spots in Bali.
Subwing
A subwing is a contraption that uses two wing-like boards to attach a rider to a speedboat.
Unlike with most speed boat-pulled water sports, a subwing doesn’t go over the water, it goes under it.
The rider holds on to the boards and gets a quick underwater tour of the local beach and marine life environment.
The best place to try this sport is in the Gili Islands which are well known for their excellent and low-cost water sports options.
You must be able to swim to take part in this sport, though, there is a risk that you let go of the board and have to get to the surface by yourself.
Stand-Up Paddle Board
Stand-up paddle boarding or SUP as it’s known to its fans, is a great way to get around on the waves.
You’re not required to be able to swim to take part in SUP but we’d recommend that you have at least some swimming proficiency, otherwise, you may find it hard to get back to land if you fall off.
If you have your own board (and you can buy them anywhere in Bali) this is a very cheap activity and renting a board isn’t very expensive, either.
The best time of year to take part in Sup is between December and March when the rains are really coming down in Bali.
Water Jetpacks – Flyboards
Yes, this is one of the latest and most extreme sports to come to Bali. If you want a water sport that allows you to act like Aquaman does in the movies, then you might find using water jetpacks scratches that very specific itch for you.
It is, exactly as it sounds. They strap you into a jet pack that then sprays water out the back in a very concentrated, high-pressure stream and this, in turn, throws you into the air.
Up to 10-15 meters into the air, in fact. If you practice with water jetpacks, you can find yourself doing some absolutely incredible stunts on them.
The best place to try this water sport is Tanjung Benoa Beach in Nusa Dua and it’s not as expensive as you might expect.
Kite Surfing
Kite surfing has become a very popular water sport in recent years but we’re not going to lie to you – it’s a very hard sport to master.
It’s like combining surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and paragliding into a single sport and having to master them all at once.
It can take months to master the basics of kite surfing unless you have considerable experience in other water sports already.
You must be able to swim at a high level if you want to take up kite surfing safely.
It’s quite expensive to rent the equipment and take lessons, and you may want to buy your own board if you want to commit to the sport.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing feels kind of old school with so many new water sports options in Bali but it’s still one of the most thrilling water sports that you can learn.
You need real body strength to undertake this water sport in very windy conditions which is what makes Bali a great place to learn – the wind is much more manageable.
Swimming is a must if you want to learn windsurfing and you should be a good to excellent swimmer, ideally.
It’s not that expensive to learn, however, and you can get lessons in Canggu, Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua and Legian very easily.
The best winds in Bali come during December to March.
Kayaking
You can go sea kayaking or river kayaking in Bali but obviously not in the same place.
If you want to hit a beach for your kayaking lessons, then Livadi Beach is a great place for it.
If you’d prefer a river, then Ayung River in Ubud is great for kayaking. You do need two people for most kayaks in Bali and this means you will split the cost of the kayak hire, which makes it a very reasonably priced water sport.
Swimming is definitely beneficial for kayakers but it is not compulsory and if you go kayaking in easy currents, it’s not the most challenging water sport to learn, either.
Free Diving
Free diving is a very extreme water sport.
It’s one that requires some serious experience of scuba diving before you start and you must also be a very strong swimmer.
However, if you’re up to the challenge then if you hit Nusa Penida, Tulamben or Amed you can find some amazing diving spots.
Sea Walking
Sea walking is the opposite of an extreme sport and it’s offered at some of the best beaches in Bali.
For this water sport, you wear a specially designed helmet that looks a bit like a fishbowl over your head.
This allows you to breathe underwater and you can walk along the sea bed to appreciate the coral reefs and other beautiful marine life in the natural beauty of the striking blue-green waters of the Indian Ocean.
The best place to get into sea walking is at Sanur Beach where the calm waters make it super easy to keep your footing as you walk along the sand.
You don’t need to be able to swim to take part in sea walking and it’s very reasonably priced too.
Banana Boat Ride
The banana boat is a boat that looks like a banana. It’s a fully inflatable item and it cuts through the waves with relative ease.
You can fit up to four passengers and a boat master/guide on a banana boat ride which makes it a great activity for the whole family.
Yes, even the little ones that can’t swim can enjoy a banana boat ride and the only safety precaution they need to follow is wearing a life vest.
It’s quite a cheap sport to take part in and one of the easiest to get into.
We’d recommend Tanjung Benoa Beach for your first banana boats but truthfully, you can find them all over South Bali and Southeast Bali and you’ll have fun wherever you find them.
XO Xtreme – by Wowsport Bali
This is another bonkers local water sport that involves being strapped into a ring that is then pulled behind a fast boat out on the ocean surface.
It’s very safe but requires three people on each ride to keep the ring properly balanced. This means you might need to share if you’re not a party of three.
It’s relatively cheap to take part and you don’t need to be able to swim to enjoy this sport. The only place to currently enjoy Xo Xtreme is Kuta Selatan Beach.
Swimming With Sharks
This is a great activity that lets you get up close with white reef sharks as well as blacktip reef sharks.
The sharks are not dangerous to human beings and this is a thrilling way to see them and learn more about their importance to the ecosystem.
You must be able to snorkel and swim if you want to join one of these trips which typically run from Tanjung Benoa Beach, Sanur Beach, and Amed.
It’s not a very expensive activity and the fee includes all the necessary safety gear.
Glass Bottom Boat Rides
We’re not entirely certain that this really qualifies as a “water sport” given that you won’t be doing anything except staring at the bottom of a boat.
However, the glass bottom boat rides are awesome and one of the best ways for a non-swimmer to see the marine life of Bali.
Small children and very elderly people will be quite safe on one of these trips, though we recommend helping to steady them on wet surfaces.
You can easily get one of these boat tours from Tanjung Benoa Beach or Sanur Beach.
Cliff Jumping
Cliff jumping does not come with our official seal of approval. While many visitors to Bali do this every single day, it’s all too easy to injure yourself by jumping badly.
However, there are plenty of locations around the islands to try a cliff jump and some of the best include Jimbaran Bay, Blue Lagoon, Balangan Beach and Mahana Point.
It is very, very cheap (but honestly, it should be free – you’re just jumping off a cliff, there’s no equipment or instruction involved).
You must be able to swim when you land too.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a hardcore sport that requires real balance and upper body strength.
The board is towed behind a boat or on a cable system and it can be a real hit for adrenalin seekers.
The best place to learn wakeboarding is Bali Wake Park.
Deep Sea Fishing Trips
While fly fishing may not be what you thought it was, deep-sea fishing absolutely is what you think.
Rent a boat, grab your rods and have a lazy day on the ocean. Bring some beers and let the world go by. This is our kind of water sport.
FAQ
Is Bali Good For Water Sports?
Yes. In fact, Bali is not good for water sports, it’s amazing for them. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide the right conditions for nearly every form of water sport.
What Place In Bali Is Best For Water Sports?
There really isn’t a “best spot” as such as there are many places you can enjoy water sports in Bali but some of the most popular spots include:
Tanjung Benoa Beach – this beach is a very popular location for water sports in Bali and it has one of the greatest varieties of water sports to learn there.
Sanur Beach – the waters in Sanur are particularly calm and that makes it a great place to learn most water sports. One particularly popular sport in Sanur is Kite Boarding because the waters are calm and the wind is good.
Nusa Dua Beach – there’s a good reason that Nusa Dua is one of the most popular locations for holidays in Bali. Its beach is amazing and there are plenty of high-end water sports facilities there.
Pandawa Beach – if you love kayaking, this is a great beach to learn from and it’s a bit more affordable than some of the more popular spots for water sports in Bali.
Ubud – sure, there are no beaches in Ubud unlike in South Bali but there are rivers and if you want to go river rafting, there’s no better place to do it. The Ayung River, in particular, is an amazing place to enjoy this sport.
Nusa Lembongan – this member of the three Nusa Islands is a great place to enjoy water sports in Bali. It tends to be less crowded and lessons cost a little less than on the mainland.
Is It Worth Doing Water Sports In Bali?
Yes! Whether you want to learn scuba diving or sea walking, Bali is a brilliant place to enjoy water sports.
The costs of lessons and equipment hire are lower than in most developed nations too, which means you get more value for money when you learn a water sport in Bali than when you learn at home.
It’s also worth noting that instructors here tend to be very professional and most schools have a great safety record too.
Which Beach Is Best For Water Sports In Bali?
There are many awesome beaches to learn water sports in Bali and these include:
Pantai Tanjung Benoa Beach
Pantai Jimbaran Beach, South Bali
Pantai Kuta Beach, South Bali
Pantai Sanur Beach, South Bali
Pantai Nusa Dua Beach, South Bali
Pantai Seminyak Beach, Southeast Bali
Pantai Canggu Beach, Southeast Bali
Pantai Candidasa Beach
Pantai Blue Lagoon
Pantai Amed Beach
Gili Islands Beaches
Timbis Beach
Which Island Is Best For Water Sports?
Bali itself is the best destination to learn or practice a water sport in Indonesia.
But if you’re looking to get offshore to learn your water sport, then we can recommend Nusa Lembongan or Gili Air.
While the islands are a little more expensive than Bali in general, learning water sports on these islands is actually a little cheaper than on the mainland, which offsets the higher costs of other things.
Are There Water Sports In Seminyak?
Yes, though it’s worth noting that you can’t do every kind of water sport in Seminyak and the environment there is more for advanced surfers, paddleboarders and kayakers.
This is because Seminyak and Seminyak Beach tend to see stronger waves than many of the other beaches in South Bali.
Are Water Sports In Bali Cheap?
Generally speaking, yes, water sports in Bali are a bit cheaper than they are elsewhere in the world.
This reflects the relatively low cost of labour in Bali, there’s no compromising on things like safety equipment for your scuba diving trip to bring prices down.
Can You Get Bali Water Sports Packages?
Yes, if you want to learn water sports at a particular school in Bali, you can normally get a package that provides a fixed number of lessons or activities for a lower price than booking each activity or lesson separately.
If you talk to our friends at Bali Res Centre (see below) you can easily find a good value water sports package for your needs.
Which Part Of Bali Is Best For Swimming?
A lot depends on your standard of swimming. Beginners will love Sanur Beach because the tides there are particularly calm and the reef shields the shore from waves.
That makes it ideal for moving around under your own steam without any water resistance.
However, if you are a stronger swimmer or want a more varied view of the world then Seminyak, Canggu Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, Nelayan Beach, Virgin Beach, Jimbaran Bay, and Nusa Dua Beach are all considered swimming hot spots in Bali.
Which Month Is Best For Swimming In Bali?
Obviously, a lot depends on how skilled a swimmer you are but there’s no doubt that it tends to be a bit easier to swim during the dry season.
The seas tend to be calmer at this time of year as there is no rainfall or wind.
However, you can swim all year round in Bali and the only time you are not going to want to swim is during an electrical storm. Electricity and water don’t mix.
What Is The Easiest Water Sport For Beginners?
Most people consider wakeboarding to be the easiest water sport to learn for beginners.
Obviously, it helps to learn to swim if you want to practice any water sport beyond a trip in a glass bottom boat or banana boat.
How Do I Book Bali Water Sports?
If you’ve decided that you want to spend some time in Bali working on a water sport, then the best people to talk to are the lovely folks at Bali Res Centre.
They’re a local agent with great on-the-ground information about where the current best Bali water sports spots are and what the best deals on packages are.
One thing you can be confident of when booking via the Bali Res Centre is that your instructors are guaranteed to be qualified and competent.
Final Thoughts On Water Sports In Bali
If you’re looking to learn a water sport or to improve your current skill level at a water sport, Bali is a great place to do it.
It will cost less than back home and the environment is perfect to enjoy all kinds of water sports in Bali. You can also see some of the most exciting marine life and colorful coral reefs in the world as you do.
