The tiny paradise of Nusa Lembongan is set between Bali and Nusa Penida, and has some of our favorite beaches. It’s very small which makes it easy to see everything on a day trip to Nusa Lembongan, or you can spend a few nights if you have time. There’s even a yellow bridge connecting it to its neighbor of Nusa Ceningan! Join us as we go through the best things to do on Nusa Lembongan, from Dream Beach to Mushroom Bay and everywhere in between!
How to Get to Nusa Lembongan
From Nusa Penida: There’s a local ferry that runs randomly throughout the day in between 9am and 4:30pm. There is no set time, but instead they run whenever they have enough people to fill a small speed boat.
Tickets cost 50,000 IDR ($3.50 USD), and can be bought from a little stand on the beach. This is a different location then where you arrive on Nusa Penida as it’s to the left of Toya Pakeh Harbour.
It’s best to ask your hotel or taxi diver for the exact location when you arrive on Nusa Lembongan.
Fast Ferry From Bali: This is the most common way to travel between the islands, and most likely the only option to be given by competing agencies.
The prices can range between 150,000 IDR to 300,000 IDR ($10-20 USD) depending on the company and time of your boat. Make sure to compare companies and book your tickets in advance!
Local Ferry From Bali: If you’re looking for a cheaper boat to the Nusa Islands you can take a slow ferry as well. However, you’ll have to hunt down the ticket and ask around to find it! It’s probably better to just pay the extra few bucks for the fast ferry, but you do have options.
From Gili Islands or Lombok: There are ferries that take about 3 hours (buy your tickets) in total from this area, but keep in mind they all make stops in Bali to pick up and drop off passengers.
8 Things to do on Nusa Lembongan
1. Dream Beach Nusa Lembongan
As the most popular beach on Nusa Lembongan you may have to fight the mid-afternoon crowds on your visit. Still, if you can get some time to yourself Dream Beach is an awesome place to play in the waves and work on your tan.
A lot of the Nusa Lembongan beaches are flat with Caribbean-like still water, but here you’ll be able to smash around a bit. There’s also an awesome pool bar with a 50,000 IDR entrance fee if you’re looking for a place to relax and have a drink overlooking Dream Beach on Nusa Lembongan!
2. Devils Tear
This spot is famous for its waves that crash into the rock walls. The water then spouts up high in the air almost like you’d see from a geyser. The one thing we didn’t realize before going here is to check the tides.
For the largest splashes and mist, visit when the tide is coming in and at its highest level! If you explore the area there are even some natural pools and calmer areas to cool down in and take a dip in.
3. Nusa Lembongan Lookout
As we were cruising along on the only road that cuts up and over the small island I immediately started to yell at Jake to pull over! This ended up being the Nusa Lembongan Lookout, and it’s the best viewpoint on the entire island.
Really it’s just a small dirt pull off with some shacks below. However, off in the distance you can see the clear blue water of Jungut Batu Beach and the nature beyond. This is a great place to get your camera out and capture the beauty of Nusa Lembongan.
4. Jungut Batu Beach
This is the longest and most crowded of the Nusa Lembongan beaches, and where you’ll find many restaurants and hotels. On the south side of Jungut Batu is the ferry port where some of the boats come in.
The opposite side to the north is a good place to snorkel and grab some food or drinks. Even though there’s plenty to do on this part of the island we wouldn’t recommend staying here.
5. Mushroom Bay Beach
Mushroom Bay Beach is another hopping place on Nusa Lembongan, and where you’ll find many more restaurants and cafes. It’s a little more laid back than Jungut Batu, and we felt Mushroom Bay on Nusa Lembongan was a nicer area to swim.
The actual beachfront has a few good options for food, but they’re a little pricier than if you go back to the street area. There’s also a strip of decent bars and minimarts right back from Mushroom Bay Beach where you can find everything you need. We stayed a few minutes walk from here and thought it was the perfect location!
6. Exploring the Mangroves
After spending some time at Mushroom Bay Beach, it’s time for something a little different! At first the stretch of mangrove was weird to us, as it seemed like something you’re more likely to find in the Florida Keys. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful piece of nature that we enjoyed riding motorbikes through.
Agung Beach Club is right on the water, and it’s awesome beach furniture makes it a chill place to have a drink. If you want to do a mangrove tour they take about an hour and can be booked next door to Agung.
7. Cross the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan
Due to its size, it won’t take long to explore the entirety of Lembongan Island. If you’ve rented a motorbike you should still even have time to cross the bridge and see Nusa Ceningan as well!
Crossing the yellow bridge is an adventure in itself since you’ll pass other riders and take in the gorgeous sea views. The best part about these two connecting islands is that you really can see them in one day, or take a whole week to relax and enjoy.
→ Nusa Ceningan Indonesia: Blue Lagoon & 6 Fun Things to do
8. Lembongan Restaurants & Cafes
Like nearby Bali, you’ll find a great range of places to eat and drink on Nusa Lembongan. Some of our favorites were nearby the amazing Mushroom Bay Beach! Whether you’re looking for local Indonesian warungs or vegan-style cafes, there’s something for everyone on Lembongan Island. Here are a few of our favorites below.
- B’Fresh Juice Bar: Amazing juice drinks and smoothie bowls.
- Warung Patu: Local Indonesian food served oceanside.
- Ginger & Jamu: Beachfront healthy eating with salads and veggie burgers. Make sure to try the islands famous Jamu energy drink.
- Green Garden Restaurant and Bungalows: Great breakfast and lunch spot. Grab something after a yoga class!
- Lemongrass Bar and Restaurant: Upscale date night. Hearty Italian food.
Have any questions about this article or want to share more of your favorite Nusa Lembongan beaches and things to do? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Helpful Indonesia Articles
Gili Islands: 20 Gili Islands Tips – Gili Islands Ferry – Gili Air – Bali to Gili T Ferry
Bali: Uluwatu Beaches – Bali Warung – 20 Facts About Bali – Kecak Fire Show
Where To Stay on Nusa Lembongan
Ultra Luxury – The Point Resort Lembongan – Overlooking beautiful Mushroom Bay, this hotel has all the luxuries you’ll need on the islands. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean from the infinity pool, and the modern amenities of the amazing Point Resort.
Fun Vacation – The Jingga Villas – The Jingga is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring. Once you see the pool, garden, and barbeque setting, it will certainly be hard to leave!
Budget Travel – D’Waktu in House – This was where we stayed during our 4 nights in Nusa Lembongan and we had a blast. Just right around the corner from Mushroom Bay’s shops and restaurants, D’watku is complete with a gorgeous pool and newly built rooms. You really can’t beat the value here.
For more places to stay near the Nusa Lembongan beaches you can explore the latest prices here!
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Indonesia Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Singapore to Bali for $60 USD, and Bali to Surabaya for less than $40!
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: 12Go is where we look first in Asia for ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! From speed boats to the Gili Islands and bus transfers around the country.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Bali. We recommend taking a sunrise Mount Batur hike with breakfast, an authentic cooking class in a local village, and the Ubud waterfall tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
