Ultimate guide to the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan Bali, plus advice on how to get there and the best places to stay.
Nusa Lembongan is slowly gaining popularity as more and more people want to escape the mainland. Located only 45 minutes from Bali, Nusa Lembongan is the perfect beach getaway to add to your Bali itinerary.
From dramatic landscapes to spectacular marine life, there are so many reasons why you should visit this tiny island.
So, whether you’re visiting as a day trip or staying overnight, here are 11 best things to do in Nusa Lembongan, Bali!
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Read more about the Nusa Islands:
- Nusa Lembongan beach guide
- 8 places to visit in Nusa Ceningan
- The best attractions to see in Nusa Penida
- Kelingking Beach travel guide
- Guide to visiting Broken Beach Nusa Penida
- Guide to visiting Angels Billabong in Penida Island
How to get to Nusa Lembongan?
Before diving into this list of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan, I’ll first walk you through the best ways to get there.
The best way to get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali is by taking a fast boat from Sanur harbor to Nusa Lembongan. The boat runs daily from 8.15 a.m to 5 p.m at 30-minute to 1-hour intervals.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A FAST BOAT TICKET
If you’re coming from Nusa Penida, you can take a boat from Toya Pakeh harbor for about IDR 50-60k. The boat ride takes only about 10 minutes and you’ll be dropped off at the yellow bridge. From there you can walk to your hotel or hire a taxi.
Alternatively, for those only planning a day trip to Nusa Lembongan, I recommend this day tour of both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. It’s very affordable and includes a roundtrip ferry transfer from Bali, tour of both islands by scooter with a driver/guide, and lunch.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A NUSA LEMBONGAN GUIDED TOUR
How to get around Nusa Lembongan?
The best way to explore the Nusa Lembongan attractions is by renting a scooter for about IDR 70k (US$ 4.70) per day.
The roads are well-paved in most parts, except for the roads leading to Devil’s Tear which are just plain awful and very bumpy. So, make sure to always wear a helmet. Gas costs about IDR 20k (US$ 1.35) per liter.
Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan?
Lembongan Beach Club & Resort
With a massive infinity pool facing the ocean, Lembongan Beach Club & Resort is one of the best places to stay. They also have a private pool villa for those who don’t mind splurging a bit during their vacation. Free breakfast is included in the room rate. Check latest rates here.
Kawans Inn
Kawans Inn is a small budget hotel located within walking distance of Jungut Batu Beach. A double room costs only about US$ 20 per night and features a large double bed, private bathroom, and a little patio. The hotel is very modern and offers a delicious breakfast spread that changes every day. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN NUSA LEMBONGAN
What to do in Nusa Lembongan?
Devil’s Tear
Devil’s Tear is, without a doubt, the most popular thing to do in Nusa Lembongan Island. Here you can admire the strong waves crashing against the cliffs while creating huge water sprays.
It’s one of the most popular sunset spots on the island but it can also be dangerous. Make sure to avoid walking too close to the edge as the waves are unpredictable and can easily knock you off your feet.
On my way to the Devil’s Tear, my GPS went kind of crazy and lead me to this “secret” lookout spot which is found not too far from Sandy Bay. I actually prefer this spot over Devil’s Tear since it’s less crowded.
Related post: Guide to spending 2 weeks in Bali
Mushroom Bay
As one of the most popular beaches on Nusa Lembongan, Mushroom Bay is packed with hotels, restaurants, and tour operators offering snorkeling tours.
The main area is filled with boats, so if you’re looking for a less crowded spot, I recommend heading toward the right-hand side of the beach.
Dream Beach
One of the best attractions in Nusa Lembongan is the beautiful Dream Beach. Dream Beach is a small stretch of white sand surrounded by tall cliffs and beach caves.
The beach is usually crowded in the middle of the day as it’s a popular stop for those taking a day trip to the island. Luckily most day-trippers only visit the viewpoint and don’t make it all the way down to the beach.
At the viewpoint, you’ll find a little swing with the Dream Beach sign where you can get your Bali Instagram photo. Note that there’s usually a line of people waiting to take photos with the swing. You can just skip it if you wish and walk down the stairs on the left to go to the beach.
The beach is quite rocky, so I recommend visiting during high tide for better swimming conditions.
If you’re hungry, you can grab lunch at the Dream Beach Huts or hang out in their infinity pool for a fee of IDR 50k (US 3.30). For a cheaper lunch alternative, head to D’Byas Dream Beach Club and Villa.
Related post: 37 Best photo locations in Bali
Jungut Batu Beach
Jungut Batu is where most boats coming from the mainland drop off their passengers. Here, you can find a wide range of hotels and bars along the beach. On a clear day, you can even get a glimpse of Mount Agung. I stayed at Kawans Inn which is conveniently located within walking distance of the beach.
Pantai Mahagiri
Pantai Mahagiri is the largest beach on Nusa Lembongan after Jungut Batu. The white sand beach is great for swimming and is the perfect spot to watch both the sunrise and sunset.
During low tide, the beach looks completely different and you’ll be able to see a bunch of starfish along the shore.
Related post: 7 most beautiful beaches in Nusa Lembongan
Panorama Point
Panorama Point is a viewpoint located opposite Karana Lembongan Restaurant and one of the best places in Nusa Lembongan. You can make a quick stop there for a panoramic view over Jungut Batu Beach and Mount Agung.
Mangrove Forest
Another best thing to do on Nusa Lembongan is to rent kayaks to visit the Mangrove Forest. The cost of renting a kayak is about IDR 100k (US$ 6.70) for one hour.
Unfortunately, I had a hard time kayaking since there were too many boats going around. Instead, I recommend taking a short boat ride with a guide and it should cost only about IDR 150k (US$ 10) per person. The price isn’t fixed though, so make sure to bargain.
You can also find a few restaurants at the entrance of Mangrove Forest. My favorite is Nano Nano House which serves delicious Mie Goreng and smoothies at very affordable prices.
Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is unknown to most tourists and is home to some of the most luxurious resorts in Nusa Lembongan. Make sure to head there to enjoy the beach far from the crowds.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays
Snorkeling tours can be found pretty much everywhere in Nusa Lembongan. Swimming with the giant Manta Rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I highly recommend it! It’s definitely one of the best attractions in Nusa Lembongan.
I found a snorkeling company not too far from Kawans Inn and I was able to haggle the price down to IDR 140k (US$ 9.35) for a half-day snorkeling tour around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
Keep in mind that the waves can sometimes be rough, so make sure you check the weather conditions before booking your snorkeling tour.
Day trip to Nusa Ceningan
Since Nusa Ceningan is only separated from Nusa Lembongan by the yellow bridge, you can easily plan a day trip there. The island is so tiny that it can be explored within just a few hours.
If you love raw and scenic landscapes, Nusa Ceningan would be the perfect place to visit. You can read my Nusa Ceningan travel guide for more details about what to do there.
Related post: What to do on Nusa Ceningan?
Day trip to Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is the largest and by far, the most popular Nusa Island. If you’re planning a day trip to Nusa Penida, you’ll have to choose between visiting either the east or west coast since the island is so big.
The west coast is easily accessible and thus more popular. Here, you can find Kelingking beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Bali with its T-Rex shaped cliff and pristine white sand.
Other places to visit include Broken Beach, the natural infinity pool at Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay.
While the east coast is less popular and more rugged, it’s just as beautiful as the west coast. Make sure to visit Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach, and Thousand Island viewpoint.
Related post: Best places to visit in Nusa Penida
Travel Tips + Things to know before visiting
- Most accommodations have saltwater showers.
- Some restaurants will allow you to refill your water bottle for a small fee. If you have a reusable bottle, it will be much cheaper to refill.
- Make sure to bargain, especially when booking tours.
- Food is slightly more expensive than on the mainland. A meal should cost around IDR 50k (US$ 3.35) and a 1.5-liter water bottle about IDR 10k (US$ 0.70).
- Some restaurants might even offer free pick-ups and drop-offs.
As you can see, there are many things to do in Nusa Lembongan whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed trip or prefer to simply relax on the beach. If you have any questions about planning a trip there, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
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