The Nusa Dua area was originally developed as a safe and quiet tourist spot, away from the bustling tourist areas in the north. Home to the Bali Golf & Country Club, as well as the Bali Convention Centre, the manicured enclave of Nusa Dua is all about top-notch hotels and excellent restaurants.

Some of the world’s most luxurious hotels find their home in Bali at Nusa Dua. Unknown to even some of its most loyal visitors, Nusa Dua offers more than just rows of five-star hotels and upscale restaurants and boutiques. For example, many of the visitors who stay at these fine hotels are largely unaware of the pristine white-sand beach located just five minutes away on the southern tip of the peninsula known to locals as Geger Beach.

The public beach of Geger is recommended for tourists. Beautiful, safe and peaceful, the beach area is also home to some of Bali’s best museums. Geger Beach is safe for swimming and experiences a cooling breeze from the ocean, as it is one of the few beaches that faces east. Public transportation is far from regular in the area, but most hotels will help arrange taxis for tourists.

There are three guarded gates leading into the Nusa Dua enclave and everyone entering the area is subject to a security search which has the unfortunate effect of detracting from the relaxed atmosphere.

Immediately to the north of the Nusa Dua enclave is the Tanjung Benoa peninsula which is home to less exclusive hotels and the village of Benoa. Indicating that this is a multicultural area, visitors will see a mosque alongside Hindu and Chinese temples.

Boat rides are available from the Tanjung Benoa enclave and Nusa Dua for trips to Serangan Island (Turtle Island). They usually have a glass bottom that allows for great views of the marine life in the area. Serangan is a turtle sanctuary and conservation area. Local Balinese help by keeping the turtle eggs in specially built houses until they hatch, at which point they are released into the waters around the local beaches.

Numerous water sports activities are available in the Nusa Dua area, including banana boat rides, parasailing, fly fishing, and jet ski rides. Most of the tour operators in the area work in a cooperative type format, ensuring that price controls are maintained and bartering is unnecessary.

Nusa Dua is home to some of the most exclusive spa facilities in Bali. Most hotels offer in-house spa treatments or will arrange for private operators to visit your villa or room.

A morning stroll along the extensive beachfront path is highly recommended. The road runs from the southern end of the enclave for approximately 7 kilometers and ends at the Grand Mirage hotel at the Tanjung Benoa spit.

There is not a great variety of restaurants in the area outside of the luxury hotels. Not far from the entrance of the enclave on the road to Kuta and the airport you can find several Japanese and Asian restaurants. As these eateries are primarily aimed at group markets, they have little atmosphere and are not recommended.

Where to stay in Nusa Dua:

Hotel Goodway: The best of a limited selection of budget accommodation, the Goodway offers a spa, large swimming pool, Jacuzzi, beauty salon and gym. Rooms are around US$75/night. If you are going to stay in Nusa Dua, I recommend that you be prepared to spend a little more.

Amman Nusa: A member of the Aman group of hotels, this is a truly first-class property with all the modern conveniences. The restaurant is world renowned and offers some of the most spectacular views in the area. There is very little (if anything) that this property does not offer to its guests. Prices start at around US$750/night.

Conrad Bali: Regularly regarded as the best hotel on the Tanjung Benoa peninsula, the Conrad is a massive property with the largest freeform pool in Bali. More than 300 rooms are available to guests and all the facilities you would expect from a five star property can be found here. Rooms start at US$250/night.

Heavenly Residence: If budget is not an issue, this property is highly recommended. These are 3 and 4-bedroom beachfront extreme luxury private villas with facilities like 24-hour butler service. The property sits atop a dramatic cliff and offers everything the discerning traveler would expect. Villas are available from US$850/night.

Nusa Dua is a man-made, sterile place with the benefits of high-end accommodation and a calming, relaxing environment. It’s certainly not my choice for locations in Bali, but if you’re looking for peace and quiet, quality accommodation and very little else, it might be exactly what you’re looking for.