Blue Lagoon Snorkeling and The Gates of Heaven Tour

Easy snorkeling plus heaven-on-earth temples. This full-day Bali tour pairs calm Blue Lagoon water with classic East Bali sights, moving you from sea life to temple steps to a royal water garden without hassles. Two things I especially like are the snorkeling focus with equipment and a snorkeling instructor, and the convenience of an air-conditioned pickup and drop-off.

The main “watch-out” is the fitness factor: Lempuyang Temple is up a very steep climb with over 1,700 steps, and the rewards are visual but your legs will notice. Still, the day is well paced for people who want a lot of variety in one trip—swimming time in the morning, then temples and gardens after.

Quick highlights: what you get for a full day

• Blue Lagoon snorkeling (about 2 hours total) with calm water that suits first-timers and families
• Two snorkeling sessions at two different spots, with masks, fins, life jacket, and shower/changing facilities included
• Lempuyang Temple’s Gate of Heaven stop, including an admission ticket and a very noticeable step climb
• Tirta Gangga Water Palace with ponds, pools, and a Balinese–Chinese design mix across three garden levels
• Lunch set menu (vegetarian option available if you request it)
• A smooth, air-conditioned schedule using a professional English-speaking driver, plus hotel pickup/drop-off across several areas in Bali

8:00 AM start and air-conditioned logistics that actually matter

This is a long-ish day—about 8 to 10 hours—and it starts at 8:00 AM from your hotel area. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the route is set up to hit East Bali without wasting time hunting for transport.

The pickup network is practical. The tour lists hotel/villa pickup and drop-off for areas including Sanur, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Ubud, Denpasar, and Tanjung Benoa. If you’re staying somewhere else, you’ll want to confirm your exact pickup point when booking.

One more “value” detail: you’re not stuck with a loud, mixed bus crowd. The tour is described as private for your group only, which usually means a more flexible pace for bathroom breaks and photo stops—especially helpful during temple time when the crowds can spike.

Blue Lagoon snorkeling: calm water, included gear, and real sea-life odds

Blue Lagoon is a small bay near Padang Bai, with a short stretch of white sand where the water is known to be calmer than many other spots. That calm is exactly why it’s popular for people who are new to snorkeling and families who want an easier first taste of marine life.

You’ll snorkel for about 1 hour at each of two different spots, and the tour includes a professional snorkeling instructor. The operator also includes the full kit: mask, fins, and a life jacket, plus shower and changing-room facilities. That last part is underrated. After you’re wet, you’ll want a place to rinse off and swap back into your dry clothes before the day’s next stretch.

Your boat transfer is also handled. The tour provides ticket boat transfers (sharing boat) to reach the snorkeling area. The included marine-life description is specific, listing creatures you might encounter around the reefs, including things like Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, moray eels, rays, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nudibranchs. You can’t guarantee sightings, but the site quality is clearly the point.

A couple of practical notes for snorkeling day:

• Bring a camera, but also plan for sun glare. East Bali light can be strong, and visibility changes with the day.
• Pack change of clothes. The tour gives you shower access, yet you still need something dry after.

Also, based on guide-style feedback included in the provided info, people have reported enjoyable wildlife sightings like a turtle and clown fish during their snorkeling—so while you can’t bank on it, the chances are the real draw.

Two snorkeling spots means more than variety—it reduces your “bad luck” risk

The tour’s structure is smart: two different snorkeling sessions rather than one long one. If conditions are slightly better in one spot than another, you still get a second attempt during your snorkeling time.

It also matters for comfort. Instead of going all day in gear, you get a break in between (even if lunch comes later). And because the tour is built for a broad range of people—minimum age 6, maximum age 60—the pacing tends to keep things doable for first-timers.

One consideration: snorkeling time is scheduled (about two hours total across two stops), so if you’re chasing a long, uninterrupted swim or you want lots of time for slow drifting photos, you may find this tour’s snorkeling window feels “just right” rather than endless.

Lempuyang Temple and the Gate of Heaven: the steps are the whole story

After snorkeling and lunch, the day shifts to Lempuyang Temple, famous for the Gate of Heaven photo framing. This stop isn’t just scenic—it’s physically demanding and visually iconic.

Lempuyang Temple is believed to predate many Hindu temples on the island, and it sits at 1,175 meters above sea level on Mount Lempuyang. The big reality check: you’ll reach the main area via a steep stair climb of over 1,700 steps. Along the way you pass additional temple points, and you’ll also likely see grey long-tailed macaques in the cooler mountain forest areas.

If you plan to do the “Gate of Heaven” portraits, build your mindset around patience. You’ll be moving at a temple pace, and photos often take time because people line up and wait their turn. The upside is that the setting is dramatic, and the temple layout makes the famous framing possible.

Practical advice so you don’t suffer unnecessarily:

• Wear smart casual clothes that won’t trip you on steps.
• Bring sunscreen and consider a hat if you’re heat-sensitive—especially if you’re in the sun during the earlier sections of the climb.
• Expect the climb to be the main effort of the day; everything else is more relaxed by comparison.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace: three levels of ponds, pools, and royal-era design

Tirta Gangga is the “slow down” stop. The water palace grounds cover about 1.2 hectares, organized into three separate complexes.

What makes this stop special is the layered design:

• On the lowest level, you’ll find two large ponds plus a water tower.
• On the middle level, the focus is on swimming pools.
• On the top level, the grounds include the main complex and the country home of the former Raja.

The description emphasizes a unique blend of Balinese and Chinese architecture, which you can feel in the symmetry and stonework patterns around the water features. It’s a great contrast to Lempuyang, where you’re mostly climbing and watching the view. Here, you’re strolling through gardens built around water.

The time budget is also manageable: the tour assigns about 1 hour at Tirta Gangga, enough time to wander, take photos, and reset after the earlier exertion.

Lunch after snorkeling: included set menu, request vegetarian ahead

Lunch comes after your snorkeling. The tour includes a lunch set menu, and it offers a vegetarian option if you request it at booking.

This is one of those “small” inclusions that changes your day. Without lunch handled, you’d spend time comparing menus and distances after wet snorkeling time. With lunch included, you can keep moving.

One more comfort point: because the tour includes shower and changing facilities after snorkeling, you’re more likely to feel human before you sit down to eat.

If you’re picky about timing, keep this in mind: your day is a chain of fixed stops. Lunch is part of that structure, not a spontaneous detour.

Price and value: what $90 buys you in the real world

At $90 per person, this tour can be a good value if you were going to pay for the same pieces separately. What’s included is more than just transport:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking driver
• Snorkeling instructor for about 1 hour each at two different spots
• Boat transfers (sharing boat)
• All entrance tickets
• Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, life jacket), plus shower and changing rooms
• Lunch set menu
• Tax and services

What’s not included is simple: soda/pop soft drinks and personal expenses. That’s typical, but it helps to know that you may want to budget for drinks or snacks if you’re thirsty after snorkeling.

The value really shows up when you total it in your head:

• paid transport to East Bali
• paid snorkeling kit and instructor time
• paid entry tickets for temple and garden sites
• plus lunch and a post-snorkel rinse

If you’re already planning to do those anyway, this package format usually beats piecing it together yourself.

Who should book this Blue Lagoon and Gate of Heaven day

This tour fits best if you want a one-day sampler of East Bali—sea life in the morning, temple views in the afternoon, and a water palace afterward. It’s especially aligned with:

• first-time snorkelers (calm water reputation and included gear/instructor)
• people who like photogenic religious sites
• anyone who wants snorkeling + Lempuyang + Tirta Gangga without separate bookings

Think twice if:

• you have knee or mobility issues. The 1,700+ step climb is the biggest strain point.
• you don’t like schedule-heavy days. It’s a full day, and each stop is time-boxed.

The ages listed—minimum 6, maximum 60—also hints that the operator expects a broad range, but the stair climb is still the deciding factor for comfort.

Tips to make your day smoother (and more comfortable)

A few practical things you should bring since the tour asks for them:

• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Change of clothes

Dress code is smart casual. For snorkeling, you’ll likely end up wet anyway, so focus on clothes you can change out of quickly after the included shower.

Also, since the tour requires good weather, keep an eye on forecasts before the day. If weather is poor, you may need a different date or you may get a refund offer—so it’s smart to travel with some date flexibility.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want one efficient day that hits three big hits: Blue Lagoon snorkeling, Lempuyang Temple’s Gate of Heaven, and Tirta Gangga Water Palace—all with entrance tickets, equipment, and lunch handled for you. The calm snorkeling setup and the included instructor support are especially appealing if you’re newer to the water.

Skip or choose a different plan if the stair climb is a deal-breaker for you, or if you’re looking for a long, unstructured snorkeling session rather than two scheduled sessions.

If you do book: request vegetarian lunch in advance if you need it, wear step-friendly shoes, and treat the Lempuyang stairs as the main event of the afternoon.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 8:00 AM.

How long is the Blue Lagoon snorkeling and Gate of Heaven tour?

The duration is 8 to 10 hours (approx.).

Do you offer pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are listed for hotel/villa areas including Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, Legian, Jimbaran, Sanur, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu, Ubud, and Denpasar.

How much snorkeling is included?

You get approximately 1 hour snorkeling at each of 2 different spots, for about 2 hours total.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes all snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, life jacket), plus shower and changing room facilities.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. The tour includes all entrance tickets for the visited sites.

Is lunch included, and can it be vegetarian?

Yes. Lunch is included as a set menu, and a vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.

Do I share a boat for the snorkeling transfer?

Yes. The tour includes ticket boat transfers (sharing boat).

Is this tour private?

It’s described as private, meaning only your group will participate.

What is the allowed age range?

The minimum age is 6 and the maximum age is 60.