Known as one of the major pioneers of Bali tourism, Sanur still maintains its relaxing atmosphere while seamlessly adding a vibe of modernity. Not too quiet, not too noisy, Sanur today attracts younger generations, like solo, couples, or a small group of friends who wish to spend more quality time. It is also due to the role of Sanur as the embarking point to neighbouring popular destinations Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.
You can start exploring Sanur early in the morning at the beach to watch the sunrise. It is one of the must-do things in Bali. Sunrise indeed has something magical! It is the start of a new day, the first golden light, the world slowly waking up. There are tons of spots to enjoy the sunrise in Bali.
Because the tide is very low early morning, the water close to the shore remains still and reflects the colourful morning sky beautifully. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Agung on the left side. And the fact that you’re facing east on this beach, the sun will rise from the ocean which is magical to see. Sanur Beach is also a favourite place for photographers to capture some shots!
After the sunrise treat, you can continue your exploration by visiting the historical landmarks of Le Mayeur Museum. The museum displays artworks and the personal history of painter Adrien-jean Le Mayeur de Merpes. An artist born in Brussel was impressed by Bali and the shorelines of Sanur. Dancer Ni Pollok was his wife. She was mostly featured in oil paintings. The former living quarters of the couple are featured in the main building. Here you can see the classical Balinese elements such as sculpted stone walls and red terrazzo floor tiles. The furnishing exists out of carved wood.
Another historical landmark that you should visit is the Blanjong temple. This temple exhibits one of Bali’s oldest known artefacts. It is a stone pillar with Sanskrit inscriptions and is believed to be some victory monument, chiefly of King Sri Kesari Warmadewa. This was the first king of the Balinese warmadewa dynasty. It is believed that he installed Bali’s first formal government. The temple also exhibits sandstone statues of Hindu lord Ganesh and multiple animal figures. Blanjong temple is a national cultural heritage site and welcomes visitors year-round.
After the cultural activities, you can chill back at the beach. Sanur beach remains rich in history and maintains a laidback ambience. It exists out of numerous beaches that are relatively quiet compared to Kuta of Legian. The extensive coastline of Sanur is shared by some of the island’s oldest hotels and boutique resorts. The coastline is 8km long and is connected by a paved footpath. This ensures that it is suitable for jogging and cycling.
While you are in Sanur, you might want to swing by at Bali Sea walker to walk underwater with a beautiful view of reefs and marine life. It is only 5 minutes offshore, and you wear a specially designed helmet. The duration is around 30 minutes from the age of 10. There is also no diving and swimming experience necessary, so the perfect activity when you are with your friends or family.
For the adrenaline junkies, there are a lot of opportunities to do kitesurfing and windsurfing in Sanur. One of the most popular water sports in Sanur is Kitesurfing. You have plenty of rental shops lining up the coast. Kitesurfing is a combination of parasailing, wakeboarding and water-skiing. You use a large kite to tow the wakeboard.
When you go to Sanur, you cannot miss out on snorkelling. The beauty of snorkelling in Sanur is that you find shallow sites with colourful reefs and schools of tropical fish. To find the hidden gems, you can best sign up for a snorkelling tour at your hotel or with a dive centre. Also, swimming at beaches in Sanur is safe for kids because the beaches have a lower tide. The sindhu beach is the best for children because this beach is less crowded.
Sanur also offers a lot of different types of cruises. From half-day cruises to full-day cruises. Many cruises depart from Sanur; they stop on a pontoon at Lembongan Bay for water activities and a village outing; at the end, they stop at a floating dock. The floating dock has waterslides, a swimming pool, an underwater viewing chamber, glass-bottomed boats, banana boats, canoes and snorkelling equipment. You cannot go to Sanur and miss out on an incredible boat trip. They also offer different Diving trips in Sanur. The waters in Sanur are colder than in Kuta but include hundreds of species of fish, sea urchins, crustaceans and coral reefs. The beach can be a starting point for discovering Bali’s underwater world. But many companies offer diving trips to the Nusa islands.
After a whole day of exploring, you need good food to fuel your body. The best street to dine on is Jalan Danau Poso. Jalan Danau Poso is known for its eateries and is one of the best streets to visit when in Sanur. If you want to try local food as opposed to international cuisine, this is the place to go. The street offers local warung and cafes where you can taste the best food. Because of the wide variety of restaurants on this street, there is something for everyone.
And last but not least, shop for souvenirs at Hardy’s. This is the only large supermarket and department store in Sanur. On the second floor, you have a wide variety of very pretty souvenirs and surprisingly well priced. They have everything you can think about, from textiles to bags of spices.
