Cruise port · Indonesia · Southeast & East Asia
Bali cruise port guide
Bali is Indonesia’s famous Hindu island of temples, rice terraces and surf beaches, and ships usually anchor off Benoa and tender passengers ashore. Popular excursions head to Ubud for the Sacred Monkey Forest and rice fields, to clifftop Uluwatu Temple or to the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Traffic is heavy, so choose one area and allow plenty of time.
- Temples
- Rice terraces
- Balinese culture
- Beaches
- Crafts
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Indonesia
- Region
- Southeast & East Asia
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Indonesian and Balinese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (Rp). Cards work at resorts and larger restaurants; carry cash for temple fees, drivers and small vendors.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 84–89°F through the year
About Bali
Bali’s culture sets it apart from the rest of Indonesia. Most Balinese follow a distinctive form of Hinduism, and you’ll see small offerings of flowers and incense on doorsteps, carved temple gates in every village and ceremonies on almost any day. Inland, emerald rice terraces and volcanoes; on the coast, surf beaches and luxury resorts.
Benoa, on the southern tip, is close to the resort areas of Nusa Dua and Jimbaran but an hour or more from Ubud, the island’s cultural heart. A port day usually means picking a direction: Ubud and the rice terraces to the north, Uluwatu’s cliffs to the south, or Tanah Lot to the west.
Bali suits culture seekers, photographers and beach lovers. It’s busy and commercial in many places, and traffic jams can eat into a short port day, so manage expectations and keep plans simple.
Where cruise ships dock in Bali
Larger ships usually anchor off Benoa and tender passengers to the harbor; smaller ships may dock at Benoa’s cruise berth. From Benoa, Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa’s beaches are about 15 to 20 minutes by road, Kuta and Seminyak 30 to 45 minutes, and Uluwatu about 45 minutes. Ubud is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours away and Tanah Lot about an hour or more, depending heavily on traffic. Ship tours, pre-booked drivers or ride-hailing apps are the practical options.
Best things to do in Bali on a cruise
- 1
Ubud and the Sacred Monkey Forest
culture
Ubud is Bali’s arts and culture center, with a royal palace, craft markets and galleries. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary has mossy temples among giant trees and hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Keep sunglasses, hats and food secured; the monkeys are bold thieves.
- 2
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
scenery
North of Ubud, steep green terraces carved into a valley show off Bali’s traditional subak irrigation system. Walk the paths between paddies, but expect small donation points and photo swings. It’s often combined with Ubud on tours.
- 3
Uluwatu Temple
culture
Perched on a sheer cliff above the Indian Ocean on the southern tip, Uluwatu is one of Bali’s key sea temples. The views are spectacular. The famous kecak fire dance is held at sunset, so it only works with a late departure. Mind the monkeys here too.
- 4
Tanah Lot
culture
This small temple sits on a rocky outcrop just offshore, cut off at high tide. It’s one of Bali’s most photographed spots, especially at sunset, and very crowded. Non-Hindus can’t enter the temple itself, but the setting is the attraction.
- 5
Tirta Empul
culture
A water temple built around a sacred spring, where Balinese and visitors bathe in stone pools beneath carved spouts in a purification ritual. Visitors who take part wear a sarong and follow guidance from temple staff. It’s about 1.5 hours from Benoa.
- 6
Nusa Dua and Jimbaran beaches
beach
Close to Benoa, Nusa Dua has calm, clean beaches backed by resorts, while Jimbaran Bay is known for seafood grilled on the sand. Tanjung Benoa, right by the port, offers water sports such as parasailing and jet skiing.
Bali weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8730 | 8630 | 8731 | 8731 | 8630 | 8529 | 8429 | 8529 | 8731 | 8932 | 8932 | 8831 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7926 | 7926 | 7926 | 7926 | 7826 | 7725 | 7524 | 7524 | 7624 | 7825 | 7926 | 7926 |
| Rain in (mm) | 12.0305 | 11.1281 | 8.9225 | 4.5114 | 2.461 | 2.872 | 1.845 | 1.128 | 1.947 | 3.385 | 7.2182 | 11.1282 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
What to eat and drink in Bali
Babi guling, spit-roasted suckling pig, is Bali’s celebration dish, and Ubud has well-known spots serving it. Try bebek betutu, slow-cooked spiced duck; sate lilit, minced seafood satay wrapped around lemongrass; and nasi campur, rice with several small dishes. Nasi goreng and mie goreng are everywhere. At Jimbaran, grilled fish and prawns are served at tables on the beach. Bintang beer and Balinese coffee are local staples.
Tips for your port day
- Wear a sarong and sash at temples; they’re usually provided or available to rent. Cover shoulders as well.
- Indonesia requires US and Canadian citizens to have a visa on arrival or e-visa, and Bali charges a tourist levy; check how your cruise line handles both.
- Traffic around Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud can be severe; pick one region and build in a long buffer for the tender back.
- Drink bottled water and be cautious with ice and raw foods at small stalls to avoid stomach upsets.
- Use ATMs inside banks or malls, count your change carefully, and agree on prices with drivers in advance.
Cruise lines that visit Bali
Often on the same itinerary
Bali cruise FAQs
Is Bali a tender port?
Often, yes. Larger ships usually anchor off Benoa and tender passengers to the harbor, while some smaller ships dock at the cruise berth.
How far is Ubud from Benoa cruise port?
About 1 to 1.5 hours by road, depending on traffic. It’s the most popular excursion but takes most of a port day.
Do US citizens need a visa for Bali on a cruise?
Yes, Indonesia requires a visa on arrival or e-visa for US and Canadian citizens, and Bali charges a tourist levy. Cruise lines handle these in different ways, so follow your line’s instructions.
What should I wear to Bali temples?
A sarong and sash, with shoulders covered. Most temples lend or rent sarongs at the entrance, but carrying your own is convenient.
What is the best excursion in Bali from a cruise?
Ubud with the Monkey Forest and Tegallalang rice terraces is the classic choice. Uluwatu Temple is closer and great for ocean views.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.