REVIEW · KUTA
Blow Lagoon Bali Snorkeling and see Bali Bats Cave Temple
Book on Viator →Operated by The Bali Driver Tour · Bookable on Viator
A day at Blue Lagoon feels easy from the moment you get picked up. You get a guided snorkeling setup in one of south Bali’s most reachable reef areas, then you swap saltwater for the strange energy of Goa Lawah—a Hindu cave temple known for bats.
I like how the tour is built around convenience: private transport, an included snorkeling boat and gear, and enough time to shower and reset before lunch. I also like the photo add-on approach—your guide takes pictures, and you only pay if you want them.
One drawback to plan for: the Goa Lawah bat cave stop may be closed when you arrive, and the tour may not always offer a clear backup option on the spot.
In This Review
- Key points that matter before you go
- A Door-to-Door Day Between Kuta and Padang Bai
- Getting to Blue Lagoon: What the Boat and Setup Mean for You
- Snorkeling at Blow Lagoon Blue Lagoon: Marine Life Chances and Reality
- A few smart tips for the water
- Shore Reset: Shower, Change, and Simple Indonesian Lunch
- Pura Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple: The Main Event After Lunch
- The real consideration: closures can happen
- Photos on the Spot: What to Expect From the Guide
- Price and What You Actually Get for $25
- Logistics That Make This Day Work (and when they won’t)
- Who This Snorkeling + Bat Cave Tour Is Best For
- Should You Book Blow Lagoon Bali Snorkeling and the Goa Lawah Bat Cave?
- FAQ
- How long is the snorkeling and the whole tour?
- Where does the snorkeling take place?
- Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?
- What’s included for snorkeling?
- What marine life might I see at Blue Lagoon?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I have to pay for temple admission separately?
- What is the cancellation refund cutoff?
Key points that matter before you go

- Door-to-door private transfers: Designed for addresses in Ubud and south Bali, so you spend less time figuring out logistics.
- Your own snorkeling boat setup: Includes equipment and a guide, plus about 2 hours in the water.
- Blue Lagoon reef + white sand: You explore the reef where you might spot angelfish, clownfish, puffer fish, and even a turtle.
- Shower, change, then lunch: You’re not just dropped off to fend for yourself after snorkeling.
- Goa Lawah bat cave temple: Thousands of tail bats in a Hindu cave setting, but check what happens if the site is closed.
A Door-to-Door Day Between Kuta and Padang Bai

This is the kind of Bali day that works when you want real experiences without wrestling with schedules. You start in the Kuta area and end there too, with a private car taking you to Blue Lagoon Beach near Padang Bai. The tour description also notes time-saving transfers from Ubud and south Bali, which is a big deal when you’re trying to avoid split tickets, multiple taxis, and the usual “where do we meet” confusion.
The tour runs about 8 hours total, which feels like a sweet spot: long enough for a proper snorkeling window and the temple visit, short enough that you’re not returning to your villa at midnight.
It’s also set up as a private tour/activity for your group, which typically means you can move at a steadier pace than you would on a crowded day trip.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Kuta
Getting to Blue Lagoon: What the Boat and Setup Mean for You

Once you’re picked up and you reach Blue Lagoon Beach, you meet your snorkeling guide and collect your equipment. If you need help, the guide can give instructions so you’re not guessing once you’re in the water.
Then you head out on a traditional boat for the snorkeling time. That matters more than it sounds. Getting to the right patch of reef from shore can make the difference between a calm, rewarding experience and a stressful one where you’re fighting currents or spending time searching.
Blue Lagoon is described as one of the most accessible snorkeling areas from south Bali, so this day trip keeps the effort level reasonable. You’re not looking at a huge travel day just to stand at a platform.
Practical note: bring your sense of humor and a readiness to get a little sandy. Reef areas and white-sand edges often come with splashy, low-key chaos. That’s part of the fun, and you’ll be showering afterward anyway.
Snorkeling at Blow Lagoon Blue Lagoon: Marine Life Chances and Reality
Your snorkeling window is about 2 hours. That’s enough time to get comfortable, see the reef, and not feel rushed. You’ll explore the area around the reef and the white-sand zone, guided by someone who can point things out.
Here’s what you might see based on the tour info: angelfish, clownfish, puffer fish, a turtle, and more. Even if you don’t catch every species, the reef area itself is the point—you’re looking for that moment where the sea life pops into view, not just a checklist.
What I like about this style of snorkeling day is that it’s guided but not overly technical. You collect gear, get a quick orientation, then go. If you’re new, the guide helps with technique so you’re not spending your energy trying to stay calm and awkward at the surface.
A few smart tips for the water
- If you’re unsure about breathing or staying horizontal, tell your guide early. The tour is set up for instruction, not just “good luck.”
- Bring a dry shirt or light cover for after the water. You’ll be changing and heading to lunch, so comfort matters.
- Don’t expect perfect visibility all the time. The win is the combination of guide direction and the reef access—not controlling nature.
Shore Reset: Shower, Change, and Simple Indonesian Lunch

After snorkeling, you’ll have time to shower and change before lunch. This is one of those small inclusions that makes the whole day feel smoother. A lot of snorkel trips skip this and leave you sweaty, salty, and stuck in damp clothes while you travel.
Then you sit down for a simple Indonesian lunch. The word simple here is a clue: think satisfying and filling, not fancy. That’s exactly what you want after time in the sun and saltwater—food that restores energy while you’re still moving on to the temple visit.
If you’re sensitive to heat, this is also when you’ll want to hydrate. Bottled water is included, so at least you’re not starting the afternoon dehydrated.
Pura Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple: The Main Event After Lunch

Next stop is Pura Goa Lawah, the Hindu cave temple inhabited by bats. The tour info describes thousands of tail bats, and it notes that the bat cave area is on the north side from the main section of Guwa Lawah.
This is the part of the day that shifts from sea life to a very different kind of wonder. Blue Lagoon is about water, color, and movement. Goa Lawah is about atmosphere: a cave setting with a living wildlife feature that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
The timing is important. You go after lunch, so you’re not trying to see the temple with snorkel fog still in your hair. You’ll arrive when you’re ready to slow down, look around, and take in the bats in their natural setting.
The real consideration: closures can happen
One key thing I think you should know: the bat cave temple may be closed when you arrive, and there may not be a clear “Plan B” offered on the spot. In at least one case, the snorkel portion went well, but the bat temple stop was closed and no alternative solution was provided after arrival.
That doesn’t mean it will be closed for you—just that it’s smart to stay flexible and ask how the driver will handle it if you pull up and the site is not operating.
Photos on the Spot: What to Expect From the Guide

Your snorkeling guide takes photos during the tour, and you can purchase them after. That’s a nice feature if you want proof of your day without paying for extra services at random stops.
At the same time, it’s not an automatic package photo. If you’re working with a tight budget, treat it like an optional add-on: if the shots are good and you want them, you can buy. If not, you’re not forced into anything.
Price and What You Actually Get for $25

Let’s talk value honestly. At $25, this tour is positioned as budget-friendly, especially for a day that includes:
- Private transportation (not just a shared shuttle)
- Boat transfer for snorkeling
- All snorkeling equipment
- About 2 hours in the water
- Lunch
- Entry/admission for both Blue Lagoon Beach and Goa Lawah
- A guided snorkeling experience
For readers who don’t want to piece together tickets and gear rentals, the included equipment + guide + boat transfer is the real value engine. You’re paying for someone to handle the pieces so you can show up, snorkel, eat, and move on.
Where the price can feel “too good” is exactly where your planning should be thoughtful: the tour may run on a schedule that prioritizes smooth movement over perfect flexibility. If Goa Lawah is closed, the cost value shifts from “full package” to “at least you got snorkeling and lunch.” That risk is worth weighing.
Logistics That Make This Day Work (and when they won’t)

The tour offers pickup and 2-way transfers from addresses in Ubud and south Bali, and the meeting structure is straightforward: pickup, travel to Blue Lagoon, meet the snorkeling guide and get gear, return via driver after the temple.
It also mentions a mobile ticket, which usually means less paper hassle for you. And there are group discounts, so if you’re traveling with friends, it could be a lower-cost option compared to booking separately.
One practical reality: a private tour often means your driver is managing time across multiple stops. If traffic or timing changes, your best move is to stay calm, follow the driver’s schedule, and keep your afternoon open-minded—especially for the temple portion.
Who This Snorkeling + Bat Cave Tour Is Best For
This is a strong match if you want:
- An organized snorkeling day without dealing with equipment rentals
- A low-stress route to Blue Lagoon near Padang Bai
- A second cultural stop that feels unusual and memorable (the bat cave temple)
I’d especially recommend it for people who are:
- Short on time and don’t want a complicated multi-day plan
- Comfortable joining a guided activity and trusting the guide for technique
- Interested in seeing both marine life and a cave temple in one day
It may be less ideal if you hate surprises around closures. If getting into Goa Lawah is your main goal and you can’t handle the risk of a closed site, you’ll want to plan with extra flexibility or consider a different temple-focused option.
Should You Book Blow Lagoon Bali Snorkeling and the Goa Lawah Bat Cave?
Book it if you care most about snorkeling quality and convenience, and you’re happy treating Goa Lawah as a bonus that adds a wild, atmospheric stop. The included gear, guide, and boat transfer make it a good “time saved” choice, and the shower/change + lunch combo keeps the day comfortable.
I’d think twice before booking if the bat cave temple is non-negotiable for you, because the site can be closed and the tour may not always offer a substitute. In that scenario, you could end the day with an excellent snorkeling experience but fewer cultural moments than you planned for.
If you do book, go in with the right mindset: you’re buying smooth logistics and a guided reef experience first, and you’re adding the bat cave temple as a second highlight.
FAQ
How long is the snorkeling and the whole tour?
The tour is about 8 hours total, with 2 hours snorkeling included.
Where does the snorkeling take place?
Snorkeling happens at Blue Lagoon Beach, near Padang Bai.
Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?
Yes. It includes private transportation and 2-way transfers from addresses in Ubud and south Bali.
What’s included for snorkeling?
You get all equipment, a snorkeling boat transfer, and a snorkeling guide to show you the ropes and point out marine life.
What marine life might I see at Blue Lagoon?
You might see angelfish, clownfish, puffer fish, and a turtle, plus other marine life.
Is lunch included?
Yes. After snorkeling and showering/changing, you’ll have simple Indonesian lunch.
Do I have to pay for temple admission separately?
No. Entry/admission is included for both Blue Lagoon Beach and Goa Lawah Bat Cave Temple.
What is the cancellation refund cutoff?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, there’s no refund.





























