11. Try Extra Joss

Found all over Bali – although illegal just about everywhere else outside of Indonesia – Extra Joss is an energy powder drink which makes Red Bull look like a lightweight!

Said to increase endurance, push you through fatigue and sharpen up reaction time (as well as helping with hangovers), Extra Joss might be just the thing to allow you to squeeze just one more surf session in before sunset, even though you’ve got noodle arms.

Those looking to party, combine Extra Joss with vodka shots for a let’s-keep-going-all-night pick-me-up…yum yum yum!

12. Watch the Surf at Uluwatu as the Sun Sets

Sunsets in Bali are sensational, with perhaps those on the south and west coast the best of all as you can watch the orange globe sink into the Indian Ocean, turning the sky and water tangerine, scarlet and bronze.

While choosing the best of the best sunset spots is beyond tricky, you have to take in at least one sunset at Uluwatu.

Watch the epic sets rolling through over the reef as the sun sinks into the ocean – all with an ice cold Bintang in hand.

And yes we’ve already mentioned Single Fin as a good spot to hit, but if you’re on a budget head down the steps a bit and grab a beer at one of the local bars to save yourself a good chunk of change!

13. Get a Massage

Dirt cheap and offered just about anywhere you wander in Bali, massages are likely to be your new addiction here!

Locations can be the stuff dreams are made of too. How about stretched out at the riverside or the foot of a waterfall surrounded by jungle while someone’s soothing hands sort out your knots?

Or perhaps absolute beach-front in the shade of coconut palms as the sound of waves lap the shore would be more your thing?

It’s all here and waiting for you…perfect after a hard day exploring or surfing.

14. Haggle for Trinkets

Haggling for souvenirs and handicrafts is not just accepted in Bali, but practically expected.

It is supposed to be fun and all part of the experience so just keep smiling – and hold your ground to avoid getting ripped off!

One of the best places to try your hand at this art is the wonderful Ubud Market where vendors purposely mark up any price they quote you at the beginning by a huge margin knowing that some lively haggling is sure to follow. 

15. Hot Air Ballooning

Something of a newcomer to the Bali adventure menu, hot air ballooning in Bali delivers scenery of the sensational kind.

Take in Mount Agung and Batur, the lush greenery of the Ubud jungle and the highly photogenic rice paddies from on high.

Choose from sunrise, sunset or moonrise rides to add extra colour and magic to your birds-eye view of the Island of the Gods. 

16. The Natural Hot Springs – Air Panas

The Island of the Gods serves up some truly lovely natural hot springs – ideal places to head to work out those surf or hiking kinks.

Arguably the loveliest of all is a collection of sacred pools which you’ll find not far from Lovina Beach. Nestled amid lush tropical jungle, Air Panas is really just an endless series of the almost ridiculously photogenic.

Sink into the healing waters where giant naga spouts move the waters from the upper to lower terrace.

If you want something a little more vigorous, another pool delivers higher pressured water spouts which are akin to a massage. 

Absolute bliss!

17. Ulun Danu Temple

When it comes to deciding which of Bali’s many temples is the most scenic, Instagrammable, or atmospheric, it really comes down to personal definitions.

The island-located and garden-surrounded Ulun Danu however surely must be a top contender in each of those categories.

Often called the Floating Temple because that is exactly what it appears to do, this extra-special 350 year old gem has mountains as its backdrop and is nothing short of mesmerizingly beautiful. 

18. Start the Day with Yoga 

Bali draws a diverse range of people – the party animal, the avid surfer, the spa-seeker, the adventure backpacker – Bali keeps all of these and many more travellers happy.

It is also a destination for those in search of spiritual retreat and this was the case long before Eat, Pray, Love became a sensation.

As a result yoga is a big thing on Bali especially in Ubud and Seminyak; those who are well-versed in such things rate Bali as one of the best destinations anywhere on the planet.

Sign up for a one-day trial or retreat for weeks on end and start every morning with a session – the choice is yours. 

If you want to go all out your can also complete your Yoga Instructor Training course whilst your here too!

19. White Water Raft the Ayung River

If you love a bit of action packaged adrenaline Bali’s wonderful white-water rafting opportunities are somewhat less famous than the surf but nevertheless there for the thrill seeker.

The Ayung River near Ubud is one of the country’s top spots with a mix of calm serene stretches and the gut-churning and more turbulent sections which will appeal to adrenalin junkies.

If you get the opportunity to soak up your surroundings as you are spun, catapulted and otherwise spat along you will be enchanted by scenes of jungles, rice paddies and gorges of the dramatic kind. 

20. Go Tarzan at Bali’s Botanic Gardens Tree-top Course

Made up of a gorgeous collection of serene lagoons, exquisite sculpture, cascading waterfalls and meandering pathways among exotic flora the huge Botanic Gardens are enchanting.

If such things don’t register as quite thrilling enough however bring out your inner Tarzan with the tree-top course here.

High level swings, bridges, zip-lines and some truly epic leaps of faith which will have even the most adrenalin-addicted pausing for thought are all on the menu here. 

21. Kayaking

Go it alone with a DIY kayak rental or sign up for a guided paddle exploring lakes, ocean, rivers and lagoons.

Not everywhere on Bali’s coast is pounded by powerful surf waves – there are also all kinds of tropically idyllic secret coves and sheltered bays.

Enjoy some tranquility paddling amid scenery which will take your breath away and in waters so crystal clear you can pause for a while and just watch the marine life beneath the water.

One top spot is the lake at Mount Batur or head to Nusa Lembongan for a multitude of choices. 

22. Sunset Bintang at the Beach 

Pick a beach…..any beach….grab an ice-cold Bintang and watch the sun sink down the sky before turning everything you can see a set of colours which range from the Instagrammable and fantastic, to those which will move you to tears.

You get to choose your sundowner vibe – perhaps a tiny cove tucked away and tranquil or maybe somewhere with swathes of sand where the waves crash dramatically. 

23. Paragliding in Nusa Dua

Stepping out into thin air from a cliff top is probably not for those of a nervous disposition but if that sounds like your kind of fun head to Nusa Dua.

Here at the 100m Timbis cliff you can take a tandem glide with a pilot in charge of all the technical bits so you can concentrate on enjoying the breath-taking beauty of the coastal glory spread out below you.

24. Jungle Trekking

On a jungle trek in Bali waterfalls and wildlife are practically a given while added extras might include temples, remote villages, sacred sites and perhaps a canoe paddle up a tiny river as monkeys play in the forest canopy above you.

Opt in for anything which lasts from a few hours to a few days with perhaps the most adventurous and wildest trekking found in the mystique-infused West Bali National Park.

This area, packed with wildlife, is still surprisingly unexplored in parts. 

25. Bungee Jumping

More adrenaline fuelled fun!

If leaping from a platform at the beach with a piece of glorified elastic strapped to your ankle lights your candle head to Seminyak.

Here you will find an A.J. Hackett constructed bungee which at 45m hardly ranks as one of his more hard-core options around the world but nevertheless still qualifies as bucket-list worthy. 

26. Horse riding at Yeh Ganga Beach

Anyone who has ever seen a movie clip with the hero or heroine galloping and splashing through the water on horseback along a beautiful beach, hair streaming in the wind and not thought ‘I want to do that’ is probably a rare breed.

At Yeh Ganga beach you can live that dream although whether you walk sedately or get up some pace will depend entirely on your horse-riding skills.

27. Tackle The Flow Rider at Flow House Amada

A hybrid of surfing, skateboarding, skim-boarding and snowboarding, flowboarding is guaranteed fun and at Amada’s Flow Rider you get all kinds of other treats thrown in besides.

When you’re not busy tackling the artificial wave have a few cheeky drinks to get you amped for the next session!

Come sunset the Flow House becomes a high-energy party venue with live music, competitions, live sports streaming and all kinds of laid-on entertainment.

28. Chocolate Fix at the Pod Chocolate Factory

Chocolate-making is big in Bali and of epic quality – it’s home to some of the best cocoa beans anywhere on the planet.

Nestled amid rice paddies you’ll find the Pod factory where you can come and see how a bean is magically transformed into those mouth-watering creations you see in the shops.

You can tour the plantations, learn about organically-produced cocoa, sample the wares and eve have a go at making some chocolate yourself. 

Failing that try a bar at the local shop…it’s super tasty!

29. The Bali Swing at Ubud

While giant swings are now found all over Bali the one at Ubud is the original and most would agree the best.

Here, on a choice of 12 swings you can take your swooping pendulum ride out over the palm-filled jungle, canyon and waterfall for that simply perfect Instagram shot which makes you look ultimately intrepid and fearless.

You don’t need to tell anyone there are actually clips holding you on!

30. Setia Darma – The Bali House of Masks and Puppets

While museums might not typically register as a thrill the quaint and incredible Bali House changes the game.

With thousands of masks and puppets sourced from every continent and traditionally used for shamanic rituals, theatre, native dance performances and more the selections here range from the fantastically beautiful to the downright terrifying!

31. Batik Factory

Almost everyone comes home from Bali with a batik of some kind whether its wall-hanging, t-shirt or sarong.

How much more wonderful is that souvenir if you actually make it yourself?

Head to one of the batik factories and you can do just that where, under the expert guidance of the batik artists, you can get messy with wax and dyes and make your own masterpiece. 

I gave out a go and it’s heaps more difficult than it looks!

32. Drink from the Fountain of Youth – Goa Gajah

Around 1000 years old, Goa Gajah is a gorgeous mix of tranquil bathing pools, a meditation cave and ancient carvings and sculpture – some of them carved directly into the rock face – where the sounds of waterfall and fountains create a soothing sound track.

Of great historical significance and as a place infused with spirituality, Goa Gajah invites all its visitors to taste the waters which stream from six statues and are believed to offer eternal youth. 

33. Grab a Day Bed at One of the Epic Bali Beach Clubs

Perched on sea cliffs, sitting right on the bleached-white sands at absolute beach front and even nestled amid lush jungle, the Bali beach club selection is the stuff dreams are made of.

Ranging from casual and party-vibe infused to the heights of exclusivity and luxury trying to pick a favourite among so many idyllic gems is an almost impossible task.

Among the choices are The Lawn with its ocean sunset views or Finn’s with its gorgeous infinity pool and swim-up bar. 

Check out this guide to the best Bali beach clubs and get planning!

34. Sunrise Encounters with Dolphins at Lovina

If you don’t mind an early morning set the alarm and head out from Lovina Beach in a traditional outrigger to start your morning with dolphins…and who doesn’t love dauphins?!

Sitting in the island’s far north this fishing town is a dolphin hotspot with five species of dolphins calling these waters home.

Pods are sometimes huge and if you encounter either dusky or spinner dolphins you are in for a treat.

These are the most acrobatic of the dolphin species and grand leaps, twists and somersaults are all part of their repertoire.

35. Scenic Helicopter Flight

At ground level Bali is breath-takingly beautiful. However, the views of temples, jungles, ocean, mountains, lakes and rice paddies you can drink in from above shift it to a whole other level.

Taking a scenic helicopter ride allows you a bird’s-eye view of this sensational island with operators offering flights in different locations.

Try a Bedugal Lake flight with views of the ‘floating’ Ulun Danu temple or perhaps opt for a Kintamani Volcano tour which includes a flight along the coast too. 

36. Visit Some of the Amazing Waterfalls

Ever dreamed of setting off through tropical jungle to discover a secret waterfall where you can swim in a pool as rainbow-coloured birds flit around you?

Well your wish is granted because Bali is the land of a thousand waterfalls and many of them fit this description. Options range from the easily accessed such as Tegenungan and Kanto Lampo while others require some hardcore trekking. 

For something completely different check out Aling-Aling in northern Bali where you can slide down the 35m falls into a pool of cooling crystal water.

37. Canyoning at Kerenkali Canyon

Canyoning grabs a whole bunch of thrills, mixes them all together and produces an awesome experience for the adventurous.

Think abseiling, climbing, scrambling, waterfall rappelling, swimming and otherwise sliding, jumping and leaping off things.

Bali has plenty of places to get your kicks in this way but arguably the best is the jaw-droppingly lovely Kerenkali Canyon in the north.
 

38. Walk Across the Millennium Bridge

Elegant and visually stunning, the 23m-long Millennium Bridge across the Ayung River just happens to be made entirely of bamboo – one of the largest on the entire continent.

Besides being simply gorgeous to gaze upon in an area surrounded by nature of the loveliest kind, the Millennium Bridge is actually a green-living demonstration of how bamboo can be used to replace steel or concrete to which, surprisingly, it can be compared with regard to strength. 

39. Watch Sunrise from Mount Batur

Hiking to the summit of Mount Batur is right up there on the list of Bali’s best treks.

Making the effort to get here for sunrise will reward you with the kind of experience which will stay forever etched in your soul.

In the hush of pre-dawn you will watch as the deep blues gradually transform into smudged lilac before the first golden glow rises from the horizon.

Once the sun lifts its head you will be able to see the sea of clouds surrounding you and feel like you are standing on the roof of the world. 

40. Cliff Jumping 

If leaping off ledges, cliffs and high places into impossible blues of crystal ocean is how you get your kicks Bali is going to deliver just what you need.

There are spots everywhere for Indian Ocean water-bombing opportunities such as Devil’s Tears on Nusa Lembongan although you’ll want to steer clear of this when there’s a big swell on.

Other options include the rock arch at Atuh on Nusa Penida and the Aling-Aling cliff jump which you could combine with visiting the amazing waterfall rock slide near here. 

41. Get Inked

You will unearth tattoo parlours just about everywhere you go in Bali and as an island that attracts artsy types you can get some incredible and highly unusual designs. Prices are attainable for even the most penny-pinching backpacker and you can try out your haggling skills to get an even better bargain.

If you can’t quite drum up the nerve to go permanent there are plentiful opportunities to get some high-quality temporary tatts which can last for a couple of weeks. 

42. Rent a Moped and Explore 

Renting a moped or scooter gives you the freedom to do things on your own schedule while also allowing you access to all kinds of places you might not otherwise be able to get to.

If you want to get off the beaten path this is definitely the way to go.

Rentals are possible all over Bali but Nusa Penida is a great place to head out on two wheels with all kinds of hidden beaches to discover and a series of cliff-top look outs each more lovely than the last.

Just be sensible and wear a helmet!

43. Sample the Food at Some Local Warungs

Cafes and restaurants are ten-a-penny in Bali but if you want to sample the most authentic Indonesian foods at the best bargain prices you will need to check out the warungs.

Sometimes these are nothing more than a lady with a steaming pot on the pavement while others are shacks with a table or two or even cafe-like set-ups but they are always small, simple and family run.

You won’t find many of these places in guidebooks or tourist literature – you have to stumble across them yourself which just adds to the fun. 

Wahrung Indonesia (betwehe Poppies 1 and 2 in Kuta) is certainly one of my favourites though!

44. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Anyone can do it and that is part of the reason why SUP’s popularity has made it the fastest growing water-sport of all time.

You don’t need a wave to paddle board and Bali’s endless series of beyond-beautiful sheltered coves, lagoons and rivers make it SUP heaven.

For some of the ultimate paddling paradises head to Nusa Lembongan with a plethora of tranquil lagoons which could have jumped straight from the pages of a Tolkien novel or Nusa Penida. To access some truly secret gems sign up for a guided tour. 

…and some bonus ones!

Okay okay I know the Gili Islands, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida aren’t technically part of Bali, but since many people include them in their Bali itinerary here are 5 bonus items to add to the list…

45. Get Your Insta Game on at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida

Wonderful Nusa Penida can at times feel like an endless series of Instagrammable views but it also happens to have something which qualifies as extra special – Kelingking Beach.

As you gaze from the cliff tops here you will be forgiven for thinking you’ve just spotted a T-rex on the beach below. In truth it’s a gorgeous jut of greenery covered rock stretching out into the ocean and bordering a white-sand cove which resembles a dinosaur.

If you want to get down to the beach be prepared for a challenging steep scramble. 

Keep an eye out for manta rays too which can often be seen cruising in the shallows.

46. Get Your PADI Dive Certificate

The world beneath the waves in Bali is a vibrantly-hued coral wonderland teeming with manta rays, turtles, sharks and fish of every colour imaginable.

Diving here is pretty epic and if you’ve always wanted to scuba dive the low costs for intro dive and open water courses in Bali make your visit here the ideal time to do just that. 

One of the top locations is the Blue Lagoon in Padang Bai while the idyllic Gili T offers several dive schools. If you choose one of the outfits on Nusa Lembongan you will have the opportunity of learning in a manta ray hot-spot. 

47. Chill in a Beach Bungalow on the Gili Islands

Is there anyone who doesn’t dream of lazing away some sun-drenched tropical island days at a sparkling white-sand, turquoise ocean-lapped beach backed by coconut palms?

In the Gili Islands this is super easy to find with beach bungalows at prices which make the idyllic within the reach of all-comers.

Book into a beach bungalow at any number of spots to fall asleep to the sounds of the waves and awake just steps from the sand.

For a beach bungalow with a difference check out Gili Trawangan’s luxurious tree-houses at Pemenang.

48. Free Dive on Gili T

Once the almost mythical craft of an elite few, free-diving training can now be found on Bali so you too can make like a dolphin and head down into watery depths completely free of any breathing equipment.

Gili T is considered one of the world’s go-to hotspots for learning the process of channelling inner peace and having what most consider one of the most amazing experiences of their life. 

I’ve upped my personal best to a 2.5 minute breathe hold and 25m depth here!

49. Snorkel with Manta Rays on Lembongan

Encountering majestic manta rays in the coastal waters of Bali is far from uncommon but for an almost guaranteed experience head to Nusa Lembongan.

Here you can snorkel in vibrant blue waters with incredible visibility to really make the most of your up-close-and-personal meeting with these 5m gentle giants.

The mantas here appear curious with humans, often gliding towards you and veering off at the moment just before collision in balletic movements which seem more akin to flying than swimming. 

50. Snorkel with Turtles on Gili Trawangan

Just as Nusa Lembongan is manta ray central so Gili T has got a name for itself as turtle central!

The snorkelling in these crystal-clear idyllic waters is exceptional by anyone’s standards but once you throw a plentiful supply of two different turtle species – green and Hawksbill – into the mix it is heaven.

No need for an organised tour either , just rent a snorkel and mask and set out directly from the beaches to get turtle-spotting which is bets at high tide in the morning.