Bali To Nusa Lembongan [Our Step-by-Step Guide]

Situated just off the coast of Bali, Nusa Lembongan is one of our favourite islands to visit. With pristine white sand beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, it's perfect for some low-key R&R.

Whether you're visiting on a day trip (check our one-day Lembongan itinerary) or planning a longer stay, the first hurdle is figuring out how to get to Lembongan. But thanks to online bookings and a brand-new ferry port in Sanur, it's now easier than ever.

After many visits to the Nusa Islands, we've tried several different ferry companies and know exactly what to expect. We'll share everything in this guide.

Quick Summary

The best way to reach Nusa Lembongan is by taking a ferry from Sanur Port.

While the journey itself is around 30 minutes, it typically takes up to an hour, including waiting, boarding, and disembarking at the other end.

Here’s a quick summary of the steps involved to do it by yourself:

Alternatively, book this full-day Nusa Lembongan tour, which includes hotel pick-up/drop-off in Bali, boat tickets, and a driver for the day on Lembongan.

Getting From Bali to Nusa Lembongan

Step 1: Pre-book your ferry

To book a ferry, head over to 12go.asia and enter ‘Sanur’ to ‘Nusa Lembongan’. There are up to 40 boats daily back and forth between 7am and 5pm.

Which ferry is best? We always use Setia Fast Ferry. Their brand-new boats are bigger than others and handle the waves much better, making the journey feel smoother and safer. Setia boats are a little more expensive, but they're well worth the extra money, with air-con, comfy seats, TVs, and excellent Wi-Fi (photos below).

All ferries take a similar amount of time. Don't be fooled by some branding themselves as ‘fast boat’ or ‘express’.

When you arrive on Lembongan, there's no public ferry terminal, so most boats (except Rocky Fast Cruises) will drop you off on either Jungutbatu Beach or Mushroom Bay Beach.

You'll have to climb off the boat into the water, which is usually just above ankle height. Ensure you wear suitable clothes and be prepared to get your feet wet.

The exception is Rocky Fast Cruises who have their own jetty on Lembongan. Disembarking is much easier and you'll stay nice and dry. The jetty is in a small village called Telatak, so you'll need to rely on their free transfer service to reach your accommodation on Lembongan.

Step 2: Go to Sanur Port

If you don’t have your own vehicle, the easiest way to get to Sanur Port is by taking a Grab or Gojek.

While online taxis can drop you off at Sanur Port, they cannot pick you up when you return (see alternatives at the end).

Travel times to Sanur Port are dependent on traffic and can be much longer if travelling by car rather than scooter. But here’s a rough guide:

Here's a Google Maps pin for the harbour entrance. If you have a scooter or motorbike, there’s plenty of parking with 24/7 patrols to ensure vehicles are safe. The latest parking charges are shown below (correct as of April 2025).

The port parking fee is payable in cash as you leave. Make sure that you don't lose the ticket you're given on arrival as you'll need to show this to pay the correct amount. If you do lose the ticket, you'll have to pay an extra fee.

Step 3: Check in to your boat

Before you enter the ferry terminal, you’ll need to check in for your boat at the counter of the company you booked with. All of the check-in counters are easy to find and within walking distance of the terminal (5 minutes max.).

Most ferry companies advise checking in 60 minutes before departure which seems excessive to us. We’d suggest around 30 minutes before departure is plenty of time. On one occasion, we managed with 10 minutes to go, but this was cutting it fine.

When you check in, you’ll be given a lanyard and a ticket – both are essential, so do not lose them.

Step 4: Board via the ferry terminal

A new ferry terminal at Sanur now allows you to board via a jetty.

You can only enter the terminal shortly before your boat begins boarding. There's a small waiting area where you can stay until it's your turn.

As you enter the terminal, scan the QR code on your ticket at the turnstile.

When you reach your boat, hand your lanyard to the staff member and pass any larger suitcases to be secured on top of the vessel. Keep smaller bags containing valuables with you inside the boat.

None of the boats (except Setia Fast Ferry) have air conditioning, so it can get a little stuffy on board. Don’t wear too many layers, and try to get a seat near the door or window. There are no toilets onboard so make sure you use the ones in the ferry terminal beforehand.

Step 5: Arriving on Nusa Lembongan

The main arrival points on Nusa Lembongan are Jungutbatu Beach and Mushroom Bay Beach.

If arriving on either of the beaches, you'll have to climb out of the boat into ankle-high water as pictured above. The staff will assist you and carry any large luggage stowed on top of the boat to the beach for you (no charge).

Those travelling with Rocky Fast Cruises will stay nice and dry by disembarking via their jetty as mentioned earlier.

Technically, there's an entrance tax to visit Nusa Lembongan, but we've never been asked for this or seen anywhere to pay it.

Step 6: Transfers on Lembongan

Most ferry companies offer a transfer from the drop-off point to your guesthouse or hotel when you first arrive on Nusa Lembongan. Some offer this complimentary, but others will charge you a small fee.

These transfers are done in groups by open-air pick-up truck. You’ll need to take your own luggage from the boat to the truck.

It can take a while to load everyone and their luggage into the trucks, so if you’re staying nearby and don’t have much luggage, it may be quicker to walk. We usually stay around central Jungutbatu and can walk from the ferry drop-off point in around 5-10 minutes.

Returning From Nusa Lembongan To Bali

The return journey from Nusa Lembongan to Bali follows a very similar process.

Each of the ferry companies also have an office on the Lembongan side. Head here to check in and they'll take you to the departure point when boarding begins.

When checking in on the Lembongan side, it's best to allow more time as the departure point isn't always close to the check-in office (shuttles are provided when necessary).

Here are maps links to some of the main check-in desks on the Lembongan side:

When you arrive back in Bali, you cannot book a Grab or Gojek to pick you up from Sanur Port. It’s a no-Gojek area where local taxi drivers stop online taxis from entering.

We recommend either booking a private driver or walking along the promenade to this point where you should be able to order a Grab/Gojek.

It’s also possible to hire a local taxi on the spot with fixed prices to most places in Bali. But the prices are inflated compared to what you'd usually expect to pay.