Though it’s just 20 kilometers from Denpasar, Bali‘s capital, Nusa Dua feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This resort town is known for its quiet beaches and a generally slower pace than some of Bali‘s more party-centric vacation destinations like nearby Kuta. Things to do in Nusa Dua range from hiking and exploring museums to shopping and grazing on scrumptious Balinese food.
Lounge on one of Nusa Dua’s stunning beaches
Nusa Dua means two islands in Indonesian, and while that’s something of a misnomer, visitors will definitely enjoy a relaxed island vibe thanks to the area’s white sand beaches and calm water. Some of Nusa Dua‘s many beaches are the private property of the luxury resorts that line the coastline, but there are plenty of public beach options as well.
Nusa Dua Beach
Visitors interested in surfing will want to look elsewhere because one of Nusa Dua Beach‘s main attraction is its gentle water. The shallow beach is ideal for children and anxious parents, and snorkelers love the clear waters and lack of surf. The luxury hotels along the beach do have some reserved areas, but the resorts also ensure that the whole beach is swept clean of seaweed and other debris each morning.
Visitors to Nusa Dua Beach will want to make sure to see Water Blow, one of the area’s most well-known attractions. Located near Grand Hyatt Bali, Water Blow is exactly what it sounds like, an impressive blast of water that shoots up, geyser-like, from a unique rock formation on the beach. Go at high tide for the most impressive water eruptions.
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Benoa Beach
Benoa Beach is the go-to destination for water sports. Visitors who want to ride in a banana boat, rent a jet ski, or even try kite surfing will find everything they need at the various water sport companies along Benoa Beach. Despite the abundance of revving speedboats and jet skis, Benoa is still welcoming to swimmers thanks to a section of the beach that is reserved exclusively for swimming. Benoa Beach is also the place to try one of Nusa Dua’s most popular activities, sea walking, which is exactly what it sounds like – walking along the sea floor.
There are several places in Nusa Dua where visitors can try this unique activity, but Tanjung Benoa Watersports is one of the more popular. During a sea walking expedition, participants don a large helmet (picture an astronaut) that allows them to breathe normally as they walk along the ocean floor, admiring the beautiful sea life. Sea walking is perfect for those who want to explore the coral reefs without putting in the time required for a scuba diving adventure.
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Serangan Island
Accessible by boat from Benoa Beach or Nusa Dua Beach, Serangan Island is more rustic and less touristy than Nusa Dua. Since it’s not as touristy a region, Serangan Island offers visitors a chance to see a glimpse of local culture, but the main draw is its conservation center, which treats injured sea turtles before returning them to the wild.
The Turtle Conservation and Education Center, in partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, is working to protect the region’s endangered turtles and eradicate illegal turtle trade. Visitors to the center are asked to make a donation in lieu of paying an entrance fee. The center collects sea turtle eggs that have been laid on busy beaches and are in danger of being destroyed. For an additional donation, guests can help release hatchlings on the protected beaches of Serangan Island.
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Experience Balinese culture
Nusa Dua is essentially a tourist enclave, and visitors could easily spend a week there without ever leaving the confines of their resort. However, there are plenty of reasons to leave the beach and get a taste of Indonesian culture.
Visit Puja Mandala
Puja Mandala, which translates to “hill of worship” is a religious complex with representation from each of Indonesia’s five major religions. Intended as a symbol of tolerance and harmony in diversity, the two-hectare compound features five places of worship side-by-side. All are open to the public.
Upon entering Puja Mandala, visitors will see the mosque, Masjid Agung Ibnu Batutah, which counts a handwritten Qur’an among its antique treasures. Next to that is Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa or Mary Mother of all Nations, a Catholic church with a Balinese-style bell tower. To the right of that, in the center position, is the Buddhist temple, Vihara Buddha Guna, which features massive white and gold elephants at the entrance. Next in line is Bukit Doa, a Protestant church also built in the Balinese architectural style. The final house of worship is Pura Jagatnatha, a Hindu temple, which is distinguished by its ornate gates and dragon staircases.
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Explore Museum Pasifika
Museum Pasifika is one of Nusa Dua‘s hidden gems. This relatively unknown museum features over 600 works by Indonesian artists as well as celebrated international painters and sculptors who were inspired by Asia-Pacific.
The diverse collection includes works by Indonesian masters like the Romantic painter Raden Saleh and Balinese sculptor Gusti Nyoman Lempad. Museum Pasifika also boast works by legendary European artists who were inspired by their travels throughout Asia. These artists include Paul Gaugin, Henri Matisse, Theo Meier, and August Rodin.
Visitors should be sure to check the museum schedule before visiting since classes in painting, Balinese dance, and Gamelan, a traditional form of percussive music, are offered throughout the year.
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Sample local dishes at Bumbu Bali
Unsurprisingly, seafood is ubiquitous in Bali, and Nusa Dua is no exception. Most restaurants will have a variety of fish-focused dishes as well as a variety of vegetarian options. One can’t-miss spot is the celebrated Bumbu Bali, which is often referred to as one of the best Balinese restaurants in Bali. Serving only authentic Balinese cuisine, Bumbu Bali is the perfect choice for a special dinner out during a stay in Nusa Dua. In addition to fresh-caught fish and a rich variety of vegetarian curries, Bumbu Bali is known for its slow-roasted duck in banana leaves.
Savor babi guling at Warung Babi Guling Pak Dobiel
Unlike the rest of Indonesia, which is predominately Muslim, Bali is majority-Hindu, and pork features prominently in local cuisine. One of Bali’s most famous pork dishes is babi guling, which is suckling pig that has been covered with a spice paste, basted in coconut milk, and spit-roasted over coals. No one should leave Bali without sampling this iconic dish, and one of the best places to get it is Warung Babi Guling Pak Dobiel in Nusa Dua. Order the jackfruit curry on the side for the ultimate Balinese meal.
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Experience Nusa Dua’s luxurious attractions
Like most resort towns, Nusa Dua has plenty of popular vacation activities available. The area has a top-rated golf course, a massive shopping complex, and no shortage of spas, so there’s something for every traveler’s preferred itinerary.
Play a round at Bali National Golf Club
No resort town would be complete without a world-class golf course, and Bali National Golf Club does not disappoint. This highly-awarded, 18-hole course has something for everyone from beginners to pros. There are a variety of playing experiences including manicured fairways, rugged canyons populated by tropical birds, and a challenging, lakeside 18th hole.
Bali National Golf Club also has a well-stocked pro shop and high-end dining facilities. Visitors who want to stay at the club can book one of the on-site villas, which feature attentive personal butler service.
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Do some shopping at Bali Collection
Bali Collection is an all-in-one shopping, dining, and entertainment center in the heart of Nusa Dua’s tourism district. The mall’s shops offer clothing, jewelry, and home items, including local art and handicrafts, making it the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs.
Bali Collection‘s clothing boutiques offer a range of international and regional brands including Nike, Levi’s, Pink Eleven, and Giordano. The mall has dining options ranging from fast food to more formal sit-down restaurants and lounges. Visitors to Bali Collection will also find regular live music performances and a 5D Max Cinema.
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Get a massage at Iridium Spa in The St. Regis Bali Resort
Located on one of Nusa Dua‘s most pristine beaches, The St. Regis Bali Resort offers luxury amenities, including the top-rated Iridium Spa. The tranquil space is situated next to a koi pond and features traditional Balinese decor. Visitors in search of serious relaxation can book a service in one of the spa’s 12 treatment rooms, get ready for a night out in the onsite salon, or just lounge in one of the spa pools or steam rooms.
The spa’s skilled therapists use a fusion of ancient and modern techniques to ensure that guests leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Iridium Spa‘s signature treatments include a Luxury Champagne Treatment, the Quintessential Tea Revitalizer, and a Bloody Mary Ritual Treatment.
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Getting Around Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is an easy trip from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Visitors who fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport can take a hotel shuttle, taxi, or bus the 25 kilometers to Nusa Dua.
Those who plan on making day trips in Bali from Nusa Dua can rent a car at the airport, but visitors who plan on spending the whole holiday in Nusa Dua won’t need their own transportation as the area is easily navigated on foot. Local transportation also is available. Travelers can take public buses to popular destinations or hire local drivers to take them around the area.
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