Bali Travel Essentials

Bali Travel Essentials: What to Know Before You Visit

If you’re planning a trip to Bali – whether for diving, sightseeing, or a bit of everything – here’s a simple guide to help you prepare. A little planning goes a long way towards ensuring your time on the Island of the Gods is as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

Bali-Travel-Essentials

Entry Requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your departure date and has two blank pages. You’ll also need proof of onward travel.

Most nationalities can enter Bali with a Visa on Arrival (VoA). The paid VoA is valid for 30 days and can be extended once; the free VoA cannot be extended. Travellers intending to stay longer may prefer to arrange a 60-day tourist visa before arriving.

Foreign Tourists Levy: To help preserve Bali’s culture, traditions, and natural beauty, the Bali Provincial Government has introduced a Foreign Tourists Levy. The fee is IDR150,000 per person, paid once per trip.

We recommend settling this online before you travel. You can make the payment through the official Love Bali website or app; once completed, you’ll receive a Tourism Levy voucher with a QR code sent directly to your email. Simply present this upon arrival.

If you prefer to pay on the spot, there is also a payment counter at the airport – although paying in advance is usually the quicker, easier option.

Health & Safety

Bali’s tap water isn’t safe to drink, so bottled or filtered water is the way to go. While Bali is malaria-free, dengue fever does occur, so we recommend a reliable mosquito repellent with a high DEET content.

There are good international medical clinics in south Bali, but treatment can be costly. Bring any essential medication and ensure your travel insurance covers medical careincluding dive insurance if you’ll be joining us underwater.

Getting-Around-the-Island

Getting Around

If you’d like to drive a car or scooter, you’ll need an International Driver’s Permit. Traffic can be lively, so many guests tell us they prefer hiring a car with a driver – it’s affordable and far more relaxing.

Money Tips

ATMs are widely available in the south, but limited in more rural areas such as Tulamben. The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). If you’re bringing foreign cash, use newer, clean banknotes and exchange money only at reputable places.

Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted, though small surcharges are common.

What to Pack

Bali is very easy to shop in, so pack lightly. Light clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and any personal medication are the main essentials.

Bali-Travel-Information

Bali is a welcoming, vibrant island with plenty to discover. With a little preparation, you’ll be ready to make the most of every moment.

Ready to explore Bali’s incredible underwater world?
👉 Plan your next dive with AquaMarine Diving – Bali and see the island from a whole new perspective.

Bali Diving 1 Day Trip

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Triton Bay Diving

Triton Bay: Remote Diving in Indonesia’s Hidden Corner

Located in West Papua, Triton Bay forms part of the Birds Head Seascape and is known for its rich biodiversity, vibrant soft corals, and quiet, remote setting. With few visitors and limited dive operations, it remains one of Indonesia’s most untouched marine environments. Divers come for pristine reefs, colourful coral gardens, and the chance to see rare species found only in this region.

Triton-Bay-Diving

What to Expect Underwater

Triton Bay is recognised for its distinctive soft corals, black coral forests, and healthy sea fans. Conditions vary, but dive sites are generally suitable for a wide range of experience levels. Marine life includes pygmy seahorses, walking sharks, schools of fusiliers, and occasional whale sharks visiting traditional bagan platforms.

Visibility can shift with plankton, yet nutrient-rich water supports abundant life. Macro photographers will find unusual species in sheltered areas, while the occasional pelagic passes through open water. Diving is usually conducted from small boats, with short travel times to most sites.

Triton-Bay-Whale-Sharks

Planning Your Visit

The best season to visit Triton Bay runs from October to June, when the weather is calmer and dive conditions more predictable. Accommodation is limited and typically eco-focused, helping the region maintain a low-impact environment. Access is via Kaimana, served by domestic flights from major Indonesian cities, with resort transfers arranged locally.

This area is well suited to divers who enjoy remote locations, relaxed schedules, and uncrowded marine sites. Non-divers can take boat trips through limestone islands or enjoy light trekking.

If you are considering a diving trip to Triton Bay and would like assistance arranging accommodation, transfers, or a tailored dive package, you are welcome to get in touch for planning support.

Holidays Throughout Indonesia

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Children and Diving: Start Your Child’s Underwater Adventure with PADI

PADI Youth Diving Programmes

Scuba diving isn’t just for grown-ups—children can dive too! Through PADI’s youth programmes, kids can safely explore the magic of the underwater world while learning about ocean life, teamwork, and self-confidence.

From first bubbles in a pool to their first open-water dive, every experience is guided by professional PADI instructors who make safety and fun the top priorities. Diving becomes more than an activity—it’s a journey of discovery.

Children-and-Diving

Bubblemaker – The First Splash (Age 8+)

The PADI Bubblemaker programme is the perfect way to introduce children to diving. Held in a shallow pool, this fun and easy experience lets kids take their first breaths underwater using real scuba gear. There’s no pressure to learn technical skills—just pure excitement, laughter, and bubbles!

Many divers trace their lifelong passion back to this very first splash.

PADI Seal Team – Learning Through Fun (Age 8+)

Once your child is comfortable underwater, the PADI Seal Team takes the fun to the next level. Through exciting “AquaMissions,” kids learn diving basics, practise buoyancy, and explore marine conservation themes—all while having a great time.

Each mission builds confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection with the ocean. It’s an ideal next step before moving on to real open-water diving.

PADI-Bubblemaker-Programme

Junior Open Water Diver – The Real Adventure Begins (Ages 10–14)

For young explorers ready for the real thing, the PADI Junior Open Water Diver certification opens up the ocean world. The course follows the same structure as the adult version, but with depth limits to ensure safety:

  • Ages 10–11: Up to 12 metres (40 feet)
  • Ages 12–14: Up to 18 metres (60 feet)

This is where the adventure truly begins—your child can join supervised dives alongside adults or PADI professionals and experience the thrill of real underwater exploration.

Building Ocean Awareness and Responsibility

Diving helps children see the ocean differently. Through direct experience, they learn why protecting marine life and reducing pollution matter. PADI’s youth courses naturally encourage eco-awareness, turning young divers into passionate ocean advocates.

PADI-Junior-Open-Water-Diver

Why Start Young?

Starting diving early helps children grow in confidence, patience, and respect for nature. It’s also a wonderful way to create lasting family memories—sharing dives, stories, and underwater adventures together.

Whether your child dreams of becoming a marine biologist or simply loves the sea, PADI’s youth programmes offer the perfect start to their underwater journey. Every bubble they blow brings them closer to becoming the next generation of ocean guardians.

Ready to Begin?
Give your child the chance to experience the magic of the ocean!
Contact us today to learn more or book their first PADI Bubblemaker or Junior Open Water Diver session. Let’s make their first dive unforgettable—because every young explorer deserves to discover what lies beneath the surface. 🌊

PADI Junior Open Water Diver Course

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By Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern