Lovina Beach — Attraction in Pulau Bali

While staying in Ubud, my friend and I booked a dolphin tour through our hotel and departed around 2:30AM. We arrived about 1.5 hours early despite a slow and incredibly winding road. Overall, I would say it was an underwhelming experience but we managed to make the most of it. Our hotel had given us a price that we would pay our driver, for the transport and dolphin adventure. However, upon arrival, the tour guide basically forced us into paying $20CAD extra to go on our own boat and have the opportunity to “swim” with dolphins. We insisted that we didn’t want to pay more and were fine with sharing the experience however, he persisted and eventually got us to agree to this. For this reason, I believe here were way too many boats in the water and I counted upwards of 75 boats in the area. There were not many dolphins for the first hour however, they then started to appear in pods. We didn’t get many chances to see them as there were so many other boats flocking to wherever the dolphins swam. We were able to get in the water and snorkel next to the boat, hanging on and body surfing, while our driver sped over to the recent sighting location. The excitement and idea of swimming with dolphins definitely encouraged our interest however this is in no way a “swimming with dolphins” experience, so don’t fall for any false advertising like...

We booked a dolphin-watching tour through Klook. We arrived early in the morning, before sunrise, to board the boat. It took about an hour to reach the dolphin-watching spot, and during the journey, we enjoyed the stunning beauty of the sunrise over the sea. The calm, early-morning atmosphere made the experience even more peaceful and magical. Along with us, there were hundreds of other boats heading to the same destination.

When the time came, the dolphins began to appear, swimming in pods and occasionally leaping out of the water. We were lucky to see them playing around our boat three times, which made the experience even more special. The dolphins were lively and playful, creating a joyful atmosphere for everyone onboard. The tour also offered an option to swim with the dolphins, but I wouldn’t recommend it since it’s challenging to spot them underwater amidst so many boats and the movement in the water.

The experience was truly breathtaking, and the boat captain was delighted by our satisfied smiles. On the way back, we noticed the crystal-clear water and the beautiful coral reefs beneath the surface.

Besides dolphin-watching, this is also an excellent spot for snorkeling and exploring the underwater scenery, making it a must-visit destination for...

I have thought long and hard about whether or not to write this review, but I feel that as much as people talk about the good, a bit of reality is also needed. Before visiting Lovina you have to keep in mind that it is very different from the more touristy parts of Bali such as Uluwatu or Ubud. Being a less busy area the locals take the opportunity to sell their products and tours.

I don't blame them, the situation becomes desperate both for them and for you as a tourist if you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet.

I come from Spain, specifically from the Canary Islands, so the sea and the beaches are very present in my life. By this I mean that if you come from a coastal and beach area I think that Lovina is not an essential destination that you should choose.

Regarding to the dolphin tour, please, if you have any sensitivity and love for animals, don't do this tour. It is an endless 'hunt' of more than 100 boats all with the same purpose 'dolphin spotting'.

I believe that many parts of Bali can offer you an authentic and enriching experience. It is a shame that the situation in Lovina is like this, and I take away a bittersweet taste from this experience, but we as tourists can't do anything...