Bali, "the Island of Gods" as it is known, is an island of an area of 5,632 km ² (smaller than Corsica). It enjoys a coastline that will particularly appeal to water sports enthusiasts in all their forms. Indeed, despite the immense damage suffered by coral reefs around the coast (largely from dynamite hunting now proscribed), Bali still has magnificent scuba diving or snorkeling sites. The panorama is a thousand times more beautiful than in a tropical aquarium. In turquoise water, we swim with fish of all shapes and colors (even fluorescent) moving over equally surprising corals. A magical journey!
Eldorado of Divers
The most famous dive sites are located on the east coast between Sanur and the north-east of Tulamben and Amed. The islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are all polluted and you will discover what the Balinese waters were twenty years ago. In the extreme west, Menjangan Island, uninhabited and protected, seems to be one of the most beautiful diving sites, while the 7,000 hectares of coral in the Bali Barat National Park, not far from Gilimanuk and Menjangan, reserve beautiful surprises.
To access these wonders, there is nothing simpler since the island is full of diving clubs that will provide courses for all, at all levels, from the simple «baptism» to the diploma of «breach master». For those of you who are already confirmed divers, these clubs rent at low cost all the equipment needed to sink into the depths. Because there's a lot to see. Be it in the east of the island, as in Sanur, for example where the easily accessible reef houses corals, sponges and beautiful tropical fish; or in Nusa Dua and its beautiful beaches of Nyang Nyang separated from the high seas by the reef, which forms a kind of natural lagoon where you will find beautiful corals from 5 to 15 m.
If the Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan Islands and their waters have preserved an almost virginal aspect, they may owe it to the legends surrounding them. Nusa Penida is feared by the Balinese to be the refuge of Djero Gedé Metjaling and Djero Luh, the two monsters represented by the masks of barong landung. And indeed, the site scans a bit by a powerful and capricious currents. But it's here, in these vast underwater caves, you can see mantas and giant turtles. No doubt the «monsters» that frightened both the former inhabitants.
By continuing to the north coast, we will go to Amed and to the seaside resort near Tulamben to discover and appreciate the wreck of the American US Liberty boat sunk by the Japanese in 1942. The wreck was broken during the eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963 and now collects thousands of small tropical fish. You can see the wreck from the surface, but you will have to equip yourself with bottles and all the necessary divers to really discover it, at 25 m deep.
Finally, at the end of your tour of the island, at its western tip is the site of Menjangan. Located in Bali National Park, the Cerfs Island may present the most beautiful site in Bali. Here, everything is profusion: beautiful corals, multicolored fish, sponges, starfish and other shellfish; and accompanied by a high degree of elevation where wonderful plants hang.
The Adoption Land of Surfers
In spite of its underwater riches, the fame of the island of Bali is mainly due to surfers who set up their lordship early. As early as the 1970 s, Australian surfers came to Bali to capture the beautiful waves of Ulu Watu and Kuta, but it was Robert Koke, who built the first Kuta hotel in the 1930 ' s, that we owe the first surf trials. At that time the Balinese saw him as a madman with his teak board. Little by little, Bali has become world renowned and today offers one of the most beautiful spots in Southeast Asia.
For beginners try Kuta and its beach breaks. All along the 8 km of the beach, at high tide, we will enjoy beautiful waves to get to know each other. Breaks are becoming stronger as you move north. They require good physical fitness and know-how. This is where you will encounter the most friendly and open surfers. Many of them are Balinese, but you can collect several hoses from Australians, Balinais, Europeans and Japanese.
Further north, Seminyak and Petit-Gent offer beautiful breaks but often far from the beach. Far north, on a beach accessible by road from Krobokan, the Canggu site offers waves of up to 1.80 m. This place is becoming increasingly frequented because of its overfocused situation. Farther away, Medewi is known for his broken left at the beginning of high tide, and Balian for his left wing.
But the place where everyone goes, seasoned surfers as beginners (who can then observe all their drunk) is the spot of Ulu Watu. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in the world. It remained famous for two reasons: its admirable sacred temple, built by Nirartha, the ancestor of the Buddhist-shivaïtic brahmoons in Bali and for its surfing site, located east of the temple on Suluban beach, if so it can become a beach! Here, at the height of the cliff, you discover the spectacular spectacle of Asia's most famous housings. A long and fascinating cove by its amplitude, which breeds and shapes the most amazing "tubes". They don't have the height of Hawaii, but they wear all the demons of the Balinese Sea. There are a dozen different breaks, spread over 120 °. A quick glance will allow you to judge where surfers capture the wave. On your right, the corner where a quick and murderous left is breached because it casts the rocks. Later, at high tide, the Peak will allow you to evaluate your abilities before reaching the Boomie, a left that reaches 4 m during the heavy winds. Finally, at low tide, Race Track will allow you to familiarize yourself with the ocean.
Heaven's Paradise
We're not coming to Bali just to break down in the waves, to run after clowns or manta lines. We also go to enjoy a beach that seems endless, where you can read, sunbathe, rest… briefly, enjoy holidays in peace. And know that on the Balinese beaches, whether it's Kuta's or its neighbor more bling bling Seminyak, in Amed, lying on its long and more intimate beach of black sand or in the hotel resorts of Sanur or Nusa Dua, everything is done to help you decompress. In this way, we can rent a transat and parasol during the day; massage by one of the massaged masseuses for 50,000 Rp; use an iced drink and of course swim there between red and yellow striped flags, where the beach is monitored. In a word like a hundred: Bali is really a paradise!
Smart News
When is it? It is always very hot in Bali: you can visit the island all year round. However, tourist seasons are settled by monsoon. The dry season will be preferred from May to September.
Go there. Many airlines serve Denpasar International Airport.
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
CATHAY PACIFIC - More information on the site
Useful. To best prepare his trip.
BALI TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
