East Bali is one of the island’s best-kept secrets and it’s not hard to see why this valley in Karangasem is being billed as ‘the next Ubud’. As well as inexpensive guesthouses offering epic views of mountains and green fields, you’ll find polished resorts like Samanvaya Luxury Resort & Spa. Go here to sip cocktails in an infinity pool on the edge of rice terraces and stay in one of its 15 straw-roofed luxury villas built by local craftsmen. Explore the area on a scooter or bike, trek the rice terraces or visit local waterfalls and natural springs. Don’t leave without trying the mie goreng at Warung Ume Anyar  – it comes with a side of breathtaking views.

When Bali gets busy, those in the know make their way to this tiny island in the south-east. Part of a trio of isles that include Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan is a compact escape with a roaring coastline. Surfers paddle straight out to Playgrounds break from hillside eco-luxe Batu Karang, a resort offering spectacular views from an elevated pool as well as a whisky, gin and wine bar. Book a snorkelling trip to Manta Point to swim with manta rays or dive at nearby Nusa Penida with the giant mola mola or sunfish. Sunset sessions are now an institution at beach club Ohana’s (and happy hour happens between 5pm-6.30pm).

If you want to know what Canggu was like before the world discovered it, head to its leafy and still-rural beachside neighbour. But while it may be free of the traffic that plagues busier areas, the neighbourhood café scene in Pererenan is still thriving. Newcomers such as Med-fusion Shelter Bali and brunch chic Touché signal Pererenan’s current evolution from beachside village to up-and-coming area. 

Accommodation is also intimate, such as Yucca Villas, which offers two luxury villas with curved white walls, natural textiles, pools and the feel of Tulum. Wave seekers will love the black-sand surf beach of Kedungu, a 20-minute drive away – it’s a reprieve from Canggu’s busy Batu Bolong and Echo Beach.

Spanning five kilometres along the south-east coast of Bali, the laid-back Sanur is only a 30-minute drive from the airport and its calm waters and slow pace make it an easy destination for families. Hop from beach to beach while tackling the boardwalk along the coast, beginning with sunrise over Sindhu Beach, followed by smoothie bowls and coffee at Soul on the Beach, or spend the evening sipping Chrysanthemum Martinis on the sand from Genius Cafe at the south end of Sanur beach. At night, retire to Andaz Bali. Inspired by the modern Balinese village, each of its 127 rooms and suites and 22 villas highlight local craftsmanship.

Tranquil town Candidasa is a two-hour drive north-east of Kuta and offers a quiet retreat away from the crowds while delivering an action-packed itinerary. Make your home at Sea Breeze Candidasa, a hotel overlooking Lombok Strait with two infinity pools primed to soak in the view. Snorkelling and diving can be organised by the hotel at the private beach and a 15-minute drive will take you to the incredible gates of Sang Hyang Ambu Temple. Cycling is the most efficient way to get around – there’s no shortage of bike rentals in the area – a walk up Guungan Hill delivers panoramic views of where the greenery meets the ocean. Le-Zat Beach Restaurant is a crowd favourite for Balinese cuisine, with the fresh seafood a highlight. Try the Tom Yam Goong (spicy seafood soup) to see what the fuss is about.

Situated in north-east Bali’s highlands, Kinatamani is a district that skirts the base of Mount Batur – an active volcano that takes around four hours to hike, promising 360-degree views of the region to those who make the trek. After the journey, head to Toya Bungkah Hot Spring at the bottom of the mountain where the water temperature reaches a warm 40°C. The lakeside Ayu Kintamani Villa offers all the comforts of a traditional Balinese villa, each with its own private pool, while, glamping site Sunrise Hill Camp features a natural hot spring pool with mountain and lake views. No matter your stay, find all-day brunch favourites such as breaky burritos at Paperhills cafe – it comes with a side of mountain views.

Black sand beaches, monasteries and waterparks can all be found in the Lovina beach region in northern Bali, just 10 kilometres out of the port town Singaraja. Take the 20-minute walk to Gitgit waterfall early in the morning and you’ll most likely have the place all to yourself, then head to Busungbiu Rice Terrace in nearby Kekeran Village for rice paddy trekking. You may need a whole day to explore Krisna Funtastic Land with the family as you rotate between amusement rides, the lazy river and wave pool. If you’re searching for calm, Bali’s largest Buddhist monastery, Brahmavihira-Arama, has meditation rooms, libraries and gardens to explore. Check in to your choice of studios, suites, villas and penthouses at The Lovina which sits on 200 metres of beachfront then settle into the hotel's Sunset Bar for nasi goreng and a cocktail.

Twenty minutes from Seminyak by car, Serangan is a miniature island free from the bustle of Bali’s main resort areas. Touted as “Turtle Island”, visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) to adopt a baby sea turtle and release it back into the wild. All levels of water sport enthusiasts are catered for here, while surfers will want to head straight for the powerful waves that form on the outer reefs just off Pantai Serangan (the main beach), best enjoyed during the wet season (November to March). Surrounded by pristine fishing waters, sampling the spoils of the sea is a must. Seafood Bu Rini’s lobster bakar is a local favourite, so order as soon as you arrive to avoid missing out. Having long flown under the radar, luxurious accommodation on Serangan itself is scarce, but Villa Shima in neighbouring Sanur, with its private pool and space for up to 12, is just a 13-minute drive away.

While mostly known as the gateway to Gili and Nusa islands, Padangbai moonlights as a diver’s paradise, offering some of Bali’s best white sand beaches without the crowds. Just over a 90-minute drive from Seminyak, settle into an airy suite or the traditional Villa CASA Doudou (pictured) at OK Divers Resort & Spa for unobstructed Indian Ocean views, before dipping your toes in the water. At Bias Tugel Beach, you’re sure to spy pygmy seahorses and clownfish darting along the vibrant coral plateau while snorkeling. When hunger strikes, look to the resort’s farm-to-table restaurant, The Colonial, for a traditional Indonesian and vegan-friendly menu. Chef Ketut’s signature Pepes Ikam Padangbai, featuring barbecued fish straight from the surrounding waters served in a banana leaf with rice, Balinese salad, cucumber, pineapple pickle and spinach crackers is a guaranteed winner.

Offering secluded beaches, colourful coral gardens and soaring vistas of Mount Agung — an active volcano that’s also Bali’s highest point — at every turn, Amed is an east coast gem that lays a three-hour drive from Denpasar. Relatively untouched by modern development, the region encompasses a 14-kilometre strip of seven traditional villages, making it a laid-back escape from the archipelago’s buzzier hotspots . Similarly, the water conditions here are calmer than at most other dive sites in Bali, making it suitable for all experience levels – don’t miss exploring the vivid pink and yellow corals that bloom around the Japanese Wreck site. Less than an hour away by car, you’ll be within easy distance to Bali’s most beautiful water palaces, including Ujung Water Palace and the Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven). Bunutan Valley’s luxurious MATHIS Lodge makes for a blissful base after a day of adventuring and the infinity pool’s panoramic ocean views that stretch beyond Amed’s rolling mountains are postcard-worthy.

Dubbed the “rice bowl of Bali”, you’ll get a taste of traditional village life in Tabanan, where volcanic mountains loom over verdant rice fields and black sand beaches. While less crowded than Seminyak and Canggu, it’s also home to some of Bali’s most famous landmarks, including the seaside Hindu temple Tanah Lot and the UNESCO-protected rice terraces of Jatiluwih. Fans of flora should visit the Bali Botanic Garden — Indonesia’s largest, which boasts a curation of around 2,000 plant species and the country’s biggest display of wild orchids. About a 90-minute drive from Denpasar, a stay at Soori Bali is sure to be a highlight, with the sustainable 48-villa resort set on the edge of the ocean between Mount Batukaru and terraced rice fields, complete with an on-site spa, private beach and farm-to-table restaurants.

With coral reefs covering complex rock formations and drop-offs up to 60 metres, Nusa Menjangan is West Bali’s top ‘hidden’ diving destination. Part of the abundant West Bali National Park, arrive via a 30-minute boat ride from the North Bali port of Labuhan Lalang and begin with a guided tour for a potential sighting of the rare Rusa Deer the island is named after (“Menjangan” is Javanese for deer). No visit is complete without exploring Anchor Wreck, a sunken 19th-century wooden ship now taken over by soft coral and a prime spot to glimpse turtles and reef sharks. As the park is protected and can be difficult to navigate, you’ll be best placed at  The Menjangan Resort, the largest luxury hotel inside its boundaries with easy access to Nusa Menjangan and the private beaches of Bajul Bay by boat. For indulgence between escapades, the resort’s treetop and on-beach restaurants — not to mention the traditional Balinese spa overlooking the ocean — await.

Why a Cruise is the Best Way to Experience New Zealand