If you arrived here it means you are probably ready to start planning your adventurous trip to Bali. A trip to the island of the Gods is unforgettable for most people and often one of their best travel memories. Let me show you how and what to take into account so you can include as many fun things to do in Bali as possible while having a smooth and enjoyable trip.
My top tips to travel smarter to Bali
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Bali
The best way to go to Bali is by flying. As Bali is a highly popular destination, the time of the year you’re going to will have an impact on fares (the lowest prices are usually found during the rainy season) but also how much in advance you book. I recommend booking your flight at least 6 to 3 months ahead, 4 months being my magic number.
Fares to fly to Bali start from:
- £600 from London
- 800€ from Amsterdam
- 700 AUD from Sydney
- 1,100 USD from New York City
Learn more about how to get to Bali from different places worldwide, including the main airlines serving the destinations and alternative routes, which can help secure better deals.
The best season to visit Bali away from the crowds
The best time to go to Bali is between May and October, which is the dry season. The weather is mostly sunny with temperatures around 30°C and high humidity around 80%. Note July and August are the peak tourist season when you’ll run into more people and can expect to pay more for both transportation and accommodation.
This being said, the rainy season is far from a nightmare. My first trip to Bali was in January. It was supposed to be the worst part of the monsoon, but it rained at night and for maybe 1 or 2 hours during the day. The air and sea were still warm (28°C on average).
If you want a good in-between, September-October is perfect. It has good fares, good weather, and fewer people. And scuba divers will love knowing is still mola-mola season!
How to explore the island efficiently
If you wonder how to get around Bali during your trip, the easiest is to find a private driver, as public transportation is almost non-existent in Bali. As a scuba diver, the best tip I can give you is if you book transfers with dive centres, it’s the easiest way if you don’t want to rent a car and drive yourself.
I like renting a car as it makes travelling with scuba diving gear easier. I cannot deny how much I love the freedom it gives me with my schedule. As I love taking my time sightseeing to take pictures, my experiences of booking a driver for the day weren’t so successful as they are used to tourists hoping to places for 15 minutes for a quick selfie.
Book a place to stay that matches your preferences and budget
Best areas to stay based on your preferences
Considering where to stay in Bali is all about the type of activities you want to pursue during your trip. My favourite spots in Bali as a scuba diver are Tulamben and Nusa Lembongan. However, Amed and Sanur are also excellent options for both divers and non-divers. Here is what to expect from each place:
- Ubud: This is a great place for yoga, art, and culture lovers. Whether you’re interested in walking in the rice fields, visiting a historic temple, or going on a yoga retreat, you can be both social and relaxed in Ubud.
- Sidemen: This is a haven for nature lovers with rice fields and waterfalls. If you’re looking to relax alone on holiday, this is the place to go.
- Amed: A place loved by scuba divers, free divers and snorkelers, where you can be either social at its beach cafés or relaxed in the hills of Bunutan.
- Tulamben: This is a spot almost exclusively for scuba divers, especially those into underwater photography, thanks to the diversity of the macro critters and the world-famous Liberty shipwreck. If you prefer relaxing on your own, it’s the perfect place to go.
- Pemuteran: For scuba divers, snorkelers and nature lovers, thanks to the Bali Barat National Park and Menjangan Island, which is a part of it. Very few tourists venture that far north. If you’re on holiday to relax on your own, this is the place to go.
- Nusa Lembongan: Scuba divers and nature lovers can explore plenty underwater and beyond. In the dry season, this is the main hub for diving with mola-mola and manta rays. You can be both social and relaxed in Nusa Lembongan.
Accommodation in Bali is more affordable than you think
Bali is seriously one of the best travel spots when it comes to value for money – it’s amazing! I can even go so far as to say that it’s the best. You can book cosy private bungalows in small family-run resorts that are decorated with extra love and care by local artisans. These bungalows feature large double beds and outdoor bathrooms that make you feel like you’re in paradise.
Here are some guidelines about average prices you can expect in Bali depending on the level of comfort you’re looking for:
- Hostels & dormitories: from as low as 5 € per night
- Guesthouses &homestays: from 14 € per night
- Luxury hotel & resorts: from 90 € per night
Top tips for scuba divers going to Bali
Diving in Bali is a dream come true for divers who love wreck diving, meeting pelagic species and macro underwater photography. With warm water, marine diversity, and famous dive sites such as the USAT Liberty Shipwreck or Crystal Bay to meet mola-molas, it is undoubtedly one of the best diving destinations in the world. For information, the Liberty shipwreck is a great dive site for both beginners and experienced divers, while Crystal Bay is only recommended to advanced divers due to the depths.
You will find a large choice of dive centres in Sanur, Amed, Tulamben, Pemuteran and Nusa Lembongan. Dive packages start from 2,250,000 IDR (about 133€) for a week of diving.
Do you need more information to plan your dive trip to Bali?
Check these additional articles about travelling and scuba diving in Bali: