Lovina Sunrise Dolphins, Gitgit Waterfall and Ulun Danu Temple Bali

Lovina Beach and the sunrise dolphins

Lovina is the name given to a string of quiet black-sand beaches and fishing villages west of Singaraja on the north coast of Bali, among them Kalibukbuk, Anturan and Banyualit. The sea here is usually calm in the early morning, and pods of wild dolphins, mostly spinner dolphins, feed a short distance offshore. That is why a Lovina dolphin tour starts so early: the boats head out before 06:00 to be on the water as the sky turns orange over the hills.

You ride in a jukung, the slim wooden outrigger boat used by local fishermen, for about two hours. Sightings are likely but never guaranteed, because these are wild animals, and our crews keep a respectful distance and never chase them. Snorkelling over the nearby coral can be added on the day if you bring swimwear. If you are wondering whether a Lovina sunrise trip is worth the early start, the quiet light on the water usually answers the question.

Gitgit Waterfall in the hills above Singaraja

Gitgit Waterfall lies about ten kilometres south of Singaraja, on the winding road that climbs from the coast towards Bedugul. A paved path of a few hundred steps leads down through clove and coffee gardens and dense jungle to the main fall, which drops roughly 35 to 40 metres into a rocky pool and fills the air with cool spray. Small stalls along the way sell local spices, coffee and handicrafts.

Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour here, enough to walk down, take photos and rest by the water before climbing back. The path can be slippery after rain, so comfortable shoes with grip are the best choice. Gitgit is one of the easiest North Bali waterfalls to reach, which is why it fits perfectly between the dolphins and the lake on this Gitgit Waterfall tour.

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on Lake Beratan

Ulun Danu Bratan Temple stands on the western shore of Lake Beratan at Candikuning, about 1,200 metres above sea level. Built in the 17th century, it is dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water, and the lake it guards feeds the springs and rice-field irrigation of central Bali. Its most famous shrines are the tiered meru towers built on small islets, which appear to float on the water when the lake is high, and the scene is printed on one of the Indonesian banknotes.

The temple grounds are laid out as gardens with lawns, frangipani trees and lake views, and you can walk them at your own pace with the audio guide for about an hour. Mornings are often misty, with temperatures much cooler than the coast. Visitors wear a sarong in the temple area, and the inner sanctuaries are reserved for prayer.

The Bedugul highlands and the drive across Bali

Between the north coast and the southern resorts lies the Bedugul highland area, a volcanic crater landscape of three lakes, Beratan, Buyan and Tamblingan, surrounded by forest and vegetable, flower and strawberry farms. The road climbs through hairpin bends with views over the Singaraja coast, then crosses the island through villages and terraced fields.

On a private North Bali day trip from Kuta, Seminyak or Ubud, this drive is part of the experience: you see the rural interior of the island that most visitors miss. Because the car is yours for the day, you can ask our driver to stop for photos at a viewpoint or a roadside fruit market along the way, time permitting. The total journey from the south takes about three hours each way, which explains the early pickup.