Nusa Lembongan is a small island located south east of Bali about 45 minutes by speedboat from the island of the Gods.
It is a true paradise with white beaches, cliffs overlooking the sea and turquoise waters rich in marine life and famous for the presence of the spectacular Mante Rays.
An island that many underestimate but which together with the nearby Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan has so much to offer and is one of the best places to visit during a holiday in Bali.
Compared to Bali, Nusa Lembongan is much less chaotic and hectic and is the ideal place if you want a few days of complete relaxation.
This guide will help you plan a Nusa Lembongan vacation and enjoy your stay on the island.
How To Get To Nusa Lembongan
Getting to Nusa Lembongan from Bali is very simple. The best solution is to take a boat from Sanur which takes about 45 minutes to reach the island.
There are several companies that operate this route and they generally also offer pickup at your hotel and transfer to Lembongan.
Tickets can be purchased online through portals such as 12go.asia or gilibookings.com. Alternatively, you can take the tickets directly at the port, or at various agencies or through your hotel in Sanur.
Always better buy them a few days in advance if you travel in high season.
In general, the cost of a return ticket with pick-up and drop-off shouldn't cost more than € 25 per person.
Come Muoversi a Nusa Lembongan
Lembongan is a very small island, the best solution to move from one place to another is definitely by renting a scooter. Ideal for self-driving and exploring every corner of this wonderful island.
If you don't drive the scooter there are pick-ups that transport tourists, you can also organize the various tours through the structure where you are staying.
For the more sporty there are mountain bikes but keep in mind that the island is a succession of climbs and descents.
How many days to stay in Lembongan
The island can be visited in a few days, 2 or 3 are enough, but if you dive even 5 days can be fine. In any case, it depends a lot on your needs and how much time you have available. Just calculate that it is a very quiet island, for the evening it does not offer much and after 22:00 everything closes a bit.
Where to Stay in Lembongan
The three main villages of Nusa Lembongan are: Jungut Batu, Mushroom Bay e Lembongan Village. Keep in mind that the first two are the most touristy areas and the best areas to stay in Lembongan, while Lembongan Villagge is the area where most of the locals live.
Then there are other smaller places that can be valid alternatives for a pleasant stay on the island, let's see them all in detail.
Jungut Batu Beach
Jungut Batu is a great base to stay overnight to explore the island. Various activities such as snorkeling, boat trips or surfing lessons start from here. This is an area with a good choice of restaurants, so you won't have to travel to other beaches in the evening.
There are a good number of places to stay with offers to suit all budgets, from cheap guest houses to more expensive resorts or villas.
We slept at Bungalow No 7, a very nice guest house, with excellent value for money and located directly on the beach.
Mushroom Bay
A few km south of Jungut Batu you will find the other main tourist center of Nusa Lembongan: Mushroom Bay. There are various restaurants and hotels to stay in, many of which are within walking distance of the beach. Prices are generally a bit higher than in Jungut Batu.
Sandy bay
Immediately after Mushroom Beach there is Sandy Bay beach, where the homonymous Sandy Bay Beach Club is located. It is an even quieter area with few restaurants and bars, so it is recommended to have a scooter if you plan to sleep in. Sandy Bay. Consider that the area offers more luxurious facilities and therefore the prices are higher.
Dream Beach
Dream Beach is very close to Sandy Bay and the features are more or less the same. Quiet area and a beautiful beach but with rather big waves.
Cosa Fare A Lembongan
Devil's tears
The Devil's Tears are a true spectacle of nature, here the ocean breaks with all its power against the cliffs forming small waterfalls and giving an incredible spectacle. For an even more evocative experience I recommend you visit the Devil's Tears at sunset.
Important: the power of the waves is very strong, be careful not to lean too far.
To surf
If you are an experienced surfer there are some very interesting spots in Nusa Lembongan, (and Ceningan), which have nothing to envy to the best spots in Bali.
Rent a scooter and get around the island
Renting a scooter and touring the island without a specific destination is an experience absolutely to do in Lembongan, the best way to admire the hidden beauties.
Visit the Island of Ceningan
Always with your scooter you can reach the nearby island of Ceningan, connected to Lembongan by the famous Yellow Bridge, a bridge that can only be covered on foot or by moped.
Ceningan is a real spectacle, all nature, small local villages, rustic huts and the deep blue sea.
Blue Lagoon in Nusa Ceningan
Speaking of the color of the Ceningan sea, don't miss the Blue Lagoon, one of the most photographed bays in the area, with its unique colored waters.
Snorkeling to spot manta rays
If you love swimming and snorkeling Nusa Lembongan is the right place for you, considered the paradise for diving and snorkeling.
The crazy thing is that it is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with the Manta Rays, I assure you it is an unforgettable experience.
There are various agencies that organize tours to discover the best places to swim and admire the wonderful seabed.
You can also rent a boat just for you, as we did, and be taken to the places you want. We went straight to Manta bay where we spotted 3 splendid and gigantic Mantas.
The Beaches of Lembongan
Among the various attractions of Nusa Lembongan, its beaches cannot be missed.
Speaking of the various areas of the island we have already mentioned some of the main beaches of Nusa Lembongan. Like the famous Mushroom Beach, a beautiful beach that is also convenient for swimming but unfortunately with too many boats.
The long one is better Jungut Batu Beach, despite being the other point where the ferries arrive, there are quieter areas such as the northern part where you can swim and relax on the beach. Also with clear skies it is possible to see the imposing Agung volcano of Bali.
Continuing north is the resort beach Mahagiri, full of palm trees and colorful decorations, perfect for taking some photos.
Between Jungut Batu Beach and Mushroom Beach, there are Coconut Beach e Tamarind Beach both suitable for swimming and snorkeling when the tide permits.
As I have already mentioned, do not miss Sandy Bay (especially at sunset) and Dream Beach, perhaps the most scenic beach on the island. But beware of waves and strong currents.
Finally I can not speak of Secret Beach, the beautiful beach of Ceningan, a bay with transparent waters and clear sand where you can relax and admire the breathtaking view.
Various services: Advice
There is a limited number of ATMs on the island. I recommend arriving with enough cash, also because there have been cases of cloned cards.
Conclusions
Lembongan is an island that really amazed me, it reminds me a bit of a Bali of 30 years ago, still very quiet and not very chaotic, but full of nature, breathtaking views and a pinch of spirituality.
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