First step to freedom: Beachgoers take part in releasing 100 sea turtle hatchlings at a beach in Serangan, Bali. (JP/Agung Parameswara)

The school holidays are here, and finding the right activity for everyone in the family can be a challenge. If Bali is your destination for the upcoming family vacation, then there’s no need to worry because the Island of the Gods has something for everyone. The beautiful landscape offers a close-to-nature adventure, from well-known beaches to educational fun. This holiday is the time to walk outdoors and spend less screen time.

Beaches and Bali are often seen as one, presenting visitors with a beach that suits their needs. From the busy Kuta to the exclusive Nusa Dua, as well as surfer paradises like Balangan, Padang-Padang and Pecatu. Families with small children can visit Kuta and Seminyak for a fun time together. The two popular beaches are located in the city center, with restaurants and shopping malls nearby, should there be a need to eat or shop.

Kuta has a white sand beach stretching far to accommodate anyone, from those coming to surf, play in the sand, swim or just sit down, relax and watch the sunset.

Kuta also has surf schools that can entice older children, henna artists for the artsy ones, and a sea turtle release activity by Bali Sea Turtle Society, a local conservation group. Take children to learn more about sea turtles at a conservation in Serangan Harbor and get ready to be greeted by the large sea turtle statue in front. The conservation center has swimming pools for its turtles and hatcheries for the eggs bought from the locals who dug them up. There are turtle-feeding activities and tourists may witness the release of sea turtles if they come at the right time of year.

If the beach is a big thing for your family, it would also be fun to take a 30-minute boat ride over to the Nusa group of islands. Located southeast of Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan are popular spots for those eager to escape the overwhelming crowd in Bali. Here, family can experience quieter and calmer beaches, even in the holiday season. This trip can also be an adventure for children of all ages as it offers up-close experience with sea animals such as manta rays, and a safe bike ride around the island with fewer cars around compared to the main roads of Ubud or Denpasar. There are many bays to explore and swim in, most of them are rather calm for younger children. Crossing to Nusa Penida and its surrounding islands is definitely worth it for a change of scenery.

Adventurous outdoor fun

While beaches might be the main attraction in Bali, the central mountainous area also offers an unforgettable journey with nature.

Drive up to Ubud to meet the monkeys in their 12.5-hectare home, a Monkey Forest in a Hindu temple complex. Another destination with outdoor fun for school-age children is Bali Treetop Adventure Park, where you can have a tree-swinging adventure.

The park, based in Bedugul, features seven adventure circuits and 72 challenges that accommodate anyone as young as 4 years old or at least 95 centimeters tall. It’s a good way to spend your morning with fresh mountain air and at the same time staying active during the holiday.

Take a break from the ropes and visit the rose garden, lotus pond, butterfly garden, local plants like cinnamon and maze within the area before you continue on your holiday. Bali Treetop Adventure Park is located inside Eka Karya Botanical Garden, around an hour’s drive from Denpasar.

Mountain climbing and hiking can be fun for teenagers, as well as educational. Mount Batur offers an amateur climb for visitors that takes around 90 minutes each way. However, a guide is needed if you want to climb up because the mountain is considered a holy site.

But those activities can be tiresome for elementary school children, and the magnificent scenery might not be as rewarding. So, if there are younger children in your family, try the rice field walking tour or rent a bike for an expedition around the island through small villages and country roads for a different thrill. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is one of the most popular spots for this kind of fun walk. Families can walk leisurely through the path while watching local farmers work, and learning more about the rice field irrigation system along the way. Small obstacles like narrow steps and makeshift bridges over the canals will ensure that your journey isn’t a boring one.

Located only 30 minutes by car from the center of Ubud, Tegalalang Rice Terrace is a popular tourist spot. So, families are often advised to pack their own water and snacks, come early to avoid the crowd and, of course, the heat which can be uncomfortable for small children.

If you would rather sit down and slide but still want to be close to nature, white water rafting or canyon tubing can be the perfect activity for the whole family. Skip the man-made Waterbom and sign up for a voyage through the most rapid-filled rivers on the island.

The two popular locations for whitewater rafting, Ayung River and Telaga Waja, are frequented by families. Both rafting places can be reached by car in about an hour from Denpasar. The calmer Ayung River in Gianyar is more suitable for kindergarteners, while the tougher Telaga Waja River in Karangasem will be more exciting for tweens and teens in the family.

With nature interaction being so close, it might also be a good idea to teach children a little about ecotourism. In general, ecotourism means an environmentally friendly adventure. So, parents can start with teaching children about taking care of the surrounding environment. Something as simple as not picking flowers or showing respect for the local culture.

Take the opportunity to converse about the fish and corals after snorkeling, or talk about the harvest after returning from the rice terrace. This can positively influence kids about what’s going on in nature and what they can do to help preserve it for the next generation.

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia