Bali · Lovina
Dolphin watching in Lovina with Erik
- Respectful of the dolphins
- Equipment included
- Breakfast included
With Erik, a local fisherman who loves what he does, set off to meet the dolphins in a peaceful, genuine setting that is gentler on their environment. Thanks to a later departure, away from the crush of hundreds of boats, Erik favours calm observation rather than a chase. Breakfast served out on the ocean and a snorkelling session in the clear waters of Lovina round off this experience, designed for those who love nature.
The experience
What if seeing dolphins in Bali could be done differently?
In Lovina, most trips leave before dawn and sometimes end up with several hundred boats around the same pods of dolphins. If that approach is not for you, this outing was designed with you in mind.
Erik is a local fisherman with whom I have been lucky enough to share several absolutely incredible trips out to sea. He has always considered the ocean his home and the dolphins his friends. For him, it is not about chasing them, but about watching them with patience and respect.
That is why his trips deliberately start at 7am, when most boats have already headed back. Fewer engines, less pressure on the animals, and a sea that turns calm again. You watch the dolphins in their own environment rather than in a chase.
Erik has known these waters since childhood and knows where to find them without ever rushing them. That is the whole difference between ticking a box on a list and living a real moment at sea, in the north of Bali.
The programme
🚤 7.00am · Departure from Lovina beach
Erik and his team welcome you, talk through the trip and you board.
🐬 Watching the dolphins
Heading for an area far quieter than the usual tourist spots. The aim: to take the time to watch the dolphins without chasing them, respecting their environment.
🥐 Breakfast on the boat
Breakfast served on board, facing the ocean and the mountains of northern Bali.
🤿 Snorkelling session
Swimming over a superb coral reef: tropical fish, corals and, conditions permitting, a few sea turtles. Equipment provided.
🚤 Back to Lovina
A gentle return to the beach after a morning at sea
Places visited
Departure / pick-up
Lovina
✓ Included
- Boat trip
- Erik or a member of his team
- Breakfast
- Snorkelling equipment
Not included
- Transport to Lovina
- Tips (optional)
Your local guide
Erik
Bali - Lovina
🗣 English · Indonesian
A Lovina native, Erik is a local fisherman who knows the waters of northern Bali like the back of his hand. I have been lucky enough to go out with him several times, and every trip has been unforgettable. What makes him unique is his deep respect for the ocean and its wildlife. For Erik, the sea…
Important information
• Departure at 7am. • Shared boat (six people maximum) or private boat, depending on the option chosen. • Dolphins are wild animals. Their presence can never be guaranteed. • Depending on the weather, the state of the sea or where the dolphins are, the route may be adjusted. • Erik always favours the least busy areas, to limit the impact on the animals. • If conditions make the main spot unreachable, a busier area may be suggested, only with your agreement.
Recommendations
I suggest bringing: • swimsuit • towel • sunglasses • reef-safe sun cream • light clothing • a waterproof phone or camera if you have one
Cancellation terms
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure. After that, the booking fee is not refunded. If poor weather makes the trip impossible, a new date or a refund will be offered. If Erik were exceptionally unavailable, a trusted member of his team would run the trip on the same terms, or an alternative would be offered.
After you book
- 1
You book online
Date, option and full payment online, by secure payment.
- 2
Immediate confirmation
An email goes out straight away with your reference, your summary and the meeting point.
- 3
The provider is contacted directly
They receive your full booking: date, time, option, travellers and pick-up point.
- 4
You talk with your guide
You get their WhatsApp directly, so you can reach them at any time.
Frequently asked questions
What time of year can you see dolphins in Lovina?
Dolphins are present in Lovina bay all year round, so the trip can be booked in any season. The dry season, from April to October, generally brings calmer seas and better visibility for snorkelling, but fine sightings happen every month of the year.
Are dolphin sightings guaranteed in Lovina?
Dolphins are wild animals: their presence can never be guaranteed. That said, Lovina bay is home to dolphins all year round and Erik, a local fisherman, has known these waters since childhood: he knows where to watch them without rushing them, and encounters are very frequent.
Why leave at 7am rather than at dawn like the other boats?
That is a deliberate choice of Erik's. In Lovina, most boats leave before sunrise and sometimes end up several hundred strong around the same pods. By leaving at 7am, when most boats are already heading back to port, you get a calmer sea, fewer engines and respectful watching: there is time to see the dolphins move, with no chase.
How much does the Lovina dolphin trip cost?
The trip costs €25 per person on a shared boat (six people maximum). You can also have the boat to yourselves, from €65 for two people. In every case, breakfast served on board and snorkelling equipment are included.
Is snorkelling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included, as is breakfast served on board. Just remember to bring a swimsuit, a towel and reef-safe sun cream.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes, this outing has a calm, family feel: a small group (six people maximum per boat, or a private boat), breakfast on board and an unhurried pace. Swimming is optional, everyone joins in as they wish. For very young children, do ask us before booking.
How do I get to Lovina, and should I stay overnight?
Lovina is on the north coast of Bali, around two and a half to three hours' drive from Ubud. Transport to Lovina is not included in the trip. Since departure is at 7am from the beach, the most comfortable option is to sleep in Lovina the night before, which is also a chance to discover this peaceful part of the north.
How do I get my booking confirmation?
As soon as the payment goes through, a confirmation email is sent automatically. It contains your booking reference, the full summary (date, option, travellers), the meeting point and the departure time. You will also find your booking in your account. Do check your spam folder if nothing seems to arrive.
Is the provider told about my booking?
Yes, automatically. As soon as the payment goes through, the local provider is contacted directly with your whole booking: date, time, chosen option, number of travellers, your name and your pick-up point. There is nothing for you to do. Their WhatsApp is in your confirmation email, so you can write to them before the day itself.
Is paying online secure?
Yes. Payments go through Stripe, one of the most widely used payment platforms in the world. Your card details never pass through the Lyluutravel site and are never stored there. Card, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.
After you book
- 1
You book online
Date, option and full payment online, by secure payment.
- 2
Immediate confirmation
An email goes out straight away with your reference, your summary and the meeting point.
- 3
The provider is contacted directly
They receive your full booking: date, time, option, travellers and pick-up point.
- 4
You talk with your guide
You get their WhatsApp directly, so you can reach them at any time.
A question about this excursion?
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