How to Get Around on Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Nusa Lembongan is a small island just off the east coast of Bali. It's the perfect spot to escape the crowds and enjoy a few days relaxing by the beach.

However, being less developed than the mainland, transportation on Lembongan is a little more challenging. The island is largely car-free and online taxi services aren't available. So, how do you get around Lembongan?

The most convenient way to explore Nusa Lembongan is by renting a scooter or a golf buggy. The island is small and simple to self-navigate. But if you don't feel comfortable driving yourself, there are a few other options too...

Are There Cars on Nusa Lembongan?

While there are a few, cars are uncommon on Nusa Lembongan. Roads on the island aren’t made for cars, so most people use either scooters or small open-air trucks and buggies.

Nusa Cenigan, the tiny island connected to Lembongan, is completely car-free. The only way to reach the island is to cross the famous Yellow Bridge by scooter, bicycle, or foot. Cars and trucks cannot cross the narrow bridge.

Is There Grab Or Gojek On Nusa Lembongan?

No. Online taxi services such as Grab and Gojek are not currently available on the Nusa Islands. You'll need to use local transport options on the island instead.

Getting From The Ferry To Your Hotel on Lembongan

Most Bali ferry companies offer a free transfer from the port to your guesthouse or hotel when you first arrive in Nusa Lembongan. Its best to double-check this with the ferry company you book through.

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

If you're staying close to the port and don't have much luggage, it may be quicker to walk to your hotel from the ferry drop-off. We usually stay around central Jungutbatu and can walk from the ferry in around 5-10 minutes.

How to Get Around on Nusa Lembongan

1. Renting a Scooter

Renting a scooter is the most popular way to get around Lembongan and our preferred method. We enjoy the unlimited freedom it gives us to travel where and when we want. It's also the most affordable option.

If you're only visiting Lembongan for the day, there are plenty of scooter rental companies right by the boat drop-off area in both Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay.

Lembongan Cheerful Scooter Rental in Jungutbatu is a safe and reliable option. You can expect to pay around 80,000 – 100,000 IDR for a day.

If you're staying in Lembongan for a couple of nights, the easier option is renting a scooter directly from your guesthouse or hotel. You can often get a slightly better rate doing it this way.

2. Renting a Buggy

If you’re uncomfortable on a scooter or travelling with kids/a big group, you can also hire a multi-person cart/buggy to travel around Lembongan.

Ricky Raja Buggy on Jungutbatu Beach rents self-drive golf buggies that can seat 4-6 people. Prices start at 1,000,000 IDR for the full day.

The only downside of this method is that you won’t be able to cross over the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan as the buggies are too big for the narrow pathway. You can always park your buggy and walk across the bridge.

3. Walking

While Nusa Lembongan is small, we wouldn't recommend walking around the entire island. The roads in the center are very hilly and not particularly pedestrian-friendly. Plus the distances are further than they look in the scorching sun.

However, you can easily walk around the main coastal areas of Lembongan.

Jungutbatu is the best area to stay in Lembongan if you want to be walkable to plenty of great amenities. The long stretch of white sand beach is backed by many cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, yoga studios, and hotels. Everything in this area is walkable in around 15-20 minutes.

4. Renting a Bicycle

Another option for getting around Lembongan is to rent a bicycle (pushbike). These are widely available and it's easy enough to cycle around the main coastal areas like Jungutbatu and up to the Mangrove Forests.

However, cycling around the entire island should be left to the fitter and more experienced cyclists. The hilly roads make cycling through the middle of the island quite a challenge.

You can even book a guided electric bike tour of Lembongan.

5. Free Shuttles

Several resorts, restaurants, and beach clubs on Nusa Lembongan offer FREE truck shuttles for guests who want to visit for lunch, dinner, or drinks.

All you need to do is contact them online (website or Instagram) and request the pick-up and drop-off service.

A couple of our favourite spots on the island offering free shuttles include Ohana's Beach Club and Sandy Bay.

6. Taxis/Private Drivers

Getting a taxi or hiring a private driver is not as easy or common on Lembongan as elsewhere in Bali.

Sometimes open-air "taxi trucks" make their way around the island's main tourist areas and beaches. You can jump on board and pay around 50,000 IDR for a single journey. However, these aren't regular and only go a certain route, so it's best not to rely too heavily on them.

Locals may also offer to take you around by scooter, but you'll need to negotiate a fair price. If they see that you're desperate for a ride, they'll usually try their luck and up the cost.

You may also be able to request a private driver for the day through your resort or hotel. But with limited drivers and vehicles on the island, it's not guaranteed they'll be able to find you one last minute. It's best to book in advance.

If you only have a day in Lembongan and don’t want to drive yourself around, it may be better to pre-book a guided tour (more below).

7. Guided Tours

A guided tour is a good way to explore Lembongan if you're not comfortable driving yourself around or have limited time on the island.

We'd recommend this full-day Lembongan tour from Bali, which includes your ferries, a snorkelling trip, and a Mangrove forest tour.

If you're spending a while on the island and want to head out to explore for a day, you can book a private guided tour of Lembongan here. We've not tried this for ourselves but there seems to be a set itinerary. Given that this is a private tour, you can probably ask for changes.