Best Things to Do with Kids in Sanur, Bali
Sanur is one of the favourite destinations in Bali for families with kids, and for good reason!
It’s quieter and less congested than most of the popular towns on the southwest coast of the island, and doesn’t have the backpacker/party vibe that they do. There are more varied options for accommodation here than in Nusa Dua, which mainly caters to the 5-star resort crowd. And it has a super-long sandy beach with tranquil waters, lined by a stroller and pram-friendly beachfront promenade, where you can walk for miles without worrying about getting run down by scooter or taxi.
Sanur has really embraced its family-friendly vibe, and there are tons of great shops, restaurants, and activities here that cater specifically to parents and kids.
Here are some of our favourites things to do with kids in Sanur:
Explore the Beach During Low Tide
Thanks to the expansive coral reef that shelters them, the waters along the beaches in Sanur are shallow and calm, even when tides are at their highest. When the tide goes out, hundreds of feet of intertidal shore are exposed, creating a neverending expanse of tide pools to explore. Our kids can spend hours investigating the mysteries hidden in the pools — searching for rare seashells, chasing tiny crabs back into their holes, and examining the sea treasures they find along the way: giant starfish, puffed up sand dollars, and even the odd jellyfish (luckily they’re old enough to know not to go near those!). One of our favourite things to do is to find a nice shaded table at a restaurant or bar at the beach, where we can sit and enjoy a cool beverage and some quiet time while watching the kids play in the tide pools nearby. There are usually lots of local, tourist, and expat kids doing the same, so it’s also a great way for the kids to make some new friends.
Have Lunch or Dinner at a Restaurant with a Play Area
Bali is a parent’s dream-come-true when it comes to restaurants. Most restaurants have great kids’ menus, high chairs, and staff who genuinely seem to love babies and children, and lots even have playground equipment where kids can climb, swing, and slide happily while their parents watch from a nearby table. We wrote about some of our favourite kid-friendly restaurants in our Best Restaurants for Families with Kids post, but there are some other great options if you’re specifically looking for places with a play area:
- Shotgun Social (our favourite!)
- Byrd House (for higher-end fare)
- KidzCafe (caters mostly to younger kids, and also has options for drop-off childcare if the parents need some time to themselves)
- Segara the Seaside (play equipment is a little worn down, but it’s right on the beach)
- Lamis My Warung (nice budget-friendly option outside of the main tourist area)
Cool Down with Some Gelato from Massimo’s
Massimo Italian Restaurant is an institution in Sanur for locals and tourists alike. No matter what time of day you visit, there’s usually a long line snaking around the front of the restaurant, where they serve up sky-high portions of some of the best affordable gelato you’ll find in all of Southeast Asia . There are always dozens of flavours to choose from, and our kids love picking new combinations to try, then heading over to their shaded seating area to cool off and rank their favourites. The standout flavours for us so far have been mango, pina colada, coconut, and green tea, but we still have lots to try!
Spend a Day Splashing Around the Kids Water Park at Prama Hotel
One thing we love about the hotels along the beach in Sanur is that even if you aren’t staying there, most have “day pass” options where you can use their pools, beach chairs, and facilities for the day for a small fee, or sometimes even just by spending a set amount at their restaurants or bars. This is particularly helpful if you’re staying in a private villa or a hotel that isn’t directly on the beach. We found that the best way to find out which hotels had day pass options was just to walk down the beach to find the places that looked good to us, then check in with their pool services hut or contact their front desk to inquire about availability and rates.
Our favourite hotel to visit for a day at the beach is Prama, mainly due to its well-kept beachfront and its two massive pool areas, one of which includes a wading pool and splash pad, as well as a small water park perfect for younger kids. The great thing about Prama’s water park is that the slides don’t dump kids out into a deep pool of water — the deepest that pool gets is about up to our kids’ knees. So even toddlers and non-swimmers can use the water slides, though lots of “big kids” use and love them as well. For kids who are strong swimmers, there are also two massive main pools with great views of the beach. If you get there early enough, you can even snag a cabana or pair of beach chairs close to the action so you can keep an eye on the kids while relaxing with a drink or bite to eat.
Note: The facilities at Prama are admittedly a little tired and could definitely use a bit of a refresh, but our kids certainly didn’t notice or care!
Pamper Your Littles with a Spa Day
Sometimes it seems like there are more spas in Sanur than there are people — no more so than when you walk down Jl. Danau Tamblingan, the main street near the beach, where pretty much every other storefront has a sign out front advertising massages, manicures, or hair treatments (usually all three). Most of these spas are very welcoming to kids, and some even have kids or family spa menus with lists of services specifically designed for little ones. Kids can get a mini manicure or pedicure, have their hair braided, or even get spoiled with a shoulder or foot massage for the full “spa experience.” Our favourite spa in Sanur is The Nest, which has one location on the north end of the strip near Sindhu beach, and another directly on the beach further south at Sanur Beach, though it’s a bit pricier than some of the smaller shops along the main drag. For a more budget-friendly, “no frills” option, we liked Atina Salon and Spa.