8 Best Beaches in Nusa Lembongan You Can’t Miss

Nusa Lembongan is a small, dreamy island just 8 square kilometres in size. Around 30 minutes off the coast of busy Bali, but what feels like worlds away, this island is an escape from the chaos with a relaxed vibe and the opportunity to slow down on the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan.

Although it’s tiny, Lembongan is packed with things to do and see, and you’ll be in awe when you see the unbelievably beautiful beaches this little island has to offer! During our trip here, we managed to cover almost all of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, ticking off the top beaches and things to do as we went and learning all the best tips. So hopefully, we can share our wisdom and you can have an equally as amazing time as we did.

The Best Beaches in Nusa Lembongan

1. Jungut Batu Beach – Best for Swimming, Surfing & Dive Shops

First up on the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan list is Jungut Batu. This long stretch of white sand is the main bay on the island, where you’ll find plenty of beach bars, restaurants and beach clubs to keep you busy and well fed for the day. We especially loved Ombak Cafe and Huts – such a chill vibe and their smoothie bowls are amazing!

The beach itself is protected by a reef that is a little way out, so the water is incredibly calm and clear. Beyond the reef, there are actually 3 of the best surf spots on the island, so if you’re looking for beaches to swim or surf in Nusa Lembongan, Jungut Batu Beach is where you need to be.

You might have guessed by now that it’s also a pretty popular beach. Most boats from Bali arrive here, and the main tourist area is right behind the beach. But it’s long enough that you can always find a quiet spot so it never feels too crowded.

🤿 If you’d like to dive in Lembongan, most dive shops are located on and around Jungut Batu. If you’re certified, you can book a 5 dive package, or if you’ve always wanted to dive, you could book a 2 days discovering scuba diving experience.

2. Mushroom Bay – Best for Families & Snorkelling

This almost arc shaped beach on the southwest of the island is considered the most protected and often the most swimmable of the beaches in Nusa Lembongan. The sand stretch is smaller than Jungut Batu, so at high tide, it can get a bit tight, especially at the north end.

There are commercial boats arriving here from Bali all day, so the southern end of the beach isn’t the best for swimming. However, head up to the north end, and there is a dedicated swimming area that is available all day with no boats around.

This spot is super popular with families, and it’s one of the few beaches where you can snorkel right from the shore. Since it’s a busy landing area for boats, you’ll find lots of bars, restaurants, shops, and scooter rentals close by.

🐠 Book your snorkelling tour in Nusa Lembongan.

3. Hidden Beach – Best for Deserted Island Vibes

As the name suggests, Hidden Beach is a bit of a hidden gem. If you’re looking for beaches in Nusa Lembongan that you might have to yourself, or just to share with a few other people, then Hidden Beach is the one. 

Just a small cliff separates Mushroom Bay and Hidden Beach, but they couldn’t feel any different. The amenities and commercialisation of Mushroom Bay are a stark contrast to Hidden Beach, where you feel like you’ve been dropped off on a deserted island. 

It’s not as protected as Mushroom Bay, so the water can get a bit choppy, but the best swimming is on the north end of the beach. We loved it here, there were a handful of other people spread out across the beach, and there are some pretty cool rock formations on the sand too (they look like waves).

To get to Hidden Beach, you can walk to the northern end of Mushroom Bay and crawl under the cliff (you can probably only do this at low tide). Alternatively, you can go by road, which leads to a small parking area where you’ll have a short 1 minute walk down a trail to the beach.

4. Sandy Bay Beach – Best for Views & Sunset

Sandy Bay Beach is hands down one of the most picturesque beaches in Lembongan. With cliffs on either side and some awesome rock formations along the shore, it’s a perfect little escape from the crowds. The sand is silky white and soft so it’s perfect if you want to have a little walk or just lay out your towel.

The only downside is that the water is usually quite rough, with some large waves rolling in. We did spot someone braving it on the south side, but honestly, it’s probably not worth the risk.

An alternative option for a swim is at the Sandy Bay Beach Club. It’s the ultimate hangout if you’re looking to spend the day, with a great restaurant, cocktails and an infinity pool that overlooks the beach. And, if you stay long enough, it’s one of the best places to watch the sunset too.

You Might Like: 9 Best Beaches in Nusa Penida

5. Dream Beach – Best for Pictures & to Combine with Devil’s Tears

Dream Beach has become one of the most popular beaches in Nusa Lembongan. Like Sandy Bay Beach, it is enclosed by cliffs on either side and has beautifully clear waters. This one actually reminded us of the beaches in Nusa Penida, with the huge cliffs and powerful waves. Yes, the water here is a bit calmer than Sandy Bay – you’ll see more people in the sea here, jumping the waves. It looks like a lot of fun, but be careful because the undercurrent can still be strong.

It can get pretty busy at Dream Beach, especially with big tour buses stopping by. But, most of these tourists don’t go down to the beach. They come to take a picture from the cliffs or on the swings overlooking the beach, before heading off to see one of the top things to do in Nusa Lembongan – Devil’s Tears. 

So, don’t be put off by the crowds. Or, if you want to avoid the crowds like us, we decided to get there pretty early and ticked off Devil’s Tears and Dream Beach together (we definitely recommend doing this). You’ll be there before all the day trippers and have a completely different experience.

🎒 Watch the sunset at Dream Beach on an island tour of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

6. Pantai Pasir Putih Beach – Best for Palm Trees

Pantai Pasir Putih Beach has the most pristine white sand on the island (its name literally translates to white sand beach). Technically, it is the same stretch of sand as Jungut Batu Beach, but it becomes Pantai Pasir Putih as you reach the northwest tip of the island. 

We think it’s one of the best beaches to visit because it’s much quieter than Jungut Batu Beach, but you’re still close enough to have access to all of the amenities, with beach bars and restaurants around. There are hammocks and swings on the beach too. 

It’s a good spot for swimming, with the water usually lapping the shore and no boats moored in the area. However, there are some spots with sharp rocks and coral, so be careful as you enter the water.

The main difference between Pantai Pasir Putih and the other beaches in Nusa Lembongan is its manicured look. There’s a large hotel on the beach and the whiteness of the sand, coupled with how far it stretches back from the shore, suggests it’s a man made beach, which isn’t usually our vibe but it was beautiful all the same.

7. Secret Beach in Nusa Ceningan – Best for Solitude

Ok, so we know this is a list of the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan, but we had to put our favourite beach in Nusa Ceningan in – it is just a short scooter ride across the Yellow Bridge. Tucked away on the southeast corner of Nusa Ceningan, you’ll find this small crescent shaped beach, flanked by steep cliffs on one side and an abandoned hotel on the other. 

It feels like being on a deserted island down at Secret Beach, it’s a true adventurers’ paradise. It’s rugged, there’s plenty of driftwood around, the palm trees sway in the wind, and the waves are usually crashing (but you can brave a swim, or at least a wade in to waist height). The old abandoned hotel at the end of the beach is also pretty cool – we were told it didn’t reopen after COVID, so it hasn’t actually been closed for long.

There won’t be many other people at Secret Beach (we saw 5 in the middle of the afternoon!). It’s an awesome place to bring a book and lay for a while, doing very little – it’s super relaxing.

8. Secret Point Beach in Nusa Ceningan – Best for Cliff Views & Surfing

When you head to Secret Point Beach, you may as well make the trip to see Secret Beach (so many secrets!), another beautiful beach in Nusa Ceningan that we couldn’t resist telling you about.

This place is out near the famous surf and cliff jumping spot, Mahana Point. It’s an incredibly beautiful white sand beach with some of the most impressive cliffs, rock formations and tidal pools we saw in Bali. It’s not really swimmable, as the waves and current are often quite strong. However, there are some days you’ll be able to take a dip – just be cautious. 

You can either access the beach via one of the bars and restaurants along the cliff top overlooking the beach. Or, if you head towards Suku Beach Club but follow the road around, you’ll find the public access steps.

A Map of the Best Beaches in Nusa Lembongan

Below is a map of the beaches in this blog. Click in the top left to open up the list, and you can click on each one to get directions and see more.

How to Get Around on Nusa Lembongan

Now that you know the best beaches, let’s cover how to get around on Nusa Lembongan so you so you can make the most of your visit.

1. Rent a Scooter or Golf Buggy
If you’re confident on a scooter, this is the most popular and affordable way to get around get around on Nusa Lembongan. The roads are relatively flat and in good condition (they’re not like Nusa Penida at all!). There are rental shops around the island, or ask your accommodation to help you. A golf cart is another option but it’s not practical and they can’t cross the Yellow Bridge (to get to Ceningan).

2. Book a Tour
Many people book an island tour. This is a great shout if you want everything is taken care of – transportation, stops and pick up and drop off at your accommodation. If you don’t want more of an adventure, you could book an electric bike tour.

3. Walking
Technically, the island’s small enough and it’s easy to walk around Nusa Lembongan in about 2-3 hours without a break, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It’s incredibly hot, and if you’re limited on time, you won’t get to see as many places.

4. Car
Technically, you can rent a car in Nusa Lembongan, but hardly anyone does. The roads are very narrow and with a lot of scooters on the road, you’ll need to be confident enough to dodge them.

5. Local taxi
You can pick up a local taxi from anywhere on the island. These safari-style taxi’s reminded us of local taxi’s in the Caribbean – they’re small trucks with bench seats in the back. Accommodation, bars, restaurants etc. can help you get a taxi at any time, and when you arrive on the island with luggage, this is probably how you’ll get to your accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the beaches nice in Nusa Lembongan?

Yes! We found the beaches in Nusa Lembongan to be much nicer than mainland Bali. Even though it’s a small island, Nusa Lembongan has some dreamy beaches, with powdery white sand and the bluest water. You can easily find a relaxing beach for the family or a great spot to surf on the island and on nearby Nusa Ceningan. There’s something for everyone here.

Which is better, Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay?

Personally, we preferred Jungut Batu. It’s a longer beach with more spots to grab food or drinks, and the water was really calm when we visited. Mushroom Bay is much smaller and has less choice, plus most of the water is filled with boats so you only have a small area for swimming at the north end.

Can you walk around Nusa Lembongan?

Even though Nusa Lembongan is just 8sq kilometres, we wouldn’t recommend walking around it. It is doable, but you’ll have a much better time either on a scooter, renting a golf cart or heading out on an electric bike tour. Gojek and Grab is not available in Nusa Lembongan! We had a scooter and were able to easily access everywhere we wanted to see, meaning we ticked off all of the best beaches and many of the best things to do as well.

How long should you spend in Nusa Lembongan?

3-5 days is an ideal time to spend in Nusa Lembongan. It gives you enough time to experience all of the island and Nusa Ceningan without being rushed. We spent 5 days here, and wish we had more time. We fell in love with Nusa Lembongan and will visit for longer, perhaps even make it our base in Bali, when we return.

Is Nusa Lembongan crowded?

No, compared to the chaos you find in some areas of Bali, Nusa Lembongan is a more relaxed and generally less busy. The population is only 5000, so it doesn’t feel overly crowded by locals either. There will be times during peak tourist season when it gets a little busier, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever feel crowded. Also, if you avoid the main tourist attractions during the peak hours of the day, such as Devil’s Tears, Dream Beach and Mangrove Point, then you should never see any crowds.

Nusa Lembongan Travel Essentials

Now you’ve planned some of your trip to Nusa Lembongan, let’s make sure your trip is smooth and safe.

First things first, have you thought about how you’ll get to Nusa Lembongan?

⛴️ You need to get a ferry to get to Nusa Lembongan from other islands, like Bali or Nusa Penida. And we highly recommended to book your ferry tickets at least 2-3 days in advance as they fill up. We used 12go.Asia to check the ferry times and book tickets.

😴 Still need a place to stay? You can book your accommodation in Nusa Lembongan here. We stayed at Hokita Home Stay. The rooms were clean and the price point was excellent, especially for the location. It’s right on the main street behind Jungut Batu Beach, with loads of restaurant options and other amenities (laundry, shops, pharmacy, bakery, etc) literally next door or within a very short walking distance.

✋ And don’t forget about travel insurance. It’s super important to be covered for anything unexpected. You can grab your travel insurance here.