Nusa Penida Vs. Lembongan: Which Island Should You Visit?

When it comes to planning an idyllic island getaway in Bali, two names come to mind: Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Sitting just off the east coast of Bali, these neighbouring islands are both known for their dramatic scenery, gorgeous white sand beaches, and amazing marine life.

But what if you only have time to visit one of these islands during your trip? Both have their own unique charm. It's a tough decision to pick between the two.

We've spent loads of time on both islands over the last couple of years in Bali and have got to know each of them pretty well. So in this guide, we'll take you through the key differences between Nusa Penida and Lembongan to help you decide which is the better option for you.

Nusa Penida & Lembongan: What's The Difference?

Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan are an archipelago of three islands just off the east coast of mainland Bali.

Nusa Penida is the largest island at more than 200 sq km. It's over 25 times bigger than neighbouring Nusa Lembongan, which sits at just 8 sq km.

Nusa Ceningan is a tiny 3 sq km island connected to Lembongan by a small bridge. For the purpose of this article, we've included it as part of Lembongan.

While Penida has become the most iconic Nusa Island in recent years, thanks to its many picture-perfect "Instagram spots," Nusa Lembongan actually has a longer history of tourism and a more established tourist infrastructure.

In this article, we'll delve deeper into the key differences between Lembongan and Penida that you need to know.

Nusa Islands FAQs

How To Get To The Nusa Islands

The best way to reach both Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan is to take a ferry from Sanur Port on mainland Bali. Ferries run regularly every day and it's best to book in advance. The journey from Bali to Lembongan takes around 30 minutes, while Bali to Penida takes 40 minutes.

How To Get Between The Nusa Islands

Local boats run regularly between Nusa Penida and Lembongan. They cost 50,000 IDR pp and take around 15 minutes. The ticket office on Nusa Penida is here at Toya Pakeh Harbour. In Lembongan, local boats run to and from the Yellow Bridge here.

How Long Do You Need on Each Nusa Island?

If you have the time, we'd suggest spending at least 2 days on Nusa Penida and 1 day on Nusa Lembongan to properly see the highlights of each island. You can check out our ultimate 3 Day Nusa Island Itinerary for a full breakdown.

Can You Visit Both Nusa Islands in One Day?

While you will find a couple of tours offering both Nusa Islands in one day, we really wouldn't recommend doing this. You'll spend most of your day travelling and won't see much of either. If you only have a day, it's better to focus on just one island. We'll help you decide which one below.

Nusa Penida Vs. Lembongan...

For Getting Around

Being the smaller and flatter of the two islands, Nusa Lembongan is easier to get around. The main coastal areas of Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay are walkable, while everything else on the island is no more than a 15-20 minute drive away.

However, if you want to explore Lembongan outside the main resort areas, you will need your own transport. Most visitors rent scooters or buggies (read more here). Cars are uncommon on the small island and private drivers are difficult to find.

Nusa Penida is significantly larger than Lembongan and the roads tend to be hillier and less developed. This means journeys can be long and bumpy.

But on the bright side, there's no shortage of taxis and private drivers on Penida. Most tourists book a local driver with a car to take them around for the day, making it a more hassle-free experience.

For Crowds

Being the larger island, you might expect Penida to be less crowded than Lembongan. But this isn't always the case.

While the more rural parts of Penida are fairly quiet, the main landmarks and viewpoints can get extremely crowded, especially the iconic Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach.

If you visit these sites in the middle of the day, you will be fighting off the crowds for a photo. It's best to arrive early morning before the day trippers arrive if you want a quieter experience.

Lembongan, on the other hand, tends to be quieter and more peaceful no matter when you visit. Tourists spread out across the island and its beaches, meaning nowhere gets too overcrowded.

For Landmarks & Attractions

If you're someone who likes to keep busy while travelling, Nusa Penida has the lions share of iconic attractions, from epic clifftop viewpoints and popular photo spots to stunning beaches and unique temples.

Nusa Lembongan is smaller with fewer major landmarks. The island is famous for its mangroves, where you can take a short boat ride through the forest. It also has several stunning beaches and a couple of impressive coastal formations.

Top attractions on Nusa Penida:

• Kelingking (T-Rex) Beach

• Diamond Beach & Viewpoint

• Tembeling Beach & Natural Pools

• Goa Giri Putri Cave Temple

• Rumah Pohon Treehouse

• Thousand Island Viewpoint

• Penguyan Waterfall

• Teletubby Hills

• Manta Point

• + Read More Here

Top attractions on Nusa Lembongan:

• Mangrove Forest

• Devil's Tears Coastal Formation

• Dream Beach

• The Yellow Bridge

• Blue Lagoon (Ceningan)

• + Read More Here

For Epic Scenery

When it comes to epic scenery, Nusa Penida is home to what may just be Bali's most iconic view - Kelingking Beach and its T-Rex shaped headland. For many people visiting Bali, this view is a must-see.

And it's not just Kelingking. The entire island is renowned for its stunning coastline, with dramatic limestone cliffs towering above the ocean and picturesque bays like the breathtaking Diamond Beach.

If it's Instagram worthy backdrops and epic drone shots you're after, Penida is the place to be. Just keep in mind that you'll be battling the crowds who are all visiting for the exact same photo.

Nusa Lembongan doesn't quite have the same mighty limestone cliffs as Penida, but it does still have a few impressive coastal formations worth seeing.

At the Devil's Tears, you can watch huge waves crash over the rugged coastline, while the striking turquoise waters of the Ceningan's Blue Lagoon can't be missed.

For Beaches

Penida and Lembongan are both home to many beautiful beaches, famous for their soft white sands and amazing turquoise waters.

The biggest difference between the beaches on each island is accessibility.

The majority of Lembongan's beaches are easily reachable by a short walk from the street or down a few steps. If you have mobility issues or are travelling with kids, it's the easier choice.

In contrast, Penida's beaches are nestled beneath towering limestone cliffs. While certainly stunning, most require a long walk down a steep staircase or cliffside to reach. Treks to the likes of Kelingking and Diamond Beach are not for the feinthearted. For the only accessible beach on Penida, head to Crystal Bay.

For Swimming

Another key difference between Lembongan and Penida is water safety.

If swimming in the ocean is your top priority, Lembongan is the place for you. The island's two main beaches, Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay, both have calm shallow waters that are great for splashing around and swimming in.

On Penida, the tides are much stronger and the waves at the beaches can be extremely dangerous. There are only a handful of places on the island where it's safe to go in the water. And even then, it's not always suitable for kids or weak swimmers.

For Watersports

The waters around the Nusa Island are famous for having some of the most beautiful marine life in all of Bali, making the islands a popular snorkelling and scuba diving spot.

Most of the top snorkeling sites are located around Nusa Penida. Manta Point is where you can snorkel with magnificent manta rays, while Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay are known for their vibrant corals and many colourful fish.

Over by Nusa Lembongan you have the equally impressive Mangrove Point, which can be reached by swimming from the shore or by boat.

The great thing about the Nusa Islands is that all snorkelling trips go to the exact same points. So no matter which island your boat starts from, you won't miss out.

With its calmer waters, Nusa Lembongan is the best island for taking part in most other watersports, including paddleboarding on Jungutbatu Beach, kayaking at the Mangroves, or cliff jumping at Mahana Point.

Taking a paddleboard out onto the water at sunset is one of our absolute favourite things to do on Lembongan of an evening.

There are also a handful of great surf breaks around Lembongan and Ceningan (we're not experts so read more here). Surfing isn't possible on Nusa Penida.

For Food

If you're a foodie like us, Lembongan has the most to offer. The island's dining scene is more developed than Penida, with a great variety of different cuisines. If you're vegan or gluten-free, you won't have a problem finding somewhere to eat.

You can grab healthy whole foods at Ginger & Jamu, wood-fired pizza at La Bianca, curry at Thai Pantry, or epic charcuterie boards at The Coconut Hut. For such a small island, there's an excellent variety and extremely high standard of food.

Penida's restaurant scene is gradually starting to catch up with Lembongan. But it's still got a fair way to go. Across most of the island, you're still more likely to find local warungs and small rustic cafes than modern international restaurants.

However, several beach clubs and bars have recently popped up on the island's northwest coast (close to the port), with the likes of Penida Colada and Amarta now serving some tasty Western dishes.

For Accommodation

While both islands have a great range of accomodation to suit all budgets, Nusa Lembongan is home to more luxury resorts than Penida. The island has many high-end hotels and stunning pool villas that are perfect for a relaxing stay.

For a luxurious stay on Lembongan, check out the 5* clifftop Tamarind Resort or the beautiful beachfront boutique Ohanas. Both are located in our favourite area of Jungutbatu. We also love Le Pirate on Ceningan for something more affordable.

On Penida, you're more likely to find affordable homestays and boutique bungalows. We love the huts at Mambo Beach Resort or the modern ocean-facing suites at Alana Penida Hotel.

Or if you really want to splash out for a special experience on Penida, check out the famous Tropical Glamping at Diamond Beach. It's not cheap but the view really can't be beaten!

For Tours

Guided tours are available on both Penida and Lembongan. Many run as day trips and include the ferry to and from mainland Bali. You can pre-book tours online at Get Your Guide or Viator.

On a Penida tour, you'll be driven around the island in a car or minibus, jumping between different viewpoints. Penida has no shortage of drivers, so it's easy to book a tour last minute for an affordable price.

There are two main tour routes on the island; West Penida and East Penida. You can also find tours doing the main highlights in a day, but it will be full-on with lots of time spent in the car.

On Lembongan, guided tours are more expensive due to less availability. Most drivers will use a buggy or may even drive you around by scooter. As there are fewer landmarks on the island, many tours (like this one) also include activities such as snorkelling and boat trips.

We think it's worth taking a guided tour of Nusa Penida due to its huge size and difficulty to navigate. But it's better to drive yourself around Lembongan. You'll save money by renting a scooter/buggy instead of taking an organised tour.

So, Should You Visit Nusa Penida Or Nusa Lembongan?

If it's amazing scenery, breathtaking viewpoints, and great photo spots you're looking for, Nusa Penida is the better choice. Penida is home to some of the most bucket-list-worthy views in all of Bali.

Although, you should be prepared to spend a lot of your time on Penida travelling between the main sights and trekking down steep cliffs to reach the beaches. Unfortunately, it's not the most accessible island.

But if you'd rather enjoy a more laid-back beach break, Nusa Lembongan is for you. The island has a far more chilled-out and peaceful vibe, with beautiful easy-to-reach beaches, calm waters (for the most part), and plenty of watersports to enjoy.

With its more established tourist infrastructure, there's also a better offering of high-end resorts, luxurious spas, and fantastic restaurants on Lembongan, making it the better option for an extended stay.