Are you staying in Canggu, Bali and wondering how to see the islands most beautiful places without having to move? I’ve visited Bali multiple times and spent months travelling around Indonesia, so I’ve done the work for you and collected my favourite day trips from Canggu!
While I openly don’t like Canggu very much, there’s no doubt that hundreds of thousands of other people do. The electric atmosphere, international crowds and nightlife draw people from all over the world. But if you’re staying in Canggu and want to explore the islands quieter natural beauty without having to move, these unique day trips are perfect for you.
Short On time? Here Are My Favourite tours
#1: Nusa Penida Private Speed Boat Tour, Snorkelling, Swimming With Manta Rays – 5/5 stars, 2800+ positive reviews, Viator Excellence Award 🏆- Check Availability And Prices
#2 : All-Inclusive Best Of Ubud Tour – 5/5 stars, 9000 positive reviews, Viator Excellence Award 🏆- Check Availability And Prices
The Best Day Trips Near Canggu + Tours
1. Swim With Manta Rays In Nusa Penida
I’m sure you’ve seen the instagram photos of bright blue water and jagged cliff lines dropping into otherworldly white sand beaches, that’s Nusa Penida. And while the island is certainly known for its beautiful landscapes (which we’ll go through later), the best thing you can do on the island is snorkelling and diving with manta rays.
My favourite tour is the Private Boat & Manta Ray Snorkelling Tour, and it was one of the best things I did in Indonesia. From your pickup point, a private speed boat will take you to Manta Bay, where you’re most likely to find the magical creatures.
I swam with 2 in the hour we were there, and the experience of gliding through the water with these giant graceful animals is something I’ll never forget.
Nusa Penida is not in Bali, but it is right next door. To get to the island you’ll need to take a Grab or Gojek ride to Sanur Harbour, which is a 52 minute drive, half that on a motorbike. Then from there the boat ride is only 30 minutes to Nusa Penida. To easily book the boat to Nusa Penida, I recommend 12Go. It gives you all sorts of options, times and price points!
Book The Private Boat & Manta Ray Snorkelling Tour!
Rated 5/5 stars with 2800+ positive reviews and a Viator Excellence Award, this tour is the best by far! Check Availability Here
2. Hike For Sunrise On The Summit Of Mt Batur
Mt Batur is one of Bali’s two well known volcanoes, and hiking to the summit for sunrise is one of the best things to do near Canggu for those who love an adventure. The hike is around 2 hours long, and while it’s not incredibly challenging it’s enough to make your muscles burn for a couple of days if you aren’t an experienced hiker.
My top Mt Batur hiking tour includes pick up and drop off from your accomodation, breakfast on the crater as the sun rises, and a visit to the famous hot springs after your hike. The hot springs are a saviour after the tiring hike and a great way to unwind!
Not too many people can say they’ve climbed a volcano, and while it’s not the same sort of challenge as Mt Rinjani in Lombok, it’s still a great achievement.
Book The Mt Batur Sunrise Hike & Hot Springs Tour!
Rated 5/5 stars with 800+ positive reviews and a Viator Badge Of Excellence, this is the best rated tour. Check Prices And Availability!
Learn more about the hike here.
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3. Experience Cascading Waterfalls In Ubud
Ubud is one of my favourite places in Bali, just a short drive from Canggu. While Ubud is still busy with bustling traffic, it balances out the chaos of the main streets with beautiful secluded jungles, temples and waterfalls.
I recommend spending at least a few days in the town, but if you’re running short on time it’s still possible to see Ubud’s most beautiful sites with the perfect tour.
After visiting 3 times, I’ve found Ubud is actually quite difficult to see without a tour. Places are far apart, the traffic is terrifying (I don’t recommend renting a scooter here), and because of these two things fitting a lot into one day is hard.
The Best Of Ubud Tour has 9000+ positive reviews and has won multiple awards (it’s also the tour I took when I visited Ubud in 2023). In one day you visit the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Puri Saren Palace (Ubud Palace), the beautiful art markets and Tirta Empul Temple, (where you can be blessed in the natural springs).
I also recommend asking your driver to take you to Goa Raja waterfall, even if it isn’t on the itinerary. Goa Raja is my favourite, and in my opinion the best waterfall in Ubud. To make it even better? Almost nobody goes.
Book The Best Of Ubud Tour Here!
5/5 stars, 9000+ positive reviews and a Viator Excellence Award, this is the top rated tour in Ubud. Check Prices And Availability
4. Sail With Dolphins At Sunrise In Lovina
If there’s one place in Bali that could be considered a hidden gem, it’s Lovina. Lovina is a town on the north side of Bali that is more than often left out of the tourist rotation. Because of this, it has remained beautiful and authentic.
It’s black sand beaches, coral reefs, and dolphins bring off the beaten path adventurers from all over the world.
Wild dolphin pods are Lovina’s biggest draw, and they can be seen almost year-round. One of the best ways to see them is to book a glass bottom boat that rides alongside the pods, and this sunrise tour is my favourite. Not only do you get to see wild dolphins, but the beautiful Bali sunrise as well.
Book A Sunrise Dolphin Experience Here!
My personal favourite dolphin watching tour, Including round trip transport, rated 5/5 stars on Viator. Check Availability And Prices.
5. Beach Hop, Surf, And Soak In The Sun In Uluwatu
The coastal town of Uluwatu, is trendy, vibrant, relaxed, and just a little off-the-beaten-path. Known for its sunsets, sand and surfing, Uluwatu is the place to go if you want beauty and comfort.
Spend the day exploring its otherworldly beaches, beautiful temples, and delicious food scene. Then finally settle down for the best sunset of your life at Balangan Beach or Single Fin Bar.
It’s only a 1 hour drive from Canggu to Uluwatu (less on a motorbike). So a day trip to the town is completely possible if you’re based in Canggu. If you like to surf, you may want to spend a few days here to experience its famous world-class surf break.
Want To Learn How To Surf On The Best Waves In The World?
Uluwatu’s surf school has a range of lessons available, so you can learn how to surf in one of the best places on earth! Check Price And Availability Here.
6. See Unearthly Landscapes In Nusa Penida
While my favourite thing to do in Nusa Penida is swim with Manta Rays, that is not why it’s famous. The island is known first and foremost for its jaw dropping coastal scenery. I remember arriving in Nusa Penida and seeing Kelingking Beach for the first time, and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
If you’re looking for a day trip where you can explore one of the most magical and beautiful places on earth, this is perfect for you.
When it comes to visiting Nusa Penida, there are a few things to be aware of. The first is getting to the island, which will require a fast boat from Sanur Harbour in Bali, I recommend booking on 12Go (however the tour below includes transport).
The second is that there is no Grab or Gojek on the island. Car rides are expensive, around 100k rupiah for 5-10 minutes, or you have to drive your own scooter (which is very dangerous on this island).
Because of this, I really recommend booking a tour. Which will be cheaper overall and help you see all the most beautiful places on the island in one day. My favourite tour is the Nusa Penida All inclusive Tour, which includes all the beautiful spots and covers your transport all the way from Bali.
Book The All-Inclusive Nusa Penida Tour Here!
5/5 stars with 2000+ positive reviews, transport from Bali, and all the best spots! Check Availability And Price.
7. Escape To Jungle Paradise In Munduk
Munduk has recently started to become a destination for travellers in Bali, but it’s still easy to escape the crowds. Most famous for its wild jungles and stunning waterfalls, Munduk can be experienced in a day trip or over a few days.
A must do in Munduk is waterfall hopping. The Munduk waterfall trek takes you from Munduk Waterfall (also known as Red Coral), Melanting Waterfall and Golden Valley Waterfall.
To access it, search ‘Munduk Waterfall Parking’ in your GPS. The path is well-marked leading off the car park. Continue down the same path left from Munduk to reach Melanting. To access Golden Valley head back to Munduk waterfall and take the straight path instead of turning left.
To explore an even more off the beaten path waterfall, head to Bayumalan Twin Falls. This waterfall feels much more wild and magical, with almost nobody going there. The falls are another 30 minute drive past Munduk Waterfall, followed by a 20-30 minute walk in.
There’s no service in some of these areas, so I really recommend booking a driver for the day (10-11 hours for $35 USD) instead of trying to book seperate Grab/ Gojek rides.
Book A Full day private driver here!
Rated 5/5 with 500 positive reviews and a Viator Excellence Award, this is the best rated driver in Bali. Check Prices And Availability.
8. Have A Self-Care And Spa Day In Ubud
Ubud is one of the best places in Bali for self care, and what’s better than a whole day to pamper yourself? Here are the top things you can add to a self care day itinerary in Ubud.
Do Yoga
Ubud is considered one of the yoga capitals of the world, so you’d be missing out if you didn’t give it a try. Places like the Yoga Barn offer a beautiful view over the rice fields and a calm (and very aesthetic) wooden villa to practice some grounding in peace. They have classes for all skill levels, so no matter your yoga experience its worth giving a try!
Go To A Spa
Sometimes it’s worth splurging on experiences, and going to a luxury spa in Ubud is definitely one thats worth it. Spas like Fivelements Retreat on the Ayung River, Mango Tree Spa nestled in the lush jungle, and the world famous Lemuria Spa are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Here you can get facials, massages, hot pool & sacred stone treatments, ancient Balinese therapies, aromatherapy, detoxification and so much more.
Get A Massage
While it is an activity you do at the spa, getting a massage deserves its own paragraph. Massages in Bali are incredibly cheap, with $12 USD being on the higher end for an hour long treatment. You can even get incredible massages for under $5 USD off the side of the Main Street in Ubud!
9: Scuba Dive On Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan, right next to Nusa Penida is another beautiful island that you have to visit on a day trip. Apart from the vibrant surf scene, this islands best known activity is scuba diving.
If you want to become a certified scuba diver, you’ll have to stay on the island for a couple of days. But you don’t need to be certified to dive with an instructor, and it’s possible to experience the deep blue on a single day trip. To get to Nusa Lembongan, take the fast boat directly from Sanur, or make a stop off at Nusa Penida.
You’ll have the chance to explore coral reefs, get up close with marine life like fish and sea turtles, and go deeper in the ocean than you ever have before. It’s such a fun and new experience!
Book A Day Of Scuba Diving Here!
Rated 5/5 stars on Viator, includes lunch and a private instructor for the day. Check Availability And Prices.
10: Experience Raw And Authentic Bali In Sidemen
There are very few places left in Bali that could be considered the untouched by tourism. Bali is very different from what it was 30 years ago, but Sidemen has managed to keep its charm and serenity. Imagine Ubud or Munduk without any tourists, surrounded by lush jungle, animals, and away from western influence.
Sidemen is full of hidden gems, and not so hidden ones; like Bali’s tallest volcano Mt Anung which towers over the villages and sets one of the most beautiful views you’ve ever seen.
Spend your days in natural infinity pools like Gembleng Falls and exploring the sprawling rice fields. If you want to, you can visit one of Bali’s most popular spots, Pura Lempuyang. I recommend going in the evening/ sunset to try and avoid the crowds.
You can also explore beautiful waterfalls like Tukad Cepung And Goa Raja which are nearby. Or take the trek to the beautiful Lahangan Sweet Viewpoint for the best views of Mt Anung at sunrise. There are countless quiet hidden gems to explore.
11: Unwind And Feel The Vibes On Balian Beach
One of Bali’s best kept secrets, this wild and untamed beach on the west side of the island is undiscovered paradise. The beach is sprawling, beautiful, not trashy or busy like Kuta, with no shopping, beach clubs, or traffic like Canggu.
The small beach town has the same feeling as Canggu used to 30 years ago, when it’d just begun to become an off-the-beaten-path surfing hotspot. Coming here is almost like going back in time to what Bali used to look like.
This beach and its town have everything you need without the chaos of Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. You can lay on the beach, see beautiful sunsets, eat delicious food, surf on beautiful waves, experience a yoga class and so much more. Balian Beach really has everything.
Conclusion: The Best Day Trips From Canggu
Canggu is a great base to explore some of Bali’s most beautiful destinations. From the trendy surf capital of Uluwatu, to the wild jungles of Munduk and otherworldly beaches of Nusa Penida, you can see it all.
After all my time travelling around Bali and wider Indonesia, these are my favourite experiences and tours to help you get the most out of any day trip. And now that you know exactly where to go, what are you waiting for? Get Exploring!
