12 Exciting Things To Do In Nusa Lembongan (Ultimate Guide)
What are some cool things to do in Nusa Lembongan? From swimming with manta rays to lounging at beach clubs, this island has a lot to offer!
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Ashley Metcalfe
December 18, 2024
Nusa Lembongan is a small, peaceful island located on the east coast of Bali that offers travelers a mix of chill vibes and adventure.
From swimming in crystal blue waters to snorkeling with manta rays, there’s lots of things to do in Nusa Lembongan for every type of traveler.
We can’t believe Nusa Lembongan still feels like a hidden gem. But the best part? It still has plenty of cafes, beach clubs and nice accommodations—a great mix of comfort and adventure!
Matthew and I visited Nusa Lembongan for a long weekend with friends. As digital nomads, we found it the perfect spot to escape the Bali crowds and experience that laid-back island vibe.
The island is only a 35-minute ferry ride from Bali. You can easily take a day trip or even better — we suggest spending a weekend in Nusa Lembongan. Islands nearby include Nusa Cenginan and Nusa Penida which you can also visit on a day trip from Nusa Lembongan.
Here’s the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan and our favorite spots visited — from cafes and restaurants to cool activities and exciting tours!
How To Get To Nusa Lembongan
Wondering how to get from Bali to Nusa Lembongan?
It’s not as difficult as you think!
Here’s the thing: Travel time is a quick 35-minute boat ride from Sanur Port.
We recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak season (typically May to October). We used the 12.go website to book ours and we’re happy to confirm it’s safe, legit and easy.
These are the popular fast boat companies to look for:
- Tanis Express (we used this as we booked last minute)
- Rocky Fast Cruise
- D’Camel Fast Ferry
The cost ranges from $9 USD to $15 USD one-way or $20 USD to $30 USD roundtrip, depending on the company you choose. We recommend buying return tickets saving yourself the hassle of buying them while in Nusa Lembongan.
They are pretty much the same boat and travel time. They should all have life jackets, in case anything happens. We highly recommend getting travel medical insurance before traveling to the Nusa islands.
It’s notorious for having rough waters, especially during rainy season. SafetyWing is our go-to provider while island hopping around Bali. Having SafetyWing keeps us protected and gives us the peace of mind if something unexpected happens.
When booking, make sure to consider the arrival port first. You have 2 port options in Nusa Lembongan:
- Jungut Batu Beach
- Mushroom Bay Beach
We opted for Mushroom Bay because that’s closer to our hotel. Jungut Batu is considered the “center” of the island so most people choose this arrival port. Make sure to choose the arrival port closest to your hotel in Nusa Lembongan.
10 Fun Things To Do In Nusa Lembongan
There’s so many things to do in Nusa Lembongan, it honestly surprised us! We’ve mostly heard that it’s a sleepy, laid-back island but there’s quite a few unique activities too.
Here’s the ultimate guide on the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan, from visiting the stunning beaches to seeing cool landmarks like The Devil’s Tear (a highlight for us).
You’ve got a lot in store for you! Let’s get started!
Explore The Island’s Stunning Beaches
Looking for a more relaxed vacation filled with pristine beaches and blue water? You got it!
Nusa Lembongan’s beautiful beaches are a big attraction for visitors. If you’re staying in Canggu or Kuta, you’ll know the beaches aren’t the best (let’s be honest). But once we arrived in Lembongan, it felt like paradise!
Here’s the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan to visit.
1. Dream Beach
Dream Beach is the most popular beach in Nusa Lembongan. Why?
It’s a small beach with a stunning stretch of white sand surrounded by rocky cliffs. It’s some of the bluest water we’ve seen around Bali and the islands.
There’s a beach club above called Cafe Pandan where you can enjoy drinks and grab a bite to eat. We didn’t swim at Dream Beach but we did try this beach club and enjoyed some coconuts. The scenery is breathtaking from here!
The currents get strong at Dream Beach so swimming isn’t always the safest. This beach is best for sunbathing, taking photos or just watching the waves crash against the shore.
We suggest going early in the morning when the waves are more calm and it isn’t too hot yet.
2. Mushroom Bay
Mushroom Bay is a crescent cove beach with calm, clear waters. The bay gets its name from the mushroom-shaped coral formations offshore.
We stayed at a hotel only 5 minutes walking distance from Mushroom Bay Beach. We loved staying so close because it’s got plenty of restaurants, bars and stunning water to swim.
It’s the perfect beach if you want to swim or go snorkeling — you might spot some colorful fish!
The only downside is that this beach is slightly crowded with ferry boats. You may have to dodge them while swimming around but it’s not too bad. Also, there isn’t too much space to sunbathe depending where you decide to lay down.
The best part is that Mushroom Beach is lined with restaurants and bars. This is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sunset with good company!
3. Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is a rocky beach on the west coast of Nusa Lembongan. This is super close to Devil’s Tear so the waves at Sandy Bay get pretty big!
It’s not the ideal beach for swimming but if you are an experienced surfer, this might be a great challenge.
You can watch the sunset and surfer here. Sandy Bay is much more rugged and rocky so it’s a break from the sand, if you want.
Snorkeling And Diving Adventures
Nusa Lembongan offers travelers unique underwater experiences. The crystal clear waters, vibrant marine life and impressive coral reefs make it a truly unique destination.
4. Snorkel With Manta Rays
If there’s only 1 thing you do in Nusa Lembongan, let it be snorkeling with manta rays.
Matthew and I, along with our friends Em and Matt, booked a snorkel trip through our hotel to see manta rays. We didn’t really know what to expect but it was truly the highlight out of all the things to do in Nusa Lembongan.
The trip takes about 3-4 hours and your tour guides will help spot mantas. The best time to go is early in the morning when the waters are calm. And trust me, you want calm waters.
Storytime: You have to act fast once the manta rays are spotted. Get your gear ready and jump out of the boat as quickly as possible. We were not ready and all of a sudden, people started jumping off the boat.
It was faster than we expected and I barely had time to put my goggles on right. The waves were pretty big so it was hard for me to come up for air at times. It got scary there for a second but once I saw the manta rays — all was good again. Just stay together with your group and make sure you know which boat is yours!
The manta rays are graceful creatures gliding through the water. They are so large and span so wide — just amazing! Remember to keep your distance and enjoy watching their elegant movements.
One of the most magical experiences we’ve had, honestly!
5. Diving At Crystal Bay
Are you a diver? You’ll enjoy exploring Crystal Bay, a dream for experienced divers to see colorful reefs, interesting fish from the occasional sharks to cute turtles.
Crystal Bay tends to have strong currents so it’s best for intermediate to advanced divers that have more experience. Beginners can still enjoy the shallow areas with a good guide around.
You can find tours close to the beach but make sure to choose a reputable company that can provide gear and transport.
6. Exploring the Mangrove Forest
A cool thing to do in Nusa Lembongan is to visit the mangrove forest. This is unique to Lembongan Island and you can explore it in 2 ways:
- By boat tour
- By kayaking tour
When you wind through the waterways, you’ll see an interesting ecosystem supporting many species from various birds, crabs, small fish and the occasional monitor lizards.
The tour costs around $30 USD and takes around 1-2 hours. Some tours combine a mangrove forest visit with snorkeling. We opted to do the snorkel trip alone because it would be too tiring to do a full-day trip. See what works best for you and your energy levels!
Visit Iconic Natural Landmarks
Lembongan Island has natural landmarks that are a must-see for any visitor. These spots showcase the island’s rugged beauty and nature.
7. See The Devil’s Tear
The Devil’s Tear is a scenic attraction where waves crash into the jagged cliffs, creating powerful sprays of water.
There is an entrance fee costs 25,000 IDR ($1.57 USD) for adults. Make sure to have some cash on hand — they do not take card payments. It’s easier if you get money out of the ATMs in Bali before.
We loved visiting The Devil’s Tear, it was super exhilirating! The waves are gigantic and you can almost get close enough to get wet.
TTA TIP: Try to time your photos well so you get the waves as a backdrop.
Please be careful because there aren’t many safety measures near the cliffs. Watch your step and don’t get too close because the currents are strong!
There’s a small warung that sells snacks and drink if you want to sit and soak in the atmosphere. This is a pretty quick activity that takes around 30 minutes maximum.
8. Yellow Bridge
The yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan to its smaller neighboring island, Nusa Ceningan.
It’s a simply bridge, about 140 meters long and it’s painted a bright, distinctive yellow. Cars can’t cross the yellow bridge but pedestrians and motorbikes can.
We crossed the yellow bridge on our motorbike and the best thing appeared in the clear waters — a small manta ray! It was absolutely amazing to look down and see them.
If you visit Nusa Ceningan, you will easily tick the yellow bridge off your list!
9. Panorama Point
Want the best views of the island? Head up to Panorama Point.
This viewpoint sits on a cliff where you can spot Dream Beach, seaweed farms and on a clear day, Mount Agung in Bali.
If you’re in the area, it’s a great spot to take a quick detour (10-15 minutes) to see the view. We recommend visiting early morning or around sunset to take it all in.
Spas, Restaurants & Beach Clubs
Apart from the tours and activities, there are plenty of cool beach clubs and unique restaurants.
We loved trying the food, checking out the restaurants, spas and beach clubs on the island. From trying the small, cheap warungs that serve delicious local food to the unique beach clubs — it’s paradise!
Discovering the restaurants and beach club scene is one of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan.
10. Beachfront Spas
Looking for a relaxing getaway? The spas in Nusa Lembongan have beautiful facilities where you can enjoy massage and facials with ocean views.
Here are some great spas to check out:
They offer 60, 90, 120 minutes treatments using local ingredients like coconut oil. These spas are slightly on the pricier side but they go above and beyond for you.
For more budget-friendly options, you can check out the spas or massage tables along Jungut Batu beach. Some offer hour-long Balinese massage for less than $15 USD.
11. Restaurants & Coffee Shops
The restaurant and coffee shop scene surprised us in the best ways. We couldn’t believe just how many amazing places there are to try on this small island.
We didn’t get to try all the spots on my saved list but we did get through quite a bit of them. Here’s our top spots to try in Nusa Lembongan.
Our restaurant recommendations in Nusa Lembongan:
Our favorite coffee shops in Nusa Lembongan:
- Mushroom Espresso
- Ginger & Jamu (our favorite)
- Tales Book Cafe
From local warungs to stunning restaurants with a view, there’s something for everyone and every budget!
12. Beach Clubs To Visit
Beach clubs are the perfect way to spend a relaxing day by the ocean.
Nusa Lembongan has an impressive list of beach clubs depending on what you’re looking for. Some have large pools for big groups of people and others have sun beds perfect for getting a tan or reading a book.
These are great options for beach clubs in Nusa Lembongan:
The cost depends — some places have a minimum amount you need to spend to stay while others may only need you to pay for drinks or food. Some are better for families while others are perfect for a big group of friends.
Day Trips To Nearby Islands
Nusa Lembongan is pretty central to other nearby islands including Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. This location makes it perfect for island-hopping adventures!
Nusa Ceningan
Nusa Ceningan is right next to Lembongan and it only takes about a 10 minute drive from Mushroom Beach. You can reach the island by crossing the Yellow Bridge. The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction to visit if you go.
We went to a beautiful beach club called Klyf Club Lagoon in Ceningan with breathtaking cliff views of the ocean. Sea Breeze Cafe and The Nomad Bali are just some of the other great cafes and restaurants if you want to spend half a day there.
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a popular island for a day trip and it’s only a 20 minute bat ride from Nusa Lembongan. The most famous cliff view is in Kelingking Beach which is shaped like a T-Rex. This is a famous photo spot.
You’ve also got other natural landmarks like Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Crystal Bay.
Travel Tips For Nusa Lembongan
These are some essential travel tips and advice to know before visiting Nusa Lembongan.
Best Times To Visit
The best time to visit Nusa Lembongan is from April to October during the dry season. The worst time to visit is from November to March because of the rainy season.
For water activities like snorkeling or scuba diving, the best water visibility is from July to November.
How To Get Around The Island
Getting around the island is easy and quick since its so small. Scooters, shared pick up trucks and walking are the main ways to get around Nusa Lembongan.
Matthew and I rented a scooter because it gives us more freedom to move around. If you don’t have any experience driving a scooter, there are public trucks you can hop on the back of and get around. It’s pricier than a scooter but it’s an option!
Get Travel Medical Insurance
We wouldn’t travel to other islands in Bali without travel medical insurance. These are much smaller islands with limited medical facilities.
For peace of mind, we recommend checking out SafetyWing Nomad Essential offering good coverage for things like emergency medical evaluation, lost luggage and medical coverage. The best part is that they have affordable plans and you can purchase if you’re already abroad.
Looking for more tips? Read our comprehensive guide on the top 23 Bali travel tips from our experience.
Discover The Best Things To Do In Nusa Lembongan
Now you’ve discovered the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan!
During our weekend getaway to Lembongan, our trip highlight has to be snorkeling with the manta rays. If you go, please don’t miss this activity — it’s so worth it to see these majestic creatures!
Enjoy trying all the different restaurants, cafes and beach clubs this island has to offer because there are so many great spots.
Nusa Lembongan has plenty of things to do whether you’re visiting for a relaxing time or an adventurous vacation. It’s the perfect escape from the busyness of Bali. Enjoy the peaceful paradise that is Nusa Lembongan!
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