Beyond the Beaches in Bali: Unique Sights to Visit

Bali is great…the sun, the sand, the surf! When people think of Bali, they think of all the great beaches. But Bali is so much more than that. With Bali’s location tucked in between the other islands in Indonesia, it’s easy to think that way.

But look beyond the obvious, and Bali has so much more to offer. Here are some unique, off-the-beaten-path things to do and places to see when you’ve had enough of the beach.

See a Blow Hole in Nusa Dua

Surrounded by deep, jagged cliffs, this majestic blow hole has a footpath going along a cliff face leading up to the hole. The best time to see this is at high tide, when the water splashes the strongest. You have to time it right however; occasionally they will close the area due to dangerous waves. It is a 30-minute walk from Nusa Dua Beach and is located in the Southern Peninsula.

Discover Abandoned Airplanes

This is a great way to rent a motorbike and spend an afternoon searching for abandoned planes. Legend has it that these airplanes were purchased to be converted to tourist attractions, only to be later abandoned, and no one seems to know why. Large commercial jets such as Boeing 737 are among the planes to hunt for.

Snorkel Through an Underwater Temple Garden

Go under the sea and truly have an underwater garden experience in this spot at Nusa Lembongan and Penida. The temple garden has several submerged Buddha statues and over the years, have become home to a variety of fish and coral life. Some people dive here, but for those less experienced, great snorkeling can also be had. To get here, there are daily boats from Sanur or Padang Bai to the islands.

Looks for Skulls at the Trunyan Cemetery

On the eastern shore of Mt. Batur is the mountainous village of Trunyan. Here the people had very unique burial rituals. Instead of actually burying their dead, they were placed in open bamboo cages and left to decompose under a large Banyan Tree. Then the skulls would go through a cleaning ritual and be placed at the bottom of the tree, creating a shrine.

 Attend the Kecak Fire Show in Uluwatu

The Kecak is a cultural dance and a great way to get to know how the Balinese live it up. There are a number of these fire shows around the island, but this one in Uluwatu is most scenic. It is held in their natural amphitheater, over looking the ocean, and the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Watch the Sun Rise from the Top of Mount Batur

Be an early bird, for once, and get up well before dawn in order to catch this incredible view. Be at the top of this mountain in time to catch the first light. A velvet sky dotted with sparkling stars will slowly give way to gently lavender before a surge of orange glow shines through. Then the oceans of clouds surrounding you will make their presence known.