Fun Things to do in Sanur

There are still a lot of things to do in Sanur eventhough this beach village is mainly known for its laid-back atmosphere...

One of the things to do in Sanur is head to the blue lagoon which is protected by a reef against the high waves. It’s ideal for snorkeling and windsurfing or for taking a tour with a ‘jukung’, a traditional fishing boat.

On the walk path along the beach you’ll run into the jukung boat men who love to sail you around on their colorful boats to the reef, around the lagoon or to Benoa harbour.

Colorful jukung ready to take you for a trip

Here you can laze on board in the sun and shoot some fantastic pictures of Bali’s coastline and go all the way up to the turtle island of Serangan.

On Sanur beach you can also arrange other water activities such as water skiing, deep sea fishing, para sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, jet ski or diving. Most of the Sanur Bali hotels are happy to organize a trip for you.

If you want to snorkel around Nusa Lembongan or the former prisoner island of Nusa Penida you should arrange a faster boat.

One of the things to do in Sanur: Cruising around Sanur beach

The fastest way to Lembongan Island is by the Scoot II boat, (+62 361-285522) or Lembongan Fast Cruises (return US$50 +62 3618012324). The trip takes about 30 minutes.

The boat leaves from Sanur beach at the Jalan Hang Tuah fishermen harbour at 9.30 am (also 1.30 pm but during the peak season only) and 4.00 pm. It departs from Lembongan Island at 8.30 am (also 11.30 am but during the peak season only) and 3.00 pm.

Lembongan Island with Scoot Cruises costs around US$80 per person and includes a hotel transfer, boat ride, snorkeling, island tour with a visit to the mangroves, seaweed farms, beaches and a beach side lunch.

You can also arrange just transport to the island which can be arranged through any of the Bali travel agents in Sanur along Jalan Tamblingan or Jalan Mertasari.

Another option to Lembongan Island is with Bali Hai cruises (+62 361-720331) on a 64ft luxury sailing catamaran from Benoa harbor. It leaves at 9.00 am and returns at 6pm.

Seawalker experience:
If you don’t feel like taking a boat trip to the island or getting your hair wet there’s always the Seawalker experience by Club Aqua (0361-281 408) in the lagoon in front of the Puri Santrian hotel where you can get face-to-face with tropical fishes for US$75.

The Seawalker is a helmet supplied by oxygen that enables you to walk underwater with your glasses on.

You go down the stairs to the bottom of the sea where experienced Seawalker instructors are there to help you out even if you can't swim...

Surfing in Sanur Bali:
Surfing is also possible but here the best season is during the rainy season when the winds are offshore.

There’s a good surf break coming from the right side in front of the Grand Bali Beach hotel and there’s another one in front of the beach market coming from the left side.

A couple of kilometers at sea in front of the Bali Hyatt hotel there’s another perfect break to surf. I haven’t surfed at Sanur Bali yet since I’m still a beginner but I’ve seen several surfers renting a boat man from the Jalan Hang Tuah harbor to bring them to the reef.

Dolphin encounter:
Just of the Sanur coast you can make your dream come true of encountering and cuddling with rescue dolphins.

You'll take a short boat ride to a specially designed sea pen where you'll learn about these sea mammals, feed them, kiss them and have plenty of photos of them as there's somebody who takes photos for you for free (bring a waterproof camera).

It's an ideal family trip but doesn't come cheap, adults $79 USD, kids $69 USD. Book ahead as spots are hard to come by...

Swimming at Sanur Bali:
The beach of Sanur is the perfect spot to read a book under your parasol and swim during high tide.

Not every part of the beach is perfect for swimming due to sea weed but luckily in front of the major hotels such as the Hyatt hotel or the Mercure hotel they have cut away the plants to make way for soft sand.

Scuba diving in Bali and around Sanur:
There are a couple of operators available in Sanur which organise diving trips to every corner of the island.

Diving around Sanur is mostly interesting for first-timers or those who like to do refresher courses. Popular operators are Crystal Divers (Jl Danau Tamblingan 168), Bali Scuba (Jl Danau Poso 40) and Blue Season Bali Diving (Jl Danau Tamblingan 69X).

Museum Le Mayeur:
At Sanur's only museum you can take a close look at the impressionistic paintings of Adrien Jean Le Mayeur’s travels around the world and his paintings of Balinese life and especially his beautiful Balinese wife Ni Polok.

You can find the museum near the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, in the north part of Sanur.

Spa in Sanur Bali:
One of my girlfriend’s favorite activities when we’re in Sanur is going to the spa for a full body massage and reflexology.

Most hotels provide spa services but there are a couple of places scattered around the village that can pamper you for hours. If you do have the time book yourself a whole day treatment...

Shopping:
Along Jalan Tambligan and Jalan Mertasari there are lot of souvenir stalls selling wooden masks, sarongs and photo albums made of banana leaves.

The seller mentions a price at least 50% higher than the original value so bargain hard; it’s all part of the game. Along these streets you’ll also find boutiques with so called ‘fixed’ prices and offer good value for money.

Bali Beach Golf Course:
If you feel like playing the golf course (+62 361-287 733)in front of the Inna Grand Beach hotel is the place to go.

It has a 9-hole (par 36) golf course with a length of 3560 yards and is also accessible for those that don’t stay at the hotel. It costs USD 54 and includes the green fee, caddy fee and government tax.

Kite flying in Sanur Bali:
Flying the kite is a favorite pastime for the Balinese and Sanur is the perfect place to buy one in the souvenir stalls or on the upper floor of Hardy’s supermarket if you don’t feel like bargaining.

Between July and September there are even serious kite competitions among the Balinese in the rice fields around Sanur.

Sanur nightlife:
Just like the village its nightlife is as relaxed and far from the hustle and bustle of Kuta.

There are a couple of bars and restaurants where you'll find live performances by Balinese artists. Popular venues are the Cat & the Fiddle restaurant (Jalan Cemara 36) near the Puri Santrian Hotel and the rougher Lazer Sports Bar (Jl Danau Tamblingan 68) near the Gazebo Hotel.