13 Amazing Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan

Just 12 km of ocean separates Bali from the tiny paradise island of Nusa Lembongan. At around 8 km in size and with a population of just 5,000 people, Nusa Lembongan is a relaxed escape from the chaotic streets of Bali. You might think a tiny island like this wouldn’t have much to offer, but there’s plenty of things to do in Nusa Lembongan, and there’s probably something for everyone. We spent five days here and still didn’t get through everything on our list.

So, in this guide, we’ll give you the lowdown on visiting this little island and share the top places to explore so that you can make the most of your time here.

The 13 Awesome Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan

1. Go Beach Hopping

We’ve been a bit spoilt for beaches in our time (we’ve spent a lot of time in the Caribbean), and we’d been left a little underwhelmed by the beaches in Bali. However, Nusa Lembongan completely changed our perspective. Even though the island is tiny, there is a great selection of beaches, including rugged coastline, hidden coves, and long stretches of white sand with calm waters. If you’re looking for a quiet spot away from the crowds or a beach lined with bars and restaurants, you’ll find it here. We spent a morning and an afternoon beach hopping and can definitely recommend it as one of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan.

Some of the best beaches in Nusa Lembongan are:

Mushroom Bay Beach

Mushroom Bay Beach is crescent-shaped bay with a few restaurants and bars around. It was one of our favourites in Lembongan! The water can get a little choppy, but it’s still swimmable and the water is incredibly clear!

Hidden Beach

Next to Mushroom Bay, you’ll find Hidden Beach. This place feels like you’ve been dropped off on a deserted island. The sand is white, water clear, and there are some very impressive rock formations. Head to the right side of the beach (as you’re looking out to the ocean) for the best swimming spot.

Jungut Batu Beach

A long stretch of white sand adjacent to the main street on Nusa Lembongan. The beach is backed by some amazing beach bars, dive shops, restaurants and day clubs. The shore is protected by a reef so the water is calm enough for swimming.

Sandy Bay Beach

A secluded spot that won’t have many people on the sand. The water here can be rough, and the shore is lined with rocks, so swimming isn’t always possible. However, Sandy Bay Beach Club is a great spot to spend some time. It has loungers and an infinity pool on the beachfront, so you can get a swim in without risking the waves.

Dream Beach

Famous for its insta-worthy swings atop a cliff, Dream Beach is one of the more popular beaches because it’s near the entrance to Devil’s Tears. Both are usually included in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan island tours.The water here is a little unpredictable. Sometimes it’s swimmable, others definitely not. Even on a wavey day, we saw plenty of people going up to waist height.

Pantai Pasir Putih

There is a pristine, man-made white sand beach on the northern corner of Nusa Lembongan. It looks back towards Bali and has a great view of Mount Agung and Mount Batur. However, it is a very manicured beach, which isn’t our thing. However, it’s still worth the visit, especially on a clear sunny day.

Secret Beach – Nusa Ceningan

Hidden in a corner of Nusa Ceningan, Secret Beach is a rugged but incredibly beautiful beach. There will be just a handful of people here at most. The water is rough, but you can brave a swim, particularly on the left-hand side of the beach (as you’re looking out). Also, there is an abandoned hotel down here that you can wander around.

Secret Point Beach – Nusa Ceningan

Just around the corner from the famous Mahana Point, you’ll find Secret Point Beach. It’s a white sand beach with a rocky shore, which is great for paddling in as it protects you from the waves.

You Might Love: 8 Best Beaches in Nusa Lembongan You Can’t Miss

2. Cross the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan

The yellow bridge, also known as the Bridge of Love, that connects Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan is probably the most famous landmark on the island, and visiting it is definitely one of the best things you can do in Nusa Lembongan. This pedestrian and scooter bridge is the only way to get between the two islands (unless you go by boat). Be warned, cars cannot cross, and neither can golf carts. 

It is easy to walk across, and plenty of people do. It’s only around 150m long, but it is narrow. If you’re on a scooter, it is just wide enough for two-way traffic, but look out for people riding over with cargo that makes their scooter wider!

3. Spend the Morning or Evening Watching the Seaweed Farmers

Seaweed farming is a huge source of income for the people of Nusa Lembongan, with the harvest used in a range of products in everything from cosmetics to food products worldwide. However, the industry is actually relatively new to the island, with the first seaweed farm starting in 1984. 

The channel between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan is full of seaweed farms. It really is a sight to behold, especially at low tide when the farmers are out tending to their crops and bringing in their harvest. It’s a fascinating watch, and the seaweed plots themselves look incredible (especially from the skies). We recommend checking the tide times and visiting at low tide to appreciate the vastness of the farming area and to see the farmers at work – it was one of our favourite things to do in Nusa Lembongan.

Watch: Our seaweed farming reel to see more.

4. Play a Round of Mini Golf

Looking for a fun date night or something to do with kids? You should definitely put the Coconut Hut on your list of things to do in Nusa Lembongan. This open-air 18-hole mini golf course is such fun. The holes are inspired by important landmarks, such as the Yellow Bridge, and feature plenty of references to Balinese Hindusm. 

You can also grab food here, including all-day breakfast and some pretty tasty burgers too. Our top tip would be to come in the evening when it’s cooler. There is limited shade on the mini golf course so it will get seriously hot.

🎒 Explore more of Nusa Lembongan’s best activities.

5. Go Cliff Jumping

If you’re a thrill-seeker, there are some pretty famous cliff-jumping spots and they’re often recommended as some of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningnan. It goes without saying, you cliff jump at your own risk and some of these spots are quiet, so there won’t be anyone around to help if you get into trouble. 

One spot we recommend is Mahana Point on Nusa Ceningan, it is a famous bar, surfing and cliff-jumping spot. You jump from the restaurant, from either a 5 m or 10 m platform. The only downside is you do have to pay for every jump. 25k IDR for the small jump and 50k IDR for the bigger jump. 

Other cliff-jumping spots are:

Devil’s Tears Cliff Jump – Nusa Lembongan

Jumping at Devil’s Tears in Nusa Lembongan is extremely dangerous unless the sea is completely calm. There’s been several fatalities, including a paddleboarder in 2022, so don’t play around here unless it’s safe. The jumps are only 3-4 meters high, and the best time to jump is at sunset.

Dream Beach Cliff Jump – Nusa Lembongan

Cliff jumping at Dream Beach requires following the coastline to the right until you find a clearing about two-thirds of the way around. Always conduct a depth check before jumping, as conditions change daily, and wear shoes to protect your feet from jagged rocks during the exit.

Blue Lagoon Cliff Jump – Nusa Ceningan

The Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan, known for its bright blue water, has three marked platforms for jumping (6 metres, 8 metres, and 13.5 metres), but the exit ladder is no longer available, making it difficult to climb back up. Ensure you can handle big swells and safely exit the water before jumping.

6. Check Out the Best Sunset Spots

There are some awesome sunset spots in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Whether you want to take a towel to the beach, a blanket to a cliff-top or want to go full Bali and sip on a cocktail while sitting on a beanbag at a cliff-top bar, you can do them all on this little island. 

We love watching a sunset, who doesn’t? But they were extra special here, which is why we’ve made it one of our best things to do in Nusa Lembongan. For some reason, they looked and felt completely different to those we’d seen on Bali and even in Nusa Penida.

Some of the best sunset spots are:

• Jungutbatu Beach
• Mushroom Beach
• Panoramic Overlook
• Devil’s Tears
• The Sand – Nusa Ceningan
• Dead Pools
• Dream Point Tree
• Mahana Point
• Secret Beach

🎒 If you fancy exploring Nusa Penida from Lembongan, this day trip is the perfect choice.

7. Watch the Waves at Devil’s Tears

We were super surprised that we really loved this spot, although it’s one of the more popular ones on the island! Devil’s Tears is a natural rock formation that really demonstrates the power of the ocean. As the waves come rolling in, they swell around the curved cliff faces, sending spray up and out accompanied by impressive thunder-like sounds. The only way it can really be pictured is if you imagine a dragon blowing smoke out of its nose – it looks and sounds like what you’re imagining!

There is a small entrance fee of 25k IDR, but it’s definitely worth it. Our top tip would be to come at high tide to get the best show. However, you should avoid peak tourist hours. Devil’s Tears is one of the most popular things to do in Nusa Lembongan, so as soon as the day-trippers from Bali arrive, it gets incredibly busy. 

So, if you can match high tide with either early morning or around sunset time, then you’re onto a winner.

8. Catch Some Waves

Surfing is one of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan because there are plenty of great spots for all levels of surfer.

Here’s some best (and most well-known) spots: 

Shipwrecks

On the northwestern side of Nusa Lembongan, about 500 meters offshore, is the most popular surf spot on the island – Shipwrecks. It’s more for intermediate to advanced surfers as it has fast, powerful waves that break over a shallow coral reef. The best time to surf here is during the dry season from May to September, particularly around mid to high tide when the S and SW swells are more consistent.

Lacerations

In central Nusa Lembongan, you can find a challenging spot perfect if you’re an intermediate to advanced surfer. Lacerations is famous for its hollow, barreling right-hand waves, best surfed during mid to high tide with SW swells and E winds. The optimal surfing season here is during the dry season.

Razors

Razors can be found in the northern part of Nusa Lembongan. It’s long left-hand waves means its perfect for all skill levels, but be careful as it becomes particularly difficult with higher swells. The best time to catch waves here is from June to October when the SE trade winds are prevalent.

Playgrounds

Centrally located and closest to shore, there is a surf spot that’s great for all skill levels. Playgrounds features an A-frame wave with both left and right-hand breaks. It is ideal for year-round surfing, with the best conditions from low to high tide under WSW swells and E.

Mahana Point (Secret Point) – Nusa Ceningan

On the southern coast of Nusa Ceningan, near Mahana Point Warung, surfers will find consistent left-hand waves suitable for intermediate to advanced levels. This spot, known as Mahana Point or Secret Point, is perfect for year-round surfing, with the best conditions during low to high tide with SSW swells and E winds.

PC: wesurflembongan

9. Take a Mangrove Tour at Mangrove Point

One of the coolest things to do in Nusa Lembongan is checking out the beautiful mangroves along the northeast coast. We recommend joining a tour where you can kayak through the mangroves and explore the forest.

This ecosystem is super important to the island as it stretches all the way across the northeast coast of Nusa Lembongan and helps protect the shoreline. It really feels like you’re being swallowed up by these huge mangroves, the forest is so thick and dense – trust us, it’s as epic as it sounds!

Keep an eye out for some local wildlife while you’re there. You might catch sight of colourful birds or some fish swimming around. It shouldn’t be too busy when you’re here either so you can enjoy the peace and quiet.

🛶 Book a mangrove forest and snorkelling tour (lunch and transport included)

10. Go Snorkelling or Diving

As you’d probably expect, this cluster of tiny islands has some pretty epic snorkelling and diving spots, and one of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan is explore underneath the surface.

Most of them are only accessible by boat, so it’s best to look at tours and boat trips that include some of the following spots:

• Manta Point in Nusa Penida, a 35-40 minute boat ride from Nusa Lembongan, often has manta rays year-round, with depths from 7 to 20 meters.
• Crystal Bay in Nusa Penida is about 30 minutes away by boat. It’s ideal for easy snorkelling and diving, with depths from 5 to 30 meters, and between July and October, you might spot a mola mola! You can visit Crystal Bay on this snorkelling tour.
• Mangrove Point on Nusa Lembongan’s northern coast is an easy trip by a short boat ride or kayak. The reefs here are shallow, with depths from 2 to 15 meters.
• Toyapakeh is around 30 minutes by boat from Nusa Lembongan, with depths of 6 to 25 meters where angelfish and clownfish are often spotted.
• SD Point, a quick boat ride from Nusa Lembongan, has depths from 5 to 20 meters, with coral gardens and occasional reef sharks.
• Blue Corner near Jungut Batu Beach is a short boat ride away. With depths from 10 to 30 meters, it’s best for advanced divers due to strong currents.
• Ceningan Wall, located between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan, has a steep drop-off down to 180 meters, making it popular with experienced divers.
• Gamat Bay is about a 15-30 minute boat ride from Nusa Lembongan and you can go as part of this tour combined with Crystal Bay, with shallow reefs at 6-8 meters for snorkelling and a deeper wall reaching 40 meters.

🤿 If you’re a certified diver, you can book a 5 dive package.
🤿 If you’re just starting out and have always wanted to dive, you can book a 2 days scuba diving discovery experience.

11. Enjoy a Movie on the Beach

If you’re on Nusa Lembongan on a Monday night, then you have to go to Ombak Cafe and Huts on Jungutbatu Beach. This place is one of the best restaurants in Nusa Lembongan anyway (we came here 3 times in 5 days), but on Monday Nights they have an ocean-themed movie night on the beach. They also do 2-for-1 mojitos, which just happen to be our favourite cocktail!

They set up a giant screen, and you can choose to sit on deck chairs, bean bags or just a regular table and take in a move while eating your dinner and having a few drinks. Be sure to get here before sunset, as it’s a great sunset spot too, then you’ll have prime seats for the movie that starts after the sun has gone down. Spending your Monday evening here is one of the things to do in Nusa Lembongan you just have to do.

12. Take a Lap Around Nusa Ceningan

If you thought Nusa Lembongan was small, just wait until you cross the yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan! This tiny island is only 3 square kilometers, so you can zip around it in about 10-15 minutes on a scooter. Even if you’re not planning to stay on Ceningan, you definitely need to make some stops here while you’re in Nusa Lembongan.

The southwest side of the island is way less travelled and the roads can get pretty rough, with some parts turning into bumpy dirt tracks and deep ruts. But don’t worry, it’s totally worth navigating those potholes for the adventure!

Some of the things we recommend doing in Nusa Ceningan are:

• Blue Lagoon
• Ceningan Cliffs
• The Nomad Bali
• Dream Point Tree
• Mahana Point
• Secret Beach
• Secret Point Beach
• Sea Breeze Cafe

🎒 You can tie in an island tour that covers both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, which is a great way to make the most of your day.

13. Rent a Scooter or Bike

As with most areas of Bali and surrounding islands, the best way to get around is by scooter. The great thing about Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan are that they’re much quieter than the touristy areas of Bali, so you don’t have to worry about gridlock and chaotic drivers. Undoubtedly, we found renting a scooter to be one of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan because it meant we could explore on our own schedule and easily get to all of the off-the-beaten-path places that a driver couldn’t get you to. 

Another really fun way to explore, and a great alternative if you’re not confident on a scooter, is to book an electric bike tour. The 4 hour tour takes you to all the best places and off-the-beaten-path spots, so you can actually tick off most of the island in just half a day!

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali

The quickest and easiest way to reach Nusa Lembongan from Bali is by fast boat. These ferries depart from Sanur harbour and there are multiple companies with very regular departure times. The crossing only takes around 30 minutes, depending on the conditions and the company you use, and prices start from £7/$9 US.

⛴️ Look up the ferry fares from Bali to Nusa Lembongan here

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan from Nusa Penida

You need to catch a boat from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan. It’s only a 15 minute crossing, and you’ll arrive at a cosy little harbour right next to the yellow bridge. These boats feel more like water taxis than the larger ferries you take from Bali to Penida, so it’s a short and smooth ride and only costs around £4/$5 USD per person.

⛴️ Look up the ferry prices from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan here

How Much is the Ferry from Nusa Penida to Lembongan?

It costs around £4/$5 USD per person for the ferry from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan and we recommend you book in advance. We used 12go.Asia to check the ferry times and book tickets.

Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan

1. Hokita Home Stay ($) – where we stayed
2. The Shacks at Sandy Bay ($$)
3. White Horse Resort ($$$)

How Long Should You Stay in Nusa Lembongan?

It completely depends on the kind of traveller you are. Some people come for a day trip, others spend weeks here. We spent 5 days on Nusa Lembongan, exploring Ceningan too, and it didn’t feel rushed, but we didn’t manage to do everything we wanted to. If you can, spend a week or more here and explore all of the things to do in Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida.

If you’re only planning to do a few things while relaxing, 2–5 days should be enough.

Is Nusa Lembongan Worth It?

Yes, yes, yes! Nusa Lembongan is definitely worth it. If you’re someone who prefers a bit more of a relaxed island vibe, then you should 100% make the short trip from Bali to Nusa Lembongan. Even though it’s a tiny island, there are so many things to do in Nusa Lembongan – we could very easily live here. Yes, you won’t find big supermarkets, gyms, waterfalls and other amenities you’d find on the mainland, but Nusa Lembongan more than makes up for what it lacks. Make the trip – you won’t regret it.

Getting Around Nusa Lembongan

Now that you know the best beaches, here’s how to get around:

🚲 Rent a Scooter or Buggy
Scooters are the easiest and cheapest way to explore. The roads are flat and well-paved (nothing like Nusa Penida!). Rental shops are everywhere, or you can ask your accommodation. Golf buggies are fun but you can’t cross the Yellow Bridge to Ceningan on a buggy so just be mindful of that!

🚐 Book a Tour
If you want everything sorted for you, an island tour covers transport, stops and pick-up/drop-off. Or, you could try an electric bike tour – the island is that small!

🚶 Walking
You can walk the whole island in 2-3 hours, but it’s hot, and you won’t see much if you’re short on time.

🚗 Car Rental
It is possible to rent a car in Nusa Lembongan, but it’s pointless to be honest. The roads are narrow, and dodging scooters and pedestrians is a headache.

🚖 Local Taxis
You’ll see these safari-style trucks around the island – these are local taxis! They’re super handy for transfers with your baggage or trips across the island. Your accommodation or any bar can call one for you.

Nusa Lembongan Quick Tips

⛴️ 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? We stayed at Hokita Home Stay – the location was perfect, rooms were clean and most importantly the price point was really good (especially for the location). It’s right on the main street behind Jungut Batu Beach, which means restaurant options and other amenities (laundry, shops, pharmacy, bakery, etc) are literally next door.

✋ PLEASE don’t forget about travel insurance for your trip. Accidents happen, and you’ll want to be covered. Get your travel insurance sorted before you go.