The name Lovina is composed of the words Love and Ina (Balinese for mother) and could thus be interpreted as love for the motherland, i.e. the homeland. For individual tourists and families, Lovina is a great destination to enjoy the laid-back vibe of northern Bali. The area is known for its black sand beaches, coral reefs that invite snorkeling, and dolphins that swim their lanes off the coast here. You won’t find party tourists and surfers in Lovina.
In this article we want to clarify why and for whom a visit to Lovina in the beautiful north of Bali is worthwhile.
Where is Lovina located?
Named with so much national pride, Lovina is located on the north coast of the Indonesian island of Bali in the district of Buleleng. Here travelers are looking for tranquility rather than party. Compared to the tourist centers around Kuta and Legian, it is much quieter here than in the south of the island. This refers not only to the nightlife, but also to the sea. The long brown-black sandy beaches are not necessarily paradisiacal, but it is quiet here and you can swim and relax at high tide. In the south of Bali, the strong swell, the current or the coral reef can throw a spanner in the works.
The resort that is not a resort at all
Lovina is often referred to as a vacation resort, but it is actually an amalgamation of seven communities, making it the largest vacation region on Bali’s north coast. Here, over the past decades, the villages of Kalibukbuk, Temukus, Anturan, Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Banyualit and Kaliasem have grown together to form “Lovina”. The region has been on the radar of tourists since the 1980s.
Kalibukbuk is interpreted here as the center of Lovina and is a lively place with good infrastructure and relaxed atmosphere, which has retained its original fishing village charm. The coastal strip called Lovina, which is about ten kilometers long in total, is located between Singaraja – Bali’s second largest city after Denpasar – and the small town of Seririt in the west.
Lovina activities
Beach, snorkeling and diving
In Lovina itself, many vacationers primarily focus on beach visits, snorkeling and relaxation. Diving is also possible, but the local diving schools will take you to more distant areas, such as Menjangan Island in the Taman Nasional Bali Barat National Park, to the wreck of the USAT Liberty off Tulamben or to Amed.
Dolphin Watching
In Lovina, “Dolphin-Watching” is offered at every corner by local fishermen. For this, one is taken out to sea by boat to view the marine mammals that reside here off the coast. However, this kind of tourist attraction should be viewed with very critical eyes, as the animals are disturbed by the boats in their natural habitat and in the worst case even injured. Dolphins and whales are very sensitive to noise and the loud motor boats harm them. In addition, the animals are literally hunted during the tour. Both leads to great stress on the part of the animals, which can lead to behavioral problems and diseases. If you are lucky, you can see the jumping dolphins from the beach.
Sights around Lovina
Temple Pura Dalem Jagaraga
30 minutes from Lovina is the Pura Dalem Jagaraga, the Temple of the Dead. It thematizes the historical background of the war against Holland. On the temple walls you can find paintings of Dutchmen on Bali. You can see the Europeans, depicted with long noses, driving cars, on boats and bicycles. In between, the typical life of the Balinese is depicted: Locals fishing, flying kites or climbing a palm tree.
Hot springs
Just a 20-minute drive from Lovina, you’ll find the Banjar Hot Springs of Buleleng. The sacred pools are located in the middle of a tropical garden and are filled with sulfurous spring water of volcanic origin. The hot water pools should only be entered in longer swimwear out of respect for the locals who like to bathe here.
Buddhist monastery
Not far from the Hot Springs is Bali’s only Buddhist monastery “Brahma Vihara Arama”. Built in the 60s and 70s with Thai support, the place of worship combines Buddhist architectural style with typical Balinese elements. The terraced grounds at the foot of a mountain include a beautifully landscaped monastery garden with water lily and lotus pond, providing a tranquil, meditative place for monks and visitors. From the back of the monastery, there is a great panoramic view of the Lovina coastal landscape and the sea. At the temple, you’ll find a miniature version of the large, archaeologically relevant Borobudur temple complex in Java. Admission is free, but a donation is expected. Admission is granted only dressed in a sarong, which can be borrowed at the entrance.
Sing Sing Waterfall
From the village of Temukus in Lovina, a path leads to the “Air Terjun Singsing”. After a 20 minute walk you reach the impressive waterfall Sing-Sing in the middle of lush green jungle. Here the water falls from a height of ten meters into a natural rock pool.
Secret Garden of Sambangan
About 30 minutes from Lovina is the Secret Garden of Sambangan. A natural playground in the middle of the rainforest. Here you will find natural water slides, swimming pools and diving towers at dizzying heights. Together with a guide, who ensures safety during this daring venture, you can plunge into the depths. Nearby is also the beautiful Aling Aling waterfall, where the water plunges over spectacular 30 meters into the depths. However, since it is sacred, bathing is not allowed here.
Singaraja
About eight kilometers east of Lovina is the district capital Singaraja. In the former capital of Bali you can experience authentic, Asian city flair. To really immerse yourself in Balinese life, it is best to visit the market “Pasar Banyuasri”. It is open daily from 5 to 10 pm and offers everything you need for daily life. Here you can soak up the culture and foreign smells. In the “Buleleng Museum” you can learn about the history of North Bali and see palm leaf manuscripts called Lontar, which were once the most important text medium in Southeast Asia.
Conclusion: For w en is a trip to Lovina worthwhile?
The coastal region around Lovina is the ideal place to go for those seeking peace and quiet, beach vacationers and families with children. But also people who want to see and experience a little bit, come here at their expense. All of the above destinations can be reached in less than an hour from Lovina and can be combined with each other due to their proximity.
Divers and snorkelers are just as well catered for here, although there are definitely more exciting areas for them on Bali, such as off Amed or Nusa Lembongan. All in all, it can be said that Lovina is worthwhile for anyone who wants to spend a cozy, relaxing vacation and still not get bored.
