The upscale peninsula of Tanjung Benoa has established itself as one of Bali’s most popular destinations. Home to the Benoa Cruise International Terminal, this peninsula in South Bali is packed with resorts, spas, and malls, most of them standing over a sublime beach. Tanjung Benoa is popular for watersports and provides the dreamy preconception of Bali, with white sand fringed by coconut palms and turquoise waters.

Tanjung Benoa juts out in the west of South Bali. A long peninsula runs north from Nusa Dua, while a shorter peninsula comes south from near Kuta and is where the cruise terminal is located. The two almost meet, and local motorboats make the one-kilometre journey between them. Over 50 cruise ships arrive here every year, giving visitors a few hours to enjoy the beaches and perhaps take a jet ski onto the water. Other water sports include wakeboarding at Bali Wake Park, parasailing, banana boats, and the new water jet packs. There are also opportunities for scuba diving and taking an underwater scooter through the coral gardens.

Tanjung Benoa is Bali’s watersports paradise and is within 30 minutes of the beach resort areas on the western coast of South Bali, such as Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. It’s also less than 30 minutes’ drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Like so many beachside Bali destinations, Tanjung Benoa was once a small fishing village. Visitors can still explore this history at the village on the northern end of the peninsula, where fishermen unload their fresh catch at the market just before sunrise.