Bali Family Itinerary: Our Ultimate 18-Day Guide (Sanur, Gili & Kuta)
Planning the perfect Bali family itinerary? It can feel overwhelming trying to balance adventure for the adults with fun and relaxation for the kids. Where do you even begin?
Our family of four just returned from an incredible 17-night, 18-day odyssey through Bali and Gili Trawangan. We learned so much along the way—what worked, what didn’t, and which moments became truly unforgettable.
This isn’t just a list of places. It’s our real, day-by-day travel log. We’ll show you our exact route, our favorite restaurants, the accommodations we loved, and the honest mistakes we made. Use our journey to build your own amazing Bali family itinerary.
Our 18-Day Bali Family Itinerary: The Big Picture
Our travel philosophy is all about finding the sweet spot between new experiences and comfort, especially with kids in tow. After a long flight, we knew we needed to ease into our Bali adventure.
With tourism in Bali rebounding strongly—the island welcomed over 5.2 million foreign tourists in 2023—planning a smart route is more important than ever to avoid the crowds and find your own slice of paradise. The fast boat routes to the Gili Islands alone serve hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, so knowing your logistics is key.
We broke our trip into four distinct phases. Here’s a quick overview:
| Phase | Location | Nights | Our Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanur | 2 | Arrival, relax, and adjust to the Bali vibe. |
| 2 | Gili Trawangan | 9 | Pure island bliss, snorkeling, and family time. |
| 3 | Sanur | 2 | A comfortable mid-trip “recharge” stop. |
| 4 | Kuta | 4 | Action-packed fun, surfing, and final shopping. |
Why We Chose This Route
We started in Sanur because it’s close to the airport and has a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for getting over jet lag. It was our basecamp for adjusting to the climate and culture.
Next, we escaped to Gili Trawangan for a true island getaway. We originally planned a shorter stay, but we fell so hard for the peaceful vibe and amazing snorkeling that we canceled our Ubud plans to stay for nine nights! Sometimes, ditching the plan leads to the best memories.
Returning to Sanur was a strategic choice for a comfortable break before our final stop. We finished in lively Kuta for activities like Waterbom water park, surfing lessons, and souvenir shopping.
Our Day-by-Day Bali Family Travel Log
Here’s the complete breakdown of our 18-day adventure.
Day 1: The Long Haul to Sanur
Our Bali family itinerary began with a mix of excitement and nerves at Christchurch airport. We learned our first lesson at the Jetstar counter: you can’t check in online for most international flights!
At duty-free, we picked up an Osmo Action 4 camera, a lifesaver for capturing our water adventures. Our layover in Melbourne was surprisingly useful, and we stayed connected thanks to an eSIM, a great choice as we explain in our Best Mobile Hack for Budget Travel Australia.
After a 1.5-hour flight delay, we finally landed at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) at 11 PM. We strongly recommend sorting these essential Bali entry documents in advance. You can apply for the official e-VoA directly on the Indonesian Immigration website, which helps avoid long queues. Our Klook driver was waiting to take us to Sanur, marking a smooth start to the trip.
Day 2: Getting Our Bali Bearings in Sanur
Our first morning was peaceful. We started our “localization” by exploring Icon Bali Shopping Mall to find some light, local-style clothing. My wife’s sandal broke, leading to an unexpected shoe shopping trip where she found some surprisingly comfy sandals.
Lunch was a safe bet at Forketta Bali, a pizza place. For dinner, we embraced the local culture and tried Bakso from a night market. That evening, we were comfortably settled in our first accommodation, and you can read our full Sanur Nyaman Guesthouse family review to see why it was a great starting point.
Day 3: Journey to Gili Trawangan & a Food Mission
Travel day! We had amazing croissants at Le Croissant Sanur before heading to Padang Bai Harbour. Our Bali to Gili Trawangan fast boat experience with Wahana was surprisingly smooth, despite our worries about motion sickness. Good seats on the second floor made all the difference.
We arrived and took a cidomo (horse cart) to our hotel, the Jambuluwuk Oceano Resort, a solid family-friendly stay in Gili Trawangan. Dinner was a challenge. With no good options nearby, we made a 1-hour round trip to Sumi Sate. The portions were tiny and too spicy for the kids, so we ended up eating instant noodles. Lesson learned!
Day 4: Real Gili Life Begins
Our Gili routine started today. The morning began with a 7km run, part of my daily running routine in Sanur and Gili T. This was followed by amazing snorkeling near Turtle Point. Seeing sea turtles up close was a core memory for the kids, and you can find all the details in our Gili Trawangan snorkeling guide for families.
My wife got a sunburn from all the fun—don’t forget to reapply sunscreen! For dinner, we went back to Sumi Sate and wisely ordered three times the amount. We also found a Korean-style chicken rice bowl place for the kids.
Day 5: A Touch of “Bali Belly” and a New Villa
My wife woke up feeling unwell, likely a touch of “Bali Belly.” We moved to our next accommodation, Sinta Cottages, which quickly became our top pick for family accommodation in Gili. The private pool, garden, and spacious room were an absolute dream.
We had an amazing seafood pizza for lunch at My House next door, a strong contender for the best family pizza in Gili Trawangan. Even my wife, who was feeling unwell, was impressed. Our attempt at “Korean food therapy” later that night wasn’t as successful, but the pizza was a definite win.
Day 6: Coffee, Doughnuts, and How Bikes Changed Everything
Our new cottage was closer to the main strip, so we finally explored. My wife recharged with a flat white at Coco Cafe, and we visited Rayyan Doughnuts, a sweet hidden gem we highly recommend. The doughnuts were light, fluffy, and exceeded all expectations.
That evening, we rented bicycles for the whole family. This was a complete game-changer! You can read about where to find the best 40k bike rentals on Gili Trawangan in our dedicated guide. Having our own transport transformed our Gili experience, and we celebrated with a sunset ride.
Day 7: Finding Our Rhythm
Our routine became solid. Breakfast was at our new regular spot, Coffee & Thyme, which had great smoothie bowls and blessed air conditioning. We cycled north for more snorkeling and tried food delivery via WhatsApp for lunch—so convenient!
After relaxing at the villa, we rode to the west side of the island for a stunning sunset. Dinner was at the famous Regina Pizza, which we compare in our My House vs. Regina Pizza showdown. Afterwards, we enjoyed drinks at Tiller Mix Sultan, a great spot for Gili Trawangan drinks.
Day 8: The Best Plan is No Plan
My wife was sad, thinking it was our last day on Gili. I asked everyone, “Should we stay longer instead of going to Ubud?” It was a unanimous YES. We immediately canceled our Ubud hotel and extended our stay at Sinta Cottages for three more nights.
To celebrate, we took a day trip to Lombok Wildlife Park, a perfect Gili Trawangan day trip. We used the local public boat to get from Gili to Bangsal, Lombok, and then a Grab to the zoo. The kids loved interacting with the animals. On the way back, we stumbled upon AFC Chicken—the best fried chicken we have ever had.
Day 9: Paddleboarding and a Lost Tooth
We started the day with a sunrise paddleboarding tour, one of our favorite things to do in Gili. The calm, pre-dawn sea was magical, and the drone photos were an incredible souvenir. During breakfast, my youngest’s front tooth fell out, causing quite a commotion!
The rest of the day was a happy routine of laundry and ordering more doughnuts for delivery. Dinner at Tiki Grove was atmospheric, but the tacos were too spicy for the kids, who settled for fries.
Day 10: The Gili Loop
We tried a new cafe for breakfast, but it was a miss—the food took forever. We spent the day snorkeling and shopping at a fixed-price souvenir shop called Oasis, which we cover in our guide to shopping in Gili Trawangan.
As the trip wore on, minor issues like stomachaches and sunburns started popping up. That evening, I probably had my fourth Sumi Sate of the trip. We break down all the local spots in our Gili Trawangan local eats comparison guide.
Day 11: Last Luxuries Before Goodbye
For our last day on Gili, my wife planned a “restaurant tour” of our favorite spots. Instead of the ocean, we wanted a clean pool, so we went to the beautiful Lumi Hotel. We couldn’t afford to stay there, but we paid a small fee to use their luxurious pool as walk-in guests. It was a perfect “modest luxury.”
For our final dinner, we grabbed all our favorites: Sumi Sate for the adults, and grilled fish with Nasi Goreng from Warung Lalapan Made for the kids.
Day 12: Escape to Sanur’s “Capitalism”
Leaving our beloved Sinta Cottages was tough. You can read about our Gili to Bali Wahana fast boat saga here. The journey took most of the day, with a boat ride to Padang Bai and a long 1-hour-45-minute car ride through traffic.
We arrived at the Prime Plaza Hotel Sanur, and our family review covers why that welcome drink was so amazing. My wife finally got to try Nasi Campur at Warung Kecil, one of the best Sanur restaurants we found.
Day 13: A Full Day of Pure Relaxation
This was a dedicated “chill day.” We started with the hotel’s breakfast buffet—always a winner for families with picky eaters. The kids spent hours in the pool while my wife enjoyed coffee from the pool bar.
For lunch, we took the hotel shuttle to Grand Lucky Mart and ate at the delicious Warung Wajik next door. We ended the day with a night swim and a delivery feast of McDonald’s and ACK chicken.
Day 14: Leaving Sanur for Chaotic Kuta
After a final morning run along Sanur’s beautiful beachfront path, we headed for Kuta. Our first impression of Kuta was one word: chaotic. The narrow streets were a whirlwind of shops, people, and motorbikes.
Our hotel, Febri’s Hotel, was a practical choice we review here. For dinner, we discovered a true gem: Sinta Warung, which became our favorite restaurant in Kuta. The Google reviews said “all the food is delicious,” and they were right.
Day 15: Surfing, Shopping, and Braids
The two main reasons for adding Kuta to our Bali family itinerary were surfing and Waterbom. We had breakfast at the excellent Living Tree Cafe, a great spot for a budget-friendly breakfast in Kuta. My youngest got her hair braided for 100k IDR ($6.50 USD).
Our family surfing lesson in Kuta booked on Klook was fantastic. The instructors were responsible and safe, making it a highlight for us as beginners. After, we grabbed a coffee at the famous % Arabica.
Day 16: Waterbom Success and Total Exhaustion
I was initially skeptical about paying for a water park in Bali, but our honest Waterbom Bali review explains why it was a massive success. The short lines for slides and the warm weather made it far better than parks back home. The kids had an absolute blast.
Dinner was, of course, at Sinta Warung. My youngest was so tired she fell asleep at the table before her pizza even arrived.
Day 17 & 18: Last-Minute Shopping and the Journey Home
Our bodies were aching from surfing and Waterbom, so we spent our last full day relaxing and souvenir shopping. We started with delivery food and then headed to Krisna Oleh-Oleh, a huge souvenir warehouse.
We packed our bags, filling the extra space with cheap and tasty Balinese snacks. For our late-night flight, booking the hotel for an extra night was a brilliant move. This allowed us to pack, shower, and head to the airport feeling refreshed.
Landing in the cold of New Zealand, we all had the same thought: “I wish we were back in Bali.” The trip was over, but the memories will last a lifetime.
What We’d Do Differently on Our Next Bali Family Itinerary
Honestly, our biggest regret was not planning more time in Gili Trawangan from the start! If we did it again, we would have cut our second stay in Sanur by a day and added it to Gili T. The peace, easy snorkeling, and friendly vibe were exactly what our family needed. This just proves that the best Bali family itinerary is one that’s flexible.
For more on our spending, check out our full Bali family holiday cost breakdown here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions you might have when planning your trip.
1. Is Gili Trawangan a good destination for families?
Absolutely. While it has a reputation as a party island, the north and west sides are very quiet and family-friendly. The absence of cars, the amazing snorkeling right off the beach, and the relaxed pace of life make it a fantastic place for kids to explore and for parents to unwind.
2. What is the best way to travel from Bali to the Gili Islands?
The most common way is via fast boat. You can depart from either Sanur Harbour or Padang Bai Harbour. We recommend booking your tickets online in advance with a reputable company to get better prices and secure your spot.
3. What are the must-have apps for a Bali family trip?
We used three apps constantly: Grab (for affordable rides and food delivery), WhatsApp (for communicating with hotels, drivers, and tour operators), and Klook (for booking tours, drivers, and activities at a discount).
4. Should we choose Kuta or Sanur with kids?
It depends on your goal. Sanur is much calmer, with a relaxed beachfront, making it ideal for a quieter family base. Kuta is chaotic and high-energy but offers direct access to surfing lessons and attractions like Waterbom. We found that a few days in each gave us the best of both worlds.
