Sea Walking in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Seawalking in Bali: A Wild Underwater Adventure You Need to Try
If you've ever wondered what it's like to walk on the ocean floor while surrounded by tropical fish, seawalking in Bali is an experience you can’t miss! It’s a mix of scuba diving and snorkeling—but without the complicated gear or the need to be a strong swimmer. This was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve had, and I’m so glad I got to try it with Taman Sari Water Sports in Kuta.
Getting Started: A Boat Ride to the Middle of the Ocean
The adventure started with a short boat ride from the shore to a floating platform in the middle of the ocean. As we got closer, I could see people parasailing, snorkeling, and prepping for their seawalks. The platform is essentially a hub for various water activities, but I was focused on one thing—getting under that water and seeing the marine life up close.
After arriving, the instructors handed us these astronaut-style helmets that supply oxygen while we’re underwater. The helmets are super heavy on land, but once you’re in the water, you don’t really notice them. I won’t lie, I was a little nervous about descending into the ocean with that on my head, but the instructors made it super easy and reassured us the whole time.
The Descent: Pressure Like an Airplane—But Way More Intense!
The moment I started going down the ladder, I felt a crazy amount of pressure in my ears. Imagine that feeling when a plane takes off, but times 10,000! If you don’t equalize the pressure properly, it can be pretty uncomfortable, but once I got used to it, I was fine. It did take me a while to get rid of the feeling though, just a heads up.
The second my feet touched the ocean floor, it hit me—I’m literally standing at the bottom of the sea! The water was so clear, and I could see schools of fish swimming all around me. Butttt, I wasnt really standing at the bottom. I kept feeling like i was floating slightly upwards and had to hold onto the railings. It felt super weird to walk because ive never felt so weightless.
Exploring the Underwater World
As I mentioned before, they had railings for us to hold onto. In the middle of the area, there was a coral garden filled with all kinds of marine life. The instructors handed us small amounts of food (I think it was bread) to feed the fish, and the second I let go of it, fish swarmed me from every direction! It was insane—bright neon fish, striped ones, even some with rainbow patterns. This was such a cool experience!
At one point, I just stood still, letting them swim all around me, and it felt like I was in some kind of real-life aquarium exhibit. They kept nibbling at my legs—not enough to hurt, but just enough to tickle like crazy! I couldn’t stop laughing because it felt so weird.
My Obsession with Sea Anemones
My instructor then showed me how to gently touch the sea anemones, and this is where my obsession began. I don’t know what it was about them, but I found them so fascinating. They’re really soft, and every time I touched one, it would go right back in the hole instantly. It looked so cool! I was so into it that I went around touching every single one I could find—sorry to the other people down there with me, I probably got to them all first!
We also got to touch some different types of coral, which felt nothing like I expected. Some were rough, others were kind of soft, and some had these weird textures that I never imagined coral would have. It really made me appreciate just how much life is thriving down there.
Why Seawalking in Bali is a Must-Do
This entire experience lasted around around 30 minutes, but it felt like time stood still while I was down there. It’s one thing to see fish and coral from the surface or even while snorkelling, but it’s a whole other level to actually walk among them. Seawalking is great because you don’t need any diving experience or even swimming skills—you’re just walking, breathing normally, and taking in the views.
As I surfaced and took off my helmet, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was such a unique and wild adventure, and I highly recommend this activity! Since I couldn’t get enough, they allowed us to get back in the water and snorkel for another 20 minutes. The water was pretty clear so we could see down to where we just walked, but there weren’t as many fish at the top as there were where we walked. Still, I’m happy we got to go back in the water instead of having to go back to land right away.
Everything You Need to Know About Seawalking in Bali
Where to Book & Pricing
Seawalking is offered by several tour operators in Bali, but Taman Sari Water Sports in Kuta is a solid choice based off my experience. Prices usually range from $30 to $50 USD per person, depending on the package. Another thing about Bali that you should note is, 99% of the time that you are given a price, you can bargain like crazy. They might start at their equivalent of 60 USD and you can probably get them down to around half.
Who Can Do It?
You don’t need to know how to swim to do this!
It’s beginner-friendly, and an instructor is with you the whole time.
The helmets provide oxygen, so you don’t need to worry about breathing underwater. Honestly I felt like snorkeling was. a lot more strenuous than seawalking!
Best Time to Go
April to October (the dry season) is the best time for clear water and good visibility.
You can go year-round, but during the rainy season, the water may be slightly murkier.
What to Expect
The experience lasts about 30 minutes underwater.
Expect ear pressure, but equalizing helps. They will tell you different ways of doing this.
You’ll see tons of colorful fish, coral, and other marine life.
Fish will nibble on your legs, and yes—it tickles!
If you’re heading to Bali and looking for something different, this is a must-do adventure! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone who’s never even been snorkeling before, seawalking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’ll leave you in awe.
