Nusa Dua, Bali – Accommodations, Things to Do and more!

Nusa Dua is one of Bali’s most exclusive regions, but don’t let that put you off. Among the many luxurious accommodations, private beaches and fancy restaurants, there are still many things to do. Here also lies Bali’s classic culture and unrelenting friendliness. Nusa Dua, or ‘two islands’ as it translates to in Bahasa Indonesia, is home to some of Bali’s best.

Nusa Dua is all about spending your time in total comfort. The resort enclave has three gates: Main Gate, North Gate and South Gate. Some resorts have private beaches for their visitors; however, other areas are easily accessible to general public. This fishing village also offers a range of water sports facilities as well as many mid-range and budget hotels that were difficult to find in Nusa Dua.

When is the best time to go

Nusa Dua, located in Bali Island, enjoys a tropical climate. The rainy season here lasts from October to March. The best time to visit Nusa Dua is period from May to August when the weather remains pleasant and cool, just perfect for exploring tourist attraction or enjoying adventurous activities.

Nusa Dua Accommodation

Nusa Dua is often referred to as Bali’s ‘gated community’, as it is full of pricey and luxurious hotels. This can feel pretty exclusive, and there are some incredible options if you’re happy to splash out.

St. Regis Bali Resort
At the highest is this famous world-class resort that is highly rated. With its own private beach and impeccable service, you will definitely find yourself in paradise here.
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *
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Other notable high end resorts on Nusa Dua are Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Villa & Spa * and Samabe Bali Suites & Villas *.

For a villa, Rumah Bali * is stunning and makes the perfect spot for any lazy sunbathers.

INAYA Putri Bali
Featuring clean and modern design, every villa has direct acces to the pool that runs along with palm trees lining it. With beautiful sea view from the rooms and a quick access to the beach, it is no wonder this villa is one of the top choice in Nusa Dua. To top it off, price starts only at 150 USD!
Check out the latest prices on Booking.com *
Check out the latest prices on Agoda.com *

If you’re on a bit more of a budget, don’t panic! You can find some lovely, cheaper places to stay in this region. For even more budHouse of D16 * is a lovely little hostel in Nusa Dua, and Clamonic House * is perfect for travelers on a budget.

Alternatively, stay in nearby Tanjung Benoa and take a day trip to Nusa Dua. There are much cheaper options for accommodation here, such as Sari B&B.

Things to Do in Nusa Dua

Hit the beach and sightseeing

Geger Beach – locally known as Pantai Geger. This beach lies in Sawangan area, about 3 km from Nusa Dua. It is a public beach, considered safe for swimming. You can also enjoy some delicious snacks at the beach side warungs at this beach. his white sand beach is fringed with palm trees and offers lots of comfy deckchairs to relax on. There are several small cafes here, so you can eat while keeping your toes in the sand. You have to pay a small entry fee (around 3,000 – 5, 000 IDR), but this feels totally acceptable once you see how clean and well-kept the beach is.

Mengiat Beach is one of the quieter beaches, so you can expect to have some space to yourself. Unlike some of the other beaches in Bali, you’ll pretty much be left to it by locals selling their wares. While it can sometimes be nice to have people randomly pop up and offer you a foot massage, it’s also quite nice to drift off in your own little bubble of relaxation.

Water Blow Rock Formation – located north of Grand Hyatt Hotel. This site is worth watching for the rock formation and the giant splash formed due to the collision of water waves with rock walls. From a distance, splashing water appears like milky white foam sliding down from the top of the rock.

Museum Day

If you’re after an afternoon of culture, Museum Pasifika is a great place to visit. This museum is pretty spread out and has over 600 pieces to enjoy. It documents various pieces of history, art and culture from all over the world. There is a beautiful mixture of sculptures, paintings and artefacts on display, and entry costs 100, 00 IDR.

Sports activities

Water-Sports – while many of the beaches here are pretty much designed for lazy days, there are also opportunities for the thrill-seekers among you. If you’ve ever wanted to try out kite-surfing, or fancy yourself whizzing around on a jet ski, now is your chance! Head to the nearest beach and see what’s on offer, or book through your accommodation for great rates. There are many companies in Nusa Dua that offer equipment on rent for water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, etc. There are some excellent surfing sites here that remain crowded during ideal weather conditions. Tourists can enjoy sports like tennis, gym and squash in some of the five-star hotels and resorts.

Bali Jetpacks is a fantastic company, offering a range of fun water activities, ranging from donut-rides (perfect for families with young kids) and water jet-packs for those after something a real adrenaline rush! This company take safety very seriously, and will make sure you have an amazing time, whatever you get up to…
Snorkelling is the perfect mid-point for anyone who wants to do something more exciting than sunbathing, without going too wild. The reef around Nusa Dua is studded with turtles, brightly-colored schools of fish and striking coral.

Get Your Golf On – as you’d expect from a 5-star region, Nusa Dua is home to some incredible golf courses. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, head here for an afternoon of high-quality fun. Bali National Golf Course is any golfers dream – stunning greens, a challenging course and wonderful customer service. Make a day of it and enjoy the on-site café.

Rainy day activities

Bali is the land of sunshine, but, just in case it rains (or you fancy a break from the beach!), there’s still plenty to do.

Hit Bali Collection for some retail therapy and enjoy the mix of chain stores and restaurants. This isn’t a local mall or market, so expect to pay similar prices to back home. Nike, Billabong and Quiksilver have outlet stores here, and there are also some lovely places to pick up souvenirs or local crafts.

Spa – Enjoy some pampering with selection of choices for spa, one of the latest in Nusa Dua, SPA Healthland, incorporates “medical-spa” concept which involves preventing illness and improve well-being. There is also the popular Zahra Spa. Try out a traditional Balinese massage, pamper yourself with a mani/ pedi or indulge in a full package, complete with delicious food and a range of calming treatments to soothe your soul. The Laguna also offers wonderful spa treatments.

What and where to eat

While this region is seen as Bali’s crème de la crème, there are also dining options for those on more of a budget. For anyone after something a bit cheaper and cheerful, make a stop at Secret Café and sample some delicious Indonesia food. Those craving the comforts of home should take the time to visit Nusa Dua Pizza – it does what it says on the tin, and very well! Warungs along the Jalan Srikandi in Bualu village offer authentic Balinese food at much cheaper prices. Benoa Cafe, Bumbu Bali, Café Bagus, and Kacak Bali are some of the reasonably priced restaurants in Tanjung Benoa area.

If you do fancy going all-out, head to Kayuputi at The St. Regis – this place knows how to do fine-dining, so go with an empty stomach and dress up. Table8 has to get a mention, partially for their stunning interior, but mainly for their incredible menu. Banyubiru at The Laguna Resort is the perfect place for a romantic meal out. For some fresh seafood and wine, go to Kendi Kuning Restaurant which is located in between Tanjong Benoa and Nusa Dua.

How to get there

Nusa Dua is down in the south-west of Bali and is easily-reachable from Denpasar Airport. It’s a very well-known region, so you shouldn’t have any problems getting there. It takes about half an hour from the airport and will cost around 150, 000 IDR. From the airport, you have options of either hiring a prepaid taxi or a metred taxi. A pre-paid taxi fare costs between Rp 90,000 and 115,000. Metred taxis are cheaper than a prepaid taxi but they don’t enter the main airport area and you’ll have to walk a few hundred metre distance to avail this option. If you are coming from Denpasar, you can use the public transport dark-blue bemos that depart from Tegal bemo station at Denpasar or a taxi. Bemos are not allowed to enter the Nusa Dua area, and you’ll have to either walk the distance (about 2 km) or hire a taxi from the entry gate.

Many people head to Nusa Dua for the day from nearby Tanjung Benoa. Benoa is lovely and has a certain charm to it, but the beaches here sadly aren’t very nice for swimming or sunbathing on. A quick twenty-minute drive to Nusa Dua will soon have you dipping in and out of turquoise waters and enjoying the quiet, resort-front beaches.

How to get around

Metered taxis are freely available to get around in Nusa Dua and Tenjung Benoa areas. Another option is the public bemos that regularly ply around two resort areas. Rented bicycles and cars, available at many hotels, can also be used to explore the area.

Where to go nearby

Denpasar – the administrative capital of Bali. Puputan Square, Bali Museum, Taman Budaya Cultural Center, Pasar Badung and Pasar Kumbasari are some of the best sites to explore in Denpasar.

Kuta– located about 11 km from Nusa Dua and famous for its magnificent sandy beaches and dynamic nightlife. Surfing, shopping, eating, and partying are some of the favourite activities to enjoy while in Kuta.

Serangan or Turtle Island – a turtle conservation island where you can see hatching of turtle eggs in traditional houses.