Dolphin Watching in Lovina
An Unforgettable Morning in North Bali
In Lovina, some of the most memorable days begin before sunrise.
At 5:45 a.m., while North Bali is still waking up, a vehicle leaves The Hamsa Bali Resort and heads towards the coast. Fifteen minutes later, you step aboard a traditional Balinese boat and begin your journey in search of wild dolphins.
The sky slowly changes colour. The mountains appear behind the coastline, the first rays of sunlight reach the water, and then a silhouette may suddenly break through the surface.
Dolphin watching in Lovina is one of the most iconic experiences in North Bali. From The Hamsa Bali Resort, our team can organise the entire morning for you, including transportation, boat reservations, snorkeling equipment and, upon request, a generous takeaway breakfast.
All you need to do is wake up, step aboard and enjoy the experience.
Follow our early-morning journey from The Hamsa Bali Resort to Pantai Lovina, meet Putu, watch the sunrise over the Bali Sea and experience dolphin watching and snorkeling in North Bali.
The Hamsa Bali Resort or contact the resort on WhatsApp: +62 819 3636 3626
Why Is Dolphin Watching So Popular in Lovina?
It is difficult to visit Lovina without hearing about its dolphins.
Unlike animals kept in an aquarium or trained for a show, the dolphins of Lovina live freely in the Bali Sea. This is a genuine wildlife experience, and their presence can never be guaranteed with absolute certainty.
Their number, behaviour and distance from the boat may be different every morning. That unpredictability is part of what makes the experience special.
Sometimes, the first sign is a single dorsal fin in the distance. A second dolphin may then appear, followed by several others swimming together before disappearing beneath the water.
On other mornings, dolphins may briefly approach the boat, leap above the surface or travel alongside the traditional outriggers.
The excursion is not only about seeing dolphins. It is also about leaving the shore in the early morning darkness, watching the sky change above the sea and discovering the coastline of North Bali from a completely different perspective.
There are many ways to experience Bali.
The south of the island is known for its restaurants, lively beaches, nightlife, shops and fast-moving atmosphere. North Bali offers something different: a slower rhythm, more open landscapes and a closer connection with local life and nature.
The south attracts. The north reveals itself.
Lovina is an essential destination for travellers who want to explore beyond Bali’s most crowded areas and discover a quieter, more authentic side of the island.
Visitors come to Lovina for its dolphins, but the region also offers waterfalls, hot springs, temples, rice fields, traditional villages and mountain scenery.
A dolphin tour can therefore become the beginning of a full day exploring North Bali.
After returning from the sea, you may choose to visit Banjar Hot Springs, Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery, nearby waterfalls or some of the natural landscapes surrounding Lovina.
The Hamsa Bali Resort:
Between the Sea, Rice Fields and Local Culture
The Hamsa Bali Resort is located in the hills above Lovina, surrounded by tropical vegetation and rice fields, with views towards the Bali Sea.
The resort offers a peaceful natural setting while remaining close enough to the coast to reach the dolphin tour departure point in approximately 15 minutes.
Our team brings together French and Balinese cultures with one shared purpose: to help visitors experience the best that Bali has to offer.
That experience includes comfortable accommodation, local food and beautiful surroundings, but it also includes meaningful encounters, cultural discoveries and adventures beyond the resort.
For the Lovina dolphin tour, we coordinate the different stages of your morning so that you do not need to search separately for a driver, boat captain, meeting point and snorkeling equipment.
How does the Lovina Dolphin Tour Work ?
5:45 a.m.: Meet at The Hamsa Bali Resort Reception
Your morning begins at 5:45 a.m. at the reception of The Hamsa Bali Resort.
A vehicle will take you to Pantai Lovina, near Kedai Kopi Nau Lovina. The journey from the resort takes approximately 15 minutes.
An 8:00 a.m. departure may also be available, depending on the tour selected. Shared boats, however, are only available for tours departing at 6:00 a.m.
Meet Putu, Your Local Captain
When you arrive at the beach, you will meet Putu.
Putu is Balinese and lives locally in Lovina. For him, the sea is not simply a place of work or a tourist attraction. It is part of his everyday environment and the rhythm of life along the northern coast.
By the time guests arrive on the beach, Putu has already observed the weather, the wind and the condition of the sea. He also listens to the information shared between local captains before deciding where the boat should travel.
After a warm welcome and a few essential safety instructions, Putu helps everyone get comfortably seated.
The engine starts, the traditional outrigger boat leaves Pantai Lovina, and the adventure begins.
6:00 a.m.: Depart onto the Bali Sea
The boat heads offshore as the first colours begin to appear in the sky.
Behind you, the Lovina coastline slowly becomes smaller. The mountains of North Bali emerge in the morning light as the sun rises above the sea.
Even before the dolphins appear, this early journey is an experience in itself.
Keep your phone or camera within reach, but make sure it is properly protected. A waterproof phone pouch is strongly recommended, as splashes are always possible on a small boat.
Searching for Wild Dolphins
Once the boat reaches open water, Putu begins looking for signs of dolphin activity.
An experienced captain may notice a dorsal fin, a movement on the surface, a group of birds or information shared by other boats in the area.
Searching is part of the experience.
Then, sometimes without warning, the first dolphin appears.
Another may surface several metres away. Soon, a group may begin moving through the water, diving below the boat before appearing again in a different place.
Some dolphins remain at a distance. Others may pass close to the boat for a few seconds.
These are wild animals, and the experience should always remain respectful. Visitors should never attempt to touch, feed, chase or force an interaction with the dolphins.
The goal is to observe them while allowing them to move freely in their natural environment.
Can you go Snorkeling after seeing the Dolphins ?
Several tour options include a snorkeling session after the dolphin watching experience.
Depending on the weather and sea conditions, Putu can take you to an area suitable for swimming and exploring the underwater environment.
Masks, snorkels and fins are provided with the tours that include snorkeling.
We recommend bringing:
- Swimwear
- A towel
- Reef-friendly sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A hat or cap
- A waterproof pouch for your phone
- Light clothing
- Dry clothes for the return journey
- Motion sickness medication if you are sensitive to boat travel
Depending on the selected package, the complete excursion lasts approximately three hours.
Guests who do not wish to enter the water may remain on the boat during the snorkeling session.
The Hamsa Lovina Dolphin tour price
Shared Boat Tours
Shared boats are only available for the 6:00 a.m. departure.
|
Tour |
Price per person |
|
Dolphin watching only |
IDR 250,000 |
|
Dolphin watching and snorkeling |
IDR 350,000 |
|
Dolphin watching and guided in-water experience |
IDR 400,000 |
|
Dolphins, snorkeling and guided in-water experience |
IDR 500,000 |
Private Boat Tours
|
Tour |
Price per boat |
Maximum capacity |
|
Dolphin watching only |
IDR 1,000,000 |
5 guests |
|
Dolphin watching and snorkeling |
IDR 1,200,000 |
3 guests |
|
Dolphin watching and guided in-water experience |
IDR 1,300,000 |
3 guests |
|
Dolphins, snorkeling and guided in-water experience |
IDR 1,400,000 |
2 guests |
|
Dolphins, snorkeling and guided in-water experience |
IDR 1,600,000 |
3 guests |
A snapper fishing trip is also available for IDR 1,000,000 per boat, with a maximum capacity of four guests.
Prices may change. The reception team will always confirm the current rate before your booking is completed.
What Is Included in the Price?
The excursion price includes:
- Return transportation between The Hamsa Bali Resort and Pantai Lovina
- The boat excursion
- A local captain
- Life jackets
- A mask for tours including snorkeling
- A snorkel
- Fins
Breakfast is not automatically included in the tour price.
Upon request, The Hamsa Bali Resort can prepare a generous takeaway breakfast for your morning at sea.
The exact selection may vary depending on the season, available ingredients and any dietary requirements. The reception team will confirm the proposed menu and additional cost when you make your reservation.
How to book your Lovina Dolphin Tour ?
The tour must be booked at least one day in advance.
Guests can make a reservation directly at the reception of The Hamsa Bali Resort or contact the resort on WhatsApp:
+62 819 3636 3626
Our team will confirm:
- Availability
- Current prices
- The selected package
- The number of passengers
- Breakfast options
- Your meeting time
- Weather and sea conditions when relevant
