The landscapes of Bali are incredible with mountains, rolling hills, stunning beaches and bustling towns. There’s so much to see and do!
You probably won’t get the chance explore all of the island, but you may want to take a break from the traffic and try something a little different.
How about taking to the high seas?!
Boat tours in Bali are top notch with all kinds of trips and journeys to take. You can visit neighbouring islands, wander the ocean, explore the underwater world or even party it up in style!
Choosing a boat excursion will add an element of adventure to your Bali trip! Check them out!
Different Kinds of Boat Tours in Bali
Lining the streets of Bali you’ll find tour agencies selling all kinds of boat tours. Some companies host visits to neighbouring islands like Lombok and Nusa Penida, while others provide luxury yacht cruises along the coast.
Some of the most famous areas to explore by boat in Bali are the Nusa islands, the Gili islands, Menjangan island and Flores. That’s only the beginning of where you could find yourself on one of Bali’s boat tours!
Imagine taking a multi-day tour to the mesmerising Komodo Island, home to the enchanting Komodo dragons, or joining a trip off the coast of Lovina in the north of the island to do some dolphin-spotting. Exciting, right?
A lot of these boat tours will have lots of added activities for guests to enjoy, while some boat operators are just transport from one island to the other.
Adventure seekers can join snorkelling trips to swim with manta rays, or free dive to shipwrecks. Boat parties are on the market for someone looking for something on the wilder side, and for anyone who wants to chill out on their holidays, you’ll be spoiled for choice with relaxing cruise options. The timings of these outings vary from a couple of hours to several nights!
There are beautiful, extravagant sailboats for outstanding trips around the islands, yachts and catamarans for luxe day trips with friends and family, and traditional longboats and fishing boats for snorkelling trips and dolphin spotting. Literally a bit of everything for everyone.
Must-Do Boat Trips from Bali
Still don’t know where you want to go on your Bali boat tour? Keep reading to find the top tours!
Bali to Nusa Penida
One of the most popular boat trips is from Bali to nearby Nusa Penida, the largest of the Nusa islands.
Routes to Nusa Penida generally set off from the Sanur port. The journey roughly takes about 30 minutes, depending on the captain’s route and weather conditions.
Many of the operators that do the trip to Nusa Penida are doing a simple commute on and off. However, there are some options of companies who will boat tours around Nusa Penida including snorkelling and water sports!
Some tours to check out:
Bali to Nusa Lembongan
A must-visit destination for avid surfers or keen snorkelers is Nusa Lembongan. It is a picture-perfect island around 30 minutes from Sanur port via fast boat.
Nusa Lembongan is much less crowded than Bali, and is a gorgeous place to escape the crowds and lounge on the Insta-worthy beaches or see the crashing waves at the famous Devil’s Tear lookout point.
The main chunk of the boat trips in Nusa Lembongan are centred around snorkelling, or are combined with stops at the neighbouring Nusa islands – you’re in for non-stop action!
I would totally recommend to spend a few nights in Nusa Lembongan for the ultimate paradise adventure.
Take a look at some of the top Nusa Lembongan boat tours:
Bali to the Gili Islands
The Gili islands are another of the most popular spots to head to by boat.
Gili Trawangan, the largest of the 3, is the most visited with a buzzing nightlife scene, white sandy beaches and outstanding snorkelling right off the sand.
Gili Air and Gili Meno are both smaller, more laid-back islands with more of an emphasis on relaxing and unwinding.
Trips to the Gili islands start from Padangbai, taking between 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the type of boat and sea conditions – it is a notoriously choppy stretch of water.
Make sure you plan to stay a few nights in the Gilis to make it worth the journey.
Here is a fantastic multi-day tour to check out:
Bali to Lombok
Lombok is just a few hours from Bali, next to the Gili Islands, filled with incredible natural sights. It attracts adventurous visitors for its majestic volcanic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and surf breaks.
There are a lot of amazing things to do and places to stay in Lombok ranging from budget hostels to super chic and luxe villas.
You can take a boat to Lombok from both the Padangbai and Sanur ports. Try out the local ferry for a slower, more authentic ride, or hop aboard a fast boat for a speedier trip.
Bali to Komodo Island
Komodo Island is a notorious Bali boat tour, known for its breathtaking hikes, magical pink beach, and lethal Komodo dragons that call the island home.
To be able to go on this tour, you’ll have to be willing to travel a little further afield and fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo.
From there, you can set sail on either a 2 or 3-day cruise to Komodo and the surrounding islands. You can choose between liveaboards or stopping off to hotels, depending on your preference!
Below are some of the available tours:
- Komodo Island: Private 2-Day Tour With Boat Stay
- Komodo Island: Private 3-Day Tour With Boat And Hotel Stay
Day Boat Tour in Bali
You don’t need to commit to nights away to enjoy a Bali boat tour, these day trips will let you have fun in the water without having to stay overnight. Take a look!
Private Penida Boat Tour
Snorkelling and sightseeing are the main draws for tourists heading to Nusa Penida. This private boat trip gives you the chance to do it in style.
You can snorkel right off the boat, head on land to have a tour or just laze the day away in the sun on the seas. Anything goes on this private experience.
The tour includes lunch, a car for on-land touring, towels and all the gear for snorkelling! What a deal!
Dolphin Watching From Lovina
Dolphin watching in Lovina is one of those activities that won’t be for everyone.
The dolphins are still wild and in their own habitat so its not exactly unethical, however there are some tours and boats that push the boundaries and often get too close to the dolphins, chasing them around.
If the dolphin experience is something you would really love to try, do lots of research and ask for personal recommendations of tour operators. You can even head up to Lovina and ask around on the beach.
Snorkelling in Candidasa
Bali and its surrounding waters are a haven for snorkelling enthusiasts. Between the vibrant corals and fish, it’s a playground for divers in Bali.
Candidasa is a pretty seaside town in eastern Bali with some of the most enviable snorkelling in Bali.
While splashing around in the water right off the beach and seeing marine life is totally possible, it’s advisable to hop on a boat ride to head further out to the Blue Lagoon.
Bali Yacht Party
Bali is a place of healing, relaxation, and tranquillity, but it also has a reputation as a thriving party spot!
Drink up and blow off some steam on one of Bali’s yacht parties. You can spend a day at sea, sipping on Bintangs or cocktails, and admiring one of the famous Bali sunsets.
There are loads of boozy boat tours to pick from, with everything from pirate ships complete with costumes and props to a west coast sunset cruise.
Explore some of our top picks:
Final Thoughts
A trip to Bali is always an unforgettable experience. But a trip to Bali with a little bit of boat action – ONCE IN A LIFETIME!
This selection of Bali boat tours are an epic way to add some more adventure and surprise into your island getaway.
Head off to explore stunning landscapes, dip your toes into the snorkelling world of Indonesia, or just have a day of total luxury on a boat – the options are endless!
Featured image: Nusa Lembongan
