experience
Temples, surf beaches and rice terraces on one island
Overview
Bali's cruises come in two flavours: evening sunset dinner cruises from Benoa Harbour at IDR 500,000–850,000 ($28–$47) per person, and full-day catamaran cruises to Nusa Lembongan at IDR 900,000–1,400,000 ($50–$75). Both are cheaper than their equivalents in Singapore or Dubai, and both suit families well.
Honeymooners take note: the sunset dinner cruise is Bali's classic romantic evening, and it costs less than a beach-club daybed.
| Option | Good for | Rough price |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset dinner cruise (Benoa) | Couples, families — buffet, live music, sunset on deck | IDR 500,000–850,000 ($28–$47) |
| Lembongan day cruise (catamaran) | An all-inclusive island day with zero planning | IDR 900,000–1,400,000 ($50–$75) |
| Lembongan beach club cruise | The same trip angled at pool-and-bar relaxation | IDR 900,000–1,300,000 ($50–$70) |
| Private sunset sail (small yacht) | Proposals and special occasions | IDR 3,000,000+ ($165+) per boat |
| Glass-bottom boat + Turtle Island (Tanjung Benoa) | A cheap 1–2 hour boat outing with kids | IDR 150,000–300,000 ($8–$17) |
Pick the dinner cruise if evenings are free but your days are packed — it slots into any itinerary and needs no energy. Book a window-side or upper-deck table category if offered; sunset is the show.
Pick the Lembongan day cruise when you want an easy family sea day without organising boats, gear and lunch separately. It is pricier than a DIY trip, but everything works and nobody haggles.
The glass-bottom boat at Tanjung Benoa is the budget option for small kids — short, calm and cheap. Manage expectations: the "Turtle Island" stop is a small conservation pen, not wild turtles.
Skip cruises altogether if your trip already includes a Nusa Penida tour and a snorkelling day — a third boat day is usually one too many. See the Bali guide for balancing sea days and land days.
Two booking details worth knowing. Most cruises include hotel transfers from Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua, but Ubud and Canggu pickups often cost extra or are not offered — check before you pay. And dinner cruises usually sail in light rain, only cancelling for rough seas, in which case operators offer a refund or a new date.
Good to know
For a full day out, a Nusa Lembongan day cruise — a big catamaran with snorkelling, banana boat rides and a beach club stop. For an evening, a sunset dinner cruise from Benoa Harbour. They serve different moods; pick by time of day.
About IDR 500,000–850,000 ($28–$47) per person for a sunset sailing with buffet dinner and live music from Benoa Harbour. Cheaper than similar cruises in Singapore or Dubai.
Typically the return catamaran sail, snorkelling gear, banana boat, a village or mangrove tour, lunch and beach club use — around IDR 900,000–1,400,000 ($50–$75) per person. It is a plan-free, all-inclusive island day.
Yes, the buffets usually include vegetarian dishes, and operators handle vegetarian or vegan requests if told at booking. Confirm when you book rather than at the pier.
Cruises from Benoa are inside a sheltered harbour area, so evening dinner cruises rarely get very rough. Open-sea crossings (Lembongan, Penida) feel swells — take a seasickness tablet 30 minutes before boarding if unsure.
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