Bali is compact enough that you can wake up by the pool, spend the day on an island, at a waterfall or in a safari park, and still be back in time for bedtime stories. This guide filters day trips through a parent lens: drive time, kid energy, food stops and “was it worth it?” all included.
Quick links to plan your day trips
- ✈️ Line up your flights into Bali so day-trip days fall in the middle of the trip, not right after arrival: start here with a flexible family flight search.
- 🚗 Reserve a car or driver with enough space for bags and car seats using this Bali car rental finder.
- 🏨 Choose a base that makes day trips easier by comparing family stays in Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and Canggu through this Bali family stays search.
- 🏝 Browse island hopping options including Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan boat trips with clear inclusions via curated Nusa Penida day tours and Nusa Lembongan tours.
- 🦓 Lock in animal days ahead of time with skip-the-line style tickets to parks and zoos from this list of Bali family zoo & safari options.
- 🛡️ Set up simple travel insurance so a twisted ankle at a waterfall or a missed boat doesn’t wreck the budget: check flexible coverage from SafetyWing.
Keep this guide open while you read the Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide, the Neighborhoods guide and the Attractions guide. They all talk to each other.
How to choose day trips that actually work with kids
The hardest part of planning Bali with kids isn’t finding things to do. It is choosing less so everyone still feels good by the end of the week. This is where day trips can help: instead of moving hotels every two nights, you sleep in one base and “reach out” for waterfalls, islands and animal days, then come back to the same pillows.
When you decide which trips to keep, filter them through three questions:
- How long will we be in the car or on a boat? Try to keep one-way travel under 90 minutes with younger kids.
- Is there one clear “main event”? Kids handle a single hero moment better than four rushed stops.
- What does recovery look like? Can you come back to a pool, simple dinner and early bedtime?
In this guide, you’ll find the most reliable day trips grouped by theme: islands, waterfalls and rice fields, animals, and temples. For each, you’ll see who it suits, where to base yourselves, and which of your core Bali hubs they pair with best.
Everything here assumes you are staying in one of Bali’s main hubs: Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak or Canggu. If you are still choosing, read this alongside the Ultimate Logistics & Planning guide and then come back when your base is set.
Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan: island days that feel big but manageable
The Nusa islands sit just off Bali’s southeast coast and look like a movie: cliffs, turquoise water, snorkel bays and village roads. With kids, the key is choosing how you visit. A full Penida loop with steep stairs and exposed viewpoints is usually best for fit teens. Younger families often prefer Lembongan, mangrove tours and calm snorkel bays.
Classic Nusa Penida “highlights” day (best with tweens & teens)
A typical Nusa Penida day trip includes an early fast boat from Sanur or Benoa, visits to spots like Kelingking Beach viewpoint, Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach, and sometimes a snorkel stop. It is a long, full day with heat, dust and bumpy roads. Some kids love the adventure; others need more breaks than most tour schedules allow.
If this sounds like your crew, look for small-group or private options so you can slow down when needed. Start your search with filtered options on Nusa Penida family-friendly tours, then read recent reviews from families before you book.
Lembongan & Penida from the water (often easier with younger kids)
Many families prefer a boat-based Nusa day. You board near Sanur, cruise out to calmer bays around Lembongan and Penida, snorkel from the boat, and sometimes stop at a beach club for lunch. There is still sun and excitement, but less stair climbing and fewer narrow cliff paths.
Look for itineraries that mention “family friendly,” “calm bays” or “beginner snorkelers,” like the sets listed under Lembongan snorkel day trips. Combine these with the detail in your Best Snorkeling Spots for Kids guide to choose the calmest match.
Where to stay for easier island days
For day trips only, most families base on the Bali side in Sanur, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran. If you know you want more than one island day, consider a night or two on Nusa Lembongan itself at family stays like:
- 🌴 The Tamarind Resort – Nusa Lembongan – polished base with pools and easy access to boat tours.
- 🏖 Dream Beach Huts – ocean views and a relaxed “we really are on an island” feel between boat days.
Waterfalls, rice terraces and “one big view” days
Waterfall photos are everywhere in Bali trip planning, but many of the most dramatic falls involve steep, slippery stairs. With kids, it is usually better to pick one or two gentler options and tie them to rice terraces, cafes and short drives.
Ubud-based day: rice terraces + one waterfall
From Ubud, one of the easiest templates is: early start to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, breakfast or coconuts with a view, then on to a family friendly waterfall with manageable steps. You can coordinate this with a private driver or pre-book through Ubud terrace & waterfall tours.
When picking waterfalls, cross-check with your dedicated Best Bali Waterfalls With Kids guide so you know how many steps you are signing up for and whether there is space for little ones to paddle safely.
North Bali loop: Lovina, rice fields and cooler air
If you are comfortable with a longer day, you can treat the north as a cooler, greener loop from central Bali. Think lakes, viewpoints and gentler temperatures. Many families pair a waterfall stop with time near Lovina or the mountain villages, but you will want older kids and a strong appetite for car time. Use your Lovina Family Guide and Rice Terraces With Kids to map this in detail.
- Always ask locals or your guide about current water levels before committing to the stairs.
- Wear shoes with grip, not smooth flip-flops.
- Plan for everyone to get at least a little bit wet – bring a dry change for the ride home.
Animal parks, safari drives and gentler wildlife time
Animal days are often the highlight of a Bali trip for kids. The trick is choosing parks and experiences that feel ethical, spacious and not overwhelming. You are looking for big enclosures, clear shade, decent food options and simple routes through the park.
Bali Safari & Marine Park
Bali Safari & Marine Park sits between Sanur and Ubud and is built around a safari-style tour through themed zones, plus shows and play areas. Many families appreciate the structured route and the ability to see a lot without walking huge distances in the sun. You can go direct or book through Bali Safari family tickets to bundle transfers and meals.
Bali Zoo
Bali Zoo is smaller and more walkable, with animal encounters, splash areas and kid-friendly food. Families with younger children often find it an easier first animal day than a long safari. Look for morning entry times and shaded routes, and consider pairing it with a quiet afternoon back at your pool rather than another big outing.
Ubud Monkey Forest and alternatives
Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is famous – and so are the monkeys’ personalities. If you go, keep snacks hidden, hold on to phones and sunglasses, and brief kids on staying calm if a monkey gets close. Families who prefer more controlled animal encounters sometimes skip this and double down on zoo and safari days instead, backed up by tickets from the Monkey Forest & zoo combo tours.
Animal days pair nicely with bases in Ubud, Sanur and central/south hubs. Use your Best Animal & Monkey Experiences guide to decide how many animal days your kids will actually enjoy.
Temples, sunsets and gentle culture days
Bali’s temples are active spiritual places, not just photo backdrops. With kids, look for shorter visits with clear walkways, viewpoints and an obvious “this is what we’re here to see” moment. You can then layer in snacks, ocean time or rice fields around the main stop.
Uluwatu Temple & Kecak dance (often best with older kids)
Uluwatu Temple sits on dramatic cliffs at Bali’s southern tip, with an optional evening Kecak dance looking out toward the sunset. It can be intense for very young kids: crowds, monkeys and a late finish. Tweens and teens often love the atmosphere. Consider a small-group or private tour that clearly spells out timing and seating, like those under Uluwatu Kecak family tours.
Tanah Lot and surrounding villages
Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic sea temples, set on a rock just off the coast. With kids, visit outside the hottest part of the day, keep expectations realistic about crowds, and spend as much time watching the waves and exploring the grounds as you do lining up for photos. This works well as a half-day from Canggu, Seminyak or even Ubud, especially when you combine it with time at a nearby beach or cafe.
Combining temples with other stops
Temple days layer well with gentle extras: a short rice terrace walk, a sunset beach stop or a simple local dinner. Use your Best Bali Temples for Kids guide to choose which temples make sense, then pair them with one other stop instead of three.
Best family day trips from Ubud
Ubud sits at the center of the island, which makes it a strong base for inland and some coastal day trips. Think waterfalls, rice terraces, animal parks and craft villages more than beach clubs.
Sample Ubud day trip ideas
- Rice terraces + waterfall: Early start to Tegallalang, simple terrace walk, then one waterfall that your kids can actually enjoy. Use the Rice Terraces and Waterfalls guides to pick your pair.
- Animal day: Bali Zoo or Bali Safari & Marine Park, with a quiet evening back at your resort. Anchor the details with your Animal & Monkey Experiences guide.
- Culture & craft: Short temple visit, lunch in central Ubud, then an afternoon cooking or batik class found via Ubud cooking classes.
For even more options, open the dedicated Best Family Activities in Ubud guide and layer your favorite ideas onto the days above.
Best family day trips from Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Nusa Dua & Jimbaran
If you are staying by the beach, your days will probably alternate between “no shoes, all pool” and “we should go see something.” Here are easy day trip ideas from each major hub:
From Seminyak & Canggu
- Tanah Lot temple & nearby beaches – a half-day with surf watching and sunset.
- Ubud taster – one rice terrace and a simple Ubud lunch, then back before dinner.
- Waterpark days – a full day at Waterbom in Kuta or another waterpark, followed by an early night.
From Sanur
- Nusa islands boat days – Sanur is one of the most convenient jumping-off points for Nusa Penida and Lembongan boats.
- Zoo & safari days – both Bali Zoo and Bali Safari & Marine Park are within reach.
- Ubud culture day – Ubud temples, markets and cafes as a single calm day trip.
From Nusa Dua & Jimbaran
- Uluwatu Temple & sunset – one big view, dance performance if it suits your kids’ ages, and gentle dinner nearby.
- Nusa island day trips – boats from nearby harbors to Penida and Lembongan options.
- Central Bali loop – early departure for Ubud and rice terraces, then home to your resort pool.
When you are planning, keep your main neighborhood guides for Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran next to this page so you can see at a glance which trips make sense from your base.
Planning family day trips that still leave energy for tomorrow
A “good” day trip is one where everyone still has something left in the tank when you get back. That means planning from your kids’ energy, not from a Pinterest board.
How often to plan day trips
For most families, one big day trip every two or three days is enough. Use the days in between for half-day outings, pool time and low-key neighborhood exploring guided by your local hub posts in the Bali Neighborhoods guide.
Transport, car seats and motion sickness
Bali’s roads can be winding, especially when you head inland or north. If anyone in your family gets motion sick, keep drives shorter, travel earlier in the day and put them in a seat with a clear forward view. Where possible, pre-arrange a vehicle that can handle your whole crew (and their gear) through the car rental search or via your hotel.
Backup plans and insurance
Boats can be delayed, roads can back up and the weather can change. Having cancellation-friendly bookings, some buffer days in your itinerary and travel insurance through SafetyWing means you can adjust without panic when something shifts.
How this guide connects to the rest of your Bali planning
Treat this page as one piece of a bigger puzzle. When you are ready to lock everything in, spread these open:
- 🏡 Ultimate Bali Neighborhoods Family Guide – where to base.
- 🎢 Ultimate Attractions Guide – what to prioritize.
- 📅 Ultimate Logistics & Planning Guide – flights, transfers, seasons and budgets.
- 🗺️ Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide – sample itineraries and full-trip flow.
Then drop in the more specific pages – Beaches, Snorkeling, Waterfalls, Rice Terraces, Animal Days and Temples – wherever they fit your crew.
Help another parent skip the guesswork.
If this made it easier to choose one or two day trips and say “no” to the rest, sharing it will do the same for another tired-on-the-sofa trip planner.
Have a day trip your kids loved that fits this calm, family-first style? Drop it in the comments on the blog so I can keep this guide sharp for future families.
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