10 Bucket List Experiences You Can’t Miss in Bali

Ah Bali! The land of the gods, a name suitable for a tropical island that has it all. From steaming volcanos to glowing rice terraces, vibrant marine life to rich culinary delights, there’s never a dull moment in Bali, Indonesia. It’s no wonder why it’s been in the world’s top 5 tropical destination forever now. And why more and more foreigners are flocking here to call the island their home!

In all honesty, I came to Bali with the prejudgment that I would likely find it overrated. Crowds and over-touristy experiences are among a category of things that often dampen my travel experiences. And with Bali gaining recognition for decades now, especially during the era of social media, you can bet that there is no shortage of crowds and tourist traps. But with Bali, you need to peel that first layer off before you can get to the hearty inside that captures so many visitors.

I’m going to be honest again. This post is not about sharing hidden gems and unlikely things to do in Bali. No, this is a list of experiences that is suitable for so many of us, whether you’re young or just young at heart, newlyweds or retired couples, solo travellers or travelling as a family. This top 10 Bali bucket list will allow you to witness every beautiful façade of Bali’s glory and immerse yourself in incredible memories.

After spending a month visiting this gorgeous island in Indonesia, we’ve been able to gather these 10 must-do activities while in Bali that make this destination stand out the most in our memories of visiting 30+ countries together. We hope that you’ll indulge yourself in at least five of these experiences while exploring Bali and its sister islands!

1. Catch the Surf Waves

If you’re a surfing enthusiast, or you’d like to try your hand at it, Bali is renowned for its world-class waves. There are beaches that are home to beginner-friendly waters and others that are meant for intermediate and advanced surfers. There are also beaches that offer waves for everyone, no matter your surf level.

There are a few known districts to hit up if you’re looking to catch some waves. If you’d like to stay in those areas while you surf, we made to detail them in our Where to Stay in Bali post!

Kuta is perfect for beginners with plenty of surfing schools found along the beach. Canggu is a surfer’s paradise as well. But Uluwatu is truly a host of many amazing and vast beaches with great surf. We beach hopped during our day adventuring Uluwatu and couldn’t help but be captivated by the liveliness of the surf culture we found from one shore to the other.

Bingin Beach is perfect for both beginners and advanced surfers, with its ideal barrels making it a must-visit spot. Nyang Nyang Beach is a hidden gem due to its secluded location and less crowded atmosphere. Its powerful waves are better suited for more experienced surfers, and the beach itself is beautiful with lush cliffs and clear waters to surround yourself with. Balangan Beach is also a surfer’s paradise and a perfect spot to set up to watch the sun set over the horizon.

The best time to surf in Bali is during the dry season, from May to September, when the waves are most consistent. Always check the local surf conditions and be mindful of tides and currents. If you’re a beginner, consider taking a lesson to learn the basics and ensure your safety. Surfing in Bali is an unforgettable experience, and these spots offer something for everyone, whether you’re just starting out or looking for challenging waves.

2. Gain New Heights on Mighty Sea Cliffs

Leave your surfboard at the shore and venture up into the verdant sea cliffs of Bali and its sister islands. I mentioned Balangan Beach earlier and Balangan Beach Cliff is where we witnessed the best sunset in in Bali, amongst many locals and other tourists who came to the cliff side to do the same!

Throughout the Uluwatu coastline, there are towering sea cliffs you can perch yourself to capture amazing views of the Bali Sea and beyond. It’s also home to the Uluwatu Temple where you can watch the iconic kecak fire dance performance during the last light. You get to see fire lighting up the sky on the horizon and fire lighting up the stage!

Across the Badung Strait on the east side of Bali, on the island Nusa Penida, you’ll find even more epic cliff views overlooking the ocean. These spots have been Instagram-famous for a long time for good reason. Kelingking Beach, Thousand Islands Viewpoint, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong are very much worthy of the reputation they hold. But with great popularity comes great crowds.

In order to get these cliff views in the best conditions, make sure to start your day bright and early. Avoid the Indonesian heat, the crowds of day trippers and enjoy the soft morning light hit the waters and cliff sides. Staying on the island of Penida for at least one night will give you that opportunity!

3. Walk Through Rich Rice Terraces

From the rugged coastline to deep into the heart of the island, we come to see what drew in so many artists, painters and poets alike. It’s no secret that Bali has some of the most beautiful cascading rice terraces on the planet. With centuries upon centuries of expertly designing intricate networks of irrigation, utilizing the natural landscapes that the island already has and sowing a sacred love into the cultivation, the Balinese people have created something of intrinsic beauty that all visitors want to witness.

We loved our morning rice paddy walks during our time in Ubud. There were a couple of unknown rice fields we wandered while staying at the Hoshinoya Bali and the Maya Ubud. Those hours were among some of the most peaceful we’ve felt during the entire month we were in Bali.

The famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces of Ubud, on the other hand, was quite busy despite our early arrival. I do think it’s still worth the visit to experience the steep terraces of the tight valley of rice paddies.

And if you’re looking to hop on one of those famous Bali swings, or enjoy a good coffee at one of the many cafés with a view, by all means! In my honest opinion, the over-tourism of Tegallalang is not for me and made me want to rush out of there instead of savouring its beauty.

But there are many more awe-inspiring rice terraces throughout the island, one in particular completely caught our attention. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are the place to explore, either by foot or by bike. It’s a little ways away from the south part of Bali, but worth the trip nonetheless. The vast rice fields are surrounded by volcanoes and mountains on all sides, are easily walkable with paved paths and steps and the entrances are easily accessible and right by the main road.

The secludedness of this beauty greatly juxtaposed the full crowds we met in other parts of Bali. I would get lost in the rice paddies of Jatiluwih over and over again if I could.

4. Chase Waterfalls

In the high heat and humidity of Bali, there’s no better way to cool off than under the rushing fresh water of its many waterfalls. Throughout the heart of the island lie cascades upon cascades of falling streams, nestled deeply in the lush forests of Bali. And what better way to explore the Balinese landscapes than with a short trek with a cooling and refreshing dip at the end to reward you?

Chasing waterfalls throughout the island will necessitate a way to get around, of course. Unfortunately, your legs can only get you so far, and you’ll want to save your energy for the trails leading to the falls! In Bali, the best ways to get around for a day of exploring multiple spots are:

• renting your own motorbike: you’ll make to make sure you have your IDP (International Driving Permit) and be permitted to do so as the bylaws in Bali surrounding tourists renting their own motorbikes are still subject to change. But if you can, it’s some of the most fun and freeing times you’ll have here!
• hiring a private guide / easy rider: if you don’t feel comfortable, or if you’re not able, to ride yourself, definitely think about hiring an easy rider who will also act as a guide throughout your adventure day! You can sit back, relax and not have to worry about getting yourself to Bali’s hidden gems.
• hiring a private driver: make your life even easier and stay safe and cozy in the comfort of a private car. If you’re in a group of 2-4 and have some things you want to bring with you for the day, it might be more efficient and economical to hire a private driver. We enjoyed doing this a couple of times on the various islands and it made it easier to carry all of our equipment and change of clothes.

Choose whichever means of transportation best suited for your group! If you’d rather not customize your day and instead have a set tour to specifically selected waterfalls and more, you can also book yourself a private tour, with or without entrance fees included!

Here are our top picks for best waterfalls in Bali, with a little description of what makes each of them unique:

5. Wander the Stunning Balinese Temples

Bali is brimming with a unique culture and history, that stems from their Balinese Hindu religion, that has stood the test of time for the past two millennia. The influences of their faith and spirituality have taken root in the form of beautiful temples across the island, perched atop cliffs, lakeshores and islets. The distinctive architecture and surrounding natural beauty of many of Bali’s temples are enough reason to make them a priority in your visit.

There is a lot to admire and wander when visiting these religious sites. The scents, the sounds, the sights all come together in a harmony that is vastly different from the traffic and rush you find on the rest of the island. The unique puras stand in an attention-grabbing posture and setting that is not seen in any other Hindu temple on the Indian subcontinent, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

There are three Balinese temples that stand out to us as must-visits.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, or Pura Bratan, is located right on the shores of the stunning caldera Lake Beratan. It appears like a floating temple hovering on the calm waters, and the lake itself is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with Mount Bratan guarding on the west and Mount Catur embracing on the north and east. Ulun Danu Beratan is perfect for a morning visit, especially if you can catch the fog lifting on the water and the clouds hugging the mountain peaks.

Tanah Lot Temple, or Pura Tanah Lot, feels like it was built for another planet. Carved out of an offshore rock on the western side of Bali, during high tide, it’s as if the temple was built on a little islet of its own. But during low tide, you can walk along the shallow stretch of land to reach this marvellous blend of nature and architecture. Sunset is truly the most spectacular time to visit Tanah Lot, as the sun silhouettes the temple and rock beautifully with the ocean in the background.

Uluwatu Temple, or Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is perched up high on a western sea cliff in the Bukit peninsula. We visited it during our full day of exploring Uluwatu, and it is a breathtaking sanctuary. One of its unique offerings is that it features a kecak fire dance in its amphitheatre overlooking the sea from high above. Much like Tanah Lot, it is well worth visiting during sundown to capture this incredible performance as the night sky turns.

,Joining a tour to visit these Balinese sites is honestly the best way you can get the most out of them. We felt that visiting them self-guided was not as fulfilling and memorable as it could’ve been, had we chosen a guided tour instead. We missed out on learning about them and their historical and cultural meaning to Bali, but we did get to admire and capture the sights on our own time.

You’ll often find a number of experiences that combine Ulun Danu and Tanah Lot in a UNESCO all-day tour which also includes our favourite rice terraces, Jatiluwih.

If you’re hoping to visit Uluwatu for the whole day like we did and end the even at the temple, this package for Uluwatu Temple includes the fire kecak fire dance and a BBQ dinner overlooking Jimbaran Bay.

6. Hike a Live Volcano

You heard me right. Bali, along with most of the Indonesian archipelago, sits on the Ring of Fire, which extends well beyond to the other side of the Pacific, along Peru and Chile to name a couple. This island is home to three active volcanoes, including Mount Agung—the largest volcano on the island—and Mount Batur, the most visited.

Yes, these volcanoes are still, figuratively, living and breathing. However, an eruption has not happened in decades, and is not set to happen anytime soon. With the proper seismic precautions, you won’t have to worry about either volcano going off without you being well aware ahead of time. In the meantime, they are extremely calm and restful that you can actually hike all the way to the stop of them and walk the ridges of their craters.

Mount Agung and Mount Batur are considered sacred in Balinese culture, and very much places of wonder and beauty. Trekking to the summit of a volcano is already going to be a crazy experience of its own. But these majestic mountains offer a reward you won’t understand until you get up there yourself!

Hiking Mount Agung is a full day’s experience, and you definitely will want to do a guided trek that will take you up there for sunrise. But hiking Mount Batur is a much easier feat, which you’ll also want to do for sunrise, but you’ll only need to free up half your day for it. If you’ve got an adventurous spirit, don’t mind losing a little sleep and enjoy amazing views, definitely don’t miss out on hiking a volcano while in Bali! It was one of our favourite experiences to hike Mount Batur for sunrise.

7. Snorkel with Manta Rays

Truly the most extraordinary memory of our time in Bali was swimming with none other than the gentle giants of the sea, the manta rays. These magnificent creatures are fairly elusive, but they do frequent the waters off the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida in search of good spa treatments and gourmet dining (i.e. cleaning stations and feeding stations).

In Manta Bay, you’ll find many mantas breaking the surface of the water as well as flipping and gliding along the sea floor. It is the place to snorkel with manta rays in Bali because the waters are clear and not too deep. Over on the southern coast is Manta Point, which is notably the best place to scuba dive with them, although it is better for more experienced divers.

If you’re planning on staying in Nusa Penida, which is one of our favourite areas to stay in Bali during your visit, then you’ll be glad to know that there are short half-day boat tours that will give you the opportunity to spot and swim with the rays. You’ll be able to stop at three to four different swimming areas, some of which have the most beautiful landscapes surrounding them and vibrant coral gardens. This snorkel tour was our favourite and most inexpensive experience in Bali. You can read all about it in our Nusa Penida manta ray snorkel guide!

But if you’re staying on mainland Bali your entire visit, don’t worry! There are plenty of tours that take you over to Nusa Penida—some even stopping in Nusa Lembongan—for a snorkel adventure and sightseeing on land.

8. Swim with the Turtles

Not only can you spot manta rays in the wild, but sea turtles too! There are a few notable spots in mainland Bali that are great for snorkelling with sea turtles, including Padangbai’s Blue Lagoon in East Bali and Menjangan Island, right off the coast of Bali’s most western tip.

While not technically in Bali, the best place to swim with sea turtles right off the beach, is the Gili Islands. The Gili’s are three islands off the northwestern coast of Lombok, which is the neighbouring Indonesian island to the east of Bali.

Gili Trawangan (the largest), Gili Meno (the middle) and Gili Air (the smallest) are a destination for beach lovers seeking either parties or serenity—or both! They have the whitest sand and most turquoise water we saw in all of our time between Bali and Lombok. But best of all, they are a haven for sea turtles.

On the north coast of Gili T is Turtle Shore, where we swam with turtles on our Gili Islands snorkel tour while they came up to feed on the vegetation that’s right off the beach. Gili Meno is also home to a sea turtle sanctuary where they have a conservation program for the hatchlings and allow you to aid in releasing the baby turtles once they’re old and strong enough to take their first steps out into the ocean.

Sea turtle conservation programs are actually not uncommon in Bali and their neighbouring islands. There are a number of sanctuaries on mainland Bali as well, some of which are associated to some hotels and resorts. The Oberoi Beach Resort Bali, where we stayed in Seminyak, even has their own turtle conservation program and allows guests to release hatchlings when the time comes.

The most common sea turtle you’ll see while snorkelling or scuba diving are Green turtles and Hawksbill turtles. But the main species to come lay their eggs on the beaches of Bali are in actual fact Olive Ridley turtles.

9. Taste Delectable Indonesian Cuisine

When you’re in Bali, you’re bound to dive into a lot of nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), and those ever-delicious satay skewers. These are comfort food at its finest, and you’ll find them pretty much everywhere—from humble warungs to beachside cafés.

But don’t stop there, because Bali’s food scene goes far beyond the classics! For a truly mouthwatering experience, you have to dig into some beef rendang. This dish is an explosion of flavour, with tender chunks of beef cheek slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices until they’re rich, fragrant, and practically melt in your mouth. There are a number of veggie variations of rendang you can try too! The power is in the sauce and the tenderness of the slow-cooked protein.

I don’t know what it is, but Indonesian flavouring hits every note of spicy, savoury, sweet and nutty, even in the simplest and most affordable dishes. Hence me always gravitating towards a cheap nasi or mie goreng with a side of sambal.

But don’t even get me started on Indonesian treats and dessert, like the yummy kueh! These colourful, bite-sized sweets—like klepon (chewy rice balls filled with palm sugar and coated in coconut) or lapis legit (layered cake)—are little gems that give you a taste of Indonesia’s multicultural heritage while satisfying a big sweet tooth at the same time.

Bali’s tropical fruits are also a must-try, especially when you’re relaxing on a hot day. Our trip to Bai was the first time I had ever seen or tasted the juicy and fleshy salak (snake fruit), which is sweet and a little tangy. The exotic mangosteen is a staple whenever my parents or I visit Bali. With its delicate, sweet flavour, it’s often called the “queen of fruits,” and I will buy all the mangosteen-flavoured candies I can get my hands on to bring home. Not to mention the infamous durian—either you love it or hate it, and there’s only one right answer. Fun fact about me, I am a “shout it from the rooftops” kind of durian romantic! If I could smuggle fresh durian home, I would.

Lastly, let’s not forget about the street food gems like bakso (savoury meatball soup), gado-gado (a mix of boiled veggies topped with peanut sauce), or bebek betutu (smoked duck marinated in Balinese spices). Every dish tells a story of Bali’s rich culture and history, and there’s nothing like savouring them in the vibrant markets or quaint cafés with a view of the rice paddies or the sea. So, while the comfort foods are always there for you, don’t miss out on these unique flavours that truly capture the essence of Bali.

10. Luxuriate in a Zen Open-Air Spa in Ubud

I wouldn’t call myself a spa addict, but given the chance and a reasonable price tag, I’ll take up the offer to indulge in a spa session if the setting checks out. And my my, if you’re thinking of opening your budget for a pamper sesh, Ubud is the place to do it!

Ubud is forest and rice terrace heaven, and we enjoyed staying at two amazing properties while we were in this part of Bali. But the most notable experience we had in Ubud was a couple’s spa treatment in the massive open-air couple’s massage room overlooking the river and forest below. We had an entire private changing room with lockers and a relaxing water feature, a large outdoor shower with two rainwater showers, a day bed to relax in and a soak tub for two brimming with flower petals for our final couple’s bath.

I go into more detail about our spa journey and stay in my Maya Ubud post. The photos don’t do the environment justice but give you a sense of what it would be like! Everything from sights, scents, sounds and feel wrap you up in nature’s luxurious blanket at the Spa at Maya.

What was provided was way more than what we could have anticipated. What’s more is that this 2-hour Maya Escape couple’s package is only 1,700k IDR ($110 USD) per person! That is crazy good for any spa, let alone one in the heart of a five-star resort. Now imagine pampering yourself at any other place in the middle of Ubud’s valleys and forests. The options are endless, especially when the prices are so palatable!

Conclusion

I could honestly go on about what you can do on this rich and vibrant island. Bali has been on the map for centuries now, and we finally understood why. I came in thinking it would be a tourist trap and possibly underwhelming in terms of natural sights, wildlife, culture, food and people. But I was beyond ecstatic to find out none of that was true when you look just a little past the surface.

Adventure, stunning architecture, memorable experiences and top notch dining were constantly within our reach. There truly was never a dull moment in Bali, and these 10 bucket list items are just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re planning your trip to Bali, you can take a deep dive into all our Bali content right here!