Just a short journey from the coast of Bali, two tranquil tropical islands await you – Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. These destinations, popular yet peaceful, deserve a place on your Bali travel plan. A yellow bridge, an iconic landmark, links the two islands, creating an idyllic dual-island escape. The duo features dramatic coastal cliffs, excellent beaches complete with hip beach clubs, and opportunities to snorkel alongside Manta Rays. There’s a wealth of activities to experience in Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan that will undoubtedly enrich your island escapade.
Nusa Lembongan Guide: Top Things To Do
In this blog post, I’m going to share all of the 10 best Nusa Lembongan attractions with you. I’m also going to detail 5 awesome things to do on Nusa Ceningan, which is connected to Nusa Lembongan via a yellow bridge. Thats a bucketlist of 15 activities! Most people explore these two islands at once due to the ease of access on moped and car by crossing the bridge. I hope you enjoy this Nusa Lembongan Guide.
How to get to the Nusa Islands
There are three main options to get to Nusa Penida depending on your budget and how many logistics you want to manage. Here are the three options with the cheapest first:
- Book your ticket: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Lembongan – Book a regular ferry that leaves from Sanur to Nusa Penida on the reliable website 12go. You then need to moped or taxi across to Nusa Penida via another ferry/boat.
- Book a fast boat: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option is great as you go direct from Bali to Penida without having to stop in Lembongan. This option is only slightly more expensive than stopping in Lembongan. This is my favorite option of the three and can be booked on Klook.
- Book a fast boat with hotel-pick up: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option includes a fast boat from Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida but also includes pick up from your hotel in Bali in a van. This option from GetYourGuide is a bit more expensive but takes all the hassle out of the transit from Bali to Nusa Penida.
10 Awesome things to do on Nusa Lembongan
Alright, let’s get stuck into the top things to do on Nusa Lembongan in Bali.
Visit Dream Beach
A very dreamy beach indeed. A hotel with an infinity pool and a restaurant overlooking this cute little cove of white sand and crystal clear water. We had a great time swimming in the decent shore break waves at this beach. A perfect spot to hang out for the day with good access to food, drinks, pools and one of the most popular things to do on Nusa Lembongan
Read the full blog post here: Dream Beach on Nusa Lembongan
Devil’s Tears
Exploring Devil’s Tears is the best thing to do on Nusa Lembongan in my opinion. The outcrop sucks the water in before it explodes out with a boom, creating the tears of the devil. Not only does it make the devil cry but the spray also creates a rainbow on many occasions. Devil’s Tears may get a little touristy but it’s one of my favorite things to do on Nusa Lembongan.
Read the full blog post: Devil’s Tears on Nusa Lembongan
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON LEMBONGAN
I’ve written a massive, detailed guide about the Best Places To Stay on Nusa Lembongan…BUT If you just want me three favorites right now, here they are!
Sunset at Devil’s Tears
After enjoying the tears from the devil we headed around the corner to check out what we could find. More outcrops being smashed by water and some incredible tide pools. We knew we had to come back for sunset when we found the tide pools.
Sandy Bay
We explored even further around the corner and found Sandy Bay, another secluded beach. This is the location of the Sandy Bay Beach club, which is one of the most luxurious spots to stop off for lunch or dinner. They also have huge villas here for rent but they are incredibly upmarket and fancy often costing more than $400 per night.
Jungut Batu Beach
This beach is the main strip and the longest beach on Nusa Lembongan. All of the wooden tour boats and fishing vessels moor here. There is a surf break out quite a far way if you are keen to hit the swell.
Almost every night we would come to Jungut Batu for the sunset and one of the nights was an absolute gem. The sky filled with electric orange and vibrant yellows.
We also followed this beach all the way down to the mangroves on a long exploratory walk. We came across everything from old wooden boats to volleyball courts to packs of stray dogs. The beauty of walking along this beach is that Mt Agung is always looming in the background.
The volcano last erupted in 1963 but it is still an imposing feature in the distance. Sunset here is a must when considering things to do on Nusa Lembongan!
Mushroom Bay
Mushroom Bay was an awesome spot to grab a bite, hang out in a relaxed atmosphere and even rent a SUP board. It had a great family/calm atmosphere to the entire bay with a range of restaurants along the strip. Hanging out on this beach is one of the most relaxing things to do on Nusa Lembongan. We managed to find a $4 Margherita pizza from a fancy restaurant overlooking the bay. Win!
Mangrove Forest
The Mangrove Tour is one of the most popular activities to do while visiting Nusa Lembongan. This immersive experience allows you to explore the vast, dense mangrove forests that are an essential part of the island’s ecosystem.
Most Mangrove Tours are conducted in traditional jukung boats (Balinese outriggers), allowing you to slowly glide through the peaceful and scenic waterways. You’ll be able to observe lots of wildlife species, including various types of birds and fish that inhabit these wetlands.
Devil’s Tears Cliff Jump
Devil’s Tears is a popular sunset spot and tourist spot in general on Nusa Lembongan. We always hang out here for sunset as the tide pools have insane reflections. However, the last time we hit Devil’s Tears the swell wasn’t too crazy and we sent a few jumps.
It’s only about 3-4 meters where we jumped but a ton of fun. The waves here smash into the cliffs so don’t mess around here on a day of a big swell.
Dream Beach Cliff Jump
When facing out to the ocean from the shore the right-hand side of the bay has a long rocky coastline stretching several hundred meters. If you wander out 2/3 of the way along the coast you will find a bit of a clearing. On a calm day, you can see the water is quite deep here.
We climbed down and did a depth check and found a few deep spots. Once I had given it the all-clear as being safe. Things change underwater daily. Reef shifts, rocks move. Make sure you always do your own checks and don’t blindly follow what you read online.
There was a nice jump about 5-meters high with Dream Beach perfectly in the background. The scramble out wasn’t the safest exit ever with waves crashing into the rocks. You will need to wear shoes or reef shoes to help you climb out as the rocks are quite sharp.
Other than the rocks and the necessary depth check it’s quite a fun cliff jump spot and will never be crowded… probably ever. It’s definitely one of the most epic things to do on Nusa Lembongan!
Snorkeling with Manta Rays Tour
Snorkeling with Manta Rays at Manta Point on Nusa Penida is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nusa Penida is an island just off the coast of mainland Bali, which takes just 35 minutes to reach by fastboat. The Manta Rays are majestic and very friendly. With a wingspan of 5m, these gentle giants cruise around you while you snorkel amongst them. This Nusa Penida Manta Ray Snorkel Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Bali and all transport and tickets included or if you are already in Nusa Penida this Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour is a bit cheaper.
SWIM WITH MANTA RAYS ON NUSA PENIDA!
5 Awesome Things to do on Nusa Ceningan
That wraps up the top activities to do on Nusa Lembongan so now let’s look at the smaller island next door, Nusa Ceningan. Even though it’s a small island, Ceningan has a lot to offer and also has a certain calm atmosphere to it with lots of small tiki bars and cafes made from driftwod overlooking the beach.
The Nusa Ceningan Blue Lagoon
Nusa Ceningan’s Blue Lagoon is a remarkable natural attraction, boasting dazzling, clear, turquoise waters. This cove, nestled against the cliffs on the island’s southwestern tip, is not just a feast for the eyes, but also a hotspot for adrenaline junkies due to its famed cliff jumping spots. However, visitors should proceed with caution because of fluctuating sea conditions. The vivid color palette of the lagoon and the surrounding cliff vistas provide an ideal backdrop for photographers.
But the Blue Lagoon isn’t merely a sight to behold. The entrance of the cove offers prime spots for cliff jumping. With jumps from approximately 4m, 6m, 8m, and 13m, the spot caters to a range of bravery levels. The water was so deep that the bottom seemed too distant to be a concern.
If you love cliff jumping, I wrote a detailed guide about the 10 best cliff jumping spots in Bali.
Read the full blog post here: Blue Lagoon Cliff Jump on Nusa Ceningan
Mahana Point Nusa Ceningan
Mahana Point cliff jump, Nusa Ceningan’s prime hangout location, provides an overhang of rocks jutting out into the sea. It’s a peaceful location for a restaurant and bar, complete with a 10m and a 5m diving board, along with a ladder for safe re-entry.
Mahana Point offers a range of activities to engage in post-lunch or dinner. From surfboard rentals to enjoy the waves off the bar, to the thrilling cliff jumps which are the main draw, there’s never a dull moment here. Additionally, it serves as an excellent vantage point for the sunset, ensuring that the buzz at this bar and restaurant never dies down.
Equipped with both a 10m and a 5m diving board, Mahana Point cliff jump offers a safe and convenient experience with a ladder for easy exit, unlike the scramble necessary at the nearby Blue Lagoon Cliff Jump. However, they do charge for each jump. The 10m jump costs around 50,000 rupiah, and the 5m jump comes at 25,000 rupiah, translating to roughly $4 USD and $2 USD respectively. While these prices may have gone up at the discretion of the owners, spending $5 for a single ocean jump might seem a bit high to some.
Nusa Ceningan Yellow Bridge
The Yellow Bridge, also known as the “Bridge of Love,” is an iconic structure that links Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan, two of the Nusa Islands off the southeast coast of Bali. This bright yellow pedestrian bridge spans the beautiful turquoise waters and offers impressive views, making it a popular spot for photography. The bridge is not just a picturesque landmark; it’s also a crucial part of the local infrastructure, providing an important connection between the two islands. Whether you’re crossing it on foot or on a scooter, the Yellow Bridge offers a unique and memorable experience. As always, remember to respect the local rules and regulations while using the bridge.
Seaweed Farms on Nusa Ceningan
The seaweed farms on Nusa Ceningan hold a pivotal role in the island’s economic and cultural fabric. Seaweed farming forms the backbone of income for numerous local families. You can typically spot these farms sprawled along the island’s shoreline, where farmers engage in their daily routines during low tide. Their work encompasses planting, nurturing, harvesting, and drying the seaweed. The dried product is then marketed for diverse applications like cosmetics, food, and even biofuel production.
A visit to these farms offers an authentic and enlightening experience. Visitors get a chance to understand the ins and outs of seaweed farming, witness the locals’ lifestyle, and marvel at the sustainable farming methods they adopt. Additionally, these farms present an uncommon yet captivating vista, particularly at sunset. As the day ends, the drying seaweed sparkles under the fading sunlight.
I hope you enjoyed this Nusa Lembongan Guide and can tick off lots of awesome activities on your vacation.
BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TOURS
If you are staying in Bali.. take a day trip on a speedboat to explore the highlights of Nusa Penida. It takes just 35 minutes to get from Bali to Nusa Penida by speed boat. Yep, in just one day you can snorkel with Manta rays and visit lots of the best beaches and viewpoints.
Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour
Manta Ray Nusa Penida Tour (from Bali): Snorkeling with Manta Rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best wildlife encounters I’ve had in my life. The Manta Rays are majestic and very friendly. With a wingspan of 5m, these gentle giants cruise around you while you snorkel amongst them. The Nusa Penida Manta Ray Snorkel Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Bali and all transport and tickets included.
Nusa Penida Highlights Tour
Nusa Penida Highlights Tour: Get picked-up from your Bali hotel, take a 35-minute fast boat to Nusa Penida and then visit the most popular viewpoints, beaches and snorkel spots on the island. This small Nusa Penida Highlights Tour group tour is the most highly reviewed day trip for Nusa Penida Island. You’ll visit all the most popular spots and can request certain viewpoints on your itinerary. Places you will visit are sites like the ones listed below:
- Angel’s Billabong
- Kelingking T-Rex Beach
- Broken Beach
- Rumah Pohon Treehouse
- Snorkeling at Crystal Bay
- Thousand Island Viewpoint
MORE NUSA ISLANDS BLOG POSTS
There are a ton of epic things to do on Nusa Penida, but I also wrote detailed guides for all of the adventurous things to do on Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan. You can explore more of my guides by clicking one of the links below.