Bali Hai Cruises

Bali Hai Cruises is one of the most established names in Bali’s day-cruise scene, running motorised catamarans from Benoa Harbour across the Badung Strait to Nusa Lembongan. The company keeps its Bali base at the harbour on Jl. Wisata Tirta, and its ships are set up for relaxed, all-inclusive days out rather than fast island hopping: you board mid-morning, cruise across with coffee and pastries, and spend the middle of the day on or around Lembongan before sailing back in the afternoon.

What sets the operator apart is that it runs its own facilities on the island side. The Reef Cruise ties up at a purpose-built pontoon moored over coral, while the Beach Club Cruise lands guests at Mushroom Bay for a day at the Hai Tide beach club. Both formats bundle transport, food and activities into one ticket, which makes it an easy option for families and first-time visitors who would rather not piece together boats, drivers and snorkel rentals themselves.

What to expect

Hotel pick-up in an air-conditioned vehicle brings you to Benoa, where the catamaran leaves at around 09:15. On the Reef Cruise, the boat anchors alongside the pontoon, which has a 35-metre water slide, diving boards, snorkel gear and unlimited banana-boat rides; there is also a short coral reef restoration tour and a village excursion on Lembongan. Lunch is a buffet served on board, finished with local sweets.

The Beach Club Cruise swaps the pontoon day for roughly five hours at Mushroom Bay, with a swimming pool, beach volleyball, lawn and sand loungers, snorkelling at the reef pontoon and a poolside barbecue lunch. Return sailing starts around 15:15, with drop-off back at your hotel afterwards.

Packages & prices

• Reef Cruise – pontoon, water slide, snorkelling, banana boat, buffet lunch on board, village tour.
• Beach Club Cruise – Mushroom Bay beach club, pool, snorkelling, BBQ lunch, village tour.
• Published rates – adults USD 130, children aged 4–14 USD 90, family (2+2) USD 390; the listed validity date has passed, so confirm the current price when booking.
• Charters – private charters are offered for groups and events.

Safety & requirements

Snorkel equipment and instruction are included, but strong currents run through the channels around the Nusa islands, so stay within the marked area and follow crew briefings. Non-swimmers should ask for a life jacket before entering the water. Crossings can be choppy in the dry-season trade winds; take motion-sickness tablets before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. The office closes only on Nyepi, when no sailings run.

Tips

• Pick the Reef Cruise for kids who want the slide and banana boat; choose the Beach Club Cruise for a slower day by the pool.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel and a dry bag for your phone.
• Book a few days ahead in July, August and at Christmas, when school-holiday demand peaks.
• Ask whether your hotel is inside the free transfer zone; some outlying areas may carry a surcharge.
• Carry some cash for drinks and souvenirs on Lembongan.