Nusa Lembongan, the nearest of three islands in Indonesia’s Nusa Penida District, lies southwest of Bali. Besides seaweed farming, Nusa Lembongan is renowned for water sports like snorkelling, diving, and surfing. If you love the beach and aquatic activities, Nusa Lembongan is the ideal destination for you!

Here’s your ultimate Nusa Lembongan guide, including everything you need to know about the island and the top 10 things to do.

Getting to Nusa Lembongan from Bali

To get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali, take a fast boat from Sanur Beach Harbour to Mushroom Bay. It’s best to reserve your boat ticket ahead of time, especially during peak season. Book your fast boat tickets on 12go.Asia. 

The best time to take the fast boat is in the morning when the ocean is calmer. Nusa Lembongan is about 30 minutes away from Sanur by fast boat.

Since there is no dock for boarding, you’ll need to walk through the water to get on and off the boat. Therefore, wear shorts and thongs when travelling to and from Nusa Lembongan.

Getting to Nusa Lembongan from Nusa Penida

You can take a boat from Toya Pakeh Harbour in Nusa Penida to the harbour near the Yellow Bridge on Nusa Lembongan.

One way ticket per person costs 50,000 IDR. 

There is no need to make a reservation in advance, you can buy a boat ticket at the harbour. The wait time for a boat to Nusa Lembongan can range between 15 and 45 minutes. 

It only takes about 10-15 minutes by boat to get from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan. During your boat ride, you will be amazed by how clear the ocean is. Even in the deepest parts of the ocean, the ocean floor and beautiful coral can be seen! 

Getting around Nusa Lembongan

Upon arriving at Nusa Lembongan, you will likely be approached by taxi drivers. Most of them drive small pickup trucks with padded bench seating in the back.

The best way to explore Nusa Lembongan is by scooter! Due to the narrow and underdeveloped roads, there aren’t many cars around.

For a reliable and affordable scooter rental, contact Agus, the owner of Mesari Hut and Kelle Transport, via WhatsApp at +62 81238 627 206. He even offers to drop off and pick up the scooter from your accommodation.

No one on scooters in Nusa Lembongan wears helmets, so they don’t include one in the rental. Don’t worry, the roads are relatively quiet, and you won’t be going very fast. 

You can also rent a golf buggy for the day to explore the island! They are, however, much more expensive to rent than a scooter. 

Depending on the company you hire from, an 8-hour day can cost up to 800,000 IDR. If you don’t want to hire a scooter, this is your best alternative. 

Is it better to stay on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan?

Both islands are equally beautiful, so my recommendation is to spend time on both. If you can only stay on one island, however, I recommend Nusa Lembongan. Day trips to Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan are easier from Nusa Lembongan. 

Nusa Penida is ideal for those who enjoy adventure and dramatic scenery! Nusa Lembongan has more resorts, shops, restaurants, and bars and is ideal for beach relaxation. 

How long should you stay on Nusa Lembongan?

I recommend having at least 3 full days to explore Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. If you decide to stay solely on Nusa Lembongan, add one more full day to your Nusa Lembongan itinerary so you have enough time to explore all three islands. 

Bring enough money for your stay in Nusa Lembongan. There is only one ATM on this island, and many people have been scammed at this ATM. 

Nusa Lembongan Accommodation

Dream Beach Huts has incredible views of Dream Beach (the best beach on Nusa Lembongan). You can view Dream Beach from the restaurant, infinity pool and even from your room if you book the Deluxe Beach Huts Ocean View Room.  

The resort’s restaurant, Cafe Pandan, has a breathtaking view of Dream Beach. Happy hour starts at 4 pm and ends at 7 pm every day where you can buy one cocktail and get one for free. Breakfast is included in the room rate with a choice of either an American or Indonesian Breakfast. 

Nusa Lembongan Restaurants

• Mamma Mia’s Bar and Grill – serves a mix of Asian food including Indonesian, Japanese and Thai!
• Cafe Pandan – If you purchase food or drinks from Cafe Pandan you can swim in their infinity pool overlooking Dream Beach for free. I recommend just getting a drink from here!
• Indiana Kenanga Restaurant – Indiana Kenanga is a beachfront boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant! The restaurant serves Indonesian, Thai, and Western cuisine. The meal prices are reasonable given the restaurant’s location and quality.
• Oishii Bar and Grill – Oishii Bar & Grill serves Japanese cuisine and cocktails. They have a large menu selection, so even if you don’t like Japanese, you’ll be able to find something you want to eat.

10 Things to Do on Nusa Lembongan

1. Snorkel with the Manta Rays

Snorkelling is one of the best activities you can do on the Nusa Islands. There are some incredible snorkel spots where you will see many tropical fish, colourful coral, and even Manta Rays! 

The boat ride to Manta Bay can be rough depending on the sea conditions; if you are prone to motion sickness, I recommend taking seasick tablets. 

If you plan on snorkelling with the Manta Rays on a day trip from Bali then I recommend this tour: From Bali: Swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida or From Bali: 3 Snorkeling Spots Tour to Lembongan and Penida with GetYourGuide

2. Dream Beach

The popular swings overlooking Dream Beach can be found to the right of the resort before entering Cafe Pandan. 

Dream Beach is not suitable for swimming, but it is ideal for dipping your toes in the water. If you want to swim here, it’s best to stay in the center and avoid the rocky edges. But be cautious because there may be strong currents here! 

To see Nusa Lembongan in one day from Bali check out this tour From Bali: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan Island Tour with GetYourGuide.

3. Devil’s Tears

Devil’s Tears, a popular tourist destination on Nusa Lembongan, is only a one-minute scooter ride or a five-minute walk from Dream Beach. 

It’s a great spot to watch the waves crash against the cliffs and over rocky coves! It’s also a fantastic spot to watch the sunset! 

Natural rock pools can be found if you follow the path around the cliff edge. 

4. Mushroom Bay

Mushroom Bay Beach is a great beach to relax on, or if you want to go on an adventure, there are plenty of tour operators nearby that offer snorkelling tours and water sports activities.  

Le Nusa Beach Club is located along Mushroom Bay Beach and is a great place to hang out for the day. 

Since Mushroom Bay is a harbour, swimming at this beach may not be ideal due to the large number of boats floating in the water close to the shoreline. 

5. Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach is the best beach for swimming on Nusa Lembongan. There are no boats in the water and the ocean is calmer. With its white sand, blue and green tropical waters, and stunning scenery, this beach will be your own private paradise. 

Although it is a little difficult to find, which is why the name of this beach is so appropriate, you will almost certainly have this beach to yourself. 

The best part about this beach is that there are no restaurants or shops, so you don’t need to buy anything to enjoy it. 

6. Pantai Pasir Putih

Pasir Beach has soft white sand, warm tropical waters, and coconut palm trees. It’s a great place for photos as it has many photo props such as swings and booths etc. Relax under the coconut palm trees, take in the scenery, and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze! 

7. Mangrove Boat Tour

If you’ve never done a Mangrove Boat Tour before, this would be an interesting thing to do while visiting Nusa Lembongan. You can also choose to kayak through the mangroves if you prefer! 

The boat ride through the mangroves is pleasant, with only the peaceful sounds of nature. Keep an eye out for crabs, sea slugs, urchins and fish along the mangroves. If you’re lucky, you might even see a turtle! The boat tour lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. 

8. Panorama Point

Panorama Point is a great spot for a panoramic view of Jungut Batu Beach! On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the mountains in the distance! 

9. Sunset Point

Sunset Point is the best place on Nusa Lembongan to watch the sunset.

There are no signs indicating that you have arrived at Sunset Point, but you will most likely notice some scooters parked in a small dirt area where Google Maps directs you.

10. Day Trip to Nusa Ceningan

A day trip to Nusa Ceningan is a must-do during your stay on Nusa Lembongan. Nusa Ceningan is connected to Nusa Lembongan by the famous Yellow Bridge. You can plan your day by checking out my blog post: 10 Things to Do in Nusa Ceningan. Since Nusa Ceningan is a small island, you could easily see it in a day. 

If you’re seeking a place to relax with family or friends, Nusa Lembongan is the perfect destination. I hope the above Nusa Lembongan guide helps you plan your vacation there.

Planning to visit Nusa Penida? Be sure to check out my blog post: 3-Day Nusa Penida Itinerary.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a payment I will earn a commission. I link these websites because they give the best value/service and not because of the commission I receive. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to pay using these links is completely up to you. I only recommend websites to book through that I use myself and I know will be beneficial!