About Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan sits about 30 minutes by fast boat from Sanur, offering a completely different vibe from mainland Bali. This small island is only about 8 square kilometers but packs in white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and dramatic cliff coastlines. The pace here is way slower than Bali - you'll see more bicycles than motorbikes and the main sounds are waves and seabirds rather than traffic.

Temperatures stay around 28-30°C (82-86°F) with constant ocean breezes making it feel cooler than the mainland. What makes Lembongan special is the mix of pristine beaches perfect for swimming and dramatic cliff areas great for photos. The island has two main areas - Jungutbatu village with the main harbor and most accommodations, and the quieter Mushroom Bay with its perfect crescent beach.

Traditional seaweed farming is still a major part of the local economy, so you'll see colorful patches of seaweed drying on platforms around the coast. The underwater world here is incredible with healthy coral reefs, manta ray cleaning stations, and some of Bali's best diving spots. It's developed enough to have good restaurants and comfortable accommodations, but still feels like a proper tropical island escape.

Highlights of Nusa Lembongan

Dream Beach is hands down the most beautiful spot - a perfect white sand crescent with turquoise water and great waves for bodyboarding. The cliff-top viewpoints here offer incredible photos, especially at sunset. Mushroom Bay has the calmest water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, plus beach clubs where you can spend the whole day lounging.

Devil's Tear is the most dramatic coastline with waves crashing into limestone cliffs and water shooting up through blowholes - absolutely incredible during high tide. The mangrove forest tours take you through narrow channels in traditional boats for 150,000 IDR ($11) and offer great bird watching. Manta Point diving or snorkeling gives you the chance to swim with massive manta rays at their cleaning stations. The yellow suspension bridge to Nusa Ceningan makes for great photos and adventure vibes.

Travel tips for Nusa Lembongan

Book fast boat tickets in advance during peak season - return trips cost 400,000-550,000 IDR ($28-39) from Sanur
Rent a scooter for 70,000 IDR ($5) per day since the island is hilly and distances add up quickly
Bring cash since ATMs are limited and often broken - there's one reliable ATM near the harbor
Pack reef shoes for rocky beach entries and coral protection while snorkeling
Download offline maps since WiFi can be spotty away from main accommodation areas
Book manta ray trips the day before since spots fill up and weather affects availability

Location & map

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Nusa Lembongan

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Things to do in Nusa Lembongan

Relax at Dream Beach with perfect white sand and great bodyboarding waves in a stunning cliff setting.
Swim and snorkel at Mushroom Bay where the water is calm and perfect for families.
Take boat trips to Manta Point for swimming with giant manta rays at their cleaning stations.
Explore the dramatic Devil's Tear coastline where waves crash spectacularly into limestone cliffs.
Join mangrove forest tours through narrow channels to see traditional seaweed farming and bird life.
Cross the famous yellow suspension bridge to tiny Nusa Ceningan for cliff jumping adventures.
Rent bicycles to explore quiet village roads and discover hidden viewpoints around the island.
Try stand-up paddleboarding in the calm waters around Mushroom Bay.

Best time to visit Nusa Lembongan

April through September offers the calmest seas for boat crossings and the best conditions for water activities. This dry season gives you the clearest water for snorkeling and diving, plus better chances of seeing manta rays. The waves at Dream Beach are most consistent during this period for bodyboarding.

Early morning (7-9 AM) is perfect for having beaches to yourself before day-trippers arrive from mainland Bali. Late afternoon (4-6 PM) offers incredible sunset views from cliff-top spots and beach clubs. Weekdays are definitely quieter than weekends when domestic tourists flood the popular beaches.

Rainy season (October-March) can mean choppy boat crossings and canceled trips to mainland Bali, so you might get stuck longer than planned. However, accommodation prices drop significantly and you'll have much more peaceful beach experiences. The manta rays are active year-round, but calmer waters during dry season make swimming with them more comfortable and safer.