Bali is a destination that has long been on our radar, and whilst Dan visited long before we met, now that we are living in Australia we are itching to get over there together (we even considered it for our honeymoon, but the Maldives won in the end)! Bali is the perfect destination for us as it combines both adventure and luxury. I’d love to rent a villa in Bali and spent half my holiday exploring the island and half my holiday relaxing in luxury. For a small island Bali is bursting with adventure and here are some of the top ways to stay active and get the most out of your Bali holiday!
[spacer height=”10px”]YOGA
Bali is rich in culture and spiritually and there is no shortage of ways and places to relax the mind, body and soul during your Bali holiday. Whether you are looking for a one off yoga class, a yoga retreat or your very own Eat, Pray, Love vacation, you are guaranteed to find the place on Bali for you. Ubud is the known as the cultural heart of Bali and is where you will find a large number of the yoga retreats. Allow yourself to rebalance, relax and rejuvenate and you will arrive home a new person.
SURFING
Surfers travel from all over to world to ride the waves in Indonesia and Bali, which is considered to be one of the most iconic surf destinations in the world. Bali is blessed with perfect waves, offshore winds, warm water and sun all year round, which also makes it a perfect winter escape from Australia! Professionals and experienced surfers brave the reefs along the southern and eastern coasts, whereas beginners can take surf lessons on the sandy, forgiving beaches at Kuta and Legian.
HIKING
Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other country in the world, thanks to its location in the ring of fire. Bali has two of these active volcanoes, Mt Agung and Mt Batur, the latter which is a popular hike at night in order to reach the summit in time for sunrise! The views are magnificent and stretch as far as Lombok! If climbing active volcanoes isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of hikes through the islands national parks and beautiful tropical landscape to keep your inner weekend warrior satisfied!
CYCLING
Cycling is one of the most popular ways to explore Bali and there are an abundance of tour companies offering bike tours around the island. Your cycle tour could take you to the top of a mountain, through vibrant green rice fields, to traditional villages and along quiet beaches.
DIVING
Indonesia’s waters are bursting with colourful coral reef and teeming with creatures that range from cute clown fish to manta rays, turtles and majestic whale sharks! This part of the world has some of the world’s best diving and there’s no question, getting underwater in Bali is a must! There is countless options ranging from dive schools, to remote spots and liveaboard charters that will impress even the most experienced of divers! Makes sure you bring your underwater camera! We consider Bali to be one of the top 10 island hopping destinations in the world!
WALKING
One of our favourite ways to explore a new destination is on foot. Bali offers some stunning walks that range from the coasts, to the jungle to the terraced fields. One of the most popular walks on Bali is through the terraced rice paddies of Tegalalang and the UNESCO site of Jatiluwih. These expansive rice paddies are stepped along an entire mountain, from the peak to the sea.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
The centre of the island offers an abundance of waterfalls and rivers, especially during the wet season which runs between October and February! I personally can’t think of a more thrilling adventure then rafting through wild, unspoilt jungle, towering gorges and stunning rice terraces!
STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
In addition to surfing, you’ll also find a booming SUP industry in Bali! Stand up Paddleboarding was born in Hawaii and is now the world’s fastest growing watersport (even Dan and I have our own SUPs)! Stand up paddle boarding is fun for everyone and whether you want to catch waves or just paddle on flat water you will love it, and it is so easy to rent a board and hit the water in Bali’s beautiful clear and warm water! Maybe even try your hand at SUP Yoga!
CHASING WATERFALLS
Adventurous travellers will jump at the opportunity to trek through dense jungle and clamber over rocks to hunt for hidden waterfalls that are hidden deep in Bali’s mountain forests. These regions are the lesser explored parts of the island, which mean when you do find them you will often have them all to yourself (hello perfect Instagram shot)!
EXPLORING
In addition to exploring the natural beauty of Bali on foot, you can also stay active by exploring Bali’s many temples. Whilst you won’t have time to visit all 20,000 of them, it is certainly worth choosing a few to explore during your time in Bali.
HORSE RIDING
I can’t think about a more dreamy experience than riding a horse down a beautiful beach at sunset with the ocean lapping at your feet. Horse riding is a popular activity in Bali with most choosing to take their ride at sunset with the stunning Balinese coastline serving as an unforgettable backdrop.
SWINGING THROUGH THE JUNGLE
Swing through the trees like Tarzan at the Bali Treetop Adventure Park. Check your balance as you cross suspensions bridges, fly through the canopy on flying foxes, and tackle any number of the 72 challenges over seven adventure circuits. It’ll feel like you are back at school tackling the high ropes course at school camp, but way more fun and of course scenic!
Whilst Bali may have the reputation as a party destination, it is also very quickly gaining recognition as a hot destination for foodies and fitness lovers alike! With yoga studies, luxury villa retreats, conscious cafes and an abundance of fresh produce that is widely available you will be able to give your body the holiday it deserves! With these incredible foods and choice of options for an active holiday, you will truly be treating your body like a temple and as soon as the plane touches down at home you will be dreaming of your next Bali getaway.
Our opinions are as always, our own.
