Swim With Dolphins in Bali With Kids
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Planning to swim with dolphins in Bali is one of those experiences that sounds magical — but also raises a lot of questions for parents.
Is it ethical?
Is it safe for kids?
Is it worth the early start?
And what is it actually like once you’re out on the water?
We did this experience while living in Bali with our kids, and it ended up being one of the most memorable mornings of our entire time on the island.
Watching dolphins glide alongside our boat at sunrise felt like stepping into a real-life nature documentary. Seeing the boys’ faces as they caught their first glimpses of dolphins — both from the boat and underwater — is something I’ll never forget.
This guide shares our real experience swimming with wild dolphins in Bali, including what to expect, age guidance, costs, safety considerations, and whether we think it’s worth doing with kids.
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Where can you swim with dolphins in Bali?
The best place to swim with wild dolphins in Bali is Lovina Beach, on the island’s quieter north coast.
Lovina is known for its calm seas, black volcanic sand, and resident pods of dolphins that regularly appear offshore in the early morning hours. Unlike dolphin parks or captive experiences, these dolphins are completely wild and free-swimming.
Because of this, tours operate early — usually just before sunrise — when the sea is calmest and sightings are most likely.
Our Experience Swimming With Dolphins in Bali
We did this experience while living in Bali, and it was hands-down one of the most magical mornings of our trip. And certainly one of our fave things to do in Bali.
After an early pick-up, we arrived at Lovina just as the sky was starting to lighten. We climbed aboard a traditional Indonesian outrigger boat — long, narrow, and surprisingly stable — and headed out to sea with several other boats.
Dolphins aside, it’s a beautiful way to watch the sunrise over the sea and the peaks of Bali beyond. The sea was calm and flat for the whole of our time.
Once we were out on the open sea, dolphins began appearing around us.
Watching them surface and swim alongside the boat was incredible in itself, but the experience didn’t stop there. Each boat has long arm-like bars extending from the front. One by one, you put on a snorkelling mask, hold onto the bars, and are gently pulled through the water alongside the boat.
Both boys were lucky enough to see dolphins underwater as they swam around and beneath the boat — something they were completely blown away by.
What to Expect When You Swim With Dolphins in Bali
Here’s what a typical dolphin tour from Lovina looks like:
- Very early meet at the dolphin statue by the beach (around 4–5am)
- Life jackets provided
- Small boats, seating up to 5 people
- 1–2 hours on the water — usually back by breakfast
- Calm seas in the early morning
- Wild dolphins, not trained or fed
- Often a bonus snorkelling stop closer to shore at the end. The sea here is surprisingly clear and the visibility was excellent.
- At the snorkelling stop there’s also time for jumping in from the boat (one of our boys’ fave activities!)
It’s worth noting: there are a lot of boats on the water. This is a very popular experience, and while the dolphins are wild, the number of tours can feel overwhelming at times.
Is Swimming With Dolphins in Bali Safe for Kids?
For the most part, yes — with some important caveats.
Our kids were 8 and 10 at the time, and both were strong swimmers and confident in the water.
To enter the water, children need to:
- Be comfortable wearing a snorkel mask
- Have the strength to hold onto the bars at the front of the boat
- Follow instructions carefully
Younger kids are absolutely fine staying on the boat, but swimming alongside the dolphins is best suited to school-age kids who are confident in the water.
Ages
- Boat ride: All ages
- Swimming portion: Best for 5+, depending on strength and confidence
How Much Does It Cost to Swim With Dolphins in Bali?
This is one of the most affordable wildlife experiences we’ve done as a family. We were on a pretty tight budget in Bali but this still worked for us.
- Cost: approximately £60 total for our family of four
- Time needed: half day (early morning)
Prices vary depending on which operator you book with. However, most trips include all the same timings and stops.
Which tour company did we book with?
We booked directly with a tour guide – Arik – who had been personally recommended to us by other travelling families. Arik was quick to reply to our messages and was a fab guide out on the boat.
He knew where the dolphins were likely to be and when, and kept us away from the other boats (and crowds) whenever he could. If you’re thinking about booking a trip to swim with the dolphins in Bali then you can contact Arik directly on +62 813 3777 3330. You can also check out his Instagram account here.
As the dolphins are the star attraction in Lovina, there are dozens and dozens of options for tours. Any hotel in the area can book you on to a tour, or you can visit one of the many tour agencies around town.
Parent Tips for Swimming With Dolphins in Bali
A few things we’d recommend if you’re doing this with kids:
- Give motion sickness medication before leaving if needed
- Manage expectations — sightings are very likely, but never guaranteed
- Dress warmly for the boat ride (it’s cool before sunrise)
- Bring a dry bag for phones and clothes
- Be prepared for crowds — this is not a quiet, secluded experience
- Don’t plan anything for the rest of the day as you’re all likely to be exhausted
If you’d prefer a calmer experience, consider asking about private or smaller-group tours.
Is Swimming With Dolphins in Bali Ethical?
This is an important question — and one we thought about a lot.
The dolphins in Lovina are wild and not captive, which is a big positive. However, the high number of boats can feel intrusive at times.
If this is something you’re concerned about:
- Look for operators that keep distance where possible
- Avoid tours that aggressively chase dolphins
- Consider private boats with more flexibility
It’s a balance — and one each family will feel differently about.
How to Get to Lovina for a Dolphin Tour
Lovina is located on the north coast of Bali. Public transport is very limited in Bali, particularly outside the major tourist hubs in the South. In general we found it easy though to get around by using Grab taxis (even for some long journeys) or a private driver.
Approximate drive times:
- From Ubud: 3-3.5 hours
- From Canggu/Seminyak: 3.5–4.5 hours
Most families either:
- Book transport through their dolphin tour
- Hire a private driver for the return journey (we paid £35 in total for the return journey)
I would HIGHLY recommend staying over the night before (and after if you can). With kids the timings are very difficult if you attempt the trip in one day.
Plus, travel times in Bali can vary WILDLY so you’d need to be very confident of getting there for a 4-5am start. Our journey home took nearly 5hours due to the very heavy rain (which flooded most of the streets in Lovina during our stay and even caused some landslides!).
If you go with the private driver option, one of the additional benefits is that you get to stopover on the way and explore a bit more of Bali. We stopped for an hour or so at a coffee plantation and learnt about the coffee production process. Including trying some of the famous Luwak coffee (made from the poo of civet cats!).
We then made a stop at a beautiful temple complex in the mountains overlooking a lake. We wandered around, had an ice cream and a cold drink and just enjoyed the views. Both stops were a great way to break up the journey, especially for the kids.
Where is the best place to stay in Lovina?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly but lovely place to stay I would highly recommend Binaria Museum Hotel. This is a wonderfully quirky little place with so much character. The reception rooms are full of weird and wonderful treasures.
Rooms are spread across the compound and each has a small patio area right outside. Our room was spacious (even with the extra kids beds) and the bathroom was modern but still quirky.
There’s also free tea and coffee in the reception/lounge areas. The little restaurant serves a good mix of Indonesian and Western dishes. The breakfast in particular is really good value, with big portions. Which is just what you need when you come back from an early morning trip to see the dolphins!
There’s also a gorgeous pool with a waterfall and loungers to the side. Our boys spent hours swimming and dipping themselves under the waterfall!
An extra bonus is that it’s only a 2-minute walk to the dolphin statue (which is the meeting point for the dolphin tours). This was VERY helpful for the 5.30am start time.
We paid £50 for a two night stay.
🏨 Check rates for Binaria Museum Hotel — our favourite budget-friendly stay in Lovina
Is Swimming With Dolphins in Bali Worth It for Families?
For us — yes, absolutely.
It was early, a little chaotic, and very different from polished tourist attractions — but it was also completely unforgettable.
Seeing wild dolphins up close, in their natural environment, was a powerful experience for our kids. It sparked questions, excitement, and genuine awe — the kind of learning you can’t replicate anywhere else.
If your kids are confident in the water and you’re comfortable with an early start, swimming with dolphins in Bali can be a truly special family experience.
Final Thoughts
Some travel experiences stay with you long after you’ve left a place — and this was one of them for us.
It wasn’t perfect or peaceful, but it was real, raw, and unforgettable. Watching our kids witness wildlife in its natural environment reminded us why we travel the way we do — to show them the world as it is, not just as it’s packaged.
Don’t expect a stunning beach location, as Lovina is NOT that. But if you are set on seeing the dolphins and have the time, this is a great way to explore Bali away from the crowds in the South of the island.
If you’re planning a family trip to Bali and trying to decide which experiences are genuinely worth it, I hope this guide helps you feel informed and confident.
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Planning a family trip to Bali?
If you’re considering travelling to Bali with kids, then check out our other blog posts below for travel advice and reviews of things to do with kids on the island.
