Bali makes a superb base for exploring beyond its shores. In a day you can boat across to the dramatic clifftops of Nusa Penida, climb an active volcano for sunrise on Mount Batur, snorkel with turtles off the car-free Gili Islands, dive into the temples and rice terraces of Ubud, or watch the sun set behind the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Here are the best day trips, with travel times, costs and tips — some so good you may want to stay overnight.
Nusa Penida
Area
Nusa Penida
Distance
45-min fast boat
“A 45-minute fast boat from Sanur reaches the island of the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking cliff, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach.”
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Area
Kintamani
Distance
~1.5–2 h drive + hike
“A pre-dawn 2-hour climb of an active volcano to watch sunrise over the caldera and crater lake — a compulsory guide is arranged by all operators.”
The Gili Islands
Area
off Lombok
Distance
~1.5 h fast boat
“Car-free islands of white sand and clear water — a 1.5-hour fast boat away, with superb snorkelling among turtles.”
Ubud from the south
Area
Ubud
Distance
~1.5 h drive
“From Seminyak or Kuta it's about 1.5 hours to Bali's cultural heart — rice terraces, temples, the Monkey Forest and art markets.”
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Area
Tegallalang
Distance
15 min N of Ubud
“Bali's most iconic green staircases — best in the early morning light before the tour buses arrive at 09:00.”
Tanah Lot Temple
Area
Tabanan
Distance
~45 min–1 h drive
“Bali's iconic sea temple, magical at sunset — arrive by late afternoon and stay for the golden hour over the waves.”
Lovina Dolphin Tour
Area
North Bali
Distance
~2.5–3 h drive
“Head to Bali's quiet north coast for a dawn outrigger trip to spot wild dolphins — pair it with the Munduk waterfalls en route.”
Sidemen Valley
Area
Sidemen
Distance
~1.5 h drive
“Unspoilt rice terraces and traditional weaving villages under Mount Agung — the Bali of 20 years ago, best with an overnight.”
Bali day trips in detail
1.Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is the most dramatic day trip from Bali — a rugged, dry limestone island 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur, quite different in landscape and feel from Bali itself. Its star attraction is Kelingking Beach, the T-Rex-shaped clifftop viewpoint that has become one of the most photographed sights in all of Indonesia, plunging to a turquoise cove far below. Nearby lie Angel's Billabong, a natural infinity rock pool safe to swim only at low tide, and Broken Beach, a striking circular cliff formation with a natural sea arch. On the coast, Crystal Bay and Manta Bay offer superb snorkelling, including the chance to swim with giant manta rays. The island is large and its roads are rough, so a full day is hectic — you'll want a pre-booked driver or scooter to link the main sights — and many travellers prefer an overnight stay to do it justice and beat the day-tripper crowds. Take seasickness tablets before the boat if you're prone, wear sturdy shoes for the steep clifftop paths, and start early. For jaw-dropping scenery and world-class coves, Nusa Penida is an unforgettable escape.
Hours
Boats from Sanur throughout the day
Price
Boat ~$25 round trip; island transport ~$32/day
Getting there
45-min fast boat from Sanur
Insider tip: A 45-minute fast boat from Sanur reaches the island of the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking cliff, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach.
2.Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
The Mount Batur sunrise trek is Bali's most iconic adventure, and while it's technically a very early start rather than a full day, it's usually sold and treated as a day trip from Ubud or the south. You're collected from your hotel at around 02:00–03:00 and driven 1.5 to 2 hours to the trailhead at Toya Bungkah, then climb by head-torch from about 04:00, reaching the 1,717-metre summit of this active volcano in around two hours. The reward is a spellbinding sunrise over the vast Batur caldera, its crater lake and, on clear mornings, Mount Agung and distant Rinjani on Lombok, often above a sea of cloud. Guides warm coffee and steam eggs in the volcano's natural vents for a memorable summit breakfast before you descend, back at your hotel by late morning. A local guide is compulsory (arranged by all operators — don't attempt it solo), and you'll want a head torch, warm layer for the 12°C summit and proper shoes for the scree. It's achievable for anyone reasonably fit, and the payoff is one of the great experiences of a Bali trip.
Hours
Pickup 02:00–03:00; back by late morning
Price
~$40–55 with guide, transport & breakfast
Getting there
Kintamani; hotel pickup included
Insider tip: A pre-dawn 2-hour climb of an active volcano to watch sunrise over the caldera and crater lake — a compulsory guide is arranged by all operators.
3.The Gili Islands
The Gili Islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air — are three tiny, car-free tropical islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, and a dream of white sand, turquoise water and swaying palms. Blissfully free of motor traffic, they get around by bicycle and horse-drawn cart, giving them a laid-back, castaway feel: Trawangan is the liveliest with a fun social and party scene, Air strikes a balance of relaxed and sociable, and Meno is the quietest and most romantic. The big draw is the water — some of the best snorkelling and diving in the region, with excellent chances to swim with green sea turtles, plus underwater statues and vibrant reefs just off the beaches. Reached by fast boat (around 1.5 hours from eastern Bali), the Gilis can be visited on a long day trip, but they truly shine with an overnight stay or two, letting you enjoy a sunset, a beach barbecue and the slow island pace without the rush. Bring cash, reef-safe sunscreen and snorkel gear, and note the sea can be choppy. For a slice of car-free island paradise, the Gilis are a magical escape from Bali.
Hours
Fast boats from Padang Bai / Serangan
Price
Boat ~$40+ round trip
Getting there
~1.5 h fast boat from eastern Bali
Insider tip: Car-free islands of white sand and clear water — a 1.5-hour fast boat away, with superb snorkelling among turtles.
4.Ubud from the south
If you're based on the southern beaches of Seminyak, Kuta or Canggu, a day trip to Ubud is essential for a taste of Bali's cultural and natural soul, around 1.5 hours inland by car. Ubud is the island's artistic and spiritual heart, set among emerald rice terraces and river valleys, and a day here can pack in a huge amount: the Sacred Monkey Forest with its temples and free-roaming macaques, the bustling Ubud Art Market and gallery-lined main street, the beautiful Tegallalang rice terraces just to the north, and the serene Campuhan Ridge Walk for a easy scenic stroll. Add a Balinese cooking class, a traditional dance performance, a spa treatment or a temple visit and you have a rich, varied day that contrasts wonderfully with the beach scene down south. The most efficient way to do it is to hire a private driver for the day (around $40–50), who can string the sights together, wait while you explore and tailor the route to your interests — far better than battling the traffic and parking yourself. Set off early to make the most of it. For culture, nature and crafts in one day, Ubud is the definitive Bali excursion.
Hours
Full day; hire a driver
Price
Driver ~$40–50/day
Getting there
~1.5 h drive from Seminyak/Kuta
Insider tip: From Seminyak or Kuta it's about 1.5 hours to Bali's cultural heart — rice terraces, temples, the Monkey Forest and art markets.
5.Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces, 15 minutes north of Ubud, make a perfect half-day trip and are the most iconic image of agricultural Bali — a steep valley carved into dramatic concentric staircases of emerald paddies, fed by the thousand-year-old, UNESCO-listed subak irrigation system. Walking trails lead down into the valley, across little bambo bridges and past small shrines and coconut palms, letting you get right in among the terraces for the classic photographs, while cafés and swings perched on the valley rim offer views and refreshments (the Bali Swing and photo spots carry extra fees). It's genuinely beautiful, but it's also popular, so timing is everything: come at 06:30 to have the terraces almost to yourself in soft morning light before the tour buses arrive around 09:00, when it gets crowded and the midday sun turns harsh. Bring water, small notes for the local farmers who tend the terraces (some ask a small tip if you hike deeper in), and good shoes for the sometimes muddy, uneven paths. Easily combined with other Ubud-area sights on a driver-led day, Tegallalang is a must-see slice of Bali's living landscape.
Hours
Best 06:30–09:00
Price
~$4 entry donation; driver extra
Getting there
15 min north of Ubud
Insider tip: Bali's most iconic green staircases — best in the early morning light before the tour buses arrive at 09:00.
6.Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is Bali's most famous and photographed temple, and an easy, rewarding half-day trip from the southern resorts (around 45 minutes to an hour by car from Seminyak). Built on a rocky islet just offshore in the 16th century, the temple appears to float on the sea at high tide, when it's cut off from the mainland, its dark silhouette framed by crashing waves — an unforgettable image, especially at sunset, when the sky glows behind the temple and the crowds gather for the spectacle. While the temple itself is reserved for Hindu worshippers, visitors can explore the clifftop paths, the neighbouring Batu Bolong temple on its natural arch, and (at low tide) walk out toward the base of the rock to receive a blessing of holy water from the priests. The site has a large complex of shops, cafés and viewpoints, so it's touristy, but the setting more than justifies the visit. Aim to arrive by late afternoon to explore before securing a good sunset spot; a driver makes it easy and can combine it with other western Bali sights. For that classic Bali sea-temple sunset, Tanah Lot is a must.
Hours
Daily ~07:00–19:00; best near sunset
Price
~$5 entry; driver extra
Getting there
Tabanan, ~45 min–1 h from Seminyak
Insider tip: Bali's iconic sea temple, magical at sunset — arrive by late afternoon and stay for the golden hour over the waves.
7.Lovina Dolphin Tour
Lovina, on Bali's quiet, black-sand north coast, is famous for its early-morning dolphin tours — a chance to head out onto the calm Bali Sea in a traditional jukung outrigger boat at dawn to spot pods of wild dolphins leaping and playing in the golden early light. It's a magical, if hit-and-miss, experience (the dolphins are wild, so sightings aren't guaranteed), and the peaceful, slow-paced north coast makes a refreshing contrast to the busy south. Because Lovina is a long drive from the main resorts (around 2.5 to 3 hours), it's best approached either as a very long full-day trip or, ideally, as an overnight, allowing you to break the journey with the region's other highlights: the stunning Munduk and Sekumpul waterfalls, the twin crater lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, the lakeside Ulun Danu Beratan temple and the cool highland scenery around Bedugul. A driver for the day or two makes stringing these together effortless. Combine the dawn dolphins with the waterfalls and lakes on the way, and northern Bali reveals a greener, calmer, less-touristed side of the island that many visitors miss entirely.
Hours
Dolphin boats depart ~06:00
Price
~$20 boat trip; plus transport
Getting there
Lovina, north coast, ~2.5–3 h from the south
Insider tip: Head to Bali's quiet north coast for a dawn outrigger trip to spot wild dolphins — pair it with the Munduk waterfalls en route.
8.Sidemen Valley
The Sidemen Valley in eastern Bali is one of the island's most beautiful and peaceful escapes — a lush landscape of unspoilt rice terraces, small traditional villages and an ever-present view of the towering Mount Agung volcano, all about 1.5 hours from Ubud. Often described as 'the Bali of 20 years ago', Sidemen has been spared the mass tourism of the south and Ubud, retaining a genuinely rural, unhurried character: farmers work the terraced paddies by hand, weavers craft traditional songket textiles threaded with gold, and the pace of life is slow and authentic. A day here is about soaking up the scenery and village life rather than ticking off attractions — walking or scootering the terraced lanes, visiting a weaving workshop, sampling local coffee and cacao, and drinking in those volcano views. It pairs beautifully with the nearby Tirta Gangga water palace, with its ornamental pools and stepping stones, just 30 minutes away. While doable as a full-day trip with a driver (around $40), Sidemen truly rewards an overnight at one of its lovely eco-resorts, letting you catch the rice terraces glowing in the dawn light. For serene, authentic, crowd-free Bali, Sidemen is a treasure.
Hours
Full day; hire a driver
Price
Driver ~$40/day
Getting there
Eastern Bali, ~1.5 h from Ubud
Insider tip: Unspoilt rice terraces and traditional weaving villages under Mount Agung — the Bali of 20 years ago, best with an overnight.