Tips for Visiting Nusa Lembongan

This was my first trip to Nusa Lembongan and I ended up way longer on the island that I expected as the ferries were cancelled to the Gilli islands for a few days and it was a great base for catching up on work. I would definitely visit again and it provides a really nice contrast to Bali both in terms of size, but also in how it feels.

How Long to Spend in Nusa Lembongan? 

I would say a few days is enough, 3-4 would probably be ideal. You could spend a little more, especially if you’re doing a diving course, some snorkeling or surfing. The great thing about Nusa Lembongan over the Gilli Islands is that you can surf. I went water kayaking while I was there which was really interesting as I have a fear of water, but I had a lot of fun.

How to get to Nusa Lembongan?
You can take ferries from Sanur a few times a day. There are a few companies and the price they advertise, even on the tickets, is always a lot more than you should pay. Negotiate and try the walk away approach for a better deal. Some ferries go direct from Nusa L. to Gilli T.  For those of you who are terrified of boats, like I am, Nusa L might be a better choice for you as the waters are a lot less choppy than the Gilli Islands.

What to do in Nusa Lembongan? 
It’s a pretty chilled out island. Most people go there for the diving and where I stayed, The Secret Garden Bungalows, had a great diving program on Nusa Lembongan.  There’s the water sports mentioned above, but the highlight of my trip there was renting a scooter. We headed to the smaller sister island, Nusa Ceningan and explored. We spent the majority of the time confused but checked out some highlights including the beautiful beaches and the Blue Lagoon. The suspension bridge connecting the two islands is really something special and worth a visit in itself. I have no photos, as I was absolutely terrified crossing it – so much so, that I walked across.

I also really liked Dream Beach, which had a nice Warung over looking the Bay. It would be easy to spend a few lazy hours here, on a sunny day.

The island is a lot more laid back than the Gillis and even Bali itself, which is perfect if you want to break away from the standard tourist route. I felt that there weren’t a lot of tourists when we were there and that the locals were really friendly. It is a beautiful island and while the beaches are not quite up to the standard of the Gillis, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and would love to head back.