How to get around Bali

My jeep during my first trip to Bali

You’re finally in Bali for your diving holidays! Knowing how you will get around Bali is fully part of what you need to decide when planning a trip to Bali. First, you need to decide how you will get from the airport to your first stop and then, how you will travel between the different diving spots of the island.

To easiest options to get around Bali

The easiest and fastest way is obviously the taxi or tourist shuttles. You can ask your hotel to plan a pick-up for you on arrival at the airport. The driver will wait for you at the arrivals with your name on a board. It’s the fastest way, as you won’t need to look for someone. Besides, you already have agreed on a price with your hotel, and it might even be possible to pay online in advance. Depending on where you go and the traffic, you’ll need between 20 min and 2 hours to get from the airport to your destination.

As a scuba diver, the best tip I can give you is if you book transfers with dives centres, it’s the easiest way if you don’t want to rent a car and drive by yourself. Personally, I prefer renting a car as it is easier when you travel with your own scuba diving gear and it gives me more freedom with my schedule. To rent a car in Bali, I warmly recommend booking in advance from Bali Ngurah Rai Airport since this where you’re likely to find better deals than in Denpasar from instance. If prefer flexible deals with free cancellation, I recommend booking here.

Don’t forget Indonesia drives on the left, so if you live in the UK, Australia and Japan, it won’t be a big deal for you. You also need to know the traffic on Bali’s roads, especially around Denpasar, Ubud and Kuta is intense with many people on a scooter all around you. If you are not used to driving in the traffic of a big city, you may want to reconsider this option.

All the options to get around in Bali

If you don’t want to drive around Bali, here are the other options you can consider:

  • Taxis: Taxi usually operates in the south. It might be where you start after landing at Denpasar international airport. Make sure to go to the official booth to get a fixed rate. If you don’t know the current prices avoid picking one of the drivers waiting at the arrivals. Alternatively, Bali has its own version of Uber with Grab, it used to be only motorbike rides but now you can find cars too, prices are usually half of the normal taxi companies.
  • Hiring a driver: Another good option for independent travel around the island especially if you want to get a few sightseeing visits on your way between diving spots without the hassle of driving yourself. The best way to find them is to ask your hotel or guesthouse for recommendations.
  • Bus: This is the solution for long-distance travel. When going north to Pemuteran it can be a good option, you need to go first to the Bus station of the neatest town so you may need a ride to get there and again after arrival at your destination. While being cheap, they are slower and quite unreliable on their timetable.

In addition to road transportation, to get to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida, you will need to board a boat:

  • Ferry: Public ferries are the cheapest way to go to Nusa Lembongan and Lombok, but they are slower and with less reliable timetables.
  • Speed-boats: a bit more expensive but still affordable, this is the best way to go to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida from Sanur, and the Gili Islands from Amed.

Extend your dive trip to the other Indonesian islands

With direct flights from Denpasar airports to Labuan-Bajo, Makassar, Manado, going diving in Komodo or Sulawesi can be easily done from Bali. With Komodo National Park and Wakatobi National Park, you can easily add some of the best dive sites in the world to your trip.

Regarding Raja Ampat, which is among the furthest of the outer islands of Indonesia, you need to do a stopover in Manado before flying to Sorong. Good news is, near Manado you can scuba dive in Lembeh Strait or Bunaken.

Do you need more information to plan your dive trip to Bali? Check these additional articles about travelling and scuba diving in Bali:

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