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As self-professed adventure lovers, we couldn’t turn down the chance to go whitewater rafting in Bali!
After rafting in other parts of the world, we decided that it was high time to check out the rapids here for ourselves. We know that safety is a big concern for many travelers when booking rafting tours, but as experienced rafters, we were also worried that the rapids in Bali might be a bit too easy for us!
As it turns out, we had nothing to worry about on either front! So now we’re here with our full, honest review to help you decide if going whitewater rafting in Bali is worth it for you.
What whitewater rafting tour did we do?
We really wanted to get the most out of our day, so we booked this combo tour, which combines whitewater rafting with an exciting ATV ride through the jungle! We thought that getting off the beaten path for a day and exploring a remote part of Bali sounded pretty epic, especially given the adrenaline-fuelled activities involved!
Then, we saw that the tour has over 700 positive reviews, which pretty much convinced us. There were quite a few different tour options available, but we ended up paying $75 USD each for a shared ATV and rafting tour with transport, which we thought was good value for money, especially as it included lunch.
However, if you’re short on time, or just don’t fancy an ATV ride, then you can book the standalone rafting tour. This is the exact same whitewater rafting tour as we did. If you’re renting a scooter in Bali, then you can book this rafting tour for just $19 USD, which includes lunch – pretty insane, right? And if you need transport, that’s available for an additional fee.
Book the same rafting combo tour we loved right here!
What I loved about the tour
Fun guides
The rafting guides were absolutely amazing! They made us feel safe and ensured that everyone knew what to do, but they also brought a lot of humor and fun to the experience. One guide in particular, Dao, had us laughing the entire time, and he was also great at pointing out wildlife as we floated down the river.
Epic adventure
We’re pretty experienced rafters, so we did wonder if maybe this tour would only be exciting for beginners, but that wasn’t the case at all! It was a fun adventure and we loved every second of it. The rapids aren’t too much for first-timers to handle, but they are still thrilling for old hats like us!
Included lunch
Given how affordable whitewater rafting is, we were really impressed that lunch was included. Better yet, the food itself was really good! We got to enjoy a buffet at a local restaurant, so there were plenty of yummy local dishes to choose from.
Amazing views
The scenery surrounding the Ayung River was just beautiful, and we loved the views as we paddled along. So many tourists miss out on going deep into the heart of Bali’s wild jungle, so we loved getting to see the lush foliage and wildlife here.
Felt safe the entire time
We felt super safe throughout our whitewater rafting experience and had no worries at all. All of the equipment was new and well-maintained, and the guides really knew their stuff, so we were in good hands. They definitely don’t cut corners on safety with this tour!
Transport was comfortable
We opted to include transport from Ubud, which is where we were staying when we did this tour. We were in a comfortable, air-conditioned car, and our driver, Nyoman, was a really nice guy. He picked us up right on time and even offered to make a snack stop in case we were hungry.
Visited a beautiful waterfall
One of our favorite parts of the whitewater rafting tour was that we got to visit a gorgeous waterfall that’s hidden deep in the jungle. In fact, I’d say that it was one of the prettiest falls that we have seen in Bali. Plus, we were the only group there, so it was so cool to have it all to ourselves.
Option to include ATVing (this is what we did)
We loved being able to turn our whitewater rafting tour into a full day adventure! When we realized that we could book the rafting tour with ATVing, we knew that we just had to do it, and we weren’t disappointed. The ATVing was great (read all about our ATVing experience here!), and we are so glad that we went with this option because we saved money versus booking these two activities separately.
Ready to book? Book your rafting tour here to access FREE cancellation
What I didn’t like about the tour
Long walk up the steps to the transport
The whitewater rafting ended in a deep valley, and we had to walk up a lot of steps to get back to our driver, who was waiting for us at the top. It took us a while and was quite tiring! We didn’t mind this too much, but it is something to bear in mind if you struggle with walking up a lot of stairs, or walking for a long time.
What did the tour include/not include?
The most basic whitewater rafting tour includes the rafting and a buffet lunch. Not bad for $19 USD, I must say! However, you can also add transport from Ubud or other parts of South Bali for an additional fee.
Meanwhile, the rafting and ATV combo version of the tour also included both activities and lunch. We opted to share an ATV between the two of us, which brought the price down, and we added return transfers from our hotel in Ubud.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Would I do this tour again?
Yes, we loved it and had so much fun! We have been rafting many times and have tackled some extreme rapids before, so we thought that the Class II and III rapids in Bali might feel a little gentle, but they didn’t at all. It’s perfect for anyone, whether it’s your first or your 50th time going whitewater rafting.
The guides were amazing, the scenery was beautiful, and we thought that this rafting tour was great value for money. So yes, we will definitely be doing it again the next time we’re in Bali!
Related Read: Another tour we plan to do again is this Ubud sightseeing tour – read our review!
Where to Stay in Bali
Bali is full of stunning hotels – so many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose. The first step is deciding on which area suits you best and then selecting a hotel afterward.
There are three areas of Bali that we personally love and recommend to all of our friends. You can read about them below as well as our top hotel choice in each area!
Canggu
This is Bali’s trendiest area! This is where Dan and I stay whenever we are in Bali for an extended amount of time because of the lifestyle here. There are beautiful cafes on every corner, amazing restaurants and bars, and boutique shopping. It’s also close to the beach and has a great nightlife. This is the area where most expats base themselves in Bali, which creates the buzzing atmosphere that Canggu is known for.
Chesa Canggu is a boutique hotel within walking distance of Canggu’s best restaurants, bars, and beaches. Each room faces the outdoor pool and has a private bathroom, free WiFi, a TV, and a safety deposit box. Chesa has an onsite bar and restaurant and offers free parking for guests. The beds are super comfortable, and the staff always go out of their way to help you. Trust us, you won’t regret staying here!
Prices start as low as $124 USD per night and you can book online here.
Uluwatu
This is the perfect place to stay if you want a relaxing beach holiday! Uluwatu is a lot quieter than Canggu with a lot less traffic. The beaches here are amazing and some of the most beautiful on the island. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and beach clubs here. We also love the closer proximity to the airport, making for a convenient stay if you’re only in Bali for a short time.
Anantara Uluwatu is a fantastic option for those looking to treat themselves during their stay in Uluwatu. It’s located right on the beach, so you’re guaranteed some amazing views. There are multiple restaurants and bars, an outdoor infinity pool, a spa, and a fitness center. Plus, each room comes with your own hot tub! The employees are super helpful, and the hotel has onsite activities like dance classes, ceramic-making, and yoga.
Prices range from $320 to $1,500 USD, and you can check rates and availability online here.
Ubud
Not a beach person? Then Ubud is for you! It is located inland, surrounded by lush jungle. The area is still quite trendy with plenty of cafes and restaurants, although the nightlife is a lot more limited. Ubud is where you can easily find nearby waterfalls, go whitewater rafting, ATVing, and all the other fun adventurous activities.
We stayed at Abipraya, which was super quiet and nestled into a tropical garden, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main town. The location was ideal for us and we loved the big swimming pool overlooking the rice fields, as well as the open and airy feel that the rooms had.
Prices start at around $50 USD per night, which includes breakfast, so it was a really good budget option. Book Abipraya here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Going whitewater rafting in Bali is worth it! It’s so much fun, safe, and good for beginners or more experienced paddlers. We can’t believe we waited so long to try it – it won’t be long until we are back rafting here I’m sure.
While you’re planning an epic trip to Bali, have a look at our entire travel section on Bali. We love traveling around the island and I’ve been coming here since I was a kid so we have lots of travel secrets and tips to share.
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