Bali

Bali – Beach Clubs, Surf Lessons, Rice Terraces, and a Hidden Oasis

(Bali offers a little bit of everything: beach clubs, surfing, rice terraces, luxury resorts, and enough traffic to test your patience)

Arriving at Bali Airport immediately reminded me of Ho Chi Minh City. It's a little chaotic, full of energy, and packed with drivers holding signs with names of arriving guests.

We chose to stay in Seminyak, mainly because it's close to the action – beach clubs, restaurants, cafés, and nightlife. One thing to know before you go: the roads are surprisingly narrow. Sometimes it feels like only one car fits, yet somehow two cars and twenty scooters still try. Expect traffic.

Also, don't trust the weather forecast too much. Bali's rainy season is usually from November through March, but even during our June–July trip, we got caught in two major downpours.
 

Koral Aquarium Restaurant at The Apurva Kempinski Bali

One of the highlights was dinner at Koral Aquarium Restaurant inside The Apurva Kempinski Bali.

Imagine dining while fish swim past giant aquarium windows. It genuinely feels like you're eating underwater.

The menu leans heavily into seafood, with local fish and crab dishes accompanied by soft piano music in the background. A small reminder: no cameras are allowed in the hallway leading to the restaurant, but photos at your table are perfectly fine.

The resort itself is stunning. Inspired by Indonesian palaces and traditional architecture, Apurva Kempinski feels grand without being over the top.

Finns Beach Club

A friend living in Indonesia told me: "You have to go to Finns."

After spending an afternoon there, I understood why.

Finns Beach Club is one of Bali's most famous beach clubs and offers everything from single daybeds to large group lounges. The music is excellent, the service is attentive, and the energy gradually builds throughout the day.

The closer you get to sunset, the busier it becomes. The pools fill up, drinks start flowing, DJs turn up the music, and suddenly everyone seems to be having the best day of their lives.

There are plenty of entertainment options available throughout the venue, from food and cocktails to fruit platters, shisha, and live DJs. It's easy to spend an entire afternoon here without realizing where the time went.

Learning to Surf

You can't come to Bali and not at least try surfing.

Since neither of us had surfed before, we booked a beginner lesson with Bali Wave Experience.

The instructors started by teaching us how to position ourselves on the board, how to paddle correctly, and most importantly, how to stand up. It sounds simple until you're trying to do all of that while a wave is pushing you toward shore.

Expect lots of action, lots of falling, and lots of seawater in places seawater probably shouldn't be.

The beach itself wasn't the clearest I've seen, but the experience was fun enough that it didn't matter.

You're in Bali. You surf. It's basically the law.

Food in Bali

Food wasn't necessarily the highlight of this particular trip, but we still had some memorable meals.

• Smoothie bowls at KYND Community

• Dinner at Penny Lane

One interesting thing about Bali today is how international it has become. Indonesian food is everywhere, of course, but so are Australian cafés, Japanese restaurants, Italian trattorias, and almost every cuisine imaginable.

If you're craving a specific dish, chances are you'll find it somewhere on the island.

Ubud: Rice Terraces and Fresh Air

After a few days in Seminyak, we moved to Ubud for a change of scenery.

The difference was immediate.

Less traffic. More greenery. Cooler air.

If you're planning to explore Bali, I highly recommend arranging a private driver before arriving. Having a fixed price eliminates surprises, and personally, I found it much less stressful than navigating Bali's roads on a scooter.

Some travelers have adventure in their blood.

One of our stops was Aloha Ubud Swing, one of Bali's more touristy attractions. Yes, it's designed for photos. Yes, you'll probably take some. The rice terrace backdrop is beautiful enough to justify it.

Cretya Ubud

Another stop was Cretya Ubud, known for its spectacular rice terrace views and three-tier infinity pools.

The pools cascade down the hillside, creating one of the most recognizable views in Ubud.

During the day, people come to relax and enjoy the scenery. Later in the afternoon, DJs arrive and the atmosphere becomes more energetic.

Drone photography is allowed, making it a popular destination for content creators and anyone hoping to capture Bali from above.

Camaya Bali

The place I was most excited about before this trip was Camaya Bali.

Book at least three months in advance.

Hidden among palm trees and rice terraces, Camaya feels like a secret oasis tucked away from the rest of the world. The property's famous elevated net beds overlook lush greenery and offer one of the most peaceful views I've experienced anywhere.

As night falls, the atmosphere becomes incredibly quiet.

Not hotel quiet. Not suburban quiet.

The kind of quiet where you can hear crickets outside.

Bring a book. Bring a playlist. Or simply sit outside and listen to nature.

The next morning, take a walk through the rice terraces surrounding the property before breakfast. The fresh air, the sounds of nature, and the absence of distractions are exactly why people come here.

✨ Why Bali Works

Bali can be whatever you want it to be.

• A beach club destination.

• A surfing destination.

• A luxury resort destination.

• A wellness destination.

• A nature retreat.

For me, the best moments weren't the busiest ones. They were watching sunsets, learning to surf for the first time, and waking up surrounded by nature with nowhere I needed to be.

That's Bali's real charm – it reminds you to slow down, even if the scooters around you have other plans.