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Located on Bali’s south-eastern Bukit Peninsula, Nusa Dua is a holiday destination favoured by families — and for good reason.
The semi-gated community is clean and quiet, fronts the calm waters of Benoa Bay, and offers an array of family-friendly facilities. It makes a great base for parents who want their children to experience the culture of Bali without the frenetic pace of the main tourist centres.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Nusa Dua with kids.
1. Go to the beach
Nusa Dua Beach is one of the enclave’s biggest draws for families. It’s far quieter than the beaches of Kuta and Legian, and is fringed with swaying palms and manicured lawns. And despite the fact that there are some serious surf breaks offshore, the water closer in to the shoreline is generally exceptionally calm.
When the tide is out, it’s fun for everyone to look for shells, starfish, and crabs in the shallows. During high tide, older kids can go stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and snorkelling. There are several outlets where you can hire equipment.
2. Be wowed by the Devdan Show
The Devdan Show will be a highlight of any family holiday in Nusa Dua. The 90-minute Treasure of the Archipelago dance, music, and lighting spectacular follows the magical story of two young children as they travel through Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua — encountering rumbling earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and torrential rain along the way. You and your tiny entourage will be enthralled by the costumes, acrobatics, and theatrics. Handy hotel ticket and transfer packages are available.
3. See amazing art at Museum Pasifica
Museum Pasifika holds a fascinating collection of Asia-Pacific artworks and artefacts. Little eyes will love the Polynesian galleries with their intimidating masks, fearsome spears, and decorative headdresses. One of the museum’s must-sees is the Ramayana Story painting on canvas by I Gusti Kobot (which at six metres long and four metres high is hard to miss). It depicts the Hindu story of Shri Rama and has recently undergone a major restoration (having previously been used as a car cover!). Keep an eye out for the display of works by young local artists on a wall opposite the cafe.
4. Get a family massage
Who says holiday massages are only for adults? The kids will love them — along with pedicures, manicures, and hair braiding. Forget the hotel spa; shopping centres and local markets offer far more cost-effective options. The kids will undoubtedly be intrigued by the fish spas — where patrons hang their feet in tanks of water and tiny garra rufa fish nibble at the dry skin on their feet! Consider the potential health risks before taking part (fish spas have been banned in some countries due to sanitation concerns).
5. Join the orangutans for breakfast at Bali Zoo
Every ankle biter loves a visit to the zoo, but having breakfast with an orangutan? That’s next level! The excellent Bali Zoo south of Ubud exhibits some 600 exotic and rare animal species, and yes, you can indeed chow down with the hirsuite great apes. Book a private tour from Nusa Dua and relax en route to the Zoo — a drive of about one hour. After breakfast, you’ll visit Ubud’s famous art village, a coffee plantation, and one of the oldest temples on the island.
6. Bag a bargain
The Bali Collection shopping precinct in Nusa Dua houses at least four spas, department store Sogo, a range of fashion boutiques and surf wear retailers, several cafes and restaurants, and plenty of activities to keep the kids amused (including a cinema, giant chess board, and fort-like playground). The centre is clean, requires a security screen prior to entry, and has several stores and venues that offers free Wi-Fi. A free courtesy bus will pick you up from your hotel and drop you back later in the day.
7. Do a day trip to Pandawa
The emerging beach retreat of Pandawa is located about 45 minutes’ drive south of Nusa Dua and makes a great day trip. The beach is lined with umbrellas and sun lounges, and we found the small swell ideal for our young children who wanted to play in the waves. Everyone enjoyed splashing about and drying off on the beach swings. Note: Only non-western toilets are available and a small fee applies to use them. There’s also an entrance fee to the Pandawa area.
8. Hit the slides at Waterbom
Situated just 30 minutes by car from Nusa Dua, Kuta’s 38-hectare Waterbom park offers another great day out for the whole family. Previously crowned the number one water park in Asia by TripAdvisor, the kids can splash, slide, and swim the day away on the park’s multitude of aqua-themed attractions (which are coded to suit various physical abilities).
9. Learn about different faiths at Puja Mandala
Five different places of worship sit harmoniously side-by-side at Puja Mandala — a short drive from the heart of Nusa Dua. The compound is home to an Islamic mosque, Catholic church, Protestant church, Buddhist temple, and Hindu temple, and moving from one to the next is a wonderful opportunity for young ones to learn about these major world religions. Note: Modest dress is required if you want to enter each building.
10. Marvel at one of the world’s tallest statues
From Puja Mandala, continue by car to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in the centre of the Bukit Peninsula. Kids will love exploring the nooks and crannies of this incredible 60-hectare sculpture park — home to a 120-metre-high copper and brass statue of Hindu deity Vishnu riding the mythical Garuda. It’s one of the world’s tallest statues.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.indonesia.travel.
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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of ten top things to do in Nusa Dua with kids? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Monica McInnes is a keen traveller and is always on the lookout for her next big adventure — even before the current one has concluded! Having recently returned from a three-month road trip with her young family through the Red Centre, the Kimberley, the Pilbara, and along the Coral Coast, Monica is convinced that Australia is the most beautiful country on earth. She blogs about her travel exploits at Jiggety Jog.
