Bali | Staying In

Expand Your Circle and Meet New Pals with 12 Expat Communities in Bali

Hello FlokqFebruary 22, 2021

Moving to Bali is the stuff of travel dreams. The Indonesian island has a reputation for its gorgeous setting, delicious food, and fascinating local cultures. Popular culture has done a wonderful job selling the island’s most idyllic aspects, but there’s a bit more to Bali than simply an island paradise. Living in Bali, you will definitely need new friends to hang out with. Perhaps finding an expat community with the same interest as you in Bali would be handy!

For you who decide to live or stay long-term in Bali, here are our picks of 12 expat-friendly communities you can consider to join and meet your new pals!

Expat Communities

1. Alcoholics Anonymous -Al-Anon Bali

Alcoholics Anonymous is one expat-friendly community in Bali for members to share experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Regular meetings are held in Seminyak, Ubud, Sanur, Lovina, and Nusa Dua

Websites: https://www.aa-indonesia.org/

Contact:

+62 811 3994 772 (English)

+62 811 3994 776 (Bahasa Indonesia)

help@aabali.org (Email)

2. Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. NA have found through our group experience that the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel.

Website: www.na-bali.org

Call our Helplines:

English: 0821 464 60980

Russian: 0821 464 60984

Indo: 0812 383 10920

3. Bali Community Choir

Bali Community Choir is a group of adults made up of Indonesian and Westerners (expat) who meet regularly to make music together through singing, usually in four-part harmony. On the books, they number approximately 60 members. The Bali Community Choir was founded in 2009 by former Sing Australia Musical Director, Brendan O’Donnell. The group which numbers between 30 and 40 members, comprises singers drawn from the local Indonesian and Expatriate communities.

They have a wide repertoire ranging from the Sacred to Broadway musicals, Folk to popular songs. Bali Community Choir meets every Tuesday evening at the Gateway Community Center on Jalan Danau Batur Sari No.3 in Sanur (across from the Canang Sari Restaurant on the same street that leads to the Bali Island School). 

Website: http://www.balicommunitychoir.net/

Facebook: facebook.com/BaliCommunityChoir

Contact:

English: 0813-53120682 and 0812-3870469

Ricky: 087-761-016-200

4. Bali Geckos

The Bali Geckos, formed in 1997, are the island’s Australian Rules Football team and have been active in developing and introducing the game to local Indonesians, traveling foreigners, kids the great game of AFL. They are proud to announce the new Pink Geckos as their new women’s team starting this year 2019. Training is held on Wednesdays at the Geckos Club, housed within the resplendent confines of The Finns Recreation Club.

Juniors run from 3.30 pm, the women’s team start at 5 pm while the Seniors take the field at 6 pm. The Geckos host one of the biggest football tournaments in Asia annually, “The Bali Masters” is in June this year with over 30 teams competing over 3 divisions to take home the best Masters team in Asia. This year the AFL Bali Masters carnival will be spread out over 3 days for the 35’s 47’s and Women’s competition.

Website: https://baligeckos.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/baligeckos

5. Bali International Cricket Club

The Bali Sixes was started by a group led by Terrance Fimstone (The Bali International Cricket Club – BICC) in Easter 1997 and aimed to promote cricket for enjoyment in Bali for all ages and types of cricketer. The BICC continued the organization until 2009 under Ian Jasper. Ian Jasper was born in a small country town called Rutherglen in northeast Victoria. Since 2002 Ian Jasper has been the president of the BICC.

In 2010, management of these auspicious local Sixes was taken by The Udayana Cricket Club, based at Udayana University, the first Indonesian managed, a residential club in the world.  Cricket is played on the grounds of Udayana University on the Bukit and also at the Gianyar ground near Ubud. For more information, people may contact the club at Jl. Danau Poso 63 in SanurSocial cricket on Sundays at Sidakarya field. 

Contact: 0361-270 728

Email: ianwj@attglobal.net

6. Bali School of the Dramatic Arts 

Bali SoDA School of Dramatic Arts is a foundation established in 2007 offering professional courses in performing arts and the only school of its kind in Bali teaching entirely in the english language. Bali SoDA is training and educating future leaders  of arts and entertainment. Bali SoDA has programs to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary training in acting, directing, film, music, and dance.

Address: Jl. Cargo Permai No.95, Ubung, Kec. Denpasar Utara, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80115

Contact: 0361 434701

Also read: Cost of Living in Bali for One Month Budget

7. Bali Sports Foundation

Bali Sports Foundation is an NGO initiating sports programmes all over Bali for both expats and nationals. The Foundation offers free rugby, basketball, soccer, netball and swimming training sessions in various locations. Volunteer coaches are also very welcome! for more information. Bali Sports Foundation also a group of like minded successful persons who believe in or have experienced the power of sport in bringing about change in young persons lives.

Combining over 30 years of experience in NGOs, Sports Organisations, relief organizations, and Indonesian educational systems. Who understands that there are enormous gaps in the coverage of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Ministry of youth and sports, ministry of education, national sports federations, and Paralympic committees. 

Website: https://bsfasia.org/

Contact: +62 818-657-305

Office Address: Jalan Waribang, Gang Titi Batu 1A, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

8. BIWA

Bali International Women’s Association (BIWA) is a women’s organization whose goal is to foster friendship and engagement between women of different nationalities while contributing to the social welfare, education, and improvement of the lives of underprivileged people living in Bali. 

Established in 1974 by seven resourceful women from various cultures and nationalities, BIWA was originally formed as a response to a natural disaster in the northern part of Bali. Since then, the organization has grown and its members, all women, come from all over the world, including Indonesia. As volunteers, members pool their resources and give their time, money and expertise to help achieve the objectives of the organization. BIWA Center Office is located at Jalan Tirta Ening 15 A, Sanur, Bali. 

Website: https://biwabaliladies.org/

Contact: 0819 9985 5686

Email: info@biwabaliladies.org

9. Bali Hash House Harriers

This community namely Bali Hash House Harriers (BHHH) was founded by Mr. Victor ‘Nightjar’ Mason on 16 May 1977. BHHH is open to everyone and runs every Monday and Thursday. Mostly there are two trails, the long is average 11 km., the short average 6. Fast runners for the long can start at 4.00 pm, slow runners or walkers are welcome to start any time up to 1,5  hour earlier (any time after 14.30 pm.).

Anyone of any age and gender can join Bali Hash House Harriers (BHHH) for fun, fitness, and friendship, for a bit of running or walking in Bali’s beautiful countryside. Put on your running shoes and meet us at the run site. Prior notice is not required. You are considered to be a member after you have completed four runs with BHHH within a year.

Website: https://bali-hash.club/

Facebook: facebook.com/bali.hashhouseharriers

10. Kuta Small Business Association

Besides promoting tourism and trade in Bali, Kuta Small Business Association (KSBA) assists in the general recovery and community-based development of Kuta. Structured as a board, the KSBA has a healthy mix of Balinese, Indonesian and expatriate members.

KSBA is also the community behind the famous Bali annual carnival, “Kuta Karnival”. Kuta Karnival was established and organized as a response to the terrorist blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community in October 2002. Hence this annual event celebrates every 12th October. 

The event marks Kuta community’s commitment and thus a tagline of “A Celebration of Life” is established for Kuta Karnival. The week-long Kuta Karnival consists of traditional art performances such as the favourite Sunset Dances, sports on the beach as well as in the water for young and old plus rows and rows of culinary displays along the one kilometre of sandy beach.

Contact: 

Phone: +62 81239 66667

Fax : +62 361 759000

Member: Christian Fritz (Mr.) | Mobile: +62 81855 0493 | Email: chris@kutakarnival.com

Member: Gilda Sagrado (Mrs.) | Mobile: + 62 855370 8888 | Email: indra_gilda@yahoo.com

11. Piston Broke Bali

Another expat community in Bali is Piston Broke Bali, a social motorbike club with members from around the world. Founded in 1995 by a couple of expats to get a group together with similar interests like riding a bike and partying. The club also raises money for local orphanages and charities. Members live in Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Europe. Piston Broke Bali Club located in Sanur, Bali 

Email: pistonbrokebali@gmail.com

Website: www.pistonbrokebali.com

12. Raffles Golf Club

Last but not least, Raffles Golf is a non-profit community based at New Kuta Golf course in Bali where expat club members and visitors meet for social tournaments every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. Tee-off time is different each day. We welcome all local and visiting expats both ladies and gentlemen.

Raffles Golf Bali was formed in July 2009. Stephen Banks, the original General Manager of New Kuta Golf, got a group of guys together and started a Saturday afternoon competition with the aim of selling memberships of the recently opened golf course.

You can play golf with Raffles Golf Club in New Kuta Golf, Bukit Pandawa Golf,  The Maj Nusa Dua, Handara Golf & Resort Bali, and Bali Beach Golf Course

Website: www.rafflesgolfbali.com

Address: Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort,

Pecatu, Jimbaran, Badung 80361, Bali

Phone: +62 812 4655 2813 (WhatsApp)

Email: info@rafflesgolfclub.com

Also read: Volunteer in Bali: Tips and Program Recommendations

So, those are our picks of the top 12 expat-friendly communities in Bali for you. Hit them up for more info if you are interested, or check their website to see their upcoming events in Bali. See you in Bali, Flokqers!

Besides those 12, you can also find your interest-based community through coliving with Flokq. Flokq provides a wide selection of rooms all across Bali, with a hassle-free app to connect you and like-minded Flokqers!