There’s truly nothing like a Bali sunrise. Each time I see one, I think it’s one of the best of my life, and then I experience another that rivals it. At least four of the best sunrises of my life have taken place here in Bali, and I can’t wait to share them with you so you can experience them too.
This island truly has a special magic about it that I haven’t experienced anywhere else. Sunrises and sunsets are just that much more magical here, each new place has a special charm about it, and the island has a pull that makes you never want to leave. And many people actually don’t!
Either way, I’ve never met a Bali sunrise I didn’t like, and below I will tell you the best places to watch the sunrise on and around Bali.
MOUNT BATUR BALI SUNRISE TREK
One of the most popular Bali sunrise spots is Mount Batur. This is a volcano in the middle of the island, which at only 1700m tall is much more manageable than it’s 3100m counterpart, Mt Agung. Although tough, this Bali sunrise hike is still manageable for most people of a decent activity level, and only lasts 2-3 hours in total giving you a wee bit more time to sleep.
Because it’s a night hike, this trek is best done with a guide. I’m sure it’s possible to look up how to do alone, but finding your way up a dark mountain can be stressful and it’s better to just hire a guide for cheap who will show you all the cool spots AND carry your breakfast! 😛
The hike begins at 3-3:30am (it sounds rough, but it’s SO worth it). As a fairly fit person I would say that it was challenging but extremely manageable. Our guide stopped at a rest stop every 15-30 minutes, always made sure we were dong okay, and took good care of us (he said he has been doing it 15 years… wow!).
Once you arrive at the top of the volcano, there are tons of benches set to accommodate a few hundred hikers on a busy day. You can see out over the largest lake in Bali (at the base of Batur), the massive circular caldera of Batur, a large mountain across from it, the tip of Mt Agung behind it, out to the ocean, and if you are lucky, the tip of Mt Rinjani volcano in Lombok.
I did this hike on the morning of my 28th birthday, and it was PURE magic. We had a wonderfully clear day, and we got to see the sky light up over the lake and ocean, rice paddies below emerging from a low-hanging fog, mountains in every direction, and more notably the steaming crater of Mt Batur itself.
Mt Batur is active – but the crater is quite dry. It only has warm gasses coming from various holes in the cliff – which are great on a cold morning! If you are extra adventurous, take the ‘long way’ down and walk all the way around the crater and down.
How to do the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Hiking Mount Batur for sunrise is one of the most poplar day tours in Bali. Many tour companies will pick you up from Ubud or Canggu, shuttle you to Kintamani where it is located, drop you at a hot spring on the way back ,and then take you back at the end of the day. If you don’t have much time I recommend doing this trusted Mt Batur sunrise as a day tour. But, if you do, I recommend spending some time in the stunning town of Kintamani.
Kintamani is known for its coffee, and many cafes along the main street have unbelievable views of Batur, the lake, and surrounding mountains. There are also two hot springs on the lake that are popular to visit after a volcano trek.
Stay in this awesome mountain chalet-style lodge if you have a bigger group – this is where we stayed and loved the bonfire pit. Or, stay in the Cave Hotel if you have one or two people and love a window view.
AMED FISHING BOAT BALI SUNRISE
One of the most spectacular Bali Sunrises I experienced was going out on a fishing boat in Amed before the sunrise and experiencing it on the water.
Amed is a small fishing town on Bali’s northeast coast known for diving and seafood (view my Amed guide here). We had some of the best seafood of our lives here, and were happy to learn that most of the fisherman don’t mind taking people out for a ride on their early-morning fishing trips on their authentic colorful wooden boats.
Most fisherman leave around 5am – so it’s an early wakeup – but very worthwhile. You’ll jump in the boat with the bright stars over your head, and will be able to pick out constellations as the fisherman begins to maneuver the boat out to sea. They will start fishing on one super long string once you get out far enough- maybe a mile or two – and might even let you try it!
The sun will pop up over the open ocean, and you’ll probably be able to pick out Lombok and Mt Rinjani near the sunrise.. But don’t forget to watch Mt Agung slowly turn pink from the very top, easing its way down to the bottom in the first morning light. It’s pure magic, and especially authentic. You won’t be able to believe that these fisherman do it every day!
How to Find a Fishing Boat
Going out on a fishing boat for sunrise is not available as a tour, which is what I love about it the most. It’s actually a super authentic travel experience you must meet someone to take part in! But don’t worry – most fishermen are very used to taking travelers/tourists out on their boats, and many will try to sell you the experience also.
I recommend going down to the beach in the late morning or afternoon and chatting to some of the fishermen who are usually hanging out near their boats or in the shade of the trees. Ask them if they will take you out the next morning. They usually only take out two people at once, especially in the windy season, but some may take three people.
Make sure not to pay more than about 150k per person. Some may charge 300k per boat, which could be cheaper if you get 3 people in there. These prices are standard, but see what kind of deal you can haggle!
NUSA PENIDA TREEHOUSE BALI SUNRISE
One of the BEST Bali sunrise ideas is to visit the famous ‘Rumah Pohon’ Treehouse overlooking Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida Island. Many people visit this treehouse as part of a Nusa Penida tour, possibly spending a few moments there in the afternoon before moving on to their next destination.
However, if you actually STAY in this treehouse, you can experience the most incredible sunrise around. There are actually 3 treehouses, but the third ‘instagram famous’ one is the most coveted and has the best view for sunrise. This Bali sunrise will come up directly over the ocean (or maybe behind Lombok a little bit), with a direct view right from the Treehouse. Do something a bit different than getting the standard instagram pic, and get one at sunrise. You will not regret it!
Read more about booking and staying in the Nusa Penida Treehouse and what to pack and expect here, or check out the airbnb booking link here.
UBUD JUNGLE BALI SUNRISE
There’s truly nothing like a jungle sunrise, and Ubud is truly the perfect place for that. It’s magic to watch the jungle wake up and to hear the sounds of insects and birds waking up for the day as misty rays of light lift over vines, trees, and deep flowing river canyons. This kind of view can be found all over Ubud!
The best way to experience a Bali sunrise over the jungle is to stay in a property overlooking a jungle canyon facing the sunrise. How do I find one of those, you might ask?! Luckily, Ubud is a resort central in Bali, and there are honestly hundreds of awesome properties.
But because I love more boutique and unique properties, here are some suggestions that have a lovely sunrise view:
Zen Hideaway
Zen Hideaway is an Ubud Airbnb that is actually famous for its incredible sunrise view. Check their listing to see some incredible photos from there taken at sunrise, with a view of a river, waterfall, rice paddies, and jungle – and book if you desire. It’s true magic!
Villa Cella Bella
Villa Cella Bella is a boutique 4-room hotel perched on a massive jungle canyon in Ubud. It might be one of the most insta-worthy places to stay around due to its numerous nets to lay in, infinity pool, framed photo spots, massive gold lotus flower platform, and jungle view. Catching a sunrise from any of the rooms here would be a treat. Bring your blanket to one of the nets and enjoy it!
if you are going to book here, I recommend choosing your favorite room on Expedia or Booking.com (the river villa and luxe suite are amazing!)
Jannata Resort
Jannata is another beautiful Ubud boutique hotel on a canyon facing sunrise. You can enjoy the sunrise from the beautiful main pool, which has multiple levels of jungle view and an infinity pool. Or, I recommend booking a private pool villa for the ultimate tranquility sunrise experience.
Check out Jannata on Agoda or on Booking.com and check the room options to find one that suits you!
GILI ISLANDS BALI SUNRISE
The Gili Islands are technically part of Lombok. Still, I had to include them in a list of the best sunrises in Bali because they are one of the most popular destinations for people visiting Bali. These three tiny islands have incredible water, white sand, and scuba diving and amazing sea life. They are also known for their incredible sunrises AND sunsets.
Gili Trawangan is the best known for parties and sunsets, Gili Meno is known as ‘the honeymoon island’ and Gili Air is a bit more laid back. But truthfully, all three islands are great for watching the sun come up OR go down. Head to the northeast (top right) corner of any of these islands to see the sun come up over the water, with glassy clear water and white sand welcoming its light.
WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK/ MENJANGAN ISLAND
One of the most off-the-beaten-track places to watch an amazing Bali sunrise is West Bali National Park, or the island right off its coast, Menjangan Island. Many people don’t make it to this part of Bali, but it’s worth adding to your list for incredible nature, wildlife, and diving.
West Bali National Park is home to some fascinating species of animals and birds and an east-facing coast with beaches as pristine as you can imagine. There’s one hotel in the Park called Nusa Bay (booking here) located on the sunrise-facing part of the National Park. If you don’t get there by boat, you can enter the National Park on the West end and drive a huge circle around to the eastern park. I recommend staying a night in the hotel for the most accessible sunrise, or doing an early dive in Menjangan Island.
Menjangan Island is also a part of West Bali National Park, and is known for INCREDIBLE scuba diving, snorkeling, and reefs. Many dives leave quite early, but to catch sunrise you might want to organize a special trip. The island is so tiny it would face both the sunrise AND sunset, over some amazing water.
BALI SUNRISE FROM GILI PUTIH + CANOE
One of my favorite Bali sunrise adventures was kayaking to tiny Gili Putih island in Sumberkima – a small village between Pemuteran and West Bali National Park. Gili Putih is a TINY sand quay that you could walk around completely in ten minutes – something that can’t be found anywhere else in Bali.
The island faces the sunrise over the water. It is best experienced from a kayak or boat heading out to the island and enjoyed from the white sand. It takes about 20 minutes to kayak there, so starting just before the sun comes up is encouraged.
The area and island are known for mangrove forests, and are extremely tidal. So make sure you visit Gili Putih at high tide (which was in the early morning for us) otherwise your boat/kayak will get beached!
Sumberkima Hill Tours + Sunrise
I’m sure there are places to rent kayaks around Pemuteran, but we booked a tour directly from our villa, Sumberkima Hill. Sumberkima is a village of unique private villas on a hill overlooking West Bali – read my review+ guide here.
Some villas face the sunset and some face the sunrise, so Sumberkima is also one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Bali. The photo above was taken from outside my room in Villa Singa.
NUSA DUA BALI SUNRISE
Nusa Dua is well-known to be Bali’s mega-resort central. This beachy area is just southeast of the airport, making it easily accessible for families and resort-lovers. It also has massive and well-paved roads, huge roundabouts, and gaudy architecture and statues to be seen anywhere you drive.
This strip is truly one resort after another. It’s home to big giants like Novotel, Westin, Sofitel, Hilton, Radisson, and more, while also saving space for some resorts specific to Bali such as the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa and Malia Bali. If you like a big resort (200+ rooms) or are perhaps traveling with family, a Nusa Dua Bali sunrise may be in the cards for you.
Wake up and go for a walk along the beach or beach boardwalk at sunrise. Or, perhaps have a swim as the sun pops up right over the ocean. This is what I did when we visited Nusa Dua. Just be aware of sea urchins that are present in some parts of the coastline here (ask staff if you are not sure).
Or, many resorts will have sunrise yoga classes or spa treatments to start the say off with some zen on a resort holiday.
SANUR SUNRISE BALI
Lastly, one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Bali is the port town of Sanur. Sanur is a lesser-known expat hub in Bali. It’s much quieter than Canggu, but coastal and with a good selection of restaurants. This is where many boats to the Nusa Islands leave from, so you may pass through Sanur on your way to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan.
Sanur is also a popular base for scuba diving, with lots of dive shops and boats here too. Just make sure to spend a night or two here and have a walk on the beach for a Bali sunrise over the water. You won’t regret it!
That’s about it for the best Bali sunrises! Above are at LEAST 10 different places to watch the sunrise in Bali that I loved and I’m sure you will too. Let me know in the comments which ones you experience!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.