Things to Do in Bali: 20 Favourites From Our Local Crew
October 28, 2026
The sun is barely up over Batu Bolong and the water is already warm. You paddle out, sit on your board and watch the first set roll in while the sky turns pink behind the palm trees. That's the thing about Bali: the list of things to do is endless, but the best days usually start in the ocean and end somewhere completely different, at a cliff top temple, in a jungle valley or with your toes in the sand and a cold drink in hand 🍹
We run our surf camp in Canggu, and this is the guide we'd give a friend landing in Bali for the first time. It's grouped by area so you can plan your days around where you're staying, with honest notes on what's worth the drive and what you can skip. The practical stuff (tourist tax, getting around, temple etiquette) is at the end!Â
What are the best things to do in Bali?
The best things to do in Bali mix the ocean, the mountains and the island’s culture, from learning to surf and hiking a volcano at dawn to swimming under a jungle waterfall and watching the sunset from a cliff top temple.
If you only have a few days, start with these top things to do in Bali:
Take your first surf lesson in Canggu
Watch the sunset and the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple
Hike Mount Batur for sunrise
Explore Ubud’s Monkey Forest and Campuhan Ridge
Wander the Jatiluwih rice terraces
Take a day trip to Nusa Penida for manta rays and Kelingking Beach
See Tanah Lot, the temple in the sea
Join a water blessing at Tirta Empul
Chase Sekumpul waterfall in the north
End the day with a Canggu sunset at a beach warung
Where should you stay to explore Bali?
For a first trip, base yourself in the south, in Canggu or Uluwatu, for the beaches and surf, and add a few nights in Ubud if you want culture and jungle. Bali is bigger than it looks on a map and traffic is slow, so where you sleep shapes what you can easily do:
Canggu: The best base for surfing, cafes and meeting people, with a social, creative vibe. Tanah Lot is about 30 minutes away, and Ubud and Uluwatu are both around 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s also where our surf camp is.
Uluwatu: Perfect if you’re after dramatic cliffs, world class reef waves and incredible sunsets. It’s laid back and quite spread out, so you’ll want a scooter or a driver to get around.
Ubud: The place to stay for rice terraces, yoga and Balinese culture. It’s green and slow paced, and it makes a great base for day trips inland, although the beach is a long drive away.
Sanur: A good pick for calm beaches and easy boat trips to the Nusa islands. The vibe is relaxed and quiet, and it’s popular with travelers who want a slower pace.
Inside Lapoint Bali: A house tour of our surf camp in Canggu
What can you do in Canggu and on the west coast?
Canggu is Bali's surf and social hub, with beginner friendly waves, sunset beach bars and some of the best cafes on the island. It's an easy place to fall into a rhythm: surf in the morning, coffee, explore, sunset, repeat!Â
1. Take your first surf lesson at Batu Bolong
Old Man’s and Batu Bolong are where lots of people catch their very first wave, and they’re just a few minutes’ walk from our surf camp in Canggu. The waves are mellow, the water is warm and nobody minds when you fall off.Â
We take care of the logistics, from your board and coaching to knowing which spot is working that day, so you can skip the planning and just enjoy being in Bali. Join us for 4 days or a full week, choose the package that suits you, and add activities to build your own Bali trip!
Never surfed before? Start here
2. Watch the sunset at Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is a Hindu sea temple sitting on a rock just off the coast, and it’s an easy drive up the west coast. At high tide the waves wrap all the way around it. It’s one of the most photographed places in Bali, so get there well before sunset if you want a good spot on the rocks.
3. End the day at a beach club
Canggu does golden hour well. The Lawn and Finns Beach Club are the classic loungers and cocktails option, while Old Man's keeps it simple with a beach bar right on the sand. A cold Bintang and a sunset over the lineup is a pretty perfect way to close out a surf day.
Want the full lowdown on cafes, bars and boardshops? Check out our guide to Canggu.
What is there to do in Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula?
Uluwatu is Bali at its most dramatic: cliff top temples, hidden beaches and some of the best reef waves in the world. It sits on the Bukit Peninsula in the far south, about 1 to 1.5 hours from Canggu depending on traffic.
4. Watch the pros surf Uluwatu and Padang Padang
These are the waves that put Bali on the surf map. They break over shallow reef and get serious in the dry season, so they're best left to experienced surfers. The good news is you don't need to paddle out to enjoy them. Grab a seat at one of the warungs on the cliff above Uluwatu and watch the sets roll in.
5. See the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple sits right on the edge of a cliff high above the ocean, and at sunset it's hard to beat. Stay for the Kecak, a traditional dance performed in the open air as the sky goes orange. Cover your shoulders and knees (sarongs are provided at the entrance) and keep a firm grip on your sunglasses and phone, because the resident monkeys are famous for snatching them.Â
6. Find your favorite cliff beach
Bingin and Padang Padang are tucked under the cliffs, reached by steps that wind down through the rocks. The reward is turquoise water and soft sand. Check the tide before you go, as some of these beaches almost disappear at high tide.
Is surfing in Bali worth it if you've never tried?
Yes. With warm water all year and soft beach breaks in Canggu, Bali is one of the easiest places in the world to catch your first wave. There are no wetsuits and no freezing paddle outs, and the lineup is full of people who were beginners not that long ago either!
Beach breaks vs reef breaks
Bali has two kinds of surf:
Beach breaks: These form over sand, so they’re softer and more forgiving, which makes them perfect for learning. Canggu and Kuta are the go to spots for beginners.
Reef breaks: These form over coral and rock. They can be fast, powerful and beautiful, and they’re best left to experienced surfers. Uluwatu, Padang Padang and most of the Bukit fall into this group.
When is the best time to surf in Bali?
There’s a good wave for every level whenever you come:
Wet season (roughly October to April): Swells are smaller and less predictable, which is ideal when you’re still finding your feet.
Dry season (roughly May to September): Waves are bigger, cleaner and more consistent, which suits intermediate and advanced surfers.
Our Bali surf guide goes deeper on seasons, boards and safety.
What a day at our Bali surf camp looks like
A typical day starts with a morning surf lesson tailored to your level and that day’s conditions. The afternoons are yours, so you can nap by the pool, join a yoga class at camp or head off on one of the day trips in this guide. We coach levels 1 to 4, and longboard coaching is available for level 3 to 4 surfers, so there’s plenty of room to keep progressing once you’ve got the basics down. Curious about longboarding? Check out our best surf spots for longboarding.
What are the best things to do in Ubud?
Ubud is Bali's green, cultural heart, about 1 to 1.5 hours inland from Canggu, and it's best for slow mornings, jungle walks and yoga. Traffic into town can be heavy, so leave early and plan to stay for the whole day (or a few nights).
7. Walk the Campuhan Ridge
This easy walk follows a ridge between two river valleys, with tall grass and palm trees on both sides. It's mostly paved and doable in sneakers. Go early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds, and finish with breakfast at one of the cafes along the way.
8. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest
A patch of jungle right in town, with moss covered temples, huge old trees and hundreds of long tailed macaques. It's a fun visit, but keep your bag zipped, leave snacks at home and never feed the monkeys. They know exactly what they're doing!Â
9. Take a Balinese cooking class
Most classes start with a trip to a local market, then teach you a handful of classic dishes like sate, sambal and nasi goreng. You eat everything you cook, so come hungry. It's also a great plan for a rainy afternoon.
10. Join a yoga class
Ubud is one of the most famous yoga towns in the world, with studios for every level and style. If you're staying with us, you can also roll out your mat at our yoga sessions at camp in the afternoons.
Is the Mount Batur sunrise trek worth it?
Yes, as long as you're fine with a very early start: you hike up an active volcano in the dark and watch the sun rise over the lake and the mountains around it. It's one of those mornings people talk about for the rest of the trip.
11. Hike Mount Batur for sunrise
Treks are guided, and pickups happen in the middle of the night, since Mount Batur is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Canggu. The climb takes a couple of hours on loose volcanic ground, so you'll want decent shoes and a basic level of fitness, but you don't need to be a hiker. Bring a warm layer, because it's surprisingly cold at the top before the sun comes up. Looking for something much harder? Mount Agung, Bali's highest peak, is a far tougher overnight climb.
Which rice terraces and waterfalls are worth the drive?
Jatiluwih for wide, peaceful rice terraces and Sekumpul for the most impressive waterfall on the island. Both are at their greenest in the wet season, when the rice is growing and the waterfalls are at full flow.
12. Explore the Jatiluwih rice terraces
Jatiluwih is part of the Catur Angga Batukaru area of Bali’s UNESCO listed subak landscape, the traditional water system farmers have used to share water between rice fields for more than a thousand years. The terraces stretch across the slopes of Mount Batukaru, and walking trails let you wander right through them. It’s about 1.5 to 2 hours from Canggu and much quieter than the better known terraces near Ubud.
13. See Tegallalang at sunrise (or skip it)
Tegallalang, just north of Ubud, is the rice terrace you've probably seen on Instagram. It's beautiful, but by mid morning it's packed with swings, photo spots and tour groups. Go at sunrise if you want to see it, or head to Jatiluwih instead for a more peaceful experience.
14. Chase Sekumpul waterfall
Up in the north of the island, Sekumpul is actually a cluster of waterfalls dropping into a lush jungle valley. Getting down means a lot of steep steps (and getting back up means even more), but standing in the spray at the bottom is worth every one. It's a full day trip from the south, so pair it with the lakes and viewpoints around Munduk if you can.Â
Should you visit Nusa Penida and the Nusa islands?
Yes, and give it at least a full day: fast boats leave from Sanur, about an hour's drive from Canggu, and the views and snorkeling out there are some of the best in Bali. Stick to well reviewed boat operators, and if you can, stay a night so you're not rushing back for the last boat.
15. See Kelingking Beach from above
Kelingking is the cliff shaped like a dinosaur’s head that you’ve seen in a thousand photos, and in real life it’s even bigger. The path down to the beach is very steep, sometimes closed and not for everyone, so most people take in the view from the top, which is more than enough.
16. Snorkel with manta rays
Manta Point, off the coast of Nusa Penida, is one of the best places in Bali to swim with manta rays. Snorkeling tours run from Sanur and from the islands themselves. Conditions can be choppy and currents strong, so go with a guide and listen to the briefing.
17. Slow down on Nusa Lembongan
If Penida feels like a rush, Lembongan is the antidote. It's smaller and calmer, with mangroves to paddle through, beach bars and reef waves for experienced surfers. A night or two here feels like a mini island holiday inside your Bali trip.
What cultural experiences should you not miss in Bali?
Temples and ceremonies are part of everyday life in Bali, and joining in respectfully is one of the most memorable things you can do here. You'll see offerings on doorsteps, processions on the road and temple festivals everywhere you go.
18. Join a water blessing at Tirta Empul
Tirta Empul is a holy spring temple near Ubud, where locals and visitors bathe in the spring fed pools as a purification ritual. You'll need to wear a sarong in the water and follow the order of the fountains, so ask a local guide or the temple staff to show you how. It's a calm, moving experience if you go in with respect rather than just for the photo.
19. Visit Lempuyang, the Gates of Heaven
Lempuyang, in the east of Bali, is famous for its temple gate framing Mount Agung. Be ready for a long queue for the classic photo. The temple complex itself, climbing up the mountain, is the real reason to go, so give yourself time to explore beyond the gate.
20. Respect the rhythm of the island
The small woven baskets of flowers you'll see everywhere are canang sari, daily offerings to the gods, so try not to step on them. Cover your shoulders and knees at temples. And if your trip lands on Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, including the airport. It's one of the most unusual and peaceful days you can spend in Bali. Find out what to expect on Nyepi.
What can you do in Bali when it rains?
Rain in Bali usually comes in short, heavy bursts in the afternoon, so plan your outdoor adventures for the morning and save these ideas for later. The wet season also comes with some real perks. Here’s how to make the most of a rainy day:
Surf anyway: The wet season brings smaller, softer waves, which is perfect if you’re learning. You’re getting wet regardless.
Chase waterfalls: They’re at full flow and the jungle is at its greenest.
Take a cooking class: It’s warm, it’s tasty and you get to eat the results.
Book a massage: A Balinese massage after a few days of paddling is pure magic, and there are spas everywhere.
Join a yoga class: Covered shalas and the sound of rain on the roof make for a pretty dreamy session.
Go cafe hopping: Canggu and Ubud have enough great coffee spots to fill a rainy week.
Wondering if the wetter months are worth it? Here's why the shoulder season works.
How many days do you need in Bali?
Most travelers need about 7 to 14 days in Bali. A week is enough to enjoy one or two bases properly, while 10 to 14 days gives you time to explore the north and the Nusa islands too. Trying to see everything in a few days mostly means sitting in traffic.
If you’re coming to surf, you can join our Bali surf camp for 4 days or a full week. Four days is enough to catch your first waves and get a feel for life at camp, while a week gives you time to really progress and still explore the island between sessions. Many guests combine their time at camp with a few extra days in Ubud or on the Nusa islands!Â
Good to know before you go
Here are a few practical things that make a Bali trip a lot smoother:
Pay the tourist levy: Every international visitor pays a one time levy. The easiest way is online before you fly through the official Love Bali website.
Check your visa: Most visitors need a visa on arrival or an e visa. Rules change, so check the official Indonesian immigration site before you travel.
Give yourself extra time: Traffic in the south can be slow, especially around Canggu and Ubud. Grab and Gojek (the local ride apps) and private drivers are the easiest ways to get around.
Only ride a scooter if you're experienced: Bring a valid license and always wear a helmet.
Dress for temples: Cover your shoulders and knees and wear a sarong and sash. Many temples lend them at the entrance.
Travel kindly: Don't step on offerings, skip animal rides and leave beaches cleaner than you found them. Our guests join weekly beach cleanups at camp!
Protect your skin: Pack reef safe sunscreen and a rashguard for long days in the water.
FAQ about things to do in Bali
Surf, explore, repeat in Bali
Between the temples on the cliffs, the waterfalls in the jungle and the sunrise on a volcano, Bali has more to see than one trip can hold. What ties it all together is the ocean. Our favorite Bali days start with a morning in the water and end somewhere completely different, surrounded by people who were strangers just a few days ago.
That’s exactly what a stay at our Canggu camp feels like. You’ll spend your mornings surfing with our coaches, whatever your level, and your afternoons are free for the places in this guide. Come for 4 days or a full week, pick the package that suits you and add activities to make the trip your own. We take care of the details, so all you have to do is surf and explore!Â
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Aude St-Cyr
About the author: Hi, I’m Aude, originally from Quebec, but the last decade has taken me across Europe and slowly closer to the ocean. I’m drawn to quiet streets, slow mornings, tiny bookstores, and the kind of places where you can lose track of time for a while. When I’m not travelling, you’ll usually find me surfing in Peniche, trying a new recipe, or wandering around with my analog camera, saving little pieces of life for later.
I write content for Lapoint, edit videos, and help grow our community, which means most days involve a mix of words, stories, people, and way too many tabs open at once!
Life goal? To take care of the people and places I love, stay curious, and never lose touch with my inner child.
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