Nusa Lembongan Day Trip (One Day Itinerary from Bali)

Often overlooked in favour of the better-known Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan is a hidden paradise just a 30-minute boat ride from mainland Bali.

This enchanting little island is one of our favourite spots for a peaceful getaway, with its pristine white sand beaches, vibrant marine life, and laid-back atmosphere. It's the ideal destination to escape the crowds of southern Bali.

While we'd recommend spending a few days here, it is possible to visit Nusa Lembongan on a day trip from Bali. The island is small, so you can see the main sights in one day. But trust us when we stay you'll be desperate to come back!

In this guide, we've put together the ultimate one day Nusa Lembongan itinerary so you can enjoy the best things to do in a short amount of time.

Summary

Getting To Nusa Lembongan

The best way to reach Nusa Lembongan is to take a ferry from Sanur Port. The boat journey takes around 30 minutes, but you'll also need to account for the time spent at the harbour, as well as boarding and disembarking.

Here’s a quick summary of the steps involved:

• Pre-book your ferry at 12go.asia

• Go to Sanur Port

• Check-in at the correct office (detailed on your booking confirmation)

• Board via the ferry terminal

• Arrive on Nusa Lembongan

For this one-day itinerary, you'll want to catch the 8:30am ferry to Lembongan and the 4pm return to Bali.

Make sure the ferry you book docks at Jungutbatu Beach on Nusa Lembongan. A few ferries drop off elsewhere on the island (mainly Mushroom Bay).

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

How To Get Around Nusa Lembongan

The best way to get around on Nusa Lembongan is to rent a scooter or buggy to drive yourself. The island is small and easy to self-navigate.

Renting a Scooter:

Scooter is our preferred method of getting around Lembongan as we enjoy the freedom it gives us. Plus it’s the most affordable option.

There are plenty of scooter rental companies right by the boat drop-off area in Jungutbatu. Lembongan Cheerful Scooter Rental is a safe and reliable option. You can expect to pay around 80,000 - 100,000 IDR for a day.

Renting a Buggy:

If you're not comfortable on a scooter or are travelling with kids or in a big group, you can also hire a multi-person buggy to get around Lembongan.

Ricky Raja Buggy on Jungutbatu rents 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.

Taxis/Private Drivers:

Hiring drivers in Nusa Lembongan is much less common than elsewhere in Bali. There are also no online taxi apps like Grab or Gojek.

Roads in Lembongan aren't made for cars, so the few drivers that are on the island use little open-air trucks or will take you around by scooter.

If you don't want to drive yourself around Lembongan, it may be better to pre-book a full-day guided tour from Bali.

Nusa Lembongan One-Day Itinerary

8am - Arrive at Sanur Port

For this itinerary, pre-book the Glory Fast Boat that departs Sanur Port at 8:30am via 12go.asia.

Aim to arrive around 30 minutes early to check in for your boat at the correct office as detailed on your booking confirmation. Then head straight over to the ferry terminal for boarding.

The boat takes around 30 minutes to reach Lembongan, arriving around 9am.

9:30am - Snorkeling, Kayaking, or Boat Ride at Mangrove Point

For the first stop of your Lembongan day trip, head to the island's famous mangroves, just a 10 minute drive from Jungutbatu Beach and the port area.

Spanning the northeast coast, Lembongan's mangroves are vital for protecting the small island from strong waves and coastal erosion. The dense coastal forest is also home to many amazing plant and animal species.

You can take a 30 minute guided tour of the mangrove forest on a small gondola-style boat. Or you can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the peaceful waterways yourself.

There's no need to pre-book a boat trip at the mangroves. You can simply turn up and you'll find plenty straight away. You will need to negotiate on price. As a guide, you should pay around 100,000 IDR per person for a 30 minute trip.

Just off the coast, you'll also find Mangrove Point, one of Lembongan's top snorkeling spots, teeming with corals and colourful underwater life. It's not uncommon to see turtles here.

If you're a strong swimmer, you can rent a snorkel and swim out to the snorkelling spot. If not, there are plenty of locals who will take you out by boat for a small fee.

Bobo's Warung and Agung Beach Club are two lovely local beach warungs offering snorkel hire and boat trips. They even have showers and a place to change when you're finished.

With 2 hours here, it's up to you how you spend your time. We'd suggest an hour of snorkeling and a boat tour or kayak trip into the mangroves. Alternatively, you could dedicate all your time to a 2 hour snorkeling trip and go a little further afield.

11:30am - Brunch on Jungutbatu Beach

Next, head back to the beautiful Jungutbatu Beach, Lembongan's longest and most popular beach. There are several great bars and cafes along the beachfront that are ideal for grabbing a laid-back brunch overlooking the ocean.

A few restaurants we'd recommend on Jungutbatu:

12:45pm - Devils Tears

After lunch, drive around 10-15 minutes to Lembongan's southeast coast and the popular tourist attraction known as Devil's Tears.

Devil's Tears is a unique coastal formation where many caves and blowholes line rugged cliffs, causing the waves to spray metres in the air when they slam against them. The huge crashing waves are quite the spectacle and often cause natural infinity pools and rainbows to form.

Standing close to the spray is a great way to cool down on a hot day in Nusa Lembongan. But don't cross the rope barriers. Standing too close to the cliff edge can be dangerous as you never know when a huge wave will hit.

As of early 2024, it now costs 25,000 IDR per person to enter the area. Make sure you have cash with you. You could spend around 20-30 minutes here exploring the stretch of coastline.

1:20pm - Dream Beach

Next door to the Devil's Tears, you'll also find the picturesque Dream Beach. Its powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and dramatic coastal backdrop make it one of the most popular beaches on Lembongan.

You can climb down the stone staircase to take a stroll or relax on the beach. Just be careful when swimming as the waves can get strong. Or head to one of the clifftop restaurants for a coconut or cocktail overlooking the scenic bay.

2:15pm - Yellow Bridge & Seaweed Farms

Finish your day by crossing over the iconic Yellow Bridge to visit Nusa Ceningan, a tiny island right next door to Lembongan. The bridge is the only thing connecting the two islands.

The bright yellow bridge offers a stark contrast to the blue skies and turquoise waters that surround it, making it a great focal point for photos.

You can only cross the bridge by foot or on a scooter. If you are crossing by scooter, make sure to drive slowly and watch out for pedestrians coming the opposite way.

Keep an eye out for the many seaweed farms that make up the small channel between the two islands. If you're lucky, you may even spot a seaweed farmer at work. Seaweed farming has long been an important agricultural practice on the islands, providing a crucial source of livelihood for the locals

2:30 - Blue Lagoon

On Nusa Ceningan, drive along the coast to reach the Blue Lagoon, the island's most iconic landmark. The huge lagoon is a stunning coastal formation with some of the bluest waters you’ll find anywhere in Bali!

You can view the amazing panorama from the surrounding clifftop for free. The area is a popular spot for cliff jumping. However, the rocky coast and rough waters can be extremely dangerous. It’s best to leave this area to the professionals.

If you find yourself with a little extra time, you could head into the brand-new Klyf Beach Club above the lagoon. The modern club is free entry and has no minimum spend, so you can grab a quick drink or snack before heading home.

Once you've finished here, start making your way back to Jungutbatu Beach to catch your return boat to Bali.

3:40 - Arrive Back at Lembongan Port

The drive back to Glory Fast Cruise Office in Lembongan takes around 20-25 minutes from the Blue Lagoon. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get back, drop off your scooter or buggy, and check in at the office. You'll want to leave the lagoon by 3-3:10pm latest.

The final boat of the day leaves at 4pm (so don't miss it!), arriving at Sanur Port in Bali at around 4:30pm.