Things to do in Lovina

The best things to do in Lovina

Lovina is a string of fishing villages on Bali's black-sand north coast, known for sunrise boat trips to watch wild dolphins. The beach is calm, the pace is slow and the hot springs, a Buddhist monastery and waterfalls are all within an hour or so by car. Swimming with captive dolphins in a pool is a separate thing, found elsewhere on the island.

1. 1

   Watch wild dolphins at sunrise

   Jukung boats leave the beach around 5:30 AM to 6:00 AM, by a 2026 Traveloka guide, and carry around 6 to 10 people. A July 2025 guide gives IDR 75,000 to 100,000 per person in a group, and Traveloka gives IDR 100,000 to 300,000, so sources differ. Ask your boatman to stay 25 metres back and switch off the engine.

2. 2

   Choose a calmer boat time

   The sea is busiest at first light, at weekends and in peak season. A July 2025 guide suggests going slightly later, at around 7:30 to 8:00 AM, to avoid the worst of the rush. Buleleng's 2023 rules say boats must stay at least 25 metres from dolphins, though not every boat follows them.

3. 3

   Swim and stroll on the black-sand beach

   The beach is free and open at any hour, and a December 2025 guide describes the water as generally calm and safe for swimming. It is a long black-sand shore rather than a turquoise one, and can be littered in places. Warungs and cafes line the coast road for sunset.

4. 4

   Snorkel the house reef

   A July 2025 guide calls the reef off Lovina calm and suitable for beginners, though less famous than Amed or Nusa Penida. Many dolphin boats add a snorkel stop. See our snorkelling guide for the wider choice on the island.

5. 5

   Soak at Banjar Hot Springs

   Three stone-carved pools are fed by sulphur-rich spring water, about 20 minutes and roughly 10 km from the beach by Traveloka, or a 30-minute drive by a July 2025 guide. Entry for foreigners is around IDR 45,000, and it opens 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Go early to avoid the crowds.

6. 6

   Visit Brahmavihara-Arama monastery

   A 2026 Traveloka guide calls it the largest Buddhist temple complex on Bali, with a small Borobudur replica, close to the hot springs. Cover shoulders and knees. A July 2025 guide says there is no official fee but expects a donation of around IDR 25,000 to 40,000.

7. 7

   See Gitgit waterfall

   Gitgit is a 35-metre waterfall reached by an easy 10-minute walk from the car park. Traveloka gives 40 to 50 minutes (about 18 km) from Lovina, while a July 2025 guide says about 30 minutes. For Sekumpul and the other northern falls, see our Bali waterfalls guide.

8. 8

   Take a day trip to Menjangan and Pemuteran

   A December 2025 guide places Seririt and Pemuteran west of Lovina, toward West Bali National Park, and lists Menjangan Island as a day trip for snorkelling or diving among coral. See our scuba diving guide for the wider picture.

9. 9

   Walk Singaraja old town

   Traveloka describes Singaraja, about 10 km from central Lovina, as worth a visit for its colonial-era Dutch warehouses and the Gedong Kirtya Library of lontar manuscripts.