Bali is an island in Indonesia, located between Java to the west and Lombok to the east.
The island of Bali is a popular tourist destination for both backpackers and people looking for a relaxing vacation. With accommodation ranging from budget homestays to luxury hotels and boutique resorts, Bali caters for travellers on any budget. Since it is relatively close to Perth in Australia, Bali remains a popular spot for Aussies from the Land Down Under.
Bali has miles of beaches on which to soak up the sun’s rays, from long sandy ones in Kuta and Seminyak, to sheltered coves with coral reefs in Uluwatu, to paradise white beaches in Padangbai. But find the time to dust the sand off your feet and venture to the interior of the island, and you’ll find iridescent green rice fields, volcanoes and mountains.
Bali is known for some of the best surf in the world, so it’s not surprising the island attracts surfers from across the globe who come in search of the perfect wave. Whether you’re a beginner looking to stand up on a board for the first time, or an experienced surfer looking to get barrelled on the reef breaks down in the south, Bali has waves every level of surfer.
From story-telling Barong dances to charming temple ceremonies- Bali offers a unique cultural experience. The majority of the Balinese people follow the Hindu religion and this is evident in their everyday practices as well as the many temples scattered across the island. Bali is a very spiritual place, and the artsy town of Ubud is becoming increasingly popular with tourists seeking yoga holidays, spa retreats and traditional healing.
The island is known for its arts and crafts and is a haven for clothing and accessories designers, with a glamorous expat scene. Bali is so very ‘now’ and is becoming increasingly trendy, with luxury hotels, boutique shops, organic delis and ultra-chic sunset bars. A night out in Bali can range from drinking Bintangs by the beach to wild nights out in chaotic Kuta.
If you’re looking for some cheap Asian food, grab some sate chicken from one of the street stalls or snack on Nasi Goreng in one of the many warungs. Sick of rice? No problem. Bali has numerous international restaurants serving all kinds of food from Italian pasta to Japanese sushi. Oh and be prepared to have the best banana milkshakes of your life.
With a tropical climate, Bali offers warm weather all year round which makes it a great destination for holidaymakers looking for sun, sea and pumping surf. What’s more, the Balinese people are extremely friendly and helpful, making it a great place for backpacking.
As surfing is also a popular pastime for people travelling to Bali, aspiring divers would be best advised to avoid touristy areas in the south that see the majority of the surfing trade happen. This means that, as well as experiencing the exoticism on offer when you go diving, you can also explore a more traditional slice of Bali life, visiting areas that remain largely uninfluenced by the tourism industry. The best diving spots can be found around the east and north of the island, or you can take a 45 minute boat ride to the east to discover other dive spots on the islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
You can be as adventurous or as cautious as you like with dive sites on the island, as different areas offer a chance to see different kinds of underwater life. For those divers with a taste for the exotic and the exciting, areas like Tepekong, Gilli Biaha, and Manta Point are frequented by sharks of varying sizes. Manta Point in particular is also home to species of turtles and manta rays, so affords divers some truly unique experiences. On the opposite end of the scale is Secret Bay, located in front of the docking area of the Gilimanuk Harbor. This is a great site for a bit of micro activity, with beautiful varieties of underwater life from Snake Eels to Cockatoo Fish, and Flounders to Sea Hares.
Bali is also home to one of the continent’s most famous diving sites: the Liberty Wreck. Located 30 metres from shore, the Liberty Wreck is the 120 metre long wreckage of a World War II cargo ship, torpedoed by a Japanese submarine out in the Lombok Strait on 11 January 1942. The wreck is home to many species of large fish, reef fish, and eels, and is a popular spot for night diving as it is so close to the shore.
If you’re going to take a diving trip to Bali, be sure to have all eventualities covered by purchasing a good travel insurance plan from a company like Direct Travel Insurance. That way you can dive and explore with peace of mind, and understand what everyone is raving about.
Diving in Bali
With its idyllic beaches, welcoming climate and exotic cuisine, it’s no surprise that Bali is such a popular destination for holidaymakers in search of a bit of R and R. However, the island is also popular amongst backpackers thanks to the many activities on offer that can’t really be enjoyed in the British climate: surfing, for example, and diving. With such clear blue seas and such diversity of underwater life, why wouldn’t you want to explore the diving possibilities in Bali?
As surfing is also a popular pastime for people travelling to Bali, aspiring divers would be best advised to avoid touristy areas in the south that see the majority of the surfing trade happen. This means that, as well as experiencing the exoticism on offer when you go diving, you can also explore a more traditional slice of Bali life, visiting areas that remain largely uninfluenced by the tourism industry. The best diving spots can be found around the east and north of the island, or you can take a 45 minute boat ride to the east to discover other dive spots on the islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
You can be as adventurous or as cautious as you like with dive sites on the island, as different areas offer a chance to see different kinds of underwater life. For those divers with a taste for the exotic and the exciting, areas like Tepekong, Gilli Biaha, and Manta Point are frequented by sharks of varying sizes. Manta Point in particular is also home to species of turtles and manta rays, so affords divers some truly unique experiences. On the opposite end of the scale is Secret Bay, located in front of the docking area of the Gilimanuk Harbor. This is a great site for a bit of micro activity, with beautiful varieties of underwater life from Snake Eels to Cockatoo Fish, and Flounders to Sea Hares.
Bali is also home to one of the continent’s most famous diving sites: the Liberty Wreck. Located 30 metres from shore, the Liberty Wreck is the 120 metre long wreckage of a World War II cargo ship, torpedoed by a Japanese submarine out in the Lombok Strait on 11 January 1942. The wreck is home to many species of large fish, reef fish, and eels, and is a popular spot for night diving as it is so close to the shore.
If you’re going to take a diving trip to Bali, be sure to have all eventualities covered by purchasing a good travel insurance plan from a company like Direct Travel Insurance. That way you can dive and explore with peace of mind, and understand what everyone is raving about.
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