Swimming with bali dolphins. Lovina: Dolphins at the Marine Dolphinarium. How to book an excursion

Dolphinarium in the south of Bali (Bali Dolphins) is located near the Sanur resort, on the island of Serangan. The pools where dolphins swim are equipped right in the sea. The conditions for keeping animals are as close to natural as possible.

In this article you will find a detailed description of the dolphinarium in the south of Bali, it will tell you what makes it unique and what entertainment it offers. There are also detailed instructions on how to get to it, what you can see nearby. The guide's advice will help you navigate the prices, choose the right time for the trip, and take the necessary things with you. I must say right away that the dolphinarium is very popular, so it is worth booking places in advance.

Description of the dolphinarium

The Bali Dolphins Dolphinarium opened about 10 years ago. Unlike many other similar places, dolphins swim in the sea water here. Chlorine and other disinfectant solutions are not added to it, which harm animals and lead to their early death. Veterinarians work here, who constantly monitor the health of dolphins. Once a week they are released into the open sea. Surprisingly, all the animals come back. After all, in the dolphinarium they can always get fresh food and care.

The dolphinarium consists of several fenced pools right in the middle of the sea. They are surrounded by wooden platforms from which you can observe marine mammals. One of them has comfortable tables with armchairs and umbrellas, where it is pleasant to sit and admire an interesting show.

Each pool has small platforms that are lowered into the water by 1.2 meters. They are designed to enable visitors to get to know the dolphins better. There are also changing lockers, a small bar with drinks and a room with a screen where instruction takes place.

What interesting things will the dolphinarium offer you? There are several types of entertainment programs here:

1. Dolphin show.

Experienced trainers and trained animals will delight you with interesting tricks in the water. According to many tourists, the smartest and smartest dolphins on the island live here, well trained.

Duration - 3 0 minutes
Adult price - $ 39.5
Price for a child - $ 34.5
Free admission for babies under one year old

2. Swimming with dolphins (suitable for small children).

It takes place on a platform in the pool. You need to put on your life jacket and go down to a small platform where you will be waist-deep in water. The dolphin will swim up to you, you can stroke it and even kiss it.

The program is designed for small groups of 4-6 people
Session duration - 3 0 minutes
Children over 5 years old, taller than 135 cm are allowed
Adult price - $ 79
Price for a child - 69 dollars

3. Swimming with a dolphin.

After descending to the platform, you can plunge into the pool and play with the dolphin. A group of 4-6 people is also selected for swimming. An experienced trainer is always nearby to help you interact with the dolphin.

Duration - 30 minutes
Children over 12 years old are allowed
Adult price - $ 79
Price for children - 69 dollars

Tourists are brought to the pools on a special boat. Before that, they must carry out detailed instructions, especially for those who have chosen the program of interaction or swimming with dolphins.

Then they offer to change clothes, leave clothes in the locker, if desired, drink a cocktail or a soft drink.

Dolphins are amazing animals. Swimming with them or just watching improves mood, calms and pacifies. No wonder these animals are used for the treatment of many diseases, rehabilitation. Both adults and children will like the dolphinarium. The main thing is that dolphins live here practically in natural conditions, healthy, playful and do not suffer, as in small indoor pools. In addition to mammals, you can see a real stingray in the dolphinarium and even swim with it.

How to get there

To get to the dolphinarium in the south of Bali from the central and northern part of the island, you need to drive to Denpasar. From there you can get directly to the dolphinarium. There is no public transport to Ser Angan Island.

They are considered to be among the best on the island. They will appeal to diving enthusiasts and surfers.

Here you will see a sculpture that is still under construction but will soon become the tallest monument in the world.

Since a visit to the dolphinarium does not take much time, the excursion can be combined with a visit to 2-3 other attractions in the south of Bali. For animal lovers, I would recommend the Turtle Park. For those for whom history and spiritual development are important, there is a direct road to the temples. If you like to bask on the soft warm sand, I advise you to stop by Lembongan Island with its beautiful white beach. Those who love diving should visit the coral reefs, which have many diving spots.

What is important to know before going to the Dolphinarium in the south of Bali? Here are some helpful tips:

You need to book a seat in advance, as there are a lot of visitors. I would advise you to sign up no later than a week in advance.
It is important to arrive at the dolphinarium on time, latecomers may not be admitted.
It is forbidden to enter the water for children under five years old, patients with epilepsy and pregnant women (or with suspected pregnancy). They can watch dolphins from a wooden platform.
If you are going to swim with dolphins, do not put sunscreen on your body. It is advisable to leave jewelry at home, or take them off just before bathing.
To take photos and videos in the dolphinarium, it is better to take waterproof equipment.

Several races are held at the dolphinarium every day. Here is their exact time:

8.00-11.30
9.30-13-30
12.30-15.30
14.00-17.30

This or that time of the day has no particular advantages, you can choose the most convenient for yourself. As for the season, it is better not to come during the rainy season. Dolphinarium administration reserves the right to cancel visits due to weather conditions. Therefore, in the rainy season, you have a greater risk that the trip will fail.

Who would I recommend to go to the dolphinarium? The entertainment will appeal to animal lovers, children and adults. Before the trip, take into account the age restrictions for this or that program, small children are not allowed to enter the pool.

A trip to the Dolphinarium in southern Bali is a great way to relax and interact with some of the smartest mammals. Here you can not only watch them, as in many other dolphinariums, but also swim together. I recommend visiting this attraction to anyone who loves animals.

To show on the map

Finns in Bali sail to the southern coast of the island almost every day. This is a great opportunity to meet these animals in their natural habitat. I propose you a short excursion, or rather a walk in the sea in the south of Bali, during which you will meet the sunrise with dolphins and look at them from a close distance.

I must say right away that this is not a closed dolphinarium, where animals are in artificial pools. You will be taken to the open sea, to the dolphin habitat. You will not be able to consume them, and even more so to swim, but you will be sure that they are not harmed and are not limited in freedom.

How the excursion is organized

Dolphins appear near the coast very early, then swim again into the sea. Therefore, you should leave at about seven in the morning. Your car will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the pier in Benoa harbor. There will be a comfortable high-speed raft waiting there, which departs at 07:30. Before boarding, everyone is treated to hot coffee, tea and cakes. The tour participants then take their seats on the boat. For safety reasons, passengers are asked to buckle up. The raft is designed so that there is a beautiful view of the ocean from any seat. You will not miss a single detail while traveling.

The Indian bottlenose dolphin (subspecies of the large bottlenose dolphin) is found off the coast of the island. During the walk, you will have the opportunity to see marine animals that swim very close to the boats. They can jump out of the water, somersault and greet people. Flocks number from 3-4 to 20 individuals. Sometimes even whales swim here. The sea is inhabited by fish that periodically emerge and fly over the water like birds. There is a chance you will see them too.

Boats swim to the dolphins at a safe distance so as not to frighten or harm. If they get too close, there is an increased risk of animals getting caught between the blades of the outboard motor. Thanks to my experienced team, you can admire dolphins, take great photos and shoot videos without the slightest risk of causing them trouble. Dolphins should not be touched so as not to harm them with a careless movement.

Dolphins are most likely to go during the dry season. When it rains and the sky is overcast, marine mammals are less likely to swim to the shore, preferring to hide under water. It is impossible to predict their behavior in the wild with absolute certainty. However, in 9 0% of all such excursions, tourists manage to look at the del Finns. If you are unlucky, you will breathe in the fresh sea air, admire the sunrise, Nusa Dua island, the beach and Uluwatu temple, past which the boat sails.

How to book an excursion

This cruise is not personally run by me, so you can buy tickets yourself.

There are several ways to book a cruise:

Buy tickets directly at Benoa harbor
Contact the organizers directly - a small company
Contact me

How may I help you

What benefits can you get by booking a sea cruise with me?

One of the main advantages is the absence of a language barrier. The staff of the cruise line know only Indonesian and English. If you contact me, I can become a translator for you, find out all the conditions you are interested in, tell you about the details of the tour. After all, without fully understanding the nuances of the trip, you may be disappointed or find yourself in an unpleasant situation for yourself.

On the eve of the cruise, I learn about the weather conditions, which largely determines the likelihood of meeting dolphins at sea. I will settle all the organizational issues, help you get answers to your questions regarding the tour. And the most pleasant bonus of our cooperation is that the price of the tour will be the same as when ordering directly from the company or buying a tour in the port.

Almost everyone has heard about swimming with dolphins. And about the healing properties of dolphin therapy, which has long been used to treat various diseases, prevent them and relieve stress. Moreover, it is a wonderful pastime for adults and children and an experience of a lifetime. In the bay near Sanur there is a pontoon with 2 swimming pools with dolphins in their natural habitat. It is there that you can meet and swim for 40 minutes with some of the smartest and friendliest animals.

Transfer from the hotel can be at your request at 09: 00-09: 15, 12: 00-12: 15 or 15: 00-15: 15. After arriving at Benoa Beach, there will be a 5 minute boat ride across the ocean to the dolphin pontoon. There are lockers on the pontoon where you can put your personal belongings. Before you start swimming, you will be instructed. After that, you will enjoy swimming with dolphins for 40 minutes. At the end of the tour, the guide will take you to your hotel.

Note

Please do not use various skin creams. Before bathing, remove rings, chains and other sharp objects. Since the service is provided daily to a small number of people, please book as early as possible. Swimming with dolphins is possible for children from 12 years old.

The northern resort of Bali, where dolphins live in the open sea - Lovina (Lovi na). Here these mammals are kept in their natural habitat. Dolphins swim to the local beach in the early morning. Dozens of boats with tourists at this time go out to sea to watch them.

I will tell you about what the dolphinarium in the north of Bali is like, how it differs from the places where dolphins live in captivity. At the end of the article, you will find a detailed route to Lovina, as well as interesting sights to see in the surrounding area. In conclusion, I will give a couple of tips that will come in handy when visiting the dolphinarium.

Description of the dolphinarium

The resort area of Lovina is located in the northern part of the island, in the Buleleng district, at a distance of 85 km from Denpasar. The dolphinarium appeared here in the 80s, when fishermen began to take tourists out to sea to look at amazing sea animals. The main purpose of such excursions was the opportunity to somehow earn money, because the Balinese in the north live very poorly. Another goal was to attract people to a region that is not very popular among visitors to the island. To a certain extent, it succeeded, it was the dolphin who made Lovina famous. It is not for nothing that there is a monument to frolicking dolphins on the local beach.

There are many different types of fish found in the coastal waters of the island. Some of them are food supplies for dolphins. Since the amount of food does not decrease all year round, the animals do not even need to migrate to other areas.

Dolphins in the Lovina area are:

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursi ops) - the most common species
Long-billed stenella (Stenellalongi rostris) from the genus of prodolphins
Gray dolphin (Grampusgri seus) - quite rare

There have been cases that rare grinda whales (Globi cephala) and Bride's minke whales (Balaenopterabrydei) swam here.

Some people think that dolphins come ashore to mingle with people. However, this is hardly the case: the friendliness of these animals is often exaggerated. Most likely, they simply drive schools of fish into shallow water for breakfast. In the morning in the sea, you can find from ten to one hundred individuals. Most of the animals are here during the dry season, from April to October.

What a date with dolphins looks like

Now in the Lovina area there are several cooperatives that are licensed to serve tourists. They have over 1 80 fishing boats. At the same time, 40-5 0 boats sail into the sea every day, sometimes even more. There are three official associations in the village of Kalibukbuk that hold licenses - Banyulit, Aneka and Kalibubuk. The fourth point is located in the village of Kalias. Also, some local fishermen take tourists out to sea without official permission. You need to negotiate with them individually, the prices for such trips are lower.

Dolphinarium "work" begins at 05: 30-06: 00 am. At this time, several dozen traditional fishing boats (jukungs) sail off the coast. Each such boat can accommodate no more than four passengers. The boat is about 9 m long and 1 m wide. On both sides there are special frames for balance. These boats are actually modified canoes, a common form of maritime transport in Indonesia and all of Polynesia.

The journey to the "rendezvous" takes about 10 minutes, dolphins appear about a kilometer from the coast. In the open sea, the real "hunt" for dolphins begins. If fins appear somewhere above the water, several boats rush to this place at once. It happens that animals hide, frightened by a large number of people and the sound of engines. But in most cases, tourists manage to see marine mammals at a distance of several meters.

Average journey time is 2-2.5 hours. If you are lucky, during this period of time you can meet several times with dolphins, see how they jump out of the water and do somersaults. But there are also unsuccessful swims, when there are no animals at all or only their fins are shown at a distance of several tens of meters. You need to understand that this is not an artificial pool, where trained animals show on demand shows. The behavior of wild dolphins in their natural habitat is very difficult to predict. But don't be upset if the date is unsuccessful. You will be able to meet one of the most beautiful sunrises on the island on the high seas.

One more thing about swimming with dolphins in Lovinj. Many tourists believe that you can swim with these animals and touch them. In fact, everything is not so: dolphins in their natural environment do not allow people to approach them, so it is unlikely that here it will be possible to take a photo in an embrace with them.

I bring to your attention a few more interesting photos of how the trip is going.

There are many cafes and restaurants on the local beach. After returning to the shore, you can have a delicious breakfast and a cup of coffee. Both local Balinese and European dishes are prepared here. Accommodation at the resort is not a problem to rent either. There are hotels and private villas of all levels here, and prices are lower than in the south. There are almost no entertainment, nightclubs, boutiques in Lovine, but it is not difficult to buy groceries and inexpensive souvenirs. If you wish, you can go to the capital of the district, Singaraja, which is located 10 km from the northern resort.

Features of the sea dolphinarium

In recent years, there have been many calls from animal advocates to close dolphinariums. They are partly right. Often, animals are kept in terrible conditions, they are forced to show the show several times a day, bringing them to exhaustion. Bleach is added to the pools, which makes dolphins go blind. According to statistics, they live in artificial pools for an average of 1-3 years, while in the wild, up to 30 years.

Lovina Dolphinarium is a unique opportunity to see real dolphins without worrying about the conditions of their keeping. But here, too, problems arise. Boats often come too close to animals, threatening to injure them with the blades of their motors. The sounds of running engines frighten marine mammals, which have very thin hearing. To avoid contact with people, they try to stay in the water longer, holding their breath for too long.

Some researchers warn that dolphins can simply leave the shores of Lovina at one moment, if the rules for observing them are not developed. A decrease in the number of animals is already being noted. Many countries have such laws, but Indonesia is not one of them. Of the four licensed companies that officially take tourists to the dolphinarium, only two (Anak and Kaliasem) maintain a register of boats and regulate their number at sea.

Activists urge both operators and responsible tourists to adhere to international rules. You cannot swim too close to animals and at high speed, it is important to regulate the number of boats that go out to sea at the same time. Another problem is environmental pollution. Garbage and plastic are often scattered on the beach, oil and fuel tanks are leaking in old boats, and poisonous substances get into the sea. This kills fish and shellfish - the main food of dolphins.

If you ignore the warnings of scientists and activists, tourism in Lovinj will be severely affected. Indeed, without a dolphinarium on the high seas, the northern resort will lose a significant part of its attractiveness. Already, residents of the east coast have begun to take up the initiative. Local fishermen also take tourists out to sea to watch dolphins. Since there are much fewer people there, the chance of encountering marine animals increases.

How to get to the dolphinarium in Lovinj

You can get to Lovina either by public bus or by a rented car. Now about each option in more detail.

By bus

If you decide to take a bus, it is most convenient to choose the Perama route, which runs daily from Kuta:

Bus schedule and cost:

Price - 125,000 rupees
Departure from Kuta - 10:00 am
Departure from Lovina - 09:00 am

There is an option to try your luck at the train station in Denpasar. There are also buses to Lovina from there, but you need to check the schedule on the spot. The cost of these routes may be slightly cheaper, but the buses stop frequently and are not as convenient.

By car

It takes 2.5-3 hours to get to Lovina from Denpasar by car. If on a bike, then another half hour. But such transport is not suitable for long trips.

Here is the detailed route:

Exit town north on Jl. Raya Denpasar.
Keep to the main road and do not turn off anywhere, keep going straight at all times, after about 4.7 km Jl. Raya Denpasar merges into Jl. Perean Tengah.
Drive through the streets of Jl. Perean Tengah-Jl. Mekarsari-Baturiti Bedugul-Jl. Baturiti-Mekarsari-Jl. Raya Pacung-Jl. Gunung Agung-Jl. Raya Baturiti-Jl. Pancasari-Baturiti-Jl. Baturiti Bedugul, keep to the wide asphalt road and do not turn anywhere.
After about 18 km, next to Lake Bratan, there will be a fork with many billboards, a small blue gazebo on the right, and a small altar in the center. Here you need to smoothly turn to the left.
After another couple of kilometers you will find yourself at a small crossroads, in its center you will see a "monument" to a corncob. Smoothly turn right here onto Jl. RayaBedug ul.
Continue straight along the streets of Jl. Raya Bedugul-Jl. Raya Singaraja-Denpasar-Jl. Pancasari – Baturiti, stay on the main road.
Approximately 13 km, just after the green sign for Tamblingan Lake and Git Git Falls, there will be a sharp left turn (you will actually drive in the opposite direction) onto Jl. Raya Wanagiri.
After about 5.8 km you will see a fork with a green sign in front of it. Turn right here onto Jl. Asah Gobleg, be guided by the arrow of the sign, which indicates the direction to Banjar.
After about 2 km there will be a small ring with a tall tree in the center, turn left here.
After a couple of hundred meters, you will find yourself at a small fork with a small altar in the center, here you should turn right to Jalan Bangkiang Si dem
After another 1.5 km, you will need to turn left. This turn is located among rural plantations. First, on the right, you will see a house with a red brick fence. Near the turn itself there is a small shield with the name of the yoga center and a small altar.
After about 8 km, in the middle of the village, next to a small yellow house, turn left into a small narrow street. After leaving this street, turn right.
After about half a kilometer, at the fork, turn left.
Continue straight for another 4 km, at the fork next to the small market turn left onto Jl. RayaAnturan.
After a few hundred meters, turn left near the Round black sign with golden letters Desa Pakraman Anturan.
Continue straight and at the end of the street, turn left onto Jl. Seririt- Singaraja.
After about 700 m, just after the sign for Hotel Eluk Agung, turn right.
After a couple of hundred meters, the road will turn sharply to the left, immediately after that there will be a right turn, it leads directly to the Lovina beach.

Dolphins in the open sea on the Lovina beach on the map

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Attractions nearby

A visit to the dolphinarium on the high seas will take you a little time. At 08-08: 3 0 in the morning you will be back ashore. The rest of the time can be devoted to exploring the sights that are nearby.

There are the following interesting places within a radius of ten kilometers:

1. Dolphinarium at Melka Hotel.

If you dream not only to see dolphins, but also to swim with them, you can stop by the Melka Hotel. There are several animals in the outdoor pool, and dolphin therapy sessions are held.

2. Puri Kangi nan Buleleng.

Former royal palace, built at the end of the 18th century. The structure is similar in structure to a Hindu temple, it retains the principle of three mandalas. The palace was rebuilt in 1840, 1902 and 1950. At one time, the Dutch colonial administration was located here. The building was badly damaged by the earthquakes of 1963 and 1976. Now some of the rooms have been restored and are available for visits.

3. Puri Agung Si ngaraja.

A newer royal palace, its style is closer to European. Located next to the old castle, open to the public.

This museum is located next to the royal palaces. It was opened in 1928. Here is a huge collection of ancient examples of Balinese writing. There are exhibits brought from other islands in Indonesia.

5. Pura Agung Jagatnatha.

The largest temple in the Horta resort. It is built on the principle of Padmasana - the heavenly lotus throne. Consists of several buildings located on three levels. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed inside. You can admire this magnificent building from the outside

Monument to the fighters for the independence of the island in Singaraj, it depicts three real heroes. The monument was opened in 2007. Its construction lasted 1 0 years.

7. Monumen Bhuwana Kerta, or Pura Republik Perjuangan Rakyat.

Another monument in honor of the independence of Indonesia. Built in 1966, its height is 17 m, there is a huge area around with various buildings and a park. A monument was made in the form of a column with a sacred lotus at the top. Initially, back in 1948, there was an idea to build a Temple of the Republic here, but then the concept was changed.

9. Sing-sing.

The waterfall is located a few kilometers from Lovina, its name translates as "singing". It is quite short, almost dries up in the dry season. In the upper part, among the frozen lava flows, there is a small pool of water. You can swim in it all year round.

10. Air Terjun Tembok Barak.

This is a small waterfall, the name of which is translated as "red wall" or "red barracks". It is surrounded on all sides by massive reddish rocks. Located next to Singaraja and 1 0 km from Lovina.

The sacred mountain springs at Banjar are some of the most famous on the island. The water contains a lot of sulfur and is very beneficial for the skin, joints and the respiratory system. There is a small temple near the springs, the pools themselves are an interesting example of local architecture, they are decorated with figures of dragons and demons.

P b, located near the hot springs. It was built in 1970, in a typical Balinese style. At the highest point of the monastery territory there is a copy of the largest Buddhist complex Borobodur. All buildings are surrounded by a tropical garden. There is a very large library inside the monastery.

Here are some tips to help you when visiting the dolphinarium:

You can come here all year round, but more often and in large numbers, dolphins swim to the shore in the dry season, from April to October.
If you plan to go to Lovina for one day, you need to leave Denpasar at 3 am. Then you will find yourself on the beach just as the boats go out to sea. But I advise you to plan a trip for 2 days, then you can take a break from the road before visiting the dolphinarium, see the sights near Lovina and swim in the sea.
To hire a boat, you can contact a licensed operator or arrange with one of the local fishermen. On average, the cost of an excursion is 5,0,000-100,000 rupees
But even with official companies, the prices for the swim can be different, so you can always bargain.
Your chance of encountering animals will increase if you go out to sea half an hour earlier than most of the tourists or stay for 30-40 minutes at the end of the swim, when most of the boats have already returned to the shore.
Be very careful when observing dolphins. They appear above the water surface for 10-20 seconds, then dive into the sea again.
If you want to take a photo, set the camera to continuous shooting. Or film the entire trip. Otherwise, you may not have time to fix the animals that have appeared for a short moment. Good photos are also very lucky.

The Dolphinarium in Lovina will appeal to both adults and children. This is a great opportunity to see animals that live in the wild. In addition, Kurort itself is a calm place with a quiet beach, where there are no high waves, you can swim, snorkel. Lovina is great for a quiet family vacation.