Your villa manager, will have a wealth of information about places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the area too. Most will live nearby and can give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of local Bali life.
In the meantime, here’s a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of Bayuh Sabbha.
- Among the local beaches is the famous surf beach at Uluwatu. Not a great swimming beach but fabulous cliff top location to view the surfing and enthusiasts will want to paddle out and challenge the waves. Not quite as spectacular but equally alluring are the beaches of Bingin and Padang Padang, on either side of Bayuh Sabbha. Beautiful white sand bays with rock pools and a host of local cafes. Below Bayuh Sabbha is the tiny cove of Impossibles, low tide here is fine for swimming and one local café offers simple food and juices.
- At Jenggala Keramic in Jimbaran, visitors can browse and buy from a vast range of handcrafted ceramics and glassware. Jenggala also runs ‘Make and Paint a Pot’ sessions where ‘Children’ of all ages are encouraged to get creative.
- The New Kuta Golf club is a 20-minute drive from the villa and features an 18 hole course overlooking the ocean. The adjoining beach, dreamland is suitable for the whole family for both swimming and surfing.
- Both five star and local restaurants are plentiful and close by. Almost next door, the new Anantara has opened offering great views from their Cliffside restaurant. Bulgari and Ayana resorts are among the favourites and the Rock Bar at Ayana is a must-see for sunset cocktails. Finns at Semara has a beach club for more casual dining.
- A seafood feast at Jimbaran is a must for every holiday in Bali – dozens of seafood warung (cafés) line this west-facing beach, perfect for a sunset dinner. Fine dining options are available at most of the big resort hotels in this area; notably PJ’s, the charming beachside restaurant at the Four Seasons in Jimbaran, serving Mediterranean-styled cuisine.
- Nusa Dua’s Bali Collection mall has a host of local boutiques and a department store. Heading towards Kuta (about 40 minutes) brings you to Galleria shopping mall while nearby Tuban has Discovery Mall and streets lined with local shops. Seminyak boutiques are about an hour away.
- Bayuh Sabbha has a temple on the grounds which serves the local community and guests are welcome to participate in ceremonies. Uluwatu’s clifftop temple is well worth a visit. Home to local monkeys which are considered sacred in Bali, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of the island’s most important temples.
- Learn to surf or stand up paddle at Jimbaran Bay, a great place for beginners. Rip Curl School of Surf offers day courses and provides all the equipment.
- Covering 3.8 hectares of tropical parkland in Kuta, Waterbom Bali has 16 water slides (including The Climax with its 360 degree loop) to entertain the young and the young at heart. A great family day out, but go early to beat the crowds.