Bali Blue Lagoon: Snorkeling tour with private transfer

4.83

(18 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water at Blue Lagoon to look quite so clear — almost like someone had turned up the color on a TV. We’d barely finished our coffee when our driver showed up right on time at the hotel, all smiles, and by the time we reached Padangbai, the air was already thick with that salty, humid smell you only get near fishing villages. Our guide Wayan helped us pick out masks (I always worry about leaky ones) and made sure my partner got a life vest that actually fit. He joked about my sunburn from yesterday — “Bali tattoo,” he called it.

The boat ride out to the snorkeling spot was bumpier than I thought it’d be, but honestly, I kind of liked it. There were these flashes of blue and green as we skimmed over shallow reefs. When I finally slid into the water at Blue Lagoon, it was cooler than expected — not cold, just enough to wake me up. The first thing I saw was a zebra fish darting past my goggles, then a whole little world opened up: clownfish hiding in anemones (Wayan pointed them out and tried teaching us their Balinese name — I forgot instantly), and these long eels weaving through coral crevices. At one point I just floated there listening to my own breathing through the snorkel and thinking how weirdly quiet everything felt under the surface.

After maybe an hour or so (I lost track), we moved on to Tanjung Jepun for more snorkeling — different vibe here, more coral gardens and even brighter fish if that’s possible. Back at shore, there was this simple Indonesian lunch waiting for us; rice still steaming, spicy sambal that made my nose run a bit (in a good way). We ate outside while our hair dried in the sun. Wayan told us stories about growing up nearby and how he still comes here with his kids sometimes. It felt honest — not like some rehearsed tour script.

I could’ve stayed longer just watching boats come in and out of Padangbai harbor, but eventually we headed back to our hotel. My skin smelled like salt for hours after. If you’re looking for a day trip from Ubud or Sanur that’s easy but feels real — this Bali snorkeling tour is probably it. I still think about those flashes of color underwater.