11 tips and activities for this beautiful island near Bali
If you're looking for white beaches, clear blue waters and a laid-back island vibe, Nusa Lembongan is the perfect destination! This small island off the coast of Bali is a paradise, with beautiful beaches, spectacular cliffs and great snorkeling and diving spots, and it is also a lot quieter than Bali itself. In this blog we share 11 tips and activities that you should not miss, from impressive viewpoints and white beaches to adventurous cliff jumps and the best restaurants. Find out why Nusa Lembongan is such a great destination!
Yellow bridge - the connection between Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
Blue lagoon - Nusa Ceningan
The old tree - Enjoy the high cliffs and waves
Day trip to Nusa Penida
Mahana point - cliff jump
Mangrove tour
Visit the most beautiful beaches of Nusa Lembongan
Relaxing at beach clubs
Diving or snorkeling with Manta rays
How do you get to Nusa Lembongan?
The best restaurants on Nusa Lembongan
Transportation on Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
Our favorite hotels on Nusa Lembongan
Yellow Bridge - the connection between Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
The Yellow Bridge is the iconic yellow bridge that connects Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan. If you arrive by small boat from Nusa Penida, you will spot it right away. At the bridge, you can often immediately hop in a shared taxi or rent a scooter to explore the islands. You can only cross the bridge by foot or scooter, which means that there are no cars at all on Nusa Ceningan.
Blue lagoon - Nusa Ceningan
The Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan is a breathtaking viewpoint over a bay with bright blue water. Here, the waves crash against the cliffs, eroding the coastline further and further – a cool natural phenomenon to see! The rough waves make it too dangerous to swim here, but the view is more than worth a visit. Unfortunately, the bay is slowly being built up with hotels along the edge, leaving less space to walk around it. Fortunately, there are still plenty of places where you can enjoy the view undisturbed.
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The Old Tree - enjoy the high cliffs and waves
On Nusa Ceningan you will find The old tree, an old, withered tree. Not that impressive in itself, but the location makes it special. The cliffs here are rugged and are reminiscent of Devil’s Tear on Nusa Lembongan, where the waves crash against the rocks with brutal force. The big difference? It is much quieter here! And if you come here at the end of the day, you can also enjoy a beautiful sunset from this point.
Day trip to Nusa Penida
Do you want to explore Nusa Penida , but don't have time to stay overnight? In just 15 minutes you can sail from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. Ideal for a day trip to admire the highlights - such as Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach. However, we recommend staying one or two nights on Nusa Penida, so you can avoid the biggest crowds.
Mahana point - Cliff jump
For the daredevils, Mahana Point is the place to jump into the sea from a considerable height. Here you will find two platforms: one of 5 meters (25K IDR) and one of 10 meters (50K IDR). The platforms belong to a restaurant, so you can immediately eat something or order a cold drink after your jump. While you are here, you can enjoy the view of the advanced surfers catching big waves here.
NB: If the water is too low or the waves are too high, the platforms are closed. It is then not safe to jump, because of the rocks underneath.
Mangrove tour
In the north of Nusa Lembongan lies a vast mangrove forest. The best way to explore this area? A tour by boat, kayak or paddleboard! Paddling through the narrow waterways you will completely relax and maybe even spot some special animals. View all options here.
Visit the most beautiful beaches of Nusa Lembongan
- Mushroom Beach – Perfect for relaxing and swimming in calm, clear water. But beware: this is also the beach where the boats arrive, so towards the end of the day there are quite a few boats in the water. Despite that, you can still sit here and enjoy a sunset at the end of the day.
- Dream Beach – A beautiful white sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing. Be careful though, because the waves can be quite powerful here.
- Coconuts Beach – The waves here are a lot calmer, perfect for beginner surfers!
- Jungutbatu Beach – A long beach with a relaxed atmosphere and a number of nice beach clubs.
Relaxing at beach clubs
Visit one of the many beach clubs on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Some nice beach clubs on Nusa Lembongan are: sandy bay beach, D’Byas Dream Beach Club And Villa and Ginger & Jamu. On Nusa Ceningan you can have a great day chilling at: MyBeach Warung And Bar and Three Island bar.
Diving or snorkeling with Manta rays
Between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida you have a unique chance to see giant manta rays up close. Whether you choose to snorkel or dive, the experience of spotting these majestic animals is unforgettable! Check the availability of different tours here.
How do you get to Nusa Lembongan?
The easiest and shortest route to Nusa Lembongan is by boat from Sanur. You can choose to stay in Sanur and book a ticket directly at the harbor here. But you can also drive to Sanur from another location such as Ubud, Uluwatu or Legian, which takes about 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. You can often also book the boat online or through your hotel. This will then include a pick-up from your hotel.
Price: 130,000 IDR for the boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan.
You can also go from the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan by boat. If you do this, it is best to book the boat on one of the Gili Islands. The tickets are often cheaper there than when you book them in Bali.
Price: IDR 366,000 for the boat from Gili T to Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan.
The best restaurants on Nusa Lembongan
Some of our favourite restaurants in Nusa Lembongan:
- Tropical Juice Corner – Delicious smoothie bowls, toasts and fresh coffee.
- Cookies Coffee Shop & Foods – Great for breakfast, with smoothie bowls and chia pudding.
- Soka Warung – The best warung on the island, with delicious satay and mie/nasi goreng.
- Mushroom Espresso – Perfect for a nice cup of coffee and a good breakfast or lunch.
Transportation on Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
The best way to explore these islands is by scooter. The roads are not always in good condition, but the traffic is quiet, which makes it easy to do if you already have some experience with scooter riding. Keep in mind that you do not always get a very good scooter and often no helmet when renting a scooter.
Would you rather not drive yourself? Then you can also take a taxi on Nusa Lembongan or arrange a private driver. On Nusa Ceningan this is not possible, because cars are not allowed over the Yellow Bridge.
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About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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About us
Hi, we are Marlo and Tessa and have developed an enormous passion for traveling through our world trip in 2022. We like to share this with you through our adventures and tips, so that you too can make such an incredible trip.
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