2020 Bali Service Trip
Artificial Reef Dome Construction
Indonesia boasts the most diverse marine life on the planet however, less than ten percent of its coral reefs remain in pristine condition. Unsustainable fishing practices have devastated fisheries and large swaths of reef here and across the planet.
For the majority of each trip, students stay on the beach in thatched-roof bungalows and spend their days building reef domes designed to facilitate coral growth and the redevelopment of fish habitats. Students will help place these structures in the ocean at the site of a former fishing boat harbor that destroyed a two hundred meter section of reef.
Each afternoon students will alternate activities between: teaching English and sustainable living practices to local children at a nearby school, working in a recycle center, and continuing construction of reef structures.
Opportunities to snorkel, paddleboard, or join local fisherman on their boats for dawn fishing trips are available everyday while staying in Tianyar.
Days off in Tianyar
Students will have two days off while in Tianyar. During these breaks they can visit nearby rainforest waterfalls and sacred pools (cliff jumping optional), scuba dive at a WWII warship wreck site, learn to freedive at a professional freedive school, or just relax at the beach.
Adventures in Lembongan
After finishing our work in Tianyar groups travel the Bali coastline to meet a ferry and head to the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan.
While on this small chunk of tropical paradise we will swim with manta rays, learn to surf, and enjoy crystal clear waters while snorkeling, scuba diving, and from above at cliff top restaurants.
Manta Ray Research
The Lembongan adventure begins with the wonderful scientists Marine Megafauna Foundation who will host an educational evening focused on ecological issues threatening manta rays and whale sharks. The following day, Marine Megafauna will lead a snorkel trip where we will swim with manta rays and participate in data collection for their ongoing research on the population of rays around Lembongan.
Surf Lessons
For two days while on Lembongan students are treated to surf lessons that begin on the land where you'll learn the skills needed to begin your journey as a waverider. Once in the water, experienced local instructors will be with you every step of the way. The breaks on Lembongan are tide sensitive and we often end up in the crystal clear waters enjoying a sunrise or sunset on gentle waves nature designed especially for rookies. For more experienced surfers, advanced lessons and site transfers are also available.
Optional 5-Day Surf Camp $700
Before the service trips begin, Padma hosts optional five-day surf camps in Canggu on the west coast of Bali. Days will begin early with surf sessions in and around Canggu led by professional local instructors. Two yoga classes will be offered daily followed by a second late afternoon surf sesh. Canggu and nearby Seminyak are known for their mellow breaks and as some of the best places on the planet to learn to surf. When not surfing or in yoga class, students can roam the many international restaurants and stores of vibrant and fun Canggu.
Indonesia boasts the most diverse marine life on the planet however, less than ten percent of its coral reefs remain in pristine condition. Unsustainable fishing practices have devastated fisheries and large swaths of reef here and across the planet.
For the majority of each trip, students stay on the beach in thatched-roof bungalows and spend their days building reef domes designed to facilitate coral growth and the redevelopment of fish habitats. Students will help place these structures in the ocean at the site of a former fishing boat harbor that destroyed a two hundred meter section of reef.
Each afternoon students will alternate activities between: teaching English and sustainable living practices to local children at a nearby school, working in a recycle center, and continuing construction of reef structures.
Opportunities to snorkel, paddleboard, or join local fisherman on their boats for dawn fishing trips are available everyday while staying in Tianyar.
Days off in Tianyar
Students will have two days off while in Tianyar. During these breaks they can visit nearby rainforest waterfalls and sacred pools (cliff jumping optional), scuba dive at a WWII warship wreck site, learn to freedive at a professional freedive school, or just relax at the beach.
Adventures in Lembongan
After finishing our work in Tianyar groups travel the Bali coastline to meet a ferry and head to the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan.
While on this small chunk of tropical paradise we will swim with manta rays, learn to surf, and enjoy crystal clear waters while snorkeling, scuba diving, and from above at cliff top restaurants.
Manta Ray Research
The Lembongan adventure begins with the wonderful scientists Marine Megafauna Foundation who will host an educational evening focused on ecological issues threatening manta rays and whale sharks. The following day, Marine Megafauna will lead a snorkel trip where we will swim with manta rays and participate in data collection for their ongoing research on the population of rays around Lembongan.
Surf Lessons
For two days while on Lembongan students are treated to surf lessons that begin on the land where you'll learn the skills needed to begin your journey as a waverider. Once in the water, experienced local instructors will be with you every step of the way. The breaks on Lembongan are tide sensitive and we often end up in the crystal clear waters enjoying a sunrise or sunset on gentle waves nature designed especially for rookies. For more experienced surfers, advanced lessons and site transfers are also available.
Optional 5-Day Surf Camp $700
Before the service trips begin, Padma hosts optional five-day surf camps in Canggu on the west coast of Bali. Days will begin early with surf sessions in and around Canggu led by professional local instructors. Two yoga classes will be offered daily followed by a second late afternoon surf sesh. Canggu and nearby Seminyak are known for their mellow breaks and as some of the best places on the planet to learn to surf. When not surfing or in yoga class, students can roam the many international restaurants and stores of vibrant and fun Canggu.
TRIP ITINERARY
Day 1:
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airportin Denpasar, Bali. Padma staff will be waiting at the airport to meet you.
Day 1-2:
Stay in Ubud, the cultural and spiritual hub of Bali. While in Ubud we will relax by the pool, take in the sights of old Bali and explore the famous monkey and water temples while the effects of jetlag fade.
Day 2-11:
We leave for Tianyarafter breakfast and wind through verdant mountain forests on our way to the rural northeast coast. We will stay at North Bali Reef Conservation on the beach in Tianyar for nine nights. During the day we will construct reef domes, tutor English, work in the plastic recycle cent, and perform beach cleanup together with locals. Students will also help construct new permaculture based edible gardens to be used and maintained by several local families.
When not working, students are free to snorkel, hang out on the beach, explore the village of Tianyar, enjoy beachfront bonfires, paddleboard, fish, or just relax. While in Tianyar students will have two adventure days, where we will scuba dive oat a WWII shipwreck site, rainforest hike and waterfall jump, and learn to freedive taught by local professional divers.
Day 11-14:
After lunch we will head south to catch a ferry in the town of Sanur to the island of Nusa Lembongan. Our first evening on the island will be spent with the amazing folks of Marine MegaFauna Foundation where we will learn about the biodiversity of the surrounding waters with a focus on large species such as manta rays and whalesharks. In the morning we will head out with a research team to observe and help identify local manta rays. The rest of our time in Lembongan will be filled with surfing, snorkeling, and exploring tropical paradise.
July 14:
We leave Lembongan after breakfast and head to the yoga and surfing town of Canggu to spend our last few hours together before catching a flight back across the Pacific. Vans will drop off all students at Ngurah Rai Airport with plenty of time before departure. The flight home promises to be a quiet one with everyone sure to be ready to sleep after the adventure of a lifetime.
*While in Bali the best way to contact the group will by using the free international messaging/calling App “WhatsApp”. All trip leaders will have phones throughout the trip and can be contacted at anytime using this App. Your trip leader’s WhatsApp ID will be sent via email to all parents before the trip begins.
Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airportin Denpasar, Bali. Padma staff will be waiting at the airport to meet you.
Day 1-2:
Stay in Ubud, the cultural and spiritual hub of Bali. While in Ubud we will relax by the pool, take in the sights of old Bali and explore the famous monkey and water temples while the effects of jetlag fade.
Day 2-11:
We leave for Tianyarafter breakfast and wind through verdant mountain forests on our way to the rural northeast coast. We will stay at North Bali Reef Conservation on the beach in Tianyar for nine nights. During the day we will construct reef domes, tutor English, work in the plastic recycle cent, and perform beach cleanup together with locals. Students will also help construct new permaculture based edible gardens to be used and maintained by several local families.
When not working, students are free to snorkel, hang out on the beach, explore the village of Tianyar, enjoy beachfront bonfires, paddleboard, fish, or just relax. While in Tianyar students will have two adventure days, where we will scuba dive oat a WWII shipwreck site, rainforest hike and waterfall jump, and learn to freedive taught by local professional divers.
Day 11-14:
After lunch we will head south to catch a ferry in the town of Sanur to the island of Nusa Lembongan. Our first evening on the island will be spent with the amazing folks of Marine MegaFauna Foundation where we will learn about the biodiversity of the surrounding waters with a focus on large species such as manta rays and whalesharks. In the morning we will head out with a research team to observe and help identify local manta rays. The rest of our time in Lembongan will be filled with surfing, snorkeling, and exploring tropical paradise.
July 14:
We leave Lembongan after breakfast and head to the yoga and surfing town of Canggu to spend our last few hours together before catching a flight back across the Pacific. Vans will drop off all students at Ngurah Rai Airport with plenty of time before departure. The flight home promises to be a quiet one with everyone sure to be ready to sleep after the adventure of a lifetime.
*While in Bali the best way to contact the group will by using the free international messaging/calling App “WhatsApp”. All trip leaders will have phones throughout the trip and can be contacted at anytime using this App. Your trip leader’s WhatsApp ID will be sent via email to all parents before the trip begins.
Trip Tuition: $2300
We take great care to provide the opportunity for a safe, meaningful, and life-changing experience while keeping costs as low as possible. Trip costs cover necessary expenses while in Bali, including meals, accommodations, transportation, and all project-related expenses. All selected accommodations and home-stays are highly reputable yet modest, to ensure cleanliness and safety, while also considering cost. Padma maintains a minimum international staff, choosing instead to employ local professionals wherever possible. This not only reduces the overall budget for trips but also supports local economies directly while promoting cultural interaction. Visit our trips general info page to see exactly how we breakdown our trip budgets.
International Airfare
In 2019 flights to Denpasar Bali and Koh Samui Thailand from Salt Lake City currently range between $1000-$1400. Students are responsible to purchase their airfare and arrange with volunteer trip chaperones to find flights with other students if they are not comfortable flying alone. Padma staff will meet all students upon arrival.
International Airfare
In 2019 flights to Denpasar Bali and Koh Samui Thailand from Salt Lake City currently range between $1000-$1400. Students are responsible to purchase their airfare and arrange with volunteer trip chaperones to find flights with other students if they are not comfortable flying alone. Padma staff will meet all students upon arrival.