Indonesia

15 Best Things to Visit in Nusa Dua (Bali)

The name Nusa Dua, which translates to “Two Islands” in Indonesian, is somewhat misleading because when you arrive, you will see two unremarkable headlands that are each crowned with a temple. Numerous luxurious resorts are situated in Nusa Dua, which is referred to as Bali’s “upscale” area. In fact, Nusa Dua has a designated tourist area that is fenced, dotted with security posts, and filled with immaculately groomed lawns with not a leaf out of place. It is, in a word, very different from most of the rest of Bali. The majority of visitors head to Nusa Dua in search of a tranquil beach vacation, where they can spend their days swimming, taking in the views across the water, and eating supper on the area’s picturesque beaches. In addition to the water and beach, Nusa Dua offers a variety of cultural activities, though many visitors choose to stay inside the walls of their resorts instead. If you’re up for venturing outside, though, there is a ton to enjoy here. The top activities in Nusa Dua are listed below:

Bali Collection

Bali Collection
Bali Collection

The Bali Collection is where you must go if you want to shop in Nusa Dua. If you’re seeking to stock up on gifts to send home, there are many outlets selling traditional Balinese goods here, in addition to a large number of businesses and a department store. Additionally, there are cafes and restaurants here, including multinational establishments like Starbucks and restaurants with an Indonesian theme.

Warung Dobiel Restaurant

Bali Guling
Alex Anderson from Taipei, TaiwanCC BY-SA 2.0

Contrary to the rest of Indonesia, which is dominated by Muslims, where pork is often difficult to find, Bali is renowned for its pork. Despite being a Hindu island, Bali is awash with pork products, the most well-known of which is Bali Guling, which is a suckling pig that has been cooked over coals. One of the most famous spots to try it in Nusa Dua is Warung Dobiel, where you can also get other pork dishes such as pork soup and side dishes like jackfruit curry.

Camel ride

Camel ride
William ChoCC BY-SA 2.0

If you visit Bali Camel Safaris in Nusa Dua, you will see camels, which may not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of Bali. From the Nikko Bali Resort, the camels will lead you on a leisurely stroll over the sand, where you may enjoy the views of the water. If you’re searching for something unique to do in Nusa Dua, this has got to be it. There are several packages available, and you can even choose a walk that ends with lunch or dinner at various locations along the beach.

Puja Mandala

Puja Mandala
Puja Mandala

A religious and cultural complex called Puja Mandala, which is located in Nusa Dua, was built to symbolize Indonesia’s five main religions. Puja Mandala literally translates to “Hill of Worship” in Indonesian, and there is a Buddhist temple as well as a conventional Hindu temple perched on this lovely peninsula. Along with a Protestant church nearby, a Catholic church is also located here, in addition to an Islamic mosque. Visitors can also take in performances and celebrations timed to the holy days of the various religions represented here. The hill is designed to represent tolerance and religious equality in Indonesia.

Water sports

Water sports
Water sports

Numerous water-based activities are available in Nusa Dua, which is well-known for its water sports. There are also diving opportunities off the coast, in addition to activities like jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides. The pricing is typically standard for the area at all hotels in Nusa Dua, and they can arrange water sports activities for you. You can also try kiteboarding and parasailing here when the wind is strong.

Nusa Dua Beach Grill

Nusa Dua Beach Grill
Nusa Dua Beach Grill

If you wish to avoid the expensive restaurants in the resorts, the Nusa Dua Beach Grill is one of the most well-liked places to eat in the neighborhood. You can eat at the grill while putting your toes in the sand and gazing across the blue waters of Gegar Beach. As you might expect from being so close to the ocean, fish is a common option here. Depending on the catch of the day, you may also discover mouthwatering crab dishes, spicy prawns, or even lobster.

Water Blow

Water Blow
ChapsoriniCC BY-SA 4.0

One of Nusa Dua’s biggest natural attractions is called Water Blow. As the name implies, it is a large blow hole where you can witness water erupt from the ocean into the sky. The hole is located on Nusa Dua Beach next to the Grand Hyatt Hotel and was caused by a narrow rock structure. Keep your distance from the blow hole because it can be strong and dangerous if you get too close, but it is quite safe to observe the rushing waves as they are forced out of the hotel from a distance.

Pantai Geger beach

Sunbathe on Pantai Geger
Midori, CC BY 3.0

One of the public beaches in Nusa Dua is Pantai Geger, which is not to be overlooked given that many of the other sand strips are owned by the numerous hotels that border it. This implies that you can still visit the beach and explore if you’re interested in visiting Nusa Dua but don’t want to stay in a resort. You may swim here, and the beach is peppered with a decent number of little neighborhood cafes called warungs. You can also rent a sun lounger and spend the day unwinding and savoring the cool breeze.

Pura Gegar

Pura Gegar
Pura Gegar

One of Nusa Dua’s most well-known sights, Pura Gegar, is located south of the well-known Gegar Beach. You must take a route up a bluff from the beach to reach this temple, where you will find a charming Balinese temple encircled by twisted tree trunks and overlooking the sea. Even though the temple itself is small, the views of the lake are one of the main draws.

Have a game of golf

Golf
Golf

At the Nusa Dua Golf and Country Club, golf enthusiasts can enjoy it to the fullest. If you’re staying at one of the nearby resorts, the club is conveniently placed and is renowned for having one of Bali’s loveliest courses. There are numerous packages available here that can help you save money if you want to play golf over a few days, but keep in mind that the course can get busy, so you’ll need to make a reservation in advance if you want to fit in a round.

Snorkeling at Nusa Dua Beach

Snorkel at Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua Beach

Even though Nusa Dua Beach is frequently referred to by its English moniker, it is officially called Pantai Mengiat. The beach is situated in the middle of Nusa Dua’s major stretch of coastline and boasts a magnificent offshore reef with some excellent surf during the surf season. If you want to do something a little more relaxed, you may take a tour with one of the local fishermen, who will take you out on their wooden boats. The water near the shore is also perfect for people who want to swim or snorkel. The best of the marine life in Nusa Dua can be seen without getting your hair wet thanks to the availability of glass-bottom boat rides.

Serangan Island

Serangan Island
Serangan Island

Visit Serangan Island, commonly known as Turtle Island, if you’re seeking things to do near Nusa Dua. You can take a boat directly to this conservation center from Nusa Dua or Tanjung Benoa, which is dedicated to caring for wounded turtles and reintroducing them to the wild. There is a hatchery nearby, and the young turtles are released there when they are mature enough to survive on their own. This is a wonderful day trip, especially for those interested in marine conservation, as you will also see birds, snakes, and other Balinese species here, in addition to the turtles. Serangan Island is an excellent day trip if you wish to explore other regions and is reachable from Nusa Dua by boat or the expressway. There are other so-called “conservation centers” that place more of an emphasis on their own wallets than on the environment, so be sure you’re visiting the Serangan Turtle Island Conservation Centre.

Spa session

hot stone massages
DanielaCC BY 2.0

All of the luxury resorts in Nusa Dua have their own in-house services, and the island is renowned for its spas. You can pick from a variety of traditional treatments, like Balinese cream baths, hot stone massages, and Balinese mandi lulur, which combines a massage and a body scrub. These allow you to unwind and rest in the comfort of your hotel. If you want to obtain the greatest value, it is a good idea to look around and enquire about the selection of treatments at other places. There are a variety of independent spas on the roads leading out of Nusa Dua, and they are frequently much less expensive than the resorts.

Pasifika Museum

Pasifika Museum
Museum Pasifika CC BY-SA 4.0

Sadly, not many people are even aware that Nusa Dua is home to the fantastic Pasifika Museum. The museum, which is near the Bali Collection, showcases the creations of several European painters who emigrated to Bali and worked there. Additionally, there are galleries devoted to local artists, as well as an Indochinese exhibition and a Polynesian show. As if that weren’t enough, you’ll also find works by legends like Paul Gauguin, Rudolf Bonnet, and Emilio Ambron. If you appreciate art, you should definitely pay this place a visit.

Pirates Bay

Pirates Bay in Nusa Dua
Pirates Bay in Nusa Dua

Anyone who likes pirates should go to Pirates Bay in Nusa Dua, where there is a restaurant with a pirate theme and a massive scale model of a wooden pirate ship. As if that weren’t enough, you may also scale a lookout tower or enter a sizable wooden tree house to enjoy the sights. Additionally, there are tents and bonfires, as well as beach cottages with a rustic pirate theme. If you really want to get into the pirate spirit, you can even choose to dress up like a pirate and embark on a treasure hunt.