Bali, renowned for its captivating landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality, now proudly introduces Marine Safari Bali—an exciting new destination located side by side with the esteemed Bali Safari Park, Gianyar. Built upon decades of reputable conservation efforts and principles under the umbrella of Taman Safari Indonesia – Marine Safari Bali continues embody the philosophy of educating visitors about nature and inspiring future generations through a family-friendly experience. Now, with the opening of Marine Safari Bali, visitors can explore “two worlds in one destination,” discovering the wonders of wildlife and the mesmerizing underwater realm.

Embarking on an Immersive Adventure

Marine Safari Bali presents an exciting journey through six crafted aquatic zones: Rainforest, Lake, River, Estuary, Coastal, and Ocean. Each zone, shows diverse species in marine world for a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life, inspiring guests to take personal responsibility for protecting the marine nature. Visitors are guided by the young passionate educational team who eagerly share their knowledge and fascinating stories of these diversity wildlife.

Moving from freshwater into the dynamic estuary, the journey highlights the vital transitional habitats supporting countless marine species, showcasing resilience and adaptation. Insights into conservation challenges and efforts, driven by interactive exhibits, touch pool, feeding activities, and engaging educational sessions designed to inspire lasting commitment to wildlife protection and environmental stewardship.

The Wonders of the River

The River zone flows with excitement and discovery. Here, some creatures are tiny and delicate, while others are giants that have ruled these waters for millions of years. Particular attention to Sturgeon & Paddlefish, ancient survivors from the era of dinosaurs, famed for producing luxurious caviar. These intriguing creatures, monster fishes have remarkably long lives, some exceeding a century, and possess flexible cartilage instead of bones, much like sharks. Paddlefish, with their distinctively elongated noses, glide effortlessly through the waters, capturing plankton much like gentle ocean giants. Engage in conversations about sustainable practices essential for preserving these extraordinary species.

Visitors are invited to learn about the sustainable farming of these species, as wild populations have suffered due to overfishing. The exhibit raises awareness of responsible aquaculture and culinary conservation.

Just a few steps away, the atmosphere becomes electric. Guests can witness—and even participate in—a carefully managed piranha feeding experience. These razor-toothed fish demonstrate the raw survival instincts of the Amazon. Sharing this ecosystem is the world’s most sociable animal: the capybara. Calm, gentle, and endlessly endearing – delight visitors with their friendly demeanour and interactions with other species. The Capybara is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is found inhabiting the water-logged regions of Central and South America. Despite their enormous size though, Capybaras are animals that have adapted well to life in the water and have a number of distinctive characteristics that aid their amphibious lifestyle, including the webbed skin between their toes which is particularly helpful when swimming.

No river journey is complete without a visit to the monster tank, find the River Giants: Arapaima & Giant Catfish – In awe-inspiring encounters, visitors meet massive freshwater fish such as the Amazonian Arapaima, an impressive giant could grow up to four meters in length, capable of breathing air and leaping spectacularly. Equally mesmerizing is the Mekong Giant Catfish, an Asian river titan that embodies the river’s ecological magnificence.

Discovering the Lush Rainforest and Lake

Step into a shadowy world where tree canopies filter golden sunlight and animal calls echo through dense foliage. The Rainforest zone is alive with colourful frogs, iguanas blending into leafy surroundings, and turtles crawling through moist terrain. Beneath mangrove roots and dim cave-like tunnels, snakes’ coil and tropical amphibian’s leap. An interactive game titled “Eyes of Reptiles” challenges children and adults alike to spot hidden animals—an educational treat for the curious.

Dynamic Estuary

Where rivers meet the sea, the Estuary zone reveals a fascinating transitional world. Here, visitors learn how water shifting creates a unique environment teeming with life. Adaptive fish and aquatic plants thrive in this delicate balance of fresh and saltwater, while the estuary itself acts as a vital nursery for young marine species.

A central feature is the hands-on touch pool, where children and adults can interact with living horseshoe crabs—ancient marine arthropods with a lineage stretching back over 450 million years. With their distinctive helmet-like shells and spiked tails, these creatures offer a tactile connection to the evolutionary past. Guests can also observe and learn about other estuarine species such as soft-shelled crabs, molluscs, and bottom-dwelling fish, gaining insight into the estuary’s critical role in filtering pollutants, protecting coastlines, and supporting marine biodiversity from the very beginning of life.

One of the most fun interactive highlights is the stingray lagoon, where visitors can join guided stingray feeding sessions. An opportunity to hand-feed various stingray species, including cow-nosed rays, blue-spotted rays, and majestic eagle rays. This unforgettable encounter, led by Marine Safari Bali’s aquarist team, combines hands-on learning with awe-inspiring marine interaction.

Enchanting Coastal Encounters

As the journey continues, visitors emerge from a dramatic tunnel into the Coastal zone—a shoreline world brimming with life, movement, and curiosity. Here, Humboldt penguins from Chile and Peru charm audiences as they waddle along rocky ledges and dive with ease into cool, clear pools. Nearby, California sea lions display their trademark blend of intelligence and agility, while seals lounge peacefully under the sun, embodying the calm rhythm of the coast.

Though often mistaken for one another, sea lions and seals are quite distinct. Sea lions are social, vocal, and mobile on land thanks to their rotating flippers, while seals tend to be quieter and move with an undulating crawl. This distinction offers both entertainment and an educational takeaway for curious minds.

The tide pool area invites hands-on exploration. Under the guidance of marine educators, children and families can observe and gently interact with species like the small spotted catshark. These up-close encounters emphasize the fragility of coastal ecosystems while sparking awe and a deeper understanding of marine life.

Exploring Ocean Wonders

The Ocean zone brings visitors face-to-face with the vast mystery and beauty of the underwater world. This area offers a chance to explore iconic Balinese dive sites like the Pemuteran Temple Garden and the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben—both celebrated for their coral reefs, sea fans, and marine biodiversity. Through digital simulations and hands-on exhibits, these environments are brought vividly to life, offering an unforgettable glimpse beneath the surface.

For those seeking a thrill, the Ocean zone features a guided shark encounter. With strict safety protocols in place, guests can dive alongside black-tip reef sharks, zebra sharks, and nurse sharks. During these sessions, marine educators explain shark anatomy and behaviour, exposing myths and helping visitors appreciate their role as top predators essential to ocean health.

Understanding Dolphins

Another Ocean zone highlight is the bottlenose dolphin exhibit, designed to connect guests emotionally and intellectually with one of the ocean’s most intelligent species. Rather than offering traditional performances, this space focuses on storytelling—through multimedia, guided talks, and interactive elements. Visitors learn about dolphin communication, their role in the ecosystem, and ongoing conservation challenges. The experience encourages empathy and a sense of shared responsibility, positioning dolphins as powerful ambassadors for marine awareness.

Behind-the-Scenes Conservation Efforts

Marine Safari Bali’s dedication to conservation continues beyond the public exhibits. Guests are invited to explore the inner workings of the facility through exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. These guided experiences provide insight into the daily care and science behind the exhibits—from water filtration systems and pathology labs to veterinary clinics and aquatic kitchens.

Visitors meet the passionate team behind the scenes, including aquarists, veterinarians, researchers, and animal nutritionists. Whether it’s observing a health check in the medical pool or joining a “Keeper Talk” about the diets, these moments offer rare transparency into the dedication that sustains the park’s mission.

Educational Excellence in Action

Marine Safari Bali’s education program is led by a team of passionate young professionals—marine biologists, aquarists, educators—who deliver talks, workshops, and immersive programs that aim to ignite curiosity in guests of all ages. Whether it’s a school group learning about coral reefs or a teenager engaging with a dolphin researcher, every guest leaves with new knowledge and inspiration.

Preserving the Ocean in Theatrical Performance, Varuna

Adding to this immersive marine experience is Varuna— Indonesia’s first underwater theatrical dining experience, offers a unique blend of gourmet cuisine and captivating performances. This extraordinary venue immerses diners in a panoramic aquatic-themed setting surrounded by a gigantic aquarium filled with diverse marine life, including reef fish and graceful sharks gliding through the waters. As guests savour each course, they are captivated by vibrant performances, including acts with mythical mermaids, dancers, and visual projections that celebrate the beauty of the ocean.

Yet Varuna is more than a feast for the senses—it carries a vital message. Through theatrical sequences and immersive storytelling, the experience reveals the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems – how everyday waste can alter habitats and threaten the survival of sea creatures. By blending entertainment with purpose, Varuna inspires reflection and encourages responsible behaviour, reminding us that ocean conservation begins with awareness and action.

More than a marine park, it is a living fun showcase. Built on the foundation of Taman Safari’s conservation legacy, it provides a family-friendly, thought-provoking, and unforgettable experience where education meets wonder. Every visit supports conservation, inspires a new generation to explore and understand the need to protect our blue planet.