This week I’m featuring ocean-based activities to do with kids. Considering that Bali is an island surrounded by water, and that many people come here for its beaches, sun and sand, it seems fitting to include family trips that involve the sea. Besides, if your kids are like mine, they are restless just sitting on the beach and need to stay active.
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Odyssey Submarine (Jalan Raya Kuta No. 9X, Kuta) offers an underwater experience for kids without the need for scuba or snorkel gear (or training). The Odyssey Submarine is a battery-powered sub that carries 36 people down to a depth of 150 feet (or more) in air-conditioned comfort. Your kids can catch a peek at coral reefs and schools of tropical fish from the safety of this underwater excursion vessel. The ride lasts around 45 minutes. The ticket price includes a transfer boat to reach the sub, as well as lunch back on shore. Departure starts at Amuk Bay, in East Bali. The submarine ride costs USD $95 for adults and USD $65 for children under 12 years old. Visit their website at http://submarine-bali.com, call them on +62 361 759777 or 759888 or email them at reservation@submarine-bali.com.
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Another underwater adventure that also doesn’t require scuba certification is the Bali Sea Walker. During the sea walk, you use a special helmet that is fitted with oxygen so you can breath air and walk along the sea bottom. The Sea Walker guide (who is also a trained scuba diver) takes you down a flight of stairs to a depth of six meters, and you hold onto a special pipeline as you walk along the sand on the bottom of the ocean. You will see coral reefs and fish up close, without needing tanks. The walk takes about 30 minutes and costs IDR 760,000-830,000 per person. The minimum booking is for two people. Kids must be at least ten years old. The Sea Walker tour runs from either Tanjung Benoa Beach in Nusa Dua or Sanur Beach in Sanur. The cost includes pick up and return transfer from most areas. The tours are run by Wira Water Sports Bali. You can contact them on +62 822 4714 8222 or+62 813 3956 3400 or by email at info@water-sports-bali.com, or check out their website at https://www.water-sports-bali.com/seawalker-bali/.
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Aditya Tanjung Benoa Watersports offer parasailing adventures from Tanjung Benoa beach in Nusa Dua, in Bali’s south. Parasailing involves being harnassed to a giant parachute-like sail which is then pulled along high over water by a speed boat. Parasailers wear life jackets, as they’ll be landing in the water. Life jackets are provided and there is a guide to assist bringing people down who rides in the boat. This is a quick adventure, lasting only three or four minutes. You can choose single parasailing or tandem (more than one person). Prices start at IDR 110,000 per person. The minumum age for participating in this sport is eight and professional guides can accompany children on their parasail, or parents can take children with them. You can book online thourgh Wira Water Sports Bali at https://www.water-sports-bali.com/booking/ or call them on their office line at +62 366 558 1096.
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This last is not ocean-related although it is on water. I try to mix up activities around Bali so they are not exclusively down South or around Ubud, for example. I would personally recommend going on a river-rafting trip and it’s a fun family activity, although not with very young children.
Bali Sobek Rafting (Jl. Waribang No. 9, Denpasar Timur) runs on the Ayung River near Ubud. Established in 1989, Sobek was the first river running adventure company in Bali and is still the oldest. For safety reasons, all Sobek’s river guide leaders are trained to both US and Australian white water safety standards, and in swift water rescue.
The Sobek Light River Run covers about six kilometers, with Class 2 & 3 rapids with some drops, starting at 400 meters above sea level and finishing at 250 meters. The trip runs for an hour and includes towel, hot shower and buffet lunch. The minimum age for this trip is seven. Price is USD $45 for either child or adult. The Sobek Classic River Run covers about 11 kilometers, with Class 2 & 3 rapids, with drops and pools. The trip runs for about two hours, and also includes towel, hot shower and lunch. The minimum age for this trip is also seven. Price is USD $790 for adults and USD$52 for kids. Sobek also offers the Sobek Classic @ Telaga Waja, which is a more intense rafting trip, covering about 10 kilometers, with Class 3+ rapids and continuous drops. The price is USD $79 for adults and USD $52 for kids over seven.
You can book online through Sobek’s website at https://balisobek.com or contact them at +62 361 729016 or email reservation@balisobek.com.