Lovina is famous for its dolphins. Many visitors travel to North Bali especially to see them in the wild, and I completely understand why. No matter how often I return to Bali, a morning like this at sea always feels special.
The dolphins move through the Bali Sea in search of breakfast. They’re seen off the coast of Lovina, but they also pass Brongbong, the fishing village where Villa Bima Sena is located. That means you don’t need to drive to Lovina first. You can leave directly from the beach in front of the villa.
Heading out from our fishing village
It’s still early when you walk down to the beach. The boat is ready, and the captain helps you aboard. In our village, the boats and captains take turns, giving different local fishermen the opportunity to take our guests out to sea.
Of course, the sea needs to be calm enough for the trip, especially in a small boat. Our manager makes the arrangements beforehand and lets you know what time to be on the beach.
Then you head out onto the Bali Sea. The villa slowly grows smaller behind you, colour begins to fill the sky, and the island wakes up. For me, simply being on the water at that early hour is already a joy.
Are there lots of boats around the dolphins?
If you leave from Lovina, you’re likely to encounter plenty of other boats. Dolphin watching is one of the main reasons visitors come here. Once a pod is spotted, many boats head in the same direction. It can get crowded, making it harder to enjoy a clear view of the animals.
Leaving from our beach, we sometimes have the good fortune to share the sea with just a few boats. With a little luck, you might even be the only boat there at that moment.
That isn’t guaranteed. If the captains near Lovina aren’t seeing many dolphins, they may travel further along the coast. More boats can then arrive. The dolphins choose where they swim, and every morning is different.
Even when the dolphins continue swimming between the boats, I feel it’s important to give them space and allow them to carry on undisturbed.
The captain reads the sea
The fishermen here have lived alongside the sea and its dolphins for generations. Where we see a wide stretch of blue water, they notice all sorts of clues.
The captain watches the water, movement in the distance and the birds. Where birds gather, there may be fish. And where there are fish, dolphins may be looking for their breakfast too.
I love watching how carefully a captain studies his surroundings. He knows this coastline and reads the sea in a way I never could.
Then, suddenly, a dolphin is spotted.
Suddenly, they’re all around you
At first, you might see one dorsal fin. Then another. Everyone looks in the same direction, and you can immediately feel the excitement in the boat. We sit up, point towards the water and try not to miss a thing. This is what we came for!
With a little luck, more dolphins appear. One surfaces on the left, a few leap out of the water on the right, and there’s already more movement ahead of the boat.
Sometimes there are so many that you hardly know where to look.
There are delighted cries, cheers and laughter. I’ve even heard visitors applauding with excitement. That first moment of surprise, seeing dolphins swimming freely in the sea, is wonderful to experience.
Of course, these are wild animals. Sometimes you see a large pod, sometimes just a few, and sometimes none at all. That’s what makes a beautiful morning like this feel like a gift.
Put your camera down for a moment too
Naturally, you’ll want to capture the experience. I do too. The dolphin photographs and videos on this website were taken during our own trips.
But honestly, sometimes it’s even better to put your camera down for a while.
Everything happens quickly. While you’re trying to get one dolphin into the frame, three more might be leaping out of the water on the other side. Before you know it, you’ve spent most of the time looking at your screen.
Take a few photographs or a video, then simply look around. Enjoy the dolphins, the morning light and the surprise of whatever appears next. Not every beautiful moment needs to be saved on your phone.
What should you bring?
You don’t need much. Bring some drinking water and protect your phone or camera from splashes.
A light extra layer can be useful for the early departure. Once the sun rises, it gets warmer, so bring sunscreen and perhaps sunglasses too.
Travelling with children? Discuss this with our manager beforehand and ask about suitably sized life jackets. Also let the manager know if you’re prone to seasickness.
Back to the villa for breakfast
After the trip, you return to the beach in front of Villa Bima Sena. There’s no drive back: simply step ashore and walk to your own terrace.
The rest of the day is waiting. First, enjoy breakfast, have a coffee and talk about everything you’ve seen.
That’s what I love about leaving from our villa: such a special experience, so close to home.
Would you like to go dolphin watching during your stay? Let our manager know. He’ll be happy to discuss the options and arrange a trip with one of the local captains.
I hope you spot plenty of dolphins. Enjoy your boat trip!
— Karin