North Bali Wild Dolphin Tour & Waterfall Adventure

5.00

(1 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

It was still dark when we left our hotel, the air a bit cool with that salty tang you only get near the sea. By the time we reached Lovina Beach, the sky was just starting to lighten. Fishermen were already out, their boats bobbing quietly. Our guide handed us a life jacket and we hopped into a small boat—nothing fancy, just enough space for us and a couple of other early risers. The engine buzzed to life, and soon we were gliding over gentle waves. Suddenly, someone pointed—a pod of dolphins arched out of the water, so close I could hear their quick breaths. They played around us for a while, leaping and weaving between boats. It felt like we were just guests in their world.

After breakfast by the shore (the coffee was strong and slightly earthy, just how I like it), we headed inland. Gitgit Waterfall was next. The path down is lined with little stalls selling snacks and sarongs—one lady waved us over to try her fried bananas. The waterfall itself is loud, crashing down from way above. Mist clings to your skin, and if you get close enough, you’ll feel the spray on your face. Locals say it’s the tallest in Bali—standing there, I believed it.

We kept moving, passing through villages where roosters crowed and kids waved from doorways. At the twin lakes—Buyan and Tamblingan—the air turned cooler again. There’s this quiet up there, broken only by birds or the occasional motorbike echoing across the water. Our guide explained how volcanic eruptions shaped these valleys ages ago.

Lunch was simple but filling—rice, veggies, some grilled fish—before we stopped at a coffee plantation. The smell hit me before I even saw the trees: rich, almost chocolatey. We watched as beans were roasted over an open flame, then tried a cup of that famous luwak coffee. Honestly? Smoother than any espresso back home.

Our last stops were Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. The temple sits right at the lake’s edge; sometimes mist rolls in so thick it feels like you’re floating. There were locals making offerings, incense curling up into the air. At Jatiluwih, green paddies stretch out forever, broken up by narrow paths and the odd scarecrow. We wandered for a bit, shoes muddy but spirits high.