Whether you want complete luxury, peace and quiet, adventure or delightful local cuisine and culture, you’ll find it in Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa.
Nusa Dua is located on the southern peninsula of Bali, just 20 minutes from the airport and the organised chaos of Kuta. The area is known for its generally fine weather (it is drier and cooler than the rest of Bali) and its protected white beaches. Coconut trees stud the coastal strip and it is a requisite that resorts built in Nusa Dua are to be no higher than the coconut trees, ensuring minimal impact on the region.
The entrance to the resort area is flanked by traditional Balinese split gates leading to the expansive lawns and sweeping driveways of grand hotels.
In the quiet enclave there are no hawkers, warungs, traffic nor pollution. Though it’s relatively isolated from Balinese community life, many hotels arrange visits by Balinese dancers and gamelan performances, and all of the major tourist attractions are a short drive away.
The beaches at Nusa Dua have popular surf breaks way out on the reef and the best time to enjoy them is the wet season. At low tide the beach is shallow and difficult for swimming but at high tide it transforms into a picturesque lagoon.
Camel Safaris run one hour camel rides along the beach. Many watersport activities such as diving, waterskiing, windsurfing and parasailing are based in Tanjung Benoa just to the north of Nusa Dua.
A shopping complex in the centre of the resort specialises in textiles and handicrafts, has a range of kiosks and a games area for kids as well as a restaurant. It also stages regular Kecak and Legong dances and drum parades.
Nightlife in Nusa Dua is limited to bars and lounges in the hotels, but it’s a short taxi trip to the lively areas of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Tanjung Benoa is a peninsula that extends for four kilometres north of Nusa Dua.
A Chinese population has resided here for centuries and has established a Chinese temple. There is also a Hindu temple and a mosque within 100 metres.
Shops are generally cheaper than those in Nusa Dua and offer a shopping experience similar to Kuta. Tanjung Benoa has an extensive range of local restaurants, including the famous Bumbu Bali Cooking School.
Diving, cruises and fishing trips at Tanjung Benoa can be arranged with most travel agents in South Bali while snorkelling, banana boat rides and glass bottom boat trips are offered along the main beach at reasonable prices. The area is also dotted with spectacular sea temples.
Whether you want complete luxury, peace and quiet, adventure or delightful local cuisine and culture, you’ll find it in Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa.
