Let’s Talk Travel Insurance For Bali: Everything You Need To Know
FINNS Holidays is all about holidays in Bali, and tens of thousands of people visit Bali every year without a single issue. In fact, many
If you’ve spent any time researching Bali before your trip, you’ve no doubt come across a few stories about giant spiders lurking in villas, hiding in bathrooms, or sitting motionless on walls the size of dinner plates.
Friends who have been to Bali may have shared some horror stories, and social media, of course, is full of photos guaranteed to make even the most confident traveller take a second look.
As a tropical island with a warm, humid climate, Bali is home to a variety of spiders. From tiny jumping spiders and colourful orb weavers to the famously large huntsman spider, these eight-legged creatures can be found across the island in gardens, rice terraces, jungles, and sometimes even inside your accommodation.
But which species are actually found in Bali, where are you most likely to encounter them, and what should you do if you come across one? In this guide, we’ll separate fact from fiction, take a look at some of the most common spiders in Bali, where they live, and what travellers should know before visiting.
The good news is that while Bali is home to some impressively large spiders, the vast majority are completely harmless to humans. In fact, most species are scared of you and would much rather run away than interact with people.
Although extremely rare, some of the spiders in Bali can and will bite if cornered, but it’ll mostly just hurt a bit. Some species do have venom to help them catch prey, but the venom is not powerful enough to harm, let alone kill, the average human
For most people, seeing a spider in Bali is far more common than being bitten by one. Of course, everyone is different, and some people may react badly to a bite, but we’ll get onto that later.
If you’ve ever seen a photo online of a giant spider on a villa wall in Bali, there’s a good chance it was a Huntsman Spider. The largest of Bali’s spiders, their long legs and habit of sitting perfectly still can make them look absolutely terrifying at first.
Fortunately, looks can be deceiving. Huntsman Spiders are non-aggressive and would much rather avoid humans than interact with them; if disturbed, their stillness changes, and they run very fast. While it may feel like they’re running towards you, they’re definitely trying to run away. They can bite if cornered, but serious reactions are very rare.
During the wet season, Huntsmans move indoors to escape heavy rain, earning them the nickname “rain spiders”. This is why they’re often found in villas, hotel rooms, and particularly bathrooms, where they can find both water and prey such as cockroaches and other insects.
Despite the fear they inspire, Huntsmans are actually very beneficial and help keep populations of pests under control. So, while spotting one in your room may be terrifying, there’s really no need to panic.
The Golden Orb Weaver is one of the most impressive spiders found in Bali. Unlike Huntsmans, which tend to wander around hunting for prey, Golden Orb Weavers build huge webs between trees, shrubs, and other vegetation.
Named after the golden colour of their silk, these spiders are commonly found in gardens, forests, and rice paddies across the island. The females are considerably larger than the males and can look quite intimidating when seen sitting in the centre of a web.
Fortunately, they’re completely harmless to humans and far more interested in catching flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects than interacting with people. If you’re exploring Bali’s more rural areas, chances are you’ll spot one before too long.
Occasionally, distracted hikers and trekkers walk straight into one of their webs, which can be extremely frightening, mostly due to the shock. Thankfully, they pose no danger, so simply brush it off, take a breath, and continue on your way.
The Golden Orb Weaver is just one of several orb-weaving spiders found in Bali, alongside species such as the Long-Jawed Orb Weaver and the Abandoned-Web Orb Weaver.
Jumping Spiders are among the smallest spiders commonly found in Bali, but they’re also among the most interesting. These tiny hunters actively stalk their prey before using their powerful rear legs to pounce.
They’re easily recognised by their compact bodies, large forward-facing eyes, and curious behaviour. If you stop and watch one for a moment, it may even appear to be watching you back.
Despite their hunting abilities, Jumping Spiders are completely harmless to humans. In fact, many people consider them one of the few spiders that are actually quite cute. If you spot a tiny spider darting across a wall or garden path, there’s a good chance you’ve found one.
Wolf Spiders are common throughout Bali and are usually found roaming across the ground rather than sitting in webs. With their brown and grey colouring, they can be difficult to spot amongst leaf litter, soil, and other vegetation.
Unlike orb weavers, Wolf Spiders actively hunt their prey, often emerging after dark to search for insects and other small critters. While they can look quite scary, they’re generally harmless to humans and would much rather avoid you than stand their ground.
Named after the distinctive cross shape they make as they position their legs in to four groups of pairs, the Grass Cross Spider is a common sight in Bali’s gardens and forests. Like other orb weavers, it builds large circular webs and spends much of its time waiting patiently for insects to become trapped.
Despite their striking appearance, Grass Cross Spiders are completely harmless to humans and play an important role in controlling bugs and pests..
Crab Spiders are easy to recognise thanks to their crab-like stance and habit of moving sideways. Rather than building webs, these patient hunters sit on flowers and leaves, waiting for an unsuspecting insect to wander within striking distance.
Some species can even change colour to better match their surroundings, making them surprisingly difficult to spot. Their unusual appearance and camouflage abilities have made them a favourite subject amongst wildlife photographers.
Despite their ambush-hunting tactics, Crab Spiders are completely harmless to humans.
Lynx Spiders are fast-moving hunters that rely on excellent eyesight rather than webs to catch prey. Usually found amongst leaves, shrubs, and flowering plants, they patiently stalk insects before suddenly pouncing when the opportunity arises.
Their slender bodies and natural camouflage make them surprisingly difficult to spot, even when they’re sitting in plain sight.
While they may look fierce, Lynx Spiders are harmless to humans and will usually dart away if disturbed.
If you’re bitten by a spider in Bali, start by washing the area with soap and water and keeping an eye on the wound over the next few hours. In most cases, you can expect little more than mild pain, redness, or swelling around the bite.
Taking an antihistamine may help reduce any discomfort in the bite area. However, if symptoms worsen, you begin to feel unwell, or you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face or throat, seek medical attention immediately.
Before we move on to the FAQs, it’s worth clearing up a quick issue of semantics
Spiders and other creatures that are dangerous when they sting or bite, such as many found in Australia, are venomous. A spider, other creature or substance which harms you when consumed is poisonous.
Thankfully, as already mentioned several times, the spiders in Bali are not venomous enough to harm most humans, and they’re also not poisonous, not that you’d be eating them anyway!
Yes, spiders are relatively common in Bali thanks to the island’s warm, humid climate. Like most tropical countries, Bali provides the perfect conditions for spiders and the insects they feed on to thrive.
That said, the island isn’t exactly struggling with a massive spider problem. While you may occasionally see one, you won’t spend your holiday constantly dodging them. If you’re relaxing by your hotel pool, exploring the streets of Canggu, or sipping a cocktail at FINNS Beach Club, you’re probably not going to seeone all day.
The two spiders travellers are most likely to encounter in Bali are the Huntsman Spider and the Golden Orb Weaver.
Pantropical Huntsman Spiders are commonly found indoors, particularly in villas, hotels, and bathrooms, while Golden Orb Weavers are usually found outdoors, where they build large webs between trees and other vegetation.
While both can look intimidating at first glance, neither species is considered dangerous to humans.
Spiders can be found in Bali throughout the year, but they tend to be more noticeable during the wet season.
Many outdoor species thrive when the weather is warm and wet, making forests, gardens, and rice paddies particularly active during this time. Huntsmans also tend to seek shelter indoors during periods of heavy rain.
The largest spider in Bali is the Pantropical Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda venatoria). Large specimens can reach a leg span of around 10 to 15 centimetres (4 to 6 inches), making them one of the most impressive spiders on the island.
No, tarantulas are not native to Bali, and the chances of encountering one during your holiday are extremely low. While Indonesia is home to some tarantula species, they are not known to occur naturally on Bali.
While Bali is home to a variety of spiders, the vast majority are completely harmless and play an important role in the local ecosystem. From giant Huntsman Spiders with their long legs to tiny jumping spiders and colourful orb weavers, these fascinating creatures help keep populations of mosquitoes, flying insects, moths and other bugs under control.
For most visitors, spotting a spider in Bali will be a rare sight rather than a daily occurrence. And while an unfamiliar spider may look a little scary at first glance, serious incidents involving spiders on the island are exceptionally rare.
Even those with an extreme phobia of spiders can enjoy Bali knowing that a spider probably isn’t going to jump out and ruin their day.
So, if you happen to spot one during your holiday, there’s usually no reason to panic. Just admire it from a safe distance, and get back to enjoying everything this amazing island has to offer.
FINNS Holidays is all about holidays in Bali, and tens of thousands of people visit Bali every year without a single issue. In fact, many
Planning a short Bali itinerary? 5 days may not seem like a lot, but there’s plenty of time to enjoy the beaches of Canggu, temples of Ubud and more.
Looking for the best breakfast Bali has to offer? Discover 24 top cafes for everything from smoothie bowls and coffee to big breakfasts and brunch.
Worried about tomcats? Bali has them, but our guide to understanding these rove beetles covers their toxin, burns, treatment and how to avoid them.
Pay Safely With Us
