Bali Mangrove Forest: The Boardwalk Trail at Tahura Ngurah Rai, South Denpasar

Just a ten-minute drive from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Taman Hutan Raya (Tahura) Ngurah Rai holds a landscape most visitors never expect: a wide mangrove forest on the edge of Benoa Bay, right beside the By Pass Ngurah Rai road in South Denpasar. Instead of sand and surf, you walk a winding wooden boardwalk between mangrove roots rising out of brackish mud. It is shaded, quiet and completely unlike the Bali of postcards.

A Boardwalk Among the Roots

The main draw is the roughly two-kilometre wooden boardwalk that cuts through dense mangroves without ever muddying your shoes. At several points the path widens into shelters for a rest, and there is a viewing tower in the middle of the forest where you can see the mangrove canopy stretching all the way to the shoreline. Information boards name the mangrove species growing here, so even a leisurely one-hour walk feels worthwhile.

Birdwatching and the Best Time

The area is home to water birds such as egrets, kingfishers and various seasonal migrants. Come in the morning around 8–10am or late afternoon 3.30–5.30pm — the air is cooler, the light is better for photos and the birds are far more active.

• Bring mosquito repellent — essential, especially towards dusk.
• Wear closed shoes or strapped sandals; boards get slippery after rain.
• Carry water, a hat and a zoom lens if you want bird photos.
• The trail is flat and easy, friendly for families and casual walkers.

A Smart Pre-Flight Stop

Because it sits so close to the airport, Tahura often saves the day for guests with a late check-out or an evening flight. Two hours here — a slow walk, the tower, a coffee at a nearby warung — beats sitting in the terminal.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai, Suwung Kauh, South Denpasar — View on Google Maps
• Hours: daily, roughly 8am–6pm WITA (the ticket counter closes earlier).
• Tickets: very cheap for domestic visitors, around Rp10k for adults and Rp3k for children; the foreign-visitor rate is considerably higher (in the hundreds of thousands of rupiah). Rates change — confirm at the gate.
• Booking: no reservation needed. Just turn up and pay at the entrance post; for extras such as boat or kayak trips, ask about availability on arrival.
• Social media: search on Instagram

If you would rather stretch your last day instead of rushing to the airport, one extra night in Sanur or Nusa Dua makes a morning in the mangroves far more relaxed. Compare prices and book your stay voucher with AccessiaPass before you fly.