Animal encounters

Nusa Penida / Tabanan

A genuine rehabilitation and release programme for Bali starlings, mynas and rescued primates. Visits are by arrangement and low-key — no handling, no photo props. Volunteering and donations are the point.

Batubulan, Gianyar

Large landscaped aviaries with Indonesian and international species, and one of the better captive-breeding records on the island. Two to three hours, shaded, easy with small children and strollers.

Gianyar coast

Drive-through-style safari enclosures, a good option in bad weather with kids. Skip the paid animal-riding and photo-with-a-cub add-ons; the enclosure viewing and keeper talks are the worthwhile part.

Serangan, near Sanur

A working hatchery that intercepts eggs from poachers. Small entry fee, honest explanation of the trade, and seasonal hatchling releases at dusk (roughly Apr–Oct) that you can join for a donation.

North-west Bali

The best snorkelling and wall diving in Bali, plus ranger-guided birding walks for the critically endangered Bali starling in the wild. Book a ranger at Labuan Lalang or Sumber Klampok.

Manta Point / Manta Bay

Reef manta rays year-round at cleaning stations off Penida's south coast. Choose a small-boat operator that briefs you on distance rules; swell here can be serious, so it's not a beginner snorkel on rough days.

East Bali

Coral gardens, the USAT Liberty wreck and Biorock restoration structures straight off the beach. Best 7–10am. Reef-safe sunscreen and no standing on coral.

Ubud, Canggu, Denpasar

Dog and cat rescues that welcome walkers, fosterers and short-term volunteers, and run the island's rabies vaccination drives. Adoption with international flight support is possible.

Ubud

A real conservation area and temple complex rather than a zoo. Fascinating at 8.30am; a scrum by 11. Long-tailed macaques here are wild, bold and quick — treat the visit as observing, not interacting.

Lovina

The classic Lovina sunrise trip regularly turns into a dozen boats chasing a pod. If you want to go, use an operator that commits to keeping distance and cutting engines, and accept you may see less.

• Closed shoes for forest, rice-field and sanctuary paths
• Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin — dengue is the real mosquito risk here
• Water, hat, and a light long-sleeve layer for sun and bites
• Small notes for entry, parking and donations — most sites are cash only
• Antiseptic wipes and a couple of plasters for scratches
• A day bag that zips fully closed around macaques

• Reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen, or better, a rash vest
• Your own mask if you have one — rental fit is hit and miss
• Booties or reef shoes for rocky entries at Amed and Tulamben
• Dry bag for phone, cash and passport copy on boat trips
• Motion-sickness tablets for the Penida and Menjangan crossings
• Dive insurance if you're diving — check it covers recreational depth

• Food, snacks and drink bottles in sight around monkeys
• Loose sunglasses, caps, jewellery and dangling straps
• Single-use plastic — many sites have no waste collection
• Drones, unless the site explicitly permits them

• Sanctuaries and national park walks: covered shoulders, long trousers, closed shoes
• Monkey Forest sits inside a temple complex — modest clothing, and a sarong if you enter the shrine areas
• Neutral colours and no strong perfume on birding walks
• Quick-dry clothing for boat days; the crossings soak everyone

There are no wild elephants in Bali — every animal has been imported, usually from Sumatra, and trained to accept riders. Riding causes spinal damage and the training methods are harsh. A handful of venues have converted to observation-only sanctuaries; if a place still offers rides, bathing or chained photo lines, it hasn't.

Cub cuddling, snake and iguana photo props on the beach, orangutan or loris selfies, civet-in-a-cage cafés. Animals used this way are typically drugged, declawed, taken from the wild, or all three. Paying for the photo funds the next capture.

Wild-collected civet coffee exists but is rare and expensive. Almost every tourist plantation keeps civets in small cages and force-feeds cherries. Enjoy the free tasting flight of ordinary Balinese coffee and skip the luwak cup.

Bali's macaques are habituated but wild. Feeding creates aggression, and every bite or deep scratch is a rabies risk that means a hospital visit. Keep sunglasses, hats, phones, bottles and plastic bags out of sight and hands empty.

Sea turtles are protected in Indonesia. Avoid tortoiseshell jewellery and any Serangan operation offering turtles to hold. TCEC is the legitimate centre; several neighbours trade on its name.

No holding turtles, riding mantas, chasing dolphins or standing on coral. Reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest, fins under control, and stay horizontal over shallow reef.

Any bite or deep scratch from a monkey, dog, cat or bat is treated as a rabies exposure. Wash the wound with soap under running water for a full 15 minutes, apply antiseptic, and go straight to a clinic for post-exposure vaccination. Do not wait to see how it looks tomorrow.

BIMC, Siloam and Kasih Ibu carry rabies immunoglobulin and vaccine. Full details, addresses and one-tap calling are on the Medical page, and snakes, stray dogs and insects are covered on Safety & Wildlife.