The Best Day Trips From Bali Indonesia

While Bali offers everything anyone would ever need from a perfect tropical getaway, sometimes a day trip to the nearby attractions can open up a whole new world of excitement and fun. Read our guide to the best day trips from Bali, from a party island to a nearby dragon habitat.

Keen to explore Bali and its surrounding areas? Our 12-day small-group trip will have you swimming in waterfalls, snorkelling with sea turtles and surfing at Batu Bolong.

1. Lombok, for even more laid-back living

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People walking on the serene Selong Belanak beach in Lombok, Indonesia

Located to the east of Bali, Lombok is like its more laid-back sister, accessible by boat or plane. It’s just as beautiful too, with idyllic beaches and picturesque highlands, but much less crowded. Even though it has many attractions to explore, from beaches and temples to mountains, tourists can enjoy most of the island’s best in a day. Selong Belanak beach and Rinjani National Park are among the most popular destinations in Lombok.

2. Nusa Penida, for birdwatching and beach strolls

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Bali, Indonesia, Traveler on Tree House at Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida Island

Anyone who visits this dreamy small island near Bali would never guess at its dark history. It used to be a dungeon in the middle of the ocean, but Nusa Penida is now the exact opposite, a tropical paradise with zero traces of gloom. Nowadays the island is inhabited by various bird species; some endangered, all beautiful. The unique rocky structure blesses visitors with wonderful sights and its surrounding clear, sparkling water makes for dreamy beaches all around the island.

4. Komodo National Park, for chilling with the dragons

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If you cherish wildlife (or native, small-island scenery), this park on Komodo Island is a noteworthy place to visit. Although the scenery is a treat in itself, the main attraction is the Komodo dragon, the largest species of lizard on the planet. As a Unesco World Heritage Site, the park is well-maintained and as protected as the lizards themselves. Tourists can reach the island via Labuan Bajo airport on Flores, which is only one-and-a-half hour’s flight away from Bali.

5. Menjangan Island, for incredible wildlife on land and under water

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A fire coral colony surrounded by small fish, off Menjangan Island, Bali

Divers and snorkelers, head northwest to find a whole new world of marine biodiversity, from coral reef gardens to various species of tropical fish. For tourists who would prefer to stay warm and dry, Menjangan Island also has many things to offer, including gorgeous beaches, a whole population of sea birds, turtles, even deer. Share the sight of virgin beaches with the muntjac (barking deer), which also happen to love bathing on the idyllic beach. Tourists can reach the island by motorboat, and it takes just about 30 minutes from the northeast end of Bali island.

6. Gili Trawangan, for snorkelling with sea turtles and partying with locals

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A young woman in a magenta bikini snorkels above a large sea turtle in shallow, crystal-clear water

Being known as “Bali’s Party Island”, many tourists ride the boat to the east from Bali to enjoy an all-night rave party. But the small island is actually as lively during the day as it is when the sun goes down. A day trip to Gili Trawangan will reward tourists with sightings of turtles, tropical birds, and wonderful beaches. Snorkeling is also a popular activity to indulge in. Even the trip from Bali itself, which takes about 90 minutes, is a treat, boasting wonderful views of the sea and Bali mainland from an otherwise-unexplored angle. On day seven of our immersive group trip you’ll embark on that very journey via speed boat, before enjoying the island’s pristine beaches, gentle waters and vibrant nightlife and spending the night at the magnificent Hotel Vila Ombak.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.