East Bali: Fishing & Snorkeling Tour with Local Guide

Summary

Fishing adventure at Virgin Beach with a Balinese guide

You’ll start your day meeting salt farmers in Kusamba before heading east for fishing or snorkeling at Virgin Beach with a local guide. Enjoy fresh-cooked lunch by the sea, time to relax or swim, plus hotel pickup and flexible timing — all wrapped up in real Balinese warmth you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Hands full of salt, the old man in Kusamba grinned as he showed us how he scraped crystals from the drying pans. We’d stopped on the way from Denpasar — about halfway to Virgin Beach — and I didn’t expect to get so caught up watching him work. The air smelled sharp, almost metallic, and my shoes crunched over the white crust. Our driver joked that if we tried making salt at home it’d just taste like disappointment. He might be right.

Just before Virgin Beach, our car slowed on a hill and suddenly there was Mount Agung, huge and blue-grey behind rice fields. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t do it justice — the light kept shifting. At the beach itself, our fishing guide Wayan waved us over. He’d already set out long chairs under a crooked palm while his cousin got the little wooden boat ready. There was this faint smell of grilled fish drifting from somewhere down the sand. I could hear kids laughing in Balinese — not sure what they were saying but it sounded like teasing.

I went for line fishing (spear looked a bit ambitious for me), and Wayan handed me the rod with a grin that said “good luck.” Out on the water, you can see Whale Island off to one side and all these flashes of color under the surface — parrotfish maybe? The boat rocked gently; I nearly lost my hat once when a breeze picked up. We fished for maybe two hours (I lost track), just talking about Dogtooth tuna and how sometimes people come here hoping for that one big catch. Didn’t get one myself but honestly, I didn’t mind.

Back on shore, lunch was waiting — simple grilled fish with rice and sambal that nearly made me sneeze. We ate barefoot in the sand while Wayan told stories about growing up here. Afterward I just lay back on the chair listening to waves and thinking how different this felt from anywhere else I’ve been. You decide when you want to leave; nobody rushes you here. I still think about that view from the boat sometimes, especially when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — East Bali Fishing and Sightseeing

• Visit Kusamba village salt farms
• View Mount Agung and Virgin Beach scenery
• Fishing and relaxing at Virgin Beach

Top questions

How long is the drive from Denpasar to Virgin Beach?

The drive takes about one and a half hours each way.

Is hotel pickup included in this East Bali fishing tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Can I choose between spear fishing or line fishing?

You can choose either spear or line fishing during your tour.

Is lunch provided on this day trip?

Yes, lunch is served at a beachside restaurant after your activity.

Are snorkeling equipment and fishing gear included?

Yes, all necessary snorkeling and fishing equipment are provided.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Can children join this tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infant meals aren’t included.

How long do we spend fishing or snorkeling?

You’ll spend between one to three hours on the water depending on your preference.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, bottled water throughout, all taxes and fees covered, use of snorkel and fishing equipment as needed, guidance from local staff both on land and water, plus a fresh lunch with coffee or tea before heading back whenever you’re ready.