What to expect in Nusa Dua & Benoa?
Think of only class and elegance when it comes to Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is positioned on the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula and is considered the island’s most luxurious location. Most of the area is taken up by international hotels, resorts, and private villa complexes where the VVIPs come to stay and play. Come hang out on this side of the island, the beaches are open to the public, even if you aren’t staying in one of the beachfront properties. Prices here are slightly elevated, so don’t be surprised if a beach chair and an umbrella or a fresh coconut water costs a dollar or two more.
A wonderful setting of the 18-hole golf course, the Bali National Golf Club is one of the most favourite destinations for golfers on the island. Nusa Dua is the perfect place for travellers to pamper themselves, or to simply just have a staycation in one of the fantastic resorts.
Is Nusa Dua worth visiting? That all depends on what you’re after from your trip to the Isle of the Gods. Nusa Dua, on the east coast of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, is arguably the most luxurious location in the whole region. Most of Nusa Dua – which confusingly means “two islands” – is given over to five-star hotels, high-end resorts, and private villas, where the rich and famous are known to come to relax.
As you’ve probably guessed, that all makes Nusa Dua a rather expensive destination, with prices that easily rival places like Bora Bora or Hawaii. But don’t let that put you off! Even just for a day trip, there’s oodles to see and do in this part of Bali, from cultural immersion to glassy surf swells, fantastic dining to white-sand bays.
Cue this guide. Here, we’ll introduce you to some of Nusa Dua’s top highlights, including those stunningly beautiful beaches, the enchanting Hindu temples, and the enthralling Devdan show. We’ll also take a moment to reveal the luxurious side of the area, with a look at the top-quality hotel resorts and deluxe villas that are on the menu for those with a few extra dollars to splash…
Perhaps the best beaches in all of Bali!
The thing about Bali is that the beaches aren’t really what you might expect of an island out in the midst of the Indian Ocean. Instead of the white sand and turquoise water of the Maldives, the Isle of the Gods is more about long, black-tinged beaches that slope into a wavy sea from volcanic dunes and cliffs. Kuta and Seminyak are among the nicest on the south coast, along with some pretty darn breathtaking bays on the western Bukit. However, there’s one spot that really stands out: Nusa Dua.
But is Nusa Dua worth visiting for the beaches alone? There are a few sand stretches that we think make it so…
- Nusa Dua Beach – Although its real name is Jalan Pantai Mengiat, most tourists refer to this as simply Nusa Dua Beach. The sand here is almost entirely white, and the clear turquoise waters make it a picture-perfect scene. This is likely why the Grand Hyatt, Ayoda, and St. Regis hotels are all based at Nusa Dua Beach. Apart from a few private stretches, there’s no charge to use the beach, and you can rent beach chairs from a local village cooperative for 20,000 IDR per day (that’s less than $2). Nusa Dua Beach is protected by an offshore reef, meaning the waves break about a kilometer out and not on the sand itself. This is a win-win, because the calm, toddler-safe waters close to shore are great for swimming and snorkeling, while the reef break provides world-class waves for surfers and “SUP-ers” (more on that later!).
- Geger Beach (Pantai Geger) – Many argue that Pantai Mengiat takes the prize, but for us, Geger Beach is the best beach in Nusa Dua. It’s secluded and only accessible via a steep path, meaning many folk just pass on by. But if you persevere, the reward is a kilometer-long stretch of pristine white-gold sand and calm waters, with the ancient Geger Temple providing a stunning backdrop. Not only that, but right next to the temple is a tiny, partially hidden dirt footpath that takes you to one of Bali’s famous ‘no-name’ beaches. Many travel guides don’t mention this beach, so you’ll likely share it with very few people.
- Samuh Beach – Samuh Beach is very protected by out-at-ocean reefs and has some of the calmest waters on the island. It’s got white sand and a backing of sea-grape trees, with some excellent cocktail bars on the shorefront. Also, it’s wonderful for watching the sunrise!
The hotels – talk about luxurious!
Is Nusa Dua worth visiting for the hotels alone? 100% yes. This is the stomping ground of some of the most opulent and luxurious stays on the whole Isle of the Gods. They come with shimmering infinity pools, lush tropical gardens, and sprawling villa suites with private butlers. It’s no secret that Nusa Dua is the destination of choice for celebs and A-listers heading to this corner of Indo, and we can see why. Basically, it’s the place to be if you’re hunting for a honeymoon pampering sesh or a hotel you won’t forget in a hurry.
Surfing (and other water sports)
Nusa Dua enjoys a place a little to the east of the main surf meccas of the Bukit Peninsula. That helps to keep the crowds down and the luxury vibes rolling. However, you’re never too far from a world-class break in these parts. A 40-minute drive to the west will bring you to lovely Bingin Beach, where a left-hand reef break is known as a reliable barrel. Or you could keep going a little and hit up Uluwatu, a series of pounding point-break reef lefts that are among the finest in the world, let alone the Isle of the Gods.
However, Nusa Dua also has its own range of breaks. Being out on the east coast of the island, they mainly work in the rainy season with the SE and NE swells. The best of them is just to the north of Nusa itself, at a place called Sanur Reef. Beware, though, that’s a mega right reef break that’s really only for the total pros. Alternatively, stick to the main Nusa Dua Beach. It’s got a deep reef and a right-hand that works well between October and April. There’s also Geger Temple to the south, with bending point waves rolling into the middle of the bay.
And that’s not it. There are countless other water sports on the menu here. Consider:
- SUP – A great way to explore the tropical coastline north and south of Nusa, SUP boarding is chilled and means getting great views of the reefs from above.
- Flyboarding – Invented in 2011, this high-octane water sports lets you fly over the Nusa Dua bays. Pretty awesome. There’s a flyboard operator in nearby Tanjung Benoa.
- Sea kayaking – You’ll probably be able to rent sea kayaks from your hotel. They’re fun and faster that SUPs, and offer a good way of gliding over the reefs around Nusa Dua and Geger Beach.
The food – Is Nusa Dua worth visiting for the grub alone?
Even if you’re just on a day trip to Nusa Dua, we urge you to visit at least one of the area’s many award-winning restaurants. They’re often rated among the very best on the island. You’ll find a lot of the best places to eat are at the hotels and resorts, where crafted fusion food, celeb chef cooking, and degustation are often the name of the game.
The Devdan Show is a must
The Nusa Dua Devedan show isn’t your run-of-the-mill cultural event. Described as “magnificent, alluring, and daring,” this 90-minute, Broadway-quality festival of dance and music is sure to have you totally immersed in the age-old traditions of Indonesia. The show is performance theatre at its best. Utilizing a full stage, theater lighting, lasers, and a killer musical score, the plot revolves around two young children who get bored with their tour of Bali and decide to go exploring.
That’s the cue for an experienced cast of acrobats, aerialists, singers, and dancers to take to the stage, and the quality is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Set under the stars on Nusa Dua Beach, the show is fast-moving, beautifully choreographed, and skillfully performed. Don’t miss it! Do book in advance!
