Booking a Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour is a must if you’re planning on exploring North Bali. Take this opportunity to get up close and observe the magical dolphins that visit Lovina’s coastal waters.
This booking is a perfect combination of excitement, nature, and culture – all in one day. It is a fully private tour, with your own boat and captain, and a private SUV and driver to explore the rest of Lovina and North Bali.
I partnered with one of the best Lovina Dolphin Watching boat operators in Lovina to get you the best price and value without any of the expensive markups or misleading prices you’ll find with online travel agencies.
You can modify your destinations you want to visit during the day. So if there is somewhere else you have in mind that’s not included below, my drivers are flexible and the day is entirely up to you.
Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour at Sunrise
This Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour includes a private boat and captain, so you won’t have to worry about sharing a boat with strangers. It’s about a 20 – 30 minute ride out to the known dolphin spots. Make sure your phone or camera is fully charged and have it ready.
During your time in the water, you can spot small groups of dolphins every so often. Your captain’s main mission is to locate the larger group as they surface for air – about 30 – 50 dolphins at once! You’ll need some patience but I promise you it’s a rewarding experience – especially if some of them pop up beside your boat.
The best time to experience the Lovina dolphins is during sunrise. I recommend being there by 5:30 am so as you head out, you’ll witness the Lovina sunrise over the mountains and a beautiful orange gradient on the ocean waters.
You’ll be spending about 2 – 2.5 hours total in the boat. Even during the calm moments when your boat captain is still finding the dolphins, having that view of Lovina’s coast from the ocean is an experience itself.
Optional Swimming with Dolphins
In the booking form below, you have the option to include swimming with dolphins as part of the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour. It’s a great way to observe the dolphins underwater instead of waiting to spot them on the surface.
This allows you to hang on the side of the boat in the water as it moves. You’ll be equipped with snorkelling gear so you can see underwater and watch the dolphins play and interact with each other.
Optional Snorkelling in Lovina
Another optional upgrade to your Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour is exploring the coral reefs of Lovina with some snorkelling. While this may not be as spectacular as snorkelling in Nusa Penida during a Nusa Penida Day Tour, it’s still a wonderful opportunity to see North Bali’s marine life.
Air Panas Banjar
Air Panas Banjar is a popular holy hot spring close to Lovina. The sulfur-rich pools are known to have healing properties hence why it’s also a place of worship. Aside from the relaxing water, the place is designed with intricate Balinese architecture.
You can make your way here after your Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour but I would recommend saving it for the end of your trip because you will definitely want a nap after spending some time relaxing in the hot springs.
The entrance fee to Air Panas Banjar is 45k IDR per person and you can stay as long as you wish. There is also a restaurant that serves Indonesian food and shops at the entrance if you need to buy a towel or swimming clothes.
Brahmavihara-Arama Buddhist Temple
Just a short drive from Air Panas Banjar is Brahmavihara-Arama, the largest Buddhist temple in Bali. It is a beautiful site to explore with picturesque views from every angle. You can choose to head directly here with your driver after the Lovina Dolphin Watching experience.
The entrance fee to Brahmavihara-Arama Buddhist Temple is 25k IDR per person. You’ll also be provided a sarong which is recommended to wear inside the temple grounds.
Aling-Aling Waterfall
No Bali day tour is complete with sneaking in a waterfall. The closest waterfall to Lovina is Aling-Aling Waterfall, which is among my list of best waterfalls in Bali. I highly suggest visiting here if you don’t plan on visiting North Bali again.
The entrance fee to Aling-Aling waterfall is 20k IDR per person. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to cliff jump into the water like the photo above, then it’s 125k IDR which includes a local guide.
Optional Destinations in Lovina
Here are a few of my recommendations for things to do in Lovina (or near Lovina in North Bali) if you don’t want to visit any of the destinations above. You can stop at these on your way back from Lovina.
- Gitgit Waterfall: another one of Bali’s best waterfalls.
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: Bali’s famous floating temple.
- Handarah Golf Course Gates: an amazing photo opportunity.
- Singaraja: Bali’s former capital city during colonial times.
Read my Lovina Guide for some of the best things to do in Lovina during your time in North Bali.
What’s included
Your Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour booking includes being picked up from your hotel or villa by an English-speaking, knowledgable driver with an immaculately maintained 6-seater air-conditioned SUV. Fuel, applicable taxes, and 12 hours of allocated time from pick-up to drop-off are all included.
The seating configuration is 1 in the front passenger seat, 3 in the rear, and 2 more in the rear-most fold-down seats. If you prefer more room or will be traveling with luggage, consider upgrading to a Toyota Innova, which is slightly larger and roomier, and far more comfortable for 5 or 6 passengers.
Your driver will take you directly to the Lovina Dolphin Watching tour operator in Lovina and personally hand you over to the boat captain. Your Lovina Dolphin Watching tickets are also included in this booking so you won’t need to stress about bringing too much cash or finding Bali ATMs in Lovina.
Upon return to shore, you can head out to explore the rest of Lovina with your driver. All other stops included on this itinerary are optional. You can rearrange or exclude any of the destinations as you wish.
Included in the Lovina Dolphin Watching Day Tour:
- Private, air-conditioned SUV
- 12 hours of allocated time
- Friendly, English-speaking driver
- Lovina dolphin watching tickets
- Private boat and captain
- 2-3 hours on the ocean
- Life Jacket
- Snorkelling gear (if needed)
- Insurance coverage
- Ability to change your itinerary
- Vehicle fuel
- Applicable taxes
I’ve excluded the entrance fees to the destinations below so you can simply choose which ones to visit and leave out the ones you’re not interested in. The entrance fees are also relatively cheap and can easily be covered with small cash.
Not included:
- Entrance fees to Air Panas Banjar
- Entrance fees to Brahmavihara-Arama Temple
- Entrance fees to Aling-Aling Waterfall
- Entrance fees or tickets to events (if any)
- Food or Beverages
Make a booking
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I’m a technology entrepreneur and traveller and began Bali Holiday Secrets as a guide for friends and family who came to visit after I moved to Bali, and has grown to 80,000+ visitors a month.
FAQs
What time does the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour start?
Although you can encounter the dolphins during any time of the day, you’re almost always guaranteed to see them during the morning hours. I recommend arriving at Lovina Beach by 5:30 – 5:45 am to make the most out of the experience.
Is the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour private?
You can enjoy the Lovina Dolphin Watching experience in the privacy of your own boat and captain, and the entire day in the comfort of your own private SUV and driver.
What should I bring on the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour?
Pack some sunscreen, charge your phone, and bring some swimming clothes and towels if you plan to go for a dip in the hot springs at Air Panas Banjar or swimming with dolphins.
Will I get wet during the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour?
I’ve personally never gotten wet during the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour. If anything, you’ll get a few small drops or splashes from waves. Otherwise, you’ll remain perfectly dry during the entire tour.
Is the Lovina Dolphin Watching Tour suitable for kids?
Children will absolutely love the Lovina Dolphin Watching experience – especially being out in the ocean. The rest of the tour is also quite kid-friendly.
Can I explore outside of Lovina?
Of course! Your private car and driver are all yours for 12 hours. You can choose to explore the destinations I recommended above, or explore neighboring regions like Bedugul or Singaraja if time permits.
