The Indonesian island of Bali certainly deserves to be named as paradise on earth. Indeed the beauty of Bali’s landscape has captivated many people. Bali is most famous for the long stretch of beaches that surround the island. Amongst the many beaches on the island,
Amongst the many beaches on the island, there are two that is very famous and has become the prime tourist destination in Bali. First is, of course, the Kuta Beach that is located on the western coast of Bali, which makes it perfect to view the sunsets. Second is Sanur Beach that is located on the eastern coast and therefore also known as the place to view sunrises.
Pantai Sanur or Sanur Beach is often also called only as Sanur, refers to the coastal area which is located to the southeast of Bali provincial capital of Denpasar. Throughout the time the beach has transformed into a small town by itself. It is about 30 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Although it is not as lively as Kuta, Sanur and its surrounding area have plenty of attractions. You will find that a visit to Sanur during your holiday to Bali to be rewarding, especially if you value a less crowded area and relaxing atmosphere. So, here all the list of things to do in Sanur Bali Indonesia.
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1. Sanur Beaches
The area of Sanur has a long stretch of coastline which covers about 8 kilometers from north to south. The beaches in this area are located on the coastal border of the Gianyar regency and going all the way to the mangrove forest in southern Denpasar. This stretch of a coastal area actually consisted of several beaches which often conveniently just called as Sanur Beach. All the beaches are connected together by the paved footpath. The existence of the footpath also provides you with a pleasant and scenic jogging track and cycling route. At the very south is the Mertasari Beach, which is located in the area of Blanjong village, then consecutively from south to the north, you will consecutively come across Semawang Beach, Pantai Karang or “Reef Beach”, Segara Ayu Beach, Sindhu Beach and finally the Grand Bali Beach where the footpath ends. Further north from here you will also find Pantai Matahari Terbit or “Sunrise Coast” and Padanggalak Beach, which is a black sand beach.
2. Bali Seawalker
Are you an adventurous spirit that looks for something new to do? Bali Seawalker offers you a unique and rare opportunity to enjoy an adventure under the sea with minimum use of cumbersome equipment. The equipment used in the underwater adventure is only a helmet that is designed in a special manner so it is connected to the supply of oxygen from the tanks which are placed aboard the boat so you can breathe underwater.
The greatest plus point here is the convenient design of the helmets which allows participants with prescription glasses to keep their spectacles on, so they can fully enjoy the beauty that lies beneath the sea surface. The helmets ensure the participants will remain dry from chin upwards during the tour. The sea walks are taking place about seven meters below the sea surface where you are able to enjoy the view of coral reefs and the colorful schools of fish which reside on the coral, as well as various other marine life. You can join Bali Seawalker at two sites, namely at Tanjung Benoa as well as off the coast of Sanur.
The underwater tour will take about 30 minutes. The standard package includes hotel transfer for a minimum of two persons, refreshments, and soft drinks, experienced and certified guides, Seawalker gear, safety equipment and $100,000 insurance coverage. The Seawalker adventure can be enjoyed by everyone with age of nine years old and above. You do not need to be able to swim or dive to take part in the Seawalker adventure. The tour offers an impressive experience for those of you who have never snorkeled or dived previously as you are given the opportunity to interact with marine life. Seawalker is very innovative as it gives you the convenient in enjoying the depth of the sea and its rich biodiversity without having to don troublesome diving gear.
Once you are on board the boat that will take you to begin the adventure, the guides will give you full instructions before taking the plunge. Arriving at the sea walking spot, you will then lower yourselves on a ladder that located at the side of the boat. The guides will then help you to put on the special shoulder pads and helmets, upon which you will begin your descent to the bottom of the sea. At the bottom, you will immediately see the beautiful reef formations as well as the plentiful colorful tropical fish that swims around.
If this is your first experience in the ocean, you do not need to be shy as many of the participants who are also having their first timer interaction with the sea. We highly recommend you to bring your own swimsuit, a change of clothes and sunscreen. If you have an underwater camera, you should also bring it along as the underwater pictures taken by the guides are sold separately. Participation in the tour are prohibited for those with heart or lung problems, people who are on medication, people with asthma or any other respiratory sickness, as well as women in pregnancy.
The cost to have an underwater adventure with Bali Seawalker is divided into two packages. The first is the dive only package which will cost IDR 1,105,000 for adults and IDR 897,000 for children under twelve years of age. The second package which includes lunch will cost you IDR 1,235,000 for adults and IDR 1,027,000 for children under twelve years old.
3. Le Mayeur Museum
If you are an art enthusiast you will definitely have to visit this museum. This is a memorial museum which served as the residence of the late painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpes and his wife, Ni Pollok. Le Mayeur was a Brussel born painter who after his travel around the world was impressed by the beauty of Bali and decided to settle down and spend his entire life here.Le Mayeur who was born on February 9, 1880 arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon met a Legong dancer, Ni Pollok, whom he married three years later and become his main source of inspiration. Le Mayeur passed away on May 31, 1958. The loving couple did not have any children.
Le Mayeur Museum is open daily from 8 A.M. until 3:30 P.M, except for Friday when the museum is open from 8 A.M. and closed at 12:30 P.M.. The entrance ticket will cost IDR 20,000 for an adult and IDR 10,000 for a child if you are a foreigner. For domestic tourists, the ticket fee is IDR 10,000 for an adult and IDR 5,000 for a child. The museum displays various artworks created by Le Mayeur, which exact number is eighty-eight pieces. Although the buildings are well maintained, but the interior of the buildings feels damp. There is also a lack of guide who serve to explain about the rooms and the paintings.
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4. Bali Sharks Island Eco Adventures
If you are looking for some excitement and adrenaline rush, what about swimming with sharks? Yep, you read right, sharks! One of the super things to do in Sanur Bali Indonesia. And we do not mean swimming with them where you are in the cage. Here you can swim nearby, up close and personal.
Bali Sharks will take you to pontoons which are built for the purpose of a noble mission, which is to educate, spread awareness and better understand the shark species, in particular, the black tip and white tip reef sharks. The nursery was established back in 2011 by Paul Friese, a conservationist who is dedicated to the sharks.
The Bali Shark tours are suitable for people of all age and experience. Even if you are not a swimmer, do not fret as you can still enjoy the up-close encounters with these apex predators and feeding them. The tour also includes a visit to sea turtle conservation on Serangan Island which only takes a few minutes drive from the nursery. The tour will take three hours of time and include shark swims with mask and snorkel, a visit to turtle nursery, a marine garden aquarium tour, free hotel transfer, as well as meals and refreshments. The tour is open from 7 A.M. until 3 P.M. The cost of the tour is USD 100 for an adult and USD 90 for a child. Bali Sharks tour offers a fun and educational outdoor activities that are safe for children and adults alike.
5. Pura Blanjong
Pura Blanjong or Blanjong Temple is located in southern part of Sanur. This temple houses one of Bali’s oldest artifacts, which is known as Blanjong Pillar or Blanjong Inscription. The pillar dated back to the year of 914 A.D. during the reign of King Sri Kesari Warmadewa.
Blanjong Inscription contains detail story of King Sri Kesari Warmadewa’s military campaign throughout the island of Bali. It is unique because it is written in both Sanskrit and the old Balinese language. The pillar is made out of stone and is believed to be a victory monument. It is the first monument where a Balinese recorded his name.
Aside from the stone pillar, Blanjong Temple also houses other artifacts primarily in form of sandstone statues, one of them is a statue Lord Ganesh as well as a few other animal statues. The temple is now a national cultural heritage site and it is open for public.
6. Turtle Conservation and Education Center
Located almost right next door to the Bali Sharks, the Turtle Conservation and Education Center is a coordinated conservation center for the endangered species of sea turtles, which at ancient times has been a traditional commodity within Balinese society. In fact, Green Sea Turtles meat is a Balinese delicacy which usually being served during feasts and ceremonies. The TCEC is located on Serangan Island and serves as hatchery, nursery, and sanctuary for turtles which accidentally entered the fishermen’s net.
The TCEC is open for public and will certainly provide a fun and educational day out for the whole family. There are seven species of sea turtles in the world and you can see three of them here, namely the Green Sea Turtles, the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles and the Hawkbill Sea Turtles. The turtles are divided according to their sizes and being kept in well-shaded pools. Additionally, you can also get cute and colorful knick knacks which are turtle related from the souvenir shop. The center relies completely on donation and volunteers, leaving it completely up to you as the entrance is free. Also, you can adopt a turtle for IDR 100,000 and if you are still in Bali at the time of its release, then you can participate and help in the process.
7. Bali Orchid Garden
If you have enthusiasm towards flowers and gardening, then you will surely enjoy the visit to our next destination. Bali Orchid Garden, as its name suggest is a lush tropical garden with a collection of many species of orchids and other tropical flowers. It was established in 1999 and is aimed at complementing the official Botanical Gardens. As such, Bali Orchid Garden has formed a partnership with Bogor Botanic Garden to propagate Indonesia’s orchid species as part of their commitment to the preservation of native orchid species. The hectares of the well groomed tropical garden is open for guided tours where you will see the plentiful of orchid species and observe the beauty of other tropical plants like rafflesia, anthuriums, and heliconia.
Sanur Greatest Attractions
Meanwhile, there are still more things to do in Sanur bali Indonesia. Do not go home!
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[toggle title=”8. Mertasari Beach” state=”opened”]
Mertasari Beach is a unique beach because you can have a sight of sunrise in the morning as well as the sunset in the evening from this beach. This is the southernmost beach amongst the beaches in Sanur. The white sands
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[toggle title=”9. Semawang Beach“]
Semawang beach has white sands like all the beaches in Sanur area, except for Padanggalak Beach at the northern end. This beach lacks surf breaks, so it is not suitable for surfing. However, you can still enjoy the beach by sunbathing or take a swim in the beach. Along the beach, you can see many boats which can be rented if you want to go for diving or snorkeling.
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[toggle title=”10. Batu Jimbar Beach“]
Batu Jimbar Beach is yet another beach in the group of beaches in Sanur area. It is towards the north from Semawang Beach. The beach is quiet and peaceful. If you enjoy swimming or snorkeling, you need to come here during the high tide as it would be too shallow. This is also a white sand beach which will serve you with a perfect view of sunrise.
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[toggle title=”11. Pantai Karang or Reef Beach“]
As you may have expected from the time you heard the name, this beach is dotted with coral reef. The white sand beach is eastward facing, which makes it a perfect spot to see the sunrise. The beach is known for its uniqueness of a twin gazebos. The two gazebos will be separated from the rest of the beach at the time of high tide. At time of low tide, you can simply walk to these gazebos.
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[toggle title=”12. Segara Ayu Beach“]
As with other beaches in Sanur area, this beach is also a perfect place to watch the sunrise in Bali Island. The beach also serves as a departure point for fast boats that head to Gili Trawangan Island as well as Nusa Lembongan. This is also a white sand beach that is often visited by tourists who are staying in Sanur area.
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[toggle title=”13. Sindhu Beach“]
This is one of the beaches amongst the seven beaches in Sanur. Although not as popular as Kuta Beach, but it is still a very attractive beach with wider sand bed and moderate winds. This makes Sindhu beach a perfect spot for water sports as well as just lounging around on an armchair. Here you can go for snorkeling, canoeing or kite surfing, which is very popular, especially if you are a first timer to these water sports. The beach is also not as crowded as Kuta or Sanur Beach, making it perfect if are looking for a relaxing and peaceful place. The view of the sunrise from this eastward facing beach is fantastic. Every full moon, people would flock to this beach to this beach to get the magical view of the moon which shines upon the sea surface with the silhouette of Serangan Island in the background.
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[toggle title=”14. Sunrise Beach or Pantai Matahari Terbit“]
As the name suggested, this beach is a perfect place to see the sun rises from the horizon. Unlike in other beaches, there is no sand that lined the stretch of this beach. Instead, you will only find coral formation that has been arranged along the beach to prevent sea abrasion. Every morning the beach is flocked by people who wished to see the sunrise. We recommend you to come before 6 A.M. so you can see the sunrise. Pantai Matahari Terbit is also one of the crossing points to the Islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
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[toggle title=”15. Bali Kites Festival“]
The festival takes place annually starting around July to August, which is the beginning of the windy season. The festival main events usually take place in Padanggalak Beach, located due north of Sanur. The kites flown here is not small size kites, with size up to four meters in width and ten meters in length. The kites are huge with some takes a team of up to twenty people to fly them. The kites festival was first held as an agrarian festival to thank the gods for the abundance of harvests and now has become a competitive event with participants coming from all as around the island, other parts of Indonesia, and even from overseas, all trying to win the prize money from sponsors.
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[toggle title=”16. Mangrove Information Center“]
Built in 600 hectares of mangrove forest that covers the southern parts of Sanur, this is an excellent place for an educational eco-tour about the importance of the mangrove forests. There are two boardwalks all throughout the forest. It is a great place your whole family can spend the day while learning about the environment. The Mangrove Information Center is open from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Entrance ticket will cost IDR 50,000 per person.
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[toggle title=”17. Griya Santrian Gallery“]
Griya Santrian Gallery is located inside the Griya Santrian boutique hotel in Sanur, Bali. This art gallery is built open-air concept. It is a place you have to go in Sanur if you are an art enthusiast as it is often the spot of many art exhibitions, book launchings and various art events from local and international artists.
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[toggle title=”18. Bali Kitesurfing School“]
If you are interested in watersports, the Sanur has quite plentiful of options for you. One of them is kite surfing. You can also get lessons in kite surfing from Bali Kite Surfing School in Mertasari Beach.
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[toggle title=”19. Blue Oasis Beach Club“]
Blue Oasis Beach Club is located in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel. This is a water sports center that offers kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, water skiing, wind surfing and also diving lessons. Thus, many tourists come here to challenge their selves for the best holiday ever. Also, this is one of the amazing things to do in Sanur Bali Indonesia.
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[toggle title=”20. Caraway Bali Cooking Class“]
This cooking class offers you a fun opportunity to learn about traditional Indonesian food. The cooking classes are divided into morning and evening session. The morning session starts at 9 A.M. and including a visit to the market, with a cost of IDR 500,000 per person. Meanwhile, the evening class starts at 4:00 P.M., which does not take you to the market and the cost of the class is IDR 450,000. If you are more interested in vegetarian dishes, you can also go for vegetarian class, which is held every Thursday. The cost of the vegetarian class is IDR 400,000 per person.
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[toggle title=”21. Taman Festival Bali“]
The most bizarre place in Sanur is an abandoned theme park. This place was where Taman Festival Bali used to be before it was closed down in year 200 because of the financial problems. Nowadays, this place has become somewhat of a ghost time where photographers who are hunting for post-apocalyptic setting comes. If you come here, you need to be careful as most of the buildings are in states of disrepair.
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With so many attractions in the region of Sanur, it will surely be a holiday destination that you can enjoy. Don’t wait any further, if you are coming to Bali for your next holiday, then make your time to visit Sanur, or even spend your entire holiday here.