Sanur is located just 12 km NE of Kuta and offers a beach-side reality without the crowds. Just 20 minutes from the airport, Sanur can make an ideal place for your Bali holiday. Families especially love the white sand beaches, protected by coral reefs, making swimming a lot safer than in busy Kuta. Interestingly the beach at Sanur suffered some erosion as result of the expansion of Serangan island (Serangan’s reef was covered in rocks and earth and the size of the island doubled). To counter this, sand from Nusa Dua was bought in, although slightly light-brown in color. Still Sanur’s beaches are pleasant and beach vendor activity for the most part is restricted to the beach-front foot path area.
• Watersports:
One of the attractions of Sanur is watersports including canoeing, surfing (outside Sanur reef), windsurfing and snorkeling. Scuba diving companies are based in Sanur and can quickly arrange trips to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the East coast of Bali. Bali International Diving Professionals (BIDP) has 12 hand picked dive sites that divers of every level can enjoy, including children of 8 years and above. Disabled divers can also participate.
BIDP
Jl. Danau Poso #26
(0361)270759
One of the best watersports companies is Sanur is Blue Oasis Beach Club. Windsurfing classes are available as well as paragliding and sea kayaking.
Blue Oasis Beach Club
Jl. Danau Tamblingan (Sanur Beach Hotel)
(0361)288011 X Blue Oasis
Another decent watersport place is Jeladi Wilis Boat Co-operative, located in front of the Inna Grand Bali Beach hotel. Ballpark prices with all these operators is as follows:
Sea kayaks: $7 per hour
Windsurfers: $15-$20
Jet-skis: $25 for 15 minutes
Parasailing: $10-$15 per session
Water skiing: $20 for 15 minutes.
• Other Activities:
Bali has hundreds of varieties of orchid and one place to view orchids is the Bali Orchid Garden in Sanur, located on the Bypass in Tohpati at the northern end of Sanur.
(0361)466010
The Mangrove Information Center located on the Bypass between Kuta and Sanur offers a chance to stroll along boardwalks among the mangroves. Once upon a time south Bali had vast amounts of mangroves and this is an attempt to preserve them. Over 70 bird species are laso in the area, which will please ornithologists. You can either pay for a guide or walk yourself.
The Mangrove Information Center is open daily from 8am-5pm
(0361)726969
Day trips to Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan:
Sanur also has local boats direct to Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan and leave from the beach at the end of Jl. Hang Tuah.
• Places to stay in Sanur:
One of the coolest places to stay in Sanur is Flashbacks. Located on the main street, Jl. Danau Tamblingan and run by an Australian couple, Flashbacks offers a friendly, relaxing and affordable place to stay right in the heart of Sanur.
Flashbacks
Jl. Danau Tamblingan #110
Sanur
Bali
(0361) 281682
Waka Maya
If your budget is a bit more upmarket, you might enjoy the Waka Maya. With 14 thatch roofed bungalows set in quiet gardens with palm trees and swimming pool, the Waka Maya is a place that feels tropical. Families will like the 3-bedroom villas. Check website for current prices.
Waka Maya
(0361)289912
