Cart is empty It’s Friday again, and my journey was to Nusa Lembongan with two amazing Canadian friends, Briana and Ginger.
Nusa Lembongan is a small island located southeast from the main island of Bali. After days of nonstop action in Bali, we wanted to get away from the hassles and hectic pace so we opted for a slower place to relax. Nusa Lembongan is one of three neighboring islands, the others being much larger Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan.
We arrived at the Sanur Beach ferry to catch our boat ride to Lembongan. There are many companies with scheduled speedboat rides from Sanur Beach ranging between $25 to $40 roundtrip. No need to over plan because boats depart hourly all day starting from 8:30am from Sanur and the last one returning from Nusa Lembongan at about 5pm. There were no boarding docks so getting on the speedboat requires getting your feet wet which was quite entertaining to watch. I know it’s wrong, but we laughed so hard watching people fall in the water when trying to get off the speedboats.
Culture
The local Lembonganese are Hindu which was similar to the locals on the mainland of Bali. It is important to understand and respect the culture of the host country; therefore, I took the time to learn about Lembongan prior to arriving.
Language
Balinese is the most common language of communication between local residents, with Bahasa Indonesia a distant second. The Balinese spoken here is a distinct dialect, and sharp-eared linguists would certainly notice this.
Getting Around
Nusa Lembongan has several places to walk connecting the guest houses and hotels. The island is only 3 miles from end to end so there are several different options to get around – rent a bicycle, motorcycle, or a golf buggy. Expect to pay about IDR20,000-30,000 per day for a bicycle or IDR50,000-100,000 per day for a motorcycle depending on how busy it is. There are locals that will gladly take you are around for a small cost.
Bri and Ginger rented a motor scooter and went sightseeing while I enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach watching the boats come in. Walking is a good way to get some exercise and to explore this beautiful island. The walk from the end of the beach at Jungut Batu to Mushroom Bay is approximately 35 minutes with some of the most epic views.
- Paradise Beach is a wonderful beach with views of Mount Agung, white sand, and mangrove trees, located at the end of Mangrove Beach in Jungutbatu Village.
- Mushroom Beach is the place where most boats arrive in Nusa Lembongan. This beach is beautiful, clean, tranquil, and most suitable for water sports and swimming. You can rent a scooter at Mushroom Beach to explore the island. The resorts are modern with amazing views of the crystal blue ocean, so enjoy a massage.
- Dream Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali with white sands and crystal blue water. There are cafes with amazing views of sunsets which is perfect for a day trip; however, the water can be rough so be careful.
- Sandy Bay (also known as Sunset Beach) is adjacent to Devil’s Tear. A small but spectacular beach with white sand and crashing waves, located just to the north of Dream Beach. The Beach Club at Sandy Bay is perfect for a day trip to relax.
- Tamarind Beach is between Playground’s surf break and Mushroom Bay. It has Good views back to Bali, and of Mount Agung.
Things to do in Nusa Lembongan
- Watch a cockfight
- Snorkel or Dive
- Take a Surf lesson at Mushroom Beach
- Rent a scooter or bicycle and explore the island
- Relax at the beach
Diving: (credit – thebalibible.com)
Diving is one of the most popular things to do at Nusa Lembongan because of the crystal clear waters around these islands. There is an abundant of dive shops mostly in Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay, so you’ll have plenty of options. Nusa Penida has approximately 20,000 hectare of protected marine area making it ideal to see some of the most beautiful marine life. Manta Rays are present year round and the massive oceanic sunfish (mola-mola) are usually seen during July-October. You can also find white-tipped reef sharks, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and whale sharks in these waters.
Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan
We stayed at a bungalow for about $25 per night. The bungalows are quite spacious, clean, and breakfast was included. There are many budgeted hotels available on Nusa Lembongan but if you desire more luxury try the following:
- Villa Nusa
- 353 Degrees North
- Batu Karang Lembongan Resort and Day Spa
- Lembongan Beach Club & Resort
- Ceningan
- Jungutbatu
- Mushroom bay
- Sandy Bay
- Selagimpak / Tamarind
Where to eat: (credit – thebalibible.com)
Le Pirate – is a great place to try Kung Pai Chicken & Cashew salad. They also have some amazing cocktails and good music for entertainment.
The Beach Club at Sandy Bay – is a good place for entertainment if you visit Lembongan. A bit more upscale and pricier than the average hotel.
Other useful information:
Safety: A very safe place to explore.
Health concern: Minimal for traveling but
Climate: The average temperature is about 27°C or 80.6°F