Padang Bai Blue Lagoon Snorkel & Waterfall Tour Review 2025

You know, Bali offers a ton of amazing experiences, but it’s pretty hard to figure out which day trip is actually worth your time. We were honestly looking for something that blended two of Bali’s best sides: its incredibly lush inland spots and its amazing underwater scenes. So, that’s how we stumbled upon the idea of a 2025 private tour that puts together a waterfall visit with snorkeling over in Padang Bai. The whole idea of a day that’s just for you, away from big, crowded groups, sounded like just the ticket. Basically, this kind of trip promised a bit of adventure and a bit of relaxation, all rolled into one. At the end of the day, it was about seeing if we could really get a feel for the island’s different personalities in a single outing, you know, without feeling rushed.

Starting the Day with a Waterfall Escape

So, the morning started off super easy, which was a nice change of pace. Our own personal driver and guide showed up at our hotel, right on time, which is that one thing you always hope for. He was, like, extremely friendly from the get-go, and the vehicle was very comfortable and cool inside. Anyway, we headed out towards Gianyar, where a lot of these stunning waterfalls are located. Our guide suggested Kanto Lampo, and frankly, we’re so glad he did. Getting there involves a short, sort of fun trek down some stone steps. You could, like, already hear the water, and the air got a little bit cooler and more humid. Honestly, the first look at the water flowing down the terraced rock face is seriously special. It’s not one of those giant, powerful falls; it’s more like a wide, beautiful curtain of water. You can actually climb onto the rocks and let the water just cascade over you. It’s really refreshing, you know, and a pretty incredible way to kick off the day’s adventure.

The Scenic Drive to Padang Bai’s Shore

After our waterfall experience, which was kind of amazing, we hopped back into the car, feeling pretty refreshed. The next part of the day was the drive over to the eastern coast, to a little town called Padang Bai. Now, this drive itself is almost an attraction. You go from the really green, dense jungles and rice paddies to seeing the landscape open up. Our guide was great here, too; he pointed out different villages and gave us a bit of a backstory on the area. Padang Bai is a sort of working port town, you know, where all the big ferries leave for Lombok and the Gili Islands. But it still holds on to this very local, laid-back fishing village atmosphere. You can see all the colorful outrigger boats, which they call ‘jukung’, pulled up on the sand. It’s clearly a completely different world from the tourist hubs in the south, and frankly, that change of scenery is what we were looking for.

Exploring the Underwater World at Blue Lagoon

Okay, so from the main beach at Padang Bai, it’s just a super short boat ride on one of those local jukung boats to get to the Blue Lagoon. The spot itself is this really sheltered little bay with incredibly clear water. You can literally see the bottom from the boat, which obviously gets you pretty excited to jump in. And seriously, the moment you put your face in the water, it’s just…wow. There’s a whole city of fish down there. We saw so many different kinds, like right away. You know, you have your bright blue and yellow damselfish everywhere, a few pufferfish sort of awkwardly swimming around, and if you look closely near the coral, you’ll spot some clownfish poking their heads out of an anemone. The coral itself is fairly healthy in spots, with some nice formations. The water was very calm, which made for some really relaxing snorkeling. It’s sort of the perfect spot for beginners or anyone who just wants to float around and be amazed, you know?

A Second Stop: The Hidden Gem of Tanjung Jepun

Just when you think it’s over, you know, the boat captain fires up the engine and takes you to another nearby spot, Tanjung Jepun. In a way, this spot has a completely different vibe than the Blue Lagoon. It’s a bit more open, and the sea life feels a little different, too. This place is apparently famous for having a small shipwreck, and it’s also a great spot to see bigger schools of fish. We were just floating around, and a massive group of angelfish just swam right by. Our guide even mentioned that sea turtles often hang out in this area. We weren’t lucky enough to see one that day, still, the chance that you might is pretty cool. As a matter of fact, having two different snorkeling locations back-to-back really shows you the diversity of marine life in just this one small area. It’s sort of a bonus that makes the entire trip feel more complete.

Helpful Tips for Your Waterfall and Snorkel Day

Frankly, to get the most out of a day like this, a little bit of planning helps. A private tour is great because it’s so flexible; for example, you can decide how long you want to spend at the waterfall or in the water. But there are still a few things to keep in mind to make your day basically perfect. Having your own guide is honestly the best part, as they handle all the little things, like tickets, boat rentals, and even finding a good spot for lunch. You just get to sit back and have a good time. Seriously, it takes all the stress out of the equation. Here’s a quick list of what you should probably bring along.

• Waterproof Camera: I mean, you are definitely going to want photos of both the waterfall and all the fish you see. An underwater case for your phone or a GoPro is a pretty good idea.
• Sun Protection: You know, the sun in Bali is no joke. Bring a good reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and some sunglasses, especially for the boat ride.
• Change of Clothes: You’ll be wet from both the waterfall and the sea, so having a dry set of clothes to change into for the ride home is basically a must.
• Cash for Extras: While the tour covers most things, it’s always smart to have a little local currency on hand, you know, for a coconut drink on the beach or to tip your guide and boat captain if they did a great job.

Honestly, the whole day felt less like a structured tour and more like a friend was just showing you their favorite spots around the island. It’s that personal touch that really made it special.

Read our full review: Private Waterfall Tour and Blue Lagoon Snorkeling in Padang Bai Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Private Bali Tour)