Family Fun in Bali

You know how some holidays with kids feel more like relocating chaos to a hotter climate? Bali is not that. It’s one of those rare unicorn destinations where you can relax and keep the kids entertained, without needing a second mortgage or a week to recover.

We recently spent a few days exploring the recently opened Marine Safari Bali and Varuna Bali, and let’s just say… the bar for “family day out” has officially been raised.

Marine Safari Bali

If you’ve ever been to an Aussie zoo and forked out $50 just to look at a kangaroo from 10 metres away, this one’s for you.

Marine Safari Bali is a full-on, hands-on adventure that’s actually affordable and it’s more than just a day of fun. Part marine park, part conservation centre, it offers experiences that are interactive, educational, and designed to give kids a real connection with animals.

Spread across six immersive zones – Wetland Wonders, Rocky Shores, Ocean Odyssey, Lumba Lagoon, Jungle Odyssey, and the Interactive Program – there’s something new to discover around every corner. With over 10,000 fish from 300 species, plus marine mammals, land animals, and birds, kids can explore touch pools, enjoy Humboldt penguin encounters, feed rays, meet sharks, watch piranha feeding, and even get up close with dolphins. All of this comes at a fraction of the cost you’d pay for similar animal interactions back home in Australia or elsewhere in the world. There are also keeper talks, seal shows, and Pachamaya, a 25-minute traditional Balinese performance that adds colour, culture, and a short break from all the excitement.

For extra thrills, the Fun Zone offers rides like a spinning coaster and a flume ride, while Coralbay Waterpark is perfect for cooling off in the Bali heat, featuring a kids’ water play area, slides, and an infinity pool. Need a break? There are a couple of fab cafes and a restaurant onsite, ideal for a relaxed pit stop or, of course, a sneaky Bintang (when in Rome)!

For families who love a peek behind the curtain, the marine education team runs back-of-house talks, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art facilities and operations that ensure the animals are happy and well cared for. The conservation work is on full display, from marine labs and a veterinary clinic to breeding programs for animals in need. Families can see how water quality is checked, how filtration systems work, and how training helps animals stay calm during check-ups. Keeper talks even touch on ways your own family can make a difference back home like using reef-safe sunscreen or cutting down on single-use plastics.

One of the best things about Marine Safari Bali is how the park prioritises conservation and animal-led care. During our visit, the animals were healthy, lively, and full of energy, thanks to the dedicated teams ensuring their wellbeing. Of course, this is just our opinion, and we totally respect that others might feel differently.

General admission tickets for Marine Safari Bali are IDR 650,000 for adults (ages 12–99) and IDR 520,000 for children (ages 3–12)… roughly $65 per adult and $52 per child, depending on the exchange rate at the time. Or, opt to pay a little extra for a combo ticket that includes both the Safari Park and the Marine Park. Either way, it’s a day packed with hands-on experiences, laughs, and memories the kids will talk about long after the plane ride home.

Family fave: Ray feeding was my kids’ absolute highlight, they honestly could have spent all day there.

Top Tips for Families

1. Pack a change of clothes – the waterpark and pool are an absolute must for cooling down from that Bali heat.
2. Arrive early – mornings are cooler, quieter, and give you time to explore everything without rushing.
3. Stay hydrated – it’s hot and humid, so keep the water bottles handy (and maybe a few snacks for the kids, too).

Book tickets to Marine Safari Bali here

Animal Care & Conservation – By Ken Kwan, Curator Marine Safari Bali

1. Are the animals at Bali Marine Safari Park taken from the wild?
   At Marine Safari Bali, the majority of animals are captive-bred, reflecting our commitment to education and conservation. Most of the animals come from local captive-breeding farms that meet strict welfare standards, from other facilities where they were born and raised in human care, or are rescued animals deemed unsuitable for release into the wild. Only a very small number of “least concern” species are occasionally collected from the wild to support research, breeding, and rewilding programs.
2. How does the park make sure the animals are healthy and well cared for?
   Our Life Sciences Department is made up of experienced managers and veterinarians with expertise across various fields. They oversee the welfare of our entire animal collection, carrying out regular husbandry care and assessments. The team also trains our animal care specialists to maintain international standards, ensuring each species receives the right diet, enrichment, and minimal stress for optimal wellbeing.
3. How do you make sure the animals aren’t overexposed to visitors or stressed by interaction?
   All of our habitats are designed to closely mimic natural environments, with both open and secluded areas that allow animals to roam freely and choose whether or not they wish to interact. Our animal care specialists and guest service teams are always on hand across every zone to explain this to visitors if an animal isn’t visible. We never force any animal to participate in interactions or exposure, their comfort and wellbeing always come first.
4. Does Bali Safari contribute to wildlife conservation or education?
   One of our biggest goals in opening the park here in Bali is to showcase the incredible aquatic life that surrounds the island. We want people to see that Bali isn’t just a destination for beaches and hospitality—it’s also home to a breathtaking variety of marine life. We’re proud to work with local and international organisations to promote conservation, collaborate on research, and be part of outreach programs that inspire people everywhere to protect our oceans.
5. What’s being done to ensure the park operates ethically long-term?
   Our managers regularly inspect their areas to plan upgrades, replace worn equipment, and provide ongoing husbandry training for their teams, ensuring the highest standard of care for all our animals. We also engage with the international zoo and aquarium community, hosting tours, workshops, and sharing sessions with industry leaders. Accreditation with organisations like SEAZA, WAZA, and AZA further ensures that our facility meets and maintains world-class standards in animal care and conservation.

Varuna Bali

If you want to really up the “wow” factor, Varuna Bali is the place to be. It’s Indonesia’s first underwater theatrical dining show, a one-of-a-kind experience where mermaids, performers, and sea creatures put on a show while you enjoy your meal.

Located at Taman Safari Bali, Varuna is an experience like no other, with incredible food, mesmerising performers, and storytelling that keeps everyone from toddlers to grandparents completely engaged. The story follows a young prince on an epic underwater adventure. As a child of both land and sea, he discovers his inner strength and royal destiny, surrounded by majestic sea creatures. Told through stunning visuals, shadow puppetry, and Balinese storytelling, the show blends wonder, culture, and a touch of marine conservation.

Spoiler alert: toward the end of the show, you are greeted by a massive, actual aquarium with mermaids. Yep, real mermaids. The kids were glued to the glass the entire time, mouths open, eyes wide, and yes, Ivy woke up the next morning declaring she is going to be a mermaid when she grows up. And rightly so, because another spoiler alert, guess how long the mermaids can hold their breath? Three minutes. Seriously, THREE MINUTES…. I can barely hold mine long enough to find my kid’s other shoe.

The staff are exceptionally warm and welcoming, as we have come to expect in Bali, and the whole experience is very family-friendly. The food, a three-course meal fit for the Prince of the Sea himself, was delicious. Fine dining, Balinese style.

You can choose between lunch and dinner sessions, or if you are keeping an eye on the budget, opt for show-only tickets. But if you can stretch it, go for the full dining package. It’s totally worth it, I promise!

There are three ticket tiers, Regular, Deluxe, and Premium, and no matter where you sit, the view of the underwater show is spectacular. Expect beautiful costumes, a talented cast, and a mix of traditional and modern storytelling with a Balinese twist. It is theatrical, engaging, and truly unforgettable, with no screens in sight, just live performance.

The venue is also wheelchair accessible, spacious, and comfortable for families with little ones. Everything runs smoothly (and on time – a Bali miracle) so if you’re planning a trip to Bali, put Varuna on your itinerary, it’s one of those experiences that reminds you why travel with kids is so worth it. Magical, immersive, and so beautifully done.

Click here to book your tickets now

Top Tips for Families

1. Opt for a premium package and thank me later!
2. All dining tables seat four guests so you may share with other people
3. All regular day tickets include admission to Marine Safari Bali

Marine Safari Bali
Location: Jl. Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra No.Km. 19, Serongga, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80551, Indonesia
Opening times: 9am – 5pm 7 days a week
Phone: +62 823-4076-5609
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