Bali is an island in Indonesia located between Java at its east and Lombok at its west.  It is one of Indonesia’s 33 provinces, with its capital, Denpasar, situated towards the south of the island.  East to west, the island is approximately 153 kilometers wide and approximately 112 kilometers north to south, with a total land area of 5,632 square kilometers.  Even though Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, Bali is predominantly Hindu with about 93% of its people adhering to this faith.

With its varied landscapes of hills, mountains, plains, rice fields, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and blue oceans, Bali, sometimes known as Island of the Gods, is a place that truly captures the senses.  In addition, the island is home to friendly people and a deeply spiritual and unique culture, all combining to stake a serious claim as earth’s paradise destination.

So, what is there to do in Bali?  Lots!  If you like to be in the middle of the action, South Bali is the place to go.  Of the most famous destination in this region is Kuta, on the southwest coast.  You can surf some waves at the beach and thrust yourself into the island’s liveliest shopping areas and night life scene.

If you prefer a more laid back mountainous scenery, then Central Bali is for you.  Ubud is regarded as the island’s cultural capital.  In this town, you will find artists’ workshops and galleries as well as numerous temples, historical and archeological sites.  Being 600 meters above sea level, Ubud also enjoys cooler temperatures than the coast.  Other interesting destinations in Central Bali include Tabanan (famous for its black sand beaches as well as Mount Batukaru) and Bedugul (renowned for its botanical garden, scenic rice terraces and the photogenic Lake Bratan Temple).

If you prefer beach scenery that is quieter than South Bali, then East Bali is for you.  It is a large region with natural habitat ranging from lush forests and black sand beaches to gravel plains and a large active volcano named Mount Agung.  On the south slopes of this mountain is Besakih Temple, one of the most important temple complexes in Bali.  Candidasa is a popular seaside town with a laid back and very relaxing atmosphere.  There may not be that much of a beach at Candidasa during high tide, but the waters offer good snorkeling with live coral in shallow waters.  Klungkung is a town with great historical, cultural, and artistic significance.  Here you can visit important monuments and temples as well as a  museum of classical and modern art.  A ferry to Lombok departs from the small port town of Padang Bai, which is also home to white sandy beaches as well as good diving and snorkeling in the immediate area.  Nusa Dua, a peninsula in the southern part of the region is well known for its high end hotels, its excellent golf course and white sand beaches.

Western Bali is perhaps the least visited region of the island.  West Bali National Park, located in the most north-westerly point of the island, offers a wide range of unique flora and fauna, including the near extinct Bali Starling.  Medewi Beach in the southeastern part of the island offers good surfs and a quiet seaside spot while the beaches at Pemuteran in the north offer great diving and a laid-back seaside village atmosphere.

North Bali also offers another quiet destination in Bali.  Singaraja is the former capital of the island which still retains a lot of its Dutch colonial character, giving the city a different look and feel from other Bali cities and towns.  West of Singaraja is Lovina, a quiet coastal town.  The black sand beaches present an excellent opportunity for you to enjoy a leisurely walk by the sea.  The waters here are also very calm and excellent for swimming and diving.

The Southeastern islands of Bali are excellent destinations for diving, surfing or just plain relaxing.  Nusa Penida, the largest of the three islands, consists of stunning natural beauty which includes quiet and secluded white sand beaches, limestone caves and hills.  Nusa Lembongan is a quiet island which offers some of Bali’s clearest waters, excellent for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving.  Between these two islands is Nusa Ceningan, offering another great surfing spot as well as scenic roads and paths.

Comprising of aqua blue ocean waters, world-class surfing and diving spots as well as a large number of cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, Bali is an excellent holiday destination.  Our eight day Bali Explorer tour will introduce you to the island’s distinctive heritage and landscapes.  This program is designed to take you to the island’s lesser known attractions and hidden gems away from the tourist crowds.  You can also see our recommended Bali & Indonesia tours page for other memorable holidays in this extraordinary country.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to tweak any of our tours.