- BALI
Island Hopping In Bali – The 7 Best Weekend Trips From Bali, Indonesia
Mind-Blowing Bali Side-Trips You Must Experience
Bali has perfect beaches, mesmerising sunsets, dense jungles, and tons of vibrant traditions—everywhere you look, there’s something breathtaking to see.
By day, you can swing by temples on cliffs, hang out with monkeys in the forest, chill at day clubs with crazy pools, and find waterfalls not many know about. Then, when the sun sets, you can grab a drink at great bars and have dinner at fancy restaurants with unreal architecture.
But Bali isn’t the only stunner in Indonesia—there’s more to Indonesia than Bali’s beauty. If you plan on sticking around in Bali for a bit, there are a bunch of other islands that people tend to miss out on. And they’re just a short trip away, like a couple of hours (and some even less).
So here’s a list for you—top weekend getaways from Bali’s shores that don’t get the fair attention they deserve.
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NUSA PENIDA: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
Crystal-Clear Waters, Untouched Coral, And AdventureWhen you're in Bali, one of the top weekend trips people take is heading to Nusa Penida, the nearby island. It's just east of the Bukit Peninsula. Nusa Penida has some of the best scenery, untouched nature, and a classic Balinese village.
The snorkeling scene is amazing, with crystal-clear waters and untouched coral reefs that'll knock your socks off. Some say a day's too short to soak it all in—nature's beauty is spectacular there.
How to Get There: The fastest option is a speed boat that departs from Sanur Beach, which will take a little under an hour to get you there.
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NUSA LEMBONGAN: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
A Sun-Kissed Haven Of SerenityNusa Lembongan is a gem next to Nusa Penida in the Indian Ocean. Nusa Lembongan has the same top coastal scenery as the bigger island but is packed into its 8-square-kilometer space—super convenient for a top day out.
How to Get There: The boat trip is around 30 minutes each way, but sometimes it might stretch out or get held up, especially if the weather’s playing up.
From Bali, you’ll hop on the boat at Sanur, cruising over to Jungubatu Beach in Lembongan.
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MENJANGAN ISLAND: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
A Scuba Diver's UtopiaJust a skip away, about 8 kilometers from Bali, Menjangan Island is a hidden paradise famous for unreal scuba diving and stunning underwater scenes. It has pristine coral reefs, old-school temples, and a bit of wildlife from the West Bali National Park.
How to Get There: Hop on a 30-minute boat ride from Labuhan Lalang in Northern Bali, grab your permit and park guide, and dive into snorkeling, temple exploring, and chilling on the untouched beaches.
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LOMBOK ISLAND: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
Turquoise Waves Kiss Silky, White Sandy BeachesLombok Island is a beautiful place known for its unreal beaches, like Kuta and Senggigi, where you can enjoy surfing. The place has stunning landscapes, with Mount Rinjani, a volcano, standing tall in the middle, perfect for a trek. The locals are friendly, always up for a chat, and keen to show you their culture.
How to Get There: Ferries heading to Lombok set off from Padang Bai Harbour every hour, taking you straight to Lembar. It'll take about four to five hours, plus factor in waiting time for boarding.
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JAVA: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
Where Adventure And Culture MeetJava is a stunning island with volcanoes, temples, and lush scenes. From epic mountain sunrises to gems like Borobudur, it's a cultural hub with Yogyakarta's arts and fabulous food in Bandung. Adventure, beaches, and rich history—Java's the best weekend getaway from Bali, rain or shine.
How to Get There: You can cruise from Gilimanuk Port to Ketapang Port in Java with ferries leaving every 20 minutes, non-stop, all week—no bookings are needed.
A ticket costs 13,000 IDR (0.85 USD) per head for a 30- to 60-minute ride. From Ketapang Ferry Port, grab a cab to Banyuwangi in 20 minutes.
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KOMODO ISLAND: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
A Stunning Gem In The Indonesian ArchipelagoKomodo Island, near Flores, is one of Indonesia's top gems. Its dragons, epic marine life, and lush beaches make it a thrill-seeker's heaven. Joined by Rinca and Padar, it's home to rare Komodo Dragons.
Don't miss Komodo National Park for wild dragons, Padar's views, Pink Beach snorkeling, or Gili Lawa's panoramas.
How to Get There: To reach the Komodo Islands from Bali, get to Labuan Bajo, Flores, where boats depart for the Komodo Archipelago (takes about 5–6 hours).
Flying from Bali to Labuan Bajo is another option. Then, get on a boat to Komodo Island.
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GILI ISLANDS: Best Weekend Trips From Bali
Adventure Oasis And Party HotspotThe Gili Islands are known for their party scene. Anyone keen on adventure, wild celebrations, or both should hit these spots when in Bali.
Made up of three islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Ai—each has its own vibe.
Trawangan is the party hub (heaps of bars and clubs), Meno's chill, and Air's a sweet mix of socializing, water sports, and top food.
How to Get There: The quickest ferry route is from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan, covering about 33 nautical miles in roughly an hour and a half.
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