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March 5, 2020

Nusa Dua Travel Guide

Nusa Dua is Bali’s slickest upmarket resort complex, and the place to visit if you want to get away from it all and relax next the pool, sunbathe on the postcard perfect beach or get some water sports in. Encompassing the golden swathe of sand on the east coast of the Bukit Peninsula, the hotels, luxury villas, restaurants and spas here extend all the way from the Bali Golf and Country Club to the tip of the Tanjung Benoa peninsula.

Attractions

The main draw to Nusa Dua is the simply divine beach that boasts soft golden sand and warm, gentle waters. Many of the resorts and villas here enjoy prime beachfront property, so you can step out of your suite and be on the sand within minutes. A good way to check out the coastline in its entirety is to walk along the 7km beachfront promenade. Gegar Beach lies just south of Nusa Dua and is another good place to do some swimming, snorkelling or snacking at the small stands that line the sands.

For the more culturally inclined, the Museum Pasifika houses a fabulous collection of Indonesian, Asian, European and Polynesian art and artifacts, many of which date back centuries, and others that are contemporary masterpieces. You will find many artworks by famous Western artists from the early 1900s who drew inspiration from Bali’s people and scenery for their works. If it’s temples you’re after, Nusa Dua also has its fair share of shrines along the sand, and there are often elaborate ceremonies along the beach to appease the demon of the sea, Jero Gede Mecaling.

 

Things to Do

With its seaside location, it should come as no surprise that water sports are huge in Nusa Dua. Stroll along the beach, and you’ll see plenty of swimmers, snorkelers, windsurfers, kayakers, and even a few surfers on the small breaks farther out. The bay at Nusa Dua is protected by a reef, so the waters are calm and safe for small children or those who just want a leisurely swim. You can also find plenty of dive operators who offer trips out to fascinating underwater sites around the island, and a slew of yachts and catamarans in the Benoa Harbour that make daily trips out to sea and to the neighbouring islands.

Golfing is also popular in Nusa Dua, as the beautiful Bali Golf and Country Club offers a world-class 18-hole course and often hosts international tournaments that attract champion golfers. Of course, you could also skip the golf course altogether and set yourself up for a day of self-indulgence with luxurious spa treatments at any one of Nusa Dua’s sensational resort spas.

 

The Scene

Nusa Dua attracts mainly holidaymakers who come to enjoy the sun, sand and sea. Don’t expect to see many partiers here, as the nightlife is pretty tame. This area is much better suited to honeymooners, couples and families, both young and old. Because the resort was purpose built in the 1970s, you will also find that that many of the locals working in the hotels, restaurants and spas come from other parts of Bali or abroad.