5 Activities To Do for Adrenaline Junkies

November 17, 2022By Jeihan Sumawinata

Bored of tanning your life away on the beach? Bored of getting hungover from the same clubs you venture in Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu – and ticking off every generic tourist's checklist?

Well, you’re just in luck: there are tons of cool recreational activities to try in the Island of Gods, but especially for my fellow adrenaline junkies who are constantly up for adventure, excitement and a little bit of danger. All the way from rivers, to the ground, in the ocean and back to the forests…

Here's to all of you daredevils looking for your next thrill.

#1: White Water Rafting

Ever imagined riding a rollercoaster on the river?

Welcome to white water rafting – my favorite activity that I’ve done this summer. To be on top of the flowing body of water and the grandeur of nature looking right back at you is something you can’t miss.

Book Ayung River White Water Rafting in Bali Online - Klook

In Rafting 101, there’s two types: river rafting and white water rafting. River rafting is a calm cruise, where you can relax and enjoy sights of the landscape up close while taking perfect Instagram shots of the scenic route. White water rafting, however, is for the thrill seekers: trekking turbulent waters and navigating an often bubbly and unstable current that makes some of the water turn white (hence the name).

You still get the same sights, but it's thrilling, it's bumpy – and it’s a wild ride.

In the forest with two red rafts in the river, one person's back at the left-hand side with red rafting gear and a couple of people in the background.

I went to Telaga Waja River, one of the most popular destinations and often seen as the more “adventurous one” than others. It has the longest course for white water rafting in Bali: 16 kilometers in under 2.5 hours, with class rapids I-IV (from beginner to advanced level) along with a 4 meter drop at the end of the course.

To better the experience, I booked a rafting tour which included all necessary equipment, towels, lunch, transportation and a personal guide! Lush green forests, sounds of birds chirping, the smell of humid rain, roaring of waterfalls in the background, massive palm trees… the scenery was breathtaking.

We even spotted a few farmers with baskets on their heads, smiling and waving at us like:

"Hi, welcome to my neighbourhood!"

With the safety provided by our incredible guide, we paddled, dodged fallen trees and branches, fell onto one another, smashed into giant boulders… and there was always a risk of falling off the boat.

We couldn’t wait to do it again!

So make sure to try out this classic summer sport.

Tip: Bring a waterproof case for your phone to take photos and videos, you never know what funny moments might happen (ex. we lost a paddle.)

#2: Climbing Mount Batur

Nothing beats a stunning sunrise on top of a mountain.

Known as one of the Bali's best views and one of the island's best spots to watch the sunrise, Mount Batur is an active volcano swirling in a sea of orange skies and an ethereal mist as soon as dawn breaks.

MOUNT BATUR SUNRISE HIKE: All you need to know

Located in the Kintamani district on the northeast part of Bali, it’s a 2-hour drive from the Canggu / Seminyak area and a 1-hour drive from Ubud. Batur is currently 1,717 meters above sea level (5,633 feet) and is frequented by travelers and backpackers of young and old age, all to see the ancient mountain of more than 50,000 years old.

Fun fact: Mount Batur is one of the four main sacred mountains on the island and is believed to be the dwelling place of Lord Brahma, the highest God of Hinduism.

A few people on the top of a mountain trail with climbing gear, with the misty skies and slopes of the mountain in plain view.

There are two routes you can take for your climb: the longer version (but less steep) which is 11 kilometers out and back, and the shorter version (but much steeper) which is 7 kilometers out and back. It takes an average of 4 hours to complete – 2 hours upwards, then downwards. So it all depends on your stamina and fitness level… for example, if you’re a beginner, better to take the longer route and maximize your energy until you get to the top! It’s far from being a hard hike, but it can be challenging to some.

Still, the view is worth the journey.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to tell the kids in the future.

The best (and only) way to do the Mount Batur climb is to book a sunrise trek because a road guide is needed to navigate the mountain. These guides also highly monitor the volcano therefore making it secure for the public.

For more information such as booking tours or stories of hikers who’ve been on this trail, go to: https://digitaltravelcouple.com/mount-batur-sunrise-trekking-guide/

See you there at 6:30 am!

#3: ATV & Dirt Bikes in the Jungle

Explore the vast forest and picturesque rice fields with these powersport vehicles!

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes are perfect for daredevils who want a taste of adrenaline and a hint of danger. These aren’t normal cars and motorcycles – they’re built for the mud and gravel, the uneven bumps, the rocky hills. In here, it’s the wild, wild west, and it’s just you versus the jungle.

Survival in the safari, here we come.

Which one is better? For starters, ATVs have its name for a reason. They can withstand lots of different terrains that dirt bikes will have a little trouble taking on. However, dirt bikes can be the better option for thrill seekers, since they’re smaller in size and therefore easier to control (and faster).

The terrain matters too: if the ground is mostly flat and linear, you're in for a casual ride. But if there's sharp turns and bumpy roads, then that's more challenging, and you'll have to turn up your engine a little more.

Ubud, filled with vast jungles and a lot of natural ground to cover, is definitely the best location in mind. Green hillsides, rice terraces, waterfalls, track paths, tunnels and caves, complete rural atmosphere…

You’ll feel like you’re inside a game of Jumanji.

Like most of these activities, however, booking a guided tour is very much recommended. You’ll need a professional guide who knows the tracks – and you don’t want to get lost in a foreign country (or even your own). Of course, a lot of these tours include essential services like lunch, transportation and shower facilities. Security is also a number one concern, so you'll be required to do some ATV practice before the journey starts.

So remember: these monstrous-looking vehicles are not something you just play with.

It’s very crucial that you wear the right protective gear and follow your guide’s instructions carefully.

See you all on the road.

Tip: Don’t make the same mistake as I did and ride as a passenger in the back of your friend’s ATV in a very sharp and slope course. We got into a near-death experience… so, not recommended!

#4: Snorkeling, Diving, Surfing!

No one here can pass up The Holy Trinity of the ocean.

These three underwater activities and sports are an absolute must to do in any island, but even more so in our beloved Bali. Explore the richness of marine life through snorkeling and diving, and witness the wonders of touching the tips of the ocean by surfing.

For snorkeling, head to Nusa Penida to swim with the famous manta rays in Manta Bay (or Manta Point) and the colorful fishes and coral reefs that inhabit Crystal Bay, where the waters are bottomless and the waves are crystal-clear.

Then there’s Gili Trawangan (also known as the “party island”), home to the giant green sea turtles and white-sand beaches. These gentle creatures are used to the presence of humans so they can be easily observed. Gili has to be my favorite, because other larger marine life preside there as well, such as the glittering parrotfish.

An endless list of islands are perfect for both snorkeling and diving: Tumbalen for its well-known wreck of the American ship USAT Liberty, home to the corals and flourishing nature around it;

Amed, one of the most beautiful dive sites to discover untouched underwater worlds, and so on.

Find out more in: https://www.klook.com/en-AU/blog/snorkelling-in-bali/

For surfing, Bali has some of the best surf spots in the world. With its warm sunny weather and big waves, no surfer can say no to the island's beach breaks!

We start with Canggu, the hip area with three different breaks: Batu Bolong, Echo Beach and Berawa Beach, where the surfing is accessible to all levels from beginner to advanced.

Uluwatu, on the other hand, is typically reserved for intermediates to expert surfers as the waves there can be pretty big, with some as high as 15 feet during monsoon seasons.

Don’t forget Keramas – considered one of Bali’s best waves – where it’s often home to the surfing competitions hosted by Billabong and Oakley.

The list is endless, as Bali is known to be undoubtedly a surfer's paradise. Everyone travels here to get the most massive waves, so better be updated on where the hot spots are!

Take a peek here: https://www.adventureinyou.com/indonesia/10-best-surf-spots-in-bali/

And catch you later in the ocean!

#5: Village Trekking

Discover rural villages in an intimate way and witness their everyday life.

Likely the most culturally immersive experience you could have in Bali, observe villages untouched by the outside world, where, deep inside the forest, small communities gather and live their day-to-day routine.

Develop a taste for their delicious local cuisine and learn about their traditions and customs through music and dance, or even further spend a few days with the local people to adopt their way of life.

Though the Balinese is the obvious leading population, discover other Indonesian ethnic groups that ride in the island's most remote areas, such as the Bayan Tribe and the Maduranese Tribe.

Two people hiking up a dirt road in the mountain, exploring the forests and terrain with other people in the far background.

But the villages are just the first step: trekking leads you to become a first-hand witness of the countryside, strolling through gorgeous greenery and unspoiled natural wildlife.

Truly in the belly of Mother Nature herself.

The jungle welcomes you to various villages: Munduk Village, a quaint village in the mountain located in the highlands of northern Bali. Rich in the rampant jungle and home to the best waterfalls in the island, it is an ideal destination (or pit-stop) for history enthusiasts as well.

In Dutch colonialism, the village was used as a mountain retreat from the nearby capital, where a manuscript library was established containing collections of hand-written texts on Balinese literature, myths, medicines and religious texts!

Then there’s Mayong Village: a small, centuries-old village surrounded by rice paddies and tropical fruit trees that allow them to use farming as a traditional way of life (ex. cattle breeding, growing vegetables). Historical relics preserved in Mayong allows their inhabitants to do their daily routine of offerings to the gods. Not only that, but there's Sekumpul Village, Tamblingan Village… so many villages to discover, waterfalls to see and jungles to complete by foot!

For all sorts of information, like which village to visit or where the best jungle treks are in Bali, go to: https://balijungletrekking.com/

Ready to rumble?

There you have it, my fellow daredevils!

Be sure to check out all these sick recreational activities sports to do outdoors whenever you want to remedy a redundant summer that may be too caked in parties, hangovers and sunbathing. That's not to say that these are boring hobbies, because, of course, it's an island paradise. But let's face it:

Bali has so much to offer, and it's time to take advantage of that.

So for all you adrenaline junkies out there – see you in the streets!