3 Day Itinerary in Seminyak

Stop scrolling - we’ve done the hard work for you. This is the ultimate 3 day itinerary in Seminyak, packed with the very best things to do. Think a Balinese cooking class with a traditional market tour, snorkelling in crystal clear waters with turtles, and wrapping it all up with a private surfing lesson on Seminyak beach. If you’re looking for the best activities in Seminyak, this guide covers the very best things to do in Seminyak in 3 days. Whether you’re visiting for a short break or planning a longer stay, here’s exactly how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Cooking up a storm in a Balinese kitchen

We started our adventure with a Balinese cooking class, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our trip. The morning began at a bustling local market where our chef introduced us to spices, herbs, and vegetables that are the backbone of Balinese cooking. It was the kind of crash course in ingredients that made us see how much heart and history goes into every dish.

Back at the school, we joined a group of fellow travellers and got to work under the watchful eye of our instructor. The teaching was excellent - clear, patient, and sprinkled with just the right amount of humour. We were encouraged to get properly hands-on, whether it was carefully folding banana leaves or pounding spice pastes with a pestle and mortar. That last bit was humbling - while we sweated and wrestled with the heavy stone grinder, the chef made the same movements look effortless, smooth, and perfectly controlled. Watching the difference in technique was almost as entertaining as tasting the results.

By the end of the session, we had cooked a real feast together - nasi goreng, mie goreng, pork simmered in sweet soy, satay skewers sizzling over the grill, a fresh peanut salad, and several dishes wrapped in banana leaves before being steamed. Sitting down as a group to eat everything we’d created was a brilliant way to finish, full of chatter, laughter, and maybe a little pride that we’d managed to pull it all off.

Day 2: Snorkelling and a stop at a coffee plantation

Our second day began with a transfer at 5:30 a.m. for the long journey to the east coast of Bali, where we would go on our snorkelling trip to the Blue Lagoon. Waking up so early may seem brutal during a holiday, but it turned out to be a smart decision. The water was beautifully clear before the ferries started operating, the sun was still gentle enough to swim without feeling burnt, and we had the snorkel sites almost entirely to ourselves.

We spent around two and a half hours in the water across two different spots, including the Blue Lagoon. The visibility was fantastic, and within minutes we were surrounded by schools of colourful fish weaving through the coral. The highlight came when a turtle glided gracefully past us, completely unfazed by our excitement. Later we even tried a bit of free diving - not with much finesse, but enough to dip below the surface and take in the reef from a new perspective.

We’d brought our own snorkels, but the tour had free snorkels you could use that looked good, so you wouldn’t need to worry if you didn’t have your own kit. Our guide was brilliant throughout, pointing things out in the water and even taking videos of us swimming amongst the fish, which made for the best kind of souvenir. If we were to do it again, we’d probably head over to Nusa Penida itself and spend longer exploring the reefs there, because we suspect they might be even better than what we saw from the Bali side. Still, two snorkel stops were more than enough to leave us buzzing and completely worn out by lunchtime.

On the way back we stopped at a coffee plantation where we were shown how beans are grown and roasted, before trying a selection of local coffees and teas, including the famous Luwak coffee. If you’ve read our Ubud entry you’ll know we thought the plantation up there was definitely better, but this one was still enjoyable and a relaxed way to finish the trip before heading back to Seminyak.

Day 3: Riding the waves in Seminyak

We saved surfing for our final day, and it turned out to be the perfect finale. Seminyak’s beach has long stretches of soft sand and waves that are gentle enough to make it a brilliant place for beginners.

With one-to-one tuition we were in safe hands from the start, and to our surprise we picked it up quite naturally. That might have been thanks to both of us having a bit of experience with balance-heavy sports already, but the steady, forgiving waves definitely helped too. After a few inevitable wipeouts, we were soon standing and riding wave after wave into the beach.

It seemed like an activity that almost anyone could enjoy, whether they had never stepped on a board before or were just curious to try it while in Bali. Of everything we did in Seminyak, surfing was clearly the highlight - part adrenaline rush, part pure fun, and the best way to end our three days. You can book private surfing lessons here!

Where to Stay in Seminyak

We stayed at Devins Sky Hotel, which turned out to be a fantastic base. The rooftop pool was a great spot to relax after busy days out, and being central meant we could walk to the beach, restaurants, and shops without needing a taxi every time. They also offered a handy drop-off service to take guests to the beach or into the centre, which made things even easier.

That said, Seminyak has accommodation for every style of traveller. If you’re after luxury, The Legian Seminyak and W Bali – Seminyak are both excellent choices right on the beach with five-star facilities. For something mid-range, Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach and Potato Head Suites & Studios combine style with comfort at more accessible prices. And if you’re travelling on a budget, The Alea Hotel Seminyak and Viva Dash Hotel Seminyak are affordable but still put you close to the action.

Wherever you choose, staying central makes life much easier — you’ll save time on getting around, and you’ll be in the perfect spot to catch Seminyak’s famous sunsets at the end of each day.

Getting Around Seminyak

Seminyak itself is compact enough that you can walk between most restaurants, cafés, and the beach, which makes staying central a big advantage. For longer trips, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek are the easiest and cheapest way to get around, and they’re widely available. If you’re confident on two wheels, scooters are a popular option and give you more flexibility, but the traffic can be chaotic if you’re not used to it.

For day trips like snorkelling on the east coast, it’s easiest to book a tour that includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, which saves the hassle of organising transport yourself.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re trying to jam as much into 3 days as possible, or just want to know what you can do with a longer stay, this mix of cooking, snorkelling, and surfing shows off some of the best of Seminyak. It gave us culture, adventure, and plenty of fun, all with time left over to enjoy the sunsets and beachside vibe.

If you’re planning a bigger Bali trip, pair it with our 3 day Ubud itinerary for another side of the island - temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, and even more amazing food.

FAQs for a 3 Day Itinerary in Seminyak

Is 3 days in Seminyak enough?

We actually spent a little longer in Seminyak, which gave us time to relax by the pool and enjoy some slower mornings. But if you’re short on time, you can definitely fit everything into three days. A cooking class, a snorkelling trip, and a surf lesson make for a busy but rewarding itinerary, and you’ll still have time left over for sunset drinks on the beach.

When is the best time to visit Seminyak?

The dry season (April to October) is the most popular time, with sunny days and calmer seas for snorkelling and surfing. The wet season (November to March) is hotter and more humid, but prices are lower and the crowds are thinner.

Do I need to book activities in advance?

We’d recommend it. Cooking classes and surf schools in particular can fill up quickly, especially in peak season. For snorkelling, booking ahead secures your spot and often includes hotel transfers, which makes the early start a lot easier.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

Not at all. The tours usually provide snorkels and fins free to use, and the kit we saw looked good. We brought our own for comfort, but it’s not essential.

Is surfing in Seminyak suitable for beginners?

Definitely. The waves here are gentle and forgiving, and most surf schools offer one-to-one tuition which makes learning much easier. Even if you’ve never touched a surfboard before, you’ll almost certainly be standing up by the end of a session.

Where should I stay in Seminyak?

Stay as central as possible if you want to be within walking distance of the beach, shops, and restaurants. Seminyak has everything from budget guesthouses to private villas, so you’ll find something to fit your style.