Nusa Lembongan, Bali: Top Things to Do & Itinerary

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Imagine rugged coastlines, hidden beaches, perfect sunsets, and bright blue water with thriving marine life. All of this is just 30 minutes away from mainland Bali on Nusa Lembongan, the middle child of the Nusa Islands. Nusa Lembongan is smaller than Nusa Penida, larger than Nusa Ceningan, and more developed than both, making it the perfect island to base yourself for a tropical adventure. It’s relatively undiscovered compared to mainland Bali, providing an island getaway for those looking for a quieter, chiller, and less touristy addition to their Bali itinerary.

Why should I visit Nusa Lembongan, Bali?

Nusa Lembongan is a small island with a big impact. With epic cliff coasts, white sand beaches, and thriving underwater life, it’s truly a tropical paradise just 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of mainland Bali. The island can be traveled by motorbike in less than an hour and you can easily drive over to its smaller sibling, Nusa Ceningan. It’s also only a 10-15 minute boat ride from Nusa Penida, where you can take an Instagram-worthy day trip. The Nusa Islands are less touristy and discovered than mainland Bali, sure to impress anyone wanting an island getaway. Nusa Lembongan is the perfect island of the three to base yourself, as it’s centrally located, easy to navigate, and has plenty to offer itself.

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Nusa Lembongan is only a 30 minute boat ride from mainland Bali. The boats leave frequently from Sanur Harbor. Take a taxi from wherever you are to Sanur, where you can catch one of the many ferries. Some ferry companies have terrible reviews, but I booked with DStars Fast Ferry and had a very smooth, timely journey.

Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan, Bali

I recommend staying in the Jungutbatu area, where most ferries arrive and depart. This not only puts you close to the ferries but also in the most bustling area of the island with the most restaurants, hotels, and cafes. Jungutbatu Beach is also a nice place to relax, with many beachside establishments and a gorgeous sunset. When you book tours such as snorkeling and Nusa Penida, they’ll often pick you up for free in the area, too.

I had an affordable, comfortable stay at Nyuh Gading Homestay. They have private rooms or dorm rooms close to the beach, and they helped me organize all my excursions and transport. I highly recommend it.

How Long to Stay in Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Three days is the perfect amount of time to stay in Nusa Lembongan. This gives you enough time to see the highlights of all three Nusa islands.

How to Get Around Nusa Lembongan, Bali

There is no Grab/Gojek on Nusa Lembongan, so you’ll need to hire a local taxi or rent a scooter. The roads aren’t perfect but they’re not nearly as chaotic as mainland Bali, so renting a scooter is a good option even if you aren’t extremely experienced.

Is Nusa Lembongan, Bali good for solo travelers?

Yes, Nusa Lembongan is a great place for solo travelers. Many people come over from mainland Bali, including the backpacking crowd. The island is safe and fairly easy to get around if you can drive a scooter. There are a few hostels on the island where you can meet other travelers, or you can easily meet people by joining the popular group tours. The best hostels include:

What to Do in Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Go to the beach

Nusa Lembongan is home to some stunning beaches with bright blue water. One of the best ways to spend your time on the island is to explore these beaches, put down a towel, and relax. The best beaches in Nusa Lembongan include:

Dream Beach
Sandy Bay Beach
Mushroom Bay Beach
Jungutbatu Beach

Something to note is that swimming isn’t recommend at some of Nusa Lembongan’s beaches because of the extreme current and large waves. For swimming, head to Mushroom Bay or Jungutbatu. The boats dock here so the beaches aren’t as peaceful, but they’re the safest beaches for swimming.

Go snorkeling or diving with manta rays

Just a 30 minute boat ride from Nusa Lembongan is Manta Point, one of the world’s best places to snorkel or dive with manta rays. It’s a cleaning station where many mantas come daily to be cleaned by the tropical fish. Whether you dive or snorkel, you’ll be right in the action of the cleaning station, with mantas swimming all around you. This was the highlight of my time in Nusa Lembongan, even though I got sick and couldn’t dive as planned. The snorkeling was just as amazing!

The current is strong at Manta Point, so I recommend being a confident swimmer if you go on this trip. I had some inexperienced swimmers in my group and they were struggling.

Insider tip: Make sure your snorkeling tour goes to Manta Point, not Manta Bay. Many snorkeling tours only go to Manta Bay because it’s closer, but the chances of seeing the mantas are significantly lower than at Manta Point.

Go surfing

Nusa Lembongan has some great surf spots, especially if you’re a seasoned surfer. There are surf breaks with a variety of waves, but most of them break on a reef, which makes it better for those who aren’t beginners. The best surf breaks include:

Playgrounds
Lacerations
Shipwreck
Mahana Point, Nusa Ceningan

Kayak or SUP through the mangroves

The northeast side of the island is home to a beautiful mangrove forest. You can rent a kayak or SUP and explore the calm rivers, surrounded by green mangroves. Not many tourists make it to the mangroves, so it’s a great place to go off the beaten path and enjoy some tranquil, serene time on the water.

See giant waves crash at Devil’s Tear

Devil’s Tear is an area of blowholes on the cliff face of the island where powerful waves crash, shooting water meters into the air. I felt like I could stand there for hours and watch this natural wonder, if it wasn’t for the heat. Please pay attention to the ropes and stay well behind them, as the waves are so powerful that they could be dangerous if you get too close.

Take a day trip to Nusa Penida

If you’ve seen any Indonesia travel content on social media recently, you’ve certainly seen pictures of Nusa Penida. This island is only a 10-15 minute ride from Nusa Lembongan and is home to some of Bali’s most Instagrammable sights. However, this is not a case of Instagram vs. reality. Everything is just as beautiful (or more!) in person. You can visit these sights in one day, although most tours offered are split into East or West (West being most popular). You can choose which side of the island you want to explore, or you can find a tour that does both East and West in one day. The top sights include:

Kelingking Beach (West)
Broken Beach (West)
Angel Billabong (West)
Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach (East)
Molateng Treehouse (East)

Nusa Penida is not as developed as Nusa Lembongan, so I don’t recommend renting a scooter and instead joining a guided tour or hiring a driver. The roads are very rough and windy. And when you have a guide, they’ll also double as a photographer to capture your time on this Instagram Island!

Explore Nusa Ceningan

The smallest of the three Nusas, Nusa Ceningan is a tiny island with its own sights worth exploring. The best way to discover Nusa Ceningan is by scooter, and cars aren’t allowed on the island at all. The roads are chill and decently maintained, so even a less experienced scooter driver could handle it. Nusa Ceningan is connected to Nusa Lembongan by Yellow Bridge, so head there to start your adventure and then scooter around to these highlights:

Yellow Bridge
Mahana Point
Secret Point Beach
Blue Lagoon
Secret Beach

Watch the sunset

Nusa Lembongan has many west-facing beaches that are perfect for watching the colorful sunsets. After a full day of exploring the island, head to your sunset spot of choice, whether it’s the place literally called Sunset Point, one of the many beaches, or a cliffside bar or restaurant.

Nusa Lembongan, Bali Itinerary

Day 1

On your first day in Nusa Lembongan, get to know the island and its smaller neighbor Nusa Ceningan. Rent a scooter and take off to the significant points around both islands, including Secret Beach, Blue Lagoon, Mahana Point, Devil’s Tear, and Dream Beach. Then find your favorite beach and relax there for a bit before catching the sunset.

Day 2

Today, you’ll head off to the biggest and most Instagram-famous Nusa island, Nusa Penida. I recommend joining a group tour from Nusa Lembongan, which will include the short boat ride and a driver to navigate the tricky roads for you (and usually be your photographer, too!). You can choose an East, West, or both tour depending on which sights you want to see. It will take all day, but you should be back in time for another great sunset.

Day 3

We might be saving the best for last, as today you’re off to snorkel or dive with the manta rays. Most snorkel tours include additional stops to see turtles and flourishing reefs. If you’re diving, you can choose some additional dive sites to try to see the mora mora. Most trips leave around seven to eight and return a few hours later, so you can leave in the afternoon or spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach.

Nusa Lembongan, Bali was one of my favorite stops on my Bali trip. The water is unbelievably blue, the marine life is abundant, and the famous sights do not disappoint in real life. From discovering the islands by motorbike to chilling on pristine beaches, there’s something for everyone. You won’t regret visiting the Nusa Islands, and you won’t regret choosing Nusa Lembongan as the base for your adventure.

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