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North coast of Nusa Lembongan with Lembongan village behind

Bali, Indonesia · City guide

Nusa Lembongan travel guide

A small island off south-east Bali with beaches, mangroves, seaweed farms and almost no cars, reached by a short fast-boat ride and best taken slowly.

BeachSnorkellingFamilyIsland

Updated

Photo: Stegop · CC BY-SA 4.0

Nusa Lembongan is an island of about 8 square kilometres in the Badung Strait, roughly 12 km south-east of mainland Bali. It belongs to Klungkung Regency in Bali Province and is one of the three Nusa Islands, alongside Nusa Penida and the much smaller Nusa Ceningan. About 5,000 people live here permanently, split between the villages of Jungutbatu in the north and Lembongan in the south.

The island is flat to gently hilly, and most visitors stay in Jungut Batu on the north-west coast or around Mushroom Bay on the west. Wikivoyage notes that cars are very few; people walk, cycle, ride scooters or hire pick-up trucks. A yellow suspension bridge, built in 2017 after the earlier wooden bridge collapsed, links Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan for walkers and two-wheelers.

What there is to do is simple and mostly outdoors: a walk along the south-west cliff path from Dream Beach past Devil's Tear to Sunset Beach, a boat through the northern mangroves, snorkelling off Mushroom Bay, and a look at the seaweed farms that were long the island's main livelihood. Wikipedia records that farming declined by about 2015 as tourism grew and was rebuilt by locals in 2020 to 2021.

Be realistic about the logistics. Boats to the island usually mean wading ashore, there is no hospital on the island, and some of the best-known sights (Devil's Tear, Dream Beach, the cliffs at Ceningan) have strong waves and unfenced edges. It suits a two or three night stay by the sea, with a base near the beach, a steady companion for older relatives and travel insurance in hand.

Before you plan

Nusa Lembongan at a glance

Best months
April to October is the drier seasonApril to October is the drier season, with May to September the most settled; January and February are the peak of the rains
Ideal trip length
2 to 3 nights2 to 3 nights; a day trip from Bali is possible but rushed
Airport
Ngurah Rai International AirportNgurah Rai International Airport (DPS) near Denpasar; about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi to Sanur harbour in light traffic, then a fast boat of about 30 minutes
Railway station
NoneNone. There is no passenger railway on Bali; all travel is by road and boat
Getting around
On footOn foot, by bicycle, scooter or pick-up truck; there are very few cars. A small boat also links Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay
Daily budget
Moderate by Bali standardsModerate by Bali standards; budget bungalows to mid-range villas are available. Check current rupiah prices, as cards often add a surcharge
Senior comfort
Fair with planning: wet boat landingsFair with planning: wet boat landings, rough lanes, steep bits and no hospital call for a beachside base, a truck for transfers and travel insurance
Language
Indonesian and BalineseIndonesian and Balinese; English is widely used in tourism businesses

Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.

Best time to visit Nusa Lembongan: May, June, July, August, September. Month-by-month weather →

How to reach Nusa Lembongan by air, train and road →

How many days do you have?

Nusa Lembongan itinerary

One good day

1 day on Nusa Lembongan

Take an early fast boat from Sanur, settle at Mushroom Bay or Jungut Batu, and snorkel or take a short boat ride in calm morning water. After a long lunch in the shade, ride a truck to Devil's Tear or Dream Beach for the late-afternoon light, staying behind the ropes. Catch the last comfortable boat back, not the final one.

Mushroom BayJungut BatuDevil's TearDream Beach
Day-by-day plan →

Two days

2 days on Nusa Lembongan

Cross in the morning, check in, and rest through the midday heat. In the late afternoon walk the beach road, then watch the sunset from the west-facing sand.

Jungut BatuYellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan
Day-by-day plan →

Three unhurried days

3 days on Nusa Lembongan

Arrive, settle in, and walk the beachfront. In the evening look at the boats and the seaweed lines along the shore.

Jungut BatuDream BeachDevil's TearMushroom BayYellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan
Day-by-day plan →

See the day-by-day Nusa Lembongan itinerary →

The places that explain Nusa Lembongan.

Places to visit in Nusa Lembongan

Places to visit · 8 guides

See all 10 places to visit in Nusa Lembongan →

What and where to eat in Nusa Lembongan.

Food to try in Nusa Lembongan

Food and restaurants

Eating on Nusa Lembongan means small Indonesian warungs, beach cafes and resort restaurants, mostly in Jungut Batu and around Mushroom Bay. Wikivoyage lists cheap local places such as Warung 99 Meals House and Green Garden Warung, seafood and Western menus at Maria's Boemboe Bali Warung, and healthy-food and juice places such as Pisang-Pisang and Bali Eco Deli. It also notes that quality varies and that many places are mediocre. We could not verify any pure-vegetarian, Jain, vegan-only or Indian restaurant on the island from a menu or official page, so no restaurant here carries a diet tag. Vegetable dishes such as gado-gado, tempeh, tofu, nasi goreng and vegetable curries are easy to find, but they may be cooked with shrimp paste, fish sauce, egg or meat stock, so ask clearly. Strict Jain food (no onion, garlic or root vegetables) is hard to get; ask your accommodation before you book whether the kitchen can prepare it, and carry dry snacks. Most hotels can cook simple plain-rice and vegetable meals on request. Bottled or refill-station water is safer than tap water.

Markets, makers and what to take home.

Shopping in Nusa Lembongan

Shopping

Shopping is limited. Small shops sell sunscreen, hats, beachwear, snacks and drinks, and souvenirs are few; for gifts, buy on mainland Bali. Wikivoyage says many places accept cards but often add a surcharge of about 3 to 5 percent, ATMs now exist on the island but can run short, and cash advances are expensive, so bring enough rupiah from Bali.

Where Nusa Lembongan makes, performs and gathers.

Culture and crafts in Nusa Lembongan

Culture and craft · 1 guide

Hotels that shape the trip, not just the night.

Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan

Hotels and stays

The areas to compare: Jungut Batu, Mushroom Bay, Lembongan village and the yellow bridge, Nusa Ceningan.

Where to stay in Nusa LembonganCompare hotels in Nusa Lembongan

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Match days, clubs and grounds worth planning around.

Sports in Nusa Lembongan

Sports · 2 guides

Living places of faith — visit with respect.

Temples and places of worship in Nusa Lembongan

Places of worship · 1 guide

Choose without overthinking

Which Nusa Lembongan experience is right for your trip?

Most plans get crowded because nobody is willing to choose. These comparisons make the trade-offs clear.

Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay as a base?

Choose Jungut Batu for restaurants, dive shops and a longer beach, accepting wet landings. Choose Mushroom Bay for calmer swimming and snorkelling at high tide, with fewer shops nearby.

Stay on Lembongan or day-trip from Bali?

A day trip is rushed and depends on the sea. Two nights let you cross in calm morning water and see the cliffs and mangroves without hurrying.

Mangrove boat or snorkel trip?

The mangrove ride is calm and suits older relatives and children at high tide. A snorkel trip needs more energy and comfort in water.

Lembongan or Nusa Penida for older travellers?

Lembongan is smaller and gentler. Nusa Penida has the famous cliff viewpoints but rougher roads and steeper steps.

Map

Open in Google Maps →

Know before you go

Nusa Lembongan travel tips

  1. 01

    Boats and landings

    Most fast boats mean wading ashore, often knee-deep. Wear water shoes, pack a dry bag and check your operator's return time.

  2. 02

    Getting around

    Cars are very few. Walk, rent a scooter or bicycle if you are confident, or hire a pick-up truck. Roads are narrow and hilly with blind corners.

  3. 03

    Sea safety

    Dream Beach and Sunset Beach have strong currents. Stay behind the ropes at Devil's Tear and check the tide before entering caves.

  4. 04

    Money

    ATMs exist but can run short. Cards often carry a 3 to 5 percent surcharge. Bring enough rupiah and small notes.

  5. 05

    Dress and respect

    The island is Hindu. Dress modestly in temples, wear a sash if asked, and do not climb on shrines.

  6. 06

    Health

    Only small clinics operate near Jungut Batu. Serious cases return to Bali, so carry insurance with evacuation cover and a basic medicine kit. Dengue is a potential risk, so use repellent.

  7. 07

    Sun and water

    Shade is patchy and the sun is strong. Carry water, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, and use bottled or refill-station water.

  8. 08

    Safety and rules

    Lock your room, as theft from unlocked rooms is the most common problem. Drugs carry severe penalties in Indonesia, so avoid them.

Nusa Lembongan with elderly parents: what to know

  • Book a stay close to the sand or the road so you can avoid long walks, and arrange a pick-up truck for arrival and luggage.
  • Boats often land you on the beach, and you may wade knee-deep. Ask staff for a steadying hand, wear water shoes and keep valuables in a waterproof bag.
Nusa Lembongan with parents: full guideAdd concierge support

Day trips from Nusa Lembongan

Nusa PenidaA short speedboat hop of about 10 minutes (Wikivoyage)Nusa Penida has its own guide, covering Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Manta Point. Day trips from Lembongan are long and rough for older travellers.
Sanur and mainland BaliAbout 30 minutes by fast boatSanur is the usual departure point and a calm beach town with hospitals and shops nearby. See the Bali and Sanur guides for areas beyond.
Gili IslandsRoughly 2 to 3 hours by boat, sometimes via Padang Bai or Senggigi (Wikivoyage)A daily direct boat is reported to run to Gili Trawangan. See the Gili Islands guide before you commit to a long sea day.

Useful answers

Nusa Lembongan FAQs

How do I get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali?

Take a fast boat from Sanur, which takes about 30 minutes, or from Serangan or Padang Bai. Check the operator, whether you will wade ashore, and the return time.

How many days are enough?

Two or three nights suit most travellers. A day trip is possible but leaves little time to rest.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Indonesia?

Rules change. Indian citizens have generally needed a visa or visa on arrival for tourism, and Indonesia may require an arrival declaration. Check the official Indonesian immigration site before you travel.

Is there a hospital on Nusa Lembongan?

No. Wikivoyage says a few small clinics operate near Jungut Batu, and serious cases go back to Bali. Carry travel insurance with evacuation cover.

Is it good for vegetarians?

Vegetable dishes are common, but we could not verify a pure-vegetarian, Jain, vegan or Indian restaurant. Ask your hotel in advance for strict diets.

Is the island safe for swimming?

Mushroom Bay and the northern mangrove area are largely safe; Dream Beach and Sunset Beach have strong currents and suit only strong swimmers.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.

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