15 Top Things To Do On Nusa Lembongan (& Ceningan)

One of three Nusa Islands off the east coast of mainland Bali, Nusa Lembongan is a hidden gem known for its idyllic white sand beaches, affordable holiday resorts, and dramatic coastal scenery.

While many people visit Lembongan on a day trip from Bali, or combine it with neighbouring Nusa Penida, we absolutely love Lembongan and recommend staying for a few nights to properly experience its cool, laid-back island vibe.

We’ve spent several weeks exploring Lembongan and its tiny neighbouring island of Ceningan (connected by a bridge), so we know them like the back of our hand. In this guide, we'll share all our favourite things to do on Nusa Lembongan, along with tips for getting there and getting around once you arrive.

Nusa Lembongan Map

Top Things To Do in Lembongan

1. Relax on Lembongan's beautiful beaches

Nusa Lembongan’s soft white sand beaches are one of its biggest draws. While the island may be small, there are a handful of beautiful beaches to enjoy, from busier tourist spots lined with beach clubs and restaurants to peaceful, untouched bays.

Jungutbatu Beach and Mushroom Bay are the island’s two main beach resort areas, with many oceanfront restaurants, bars, and hotels. Both beaches are great for sunbathing and swimming, while Jungutbatu is better for watersports such as SUP and surfing.

Dream Beach is the island’s prettiest beach, with its golden sands, turquoise waters, and dramatic coastal backdrop. It’s a good place to throw down a towel and sunbathe for a few hours, but a little too choppy for swimming. Nearby Sandy Bay is much smaller, with the main draw being its beautiful beach club.

We also visited Hidden Beach which was as difficult to find as its name suggests. But the small, untouched bay is worth it once you’re there.

2. Chill out at an upscale beach club

With the waters around the island being fairly rough, Lembongan's beach clubs offer a safe place to swim and sunbathe away from the crashing waves. The clubs here have a more low-key and laid-back vibe than many of those in mainland Bali. Think BBQs and sunset bonfires rather than live DJs and wild parties.

On Nusa Lembongan, you have the stylish Ohana's, sitting right on central Jungutbatu Beach, with two ocean-facing pools, plenty of daybeds and deckchairs, beanbags on the sand, and a rooftop pizzeria.

Sandy Bay Beach Club is another of our favourite spots to relax on Lembongan. The laid-back beach bar has an infinity pool overlooking the bay of the same name, daybeds with no minimum spend, and a great view over the crashing waves of nearby Devil's Tears.

Nusa Ceningan is also home to several new, modern beach clubs, including the luxurious ARNA Ocean Lounge (pictured above), boho-chic Suku Beach Club, and Klyf Beach Club, with views over the Blue Lagoon.

3. Watch the waves crash at Devils Tears

The Devil's Tears is a unique stretch of coastline where rugged cliffs are lined with caves and blowholes, which cause waves to spray metres in the air when they slam against them. Now a popular tourist attraction, the crashing waves are quite the spectacle and often cause natural infinity pools and rainbows to form.

While the natural attraction used to be free to visit, there's now a 25,000 IDR ⓘ entry fee (cash only). Check tide times before paying, as the waves are far more impressive during high tide or on windy days. We've visited when there's been nothing to see before. There’s parking, a cafe, and toilets nearby.

4. Take a snorkelling trip around the Nusa Islands

Some of our favourite snorkelling trips in Bali have been in the Nusa Islands, with their warm clear waters, rich marine life, and a huge variety of colourful corals.

The Nusa Islands are home to some of Bali's most unique underwater species such as Manta Rays. These majestic giants can reach up to 9m in diameter and can be spotted swimming just a few metres beneath the surface.

Manta Rays are present year-round and tend to congregate around Manta Bay or Manta Point, so your chances of encountering one are quite high. We've been three times now and have always managed to see them, but it’s never 100% guaranteed.

You can join a snorkelling boat trip from Nusa Lembongan that will take you to several of the best snorkel points around the islands, including Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Gamut Bat, and Mangrove Point. Most trips go out in the morning (around 8:30am) when the water is calmest and last around 3 hours.

The exact locations your boat trip will take you to depend on the water conditions. If the waves are too strong around Penida and Manta Point, you may head to Mangrove Point just east of Lembongan instead. Trust their judgment - it’s for your safety.

We usually go with a group of friends and manage to negotiate a private boat trip for around 250,000 IDR ⓘ per person. But if there's only a couple of you, or you'd rather avoid negotiating, you can pre-book a trip online for a reasonable price.

5. Spend an afternoon on the Pontoon at Lago

The Pontoon at Lago is a unique floating platform just off the coast of Lembongan and a great place to hang out when you need a break from the beach. It’s a laid-back spot with a small on-board bar selling cocktails, beers, and snacks, shaded seating, and several floating beanbags.

The water around the Pontoon is calm and clear, making it one of the best places to enjoy a swim in Lembongan. There are even two diving boards if you feel like jumping into the ocean, as well as a kayak for guests to use. You can also watch the surfers on the waves nearby.

You can get to the platform easily via a free boat transfer from the Beach Cafe at Lago on nearby Coconut Beach. The Pontoon is open all day until 7pm, and there's a 200,000 IDR ⓘ minimum spend to visit. We'd suggest sticking around for happy hour (4-5:30pm) and sunset.

6. Go stand-up paddleboarding at sunset

Stand-up paddleboarding at sunset is one of our favourite activities on Nusa Lembongan. It’s the perfect way to watch the sunset over the ocean after a day of relaxing on the beach. Jungutbatu is the best place for SUP on the island, with calm, shallow waters around high tide.

Several vendors along Jungutbatu Beach offer SUP rental. We got ours from a small shop right next to Ohana’s Beach Club called “Made Yogi” (here) where we negotiated a price of 100,000 IDR ⓘ per hour. Try to arrive an hour before sunset so you’re finished on the water before it gets dark.

Once you’ve finished on the water, head next door to Ohanas for a coconut or cocktail on the beach!

7. Go surfing in Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is a great place for surfing, no matter what level you are. Plenty of shops along the beach offer surf lessons for beginners, while more experienced surfers can enjoy the island’s many fantastic breaks.

Jungutbatu beach is home to Lembongan’s four main surf breaks; Playgrounds, Razors, Lacerations, and Shipwrecks.

Shipwrecks is where you’ll find the biggest and most powerful waves on Lembongan, so it’s better suited for more advanced surfers. Mahana Point on Ceningan is also a popular spot with intermediate and advanced surfers.

The surf breaks can sit up to 500m offshore at high tide. You can paddle out if you think you can handle it. But most surfers choose to hitch a ride on a local boat instead.

8. Take a boat trip through the mangroves

Hidden along the northeastern coast of the island, just a short drive from Jungutbatu Beach, is Nusa Lembongan’s famous mangrove forest. The mangroves are vital for protecting the island from strong waves and coastal erosion. They also act as protection for many unique plants and marine animals.

Taking a boat trip through the dense coastal forest is one of the most popular activities on Nusa Lembongan. You can take a guided 30-minute mangrove tour on a small gondola-style boat, or hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the waterways yourself.

There’s a peaceful river running right through the middle of the forest, so it’s hard to get lost if you do head out without a guide. We didn't see any animals on our trip, but we did enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and getting to see the unusual mangrove roots up close.

You can either pre-book a boat trip or simply turn up. It's easy enough to turn up (go here) and find a driver. Make sure to negotiate on price. You should be paying around 100,000 IDR ⓘ per person for a 30-minute trip.

9. Play Nusa Lembongan-themed mini golf

The Coconut Hut is a rustic little restaurant and bar on the northern corner of Jungutbatu, close to Pasir Putih Beach and the Mahagiri Resort. The open-air restaurant has a cool, chilled-out vibe, fantastic drink deals, and a menu of tasty Western dishes.

There are some great imported wines on offer (it’s hard to find good wine in Bali) and the charcuterie board is delicious if you really want to treat yourself! Those with a sweet tooth will also love the indulgent milkshakes and desserts.

But the real highlight of The Coconut Hut is its 18-hole mini golf course, featuring miniature Nusa Lembongan landmarks, including the iconic yellow bridge, and several Hindu deities and Gods. The course is lit up at night, making it a fun activity in Lembongan during the daytime or evening.

10. Climb down into the Gala-Gala Underground House

For one of the most unique things to do in Lembongan, head underground and explore the subterranean Gala Gala House. This unusual cave dwelling was built in the 1960s by local farmer and shadow puppet performer, Made Byasa.

After reading many Hindu epics for his puppet plays, Made was influenced by the Mahabharata tale of "Wana Parwa," in which Pandawas was exiled to the forest for 12 years and decided to protect his family by building a cave, called Gala-Gala. Made decided to build a cave himself using just a crowbar, taking 15 years in total!

Today, the underground cave is open for visitors, covering an area of five hundred square meters with numerous tunnels and small rooms to explore. You need to climb down a set of steep steps with uneven footing to enter and leave, so it's important to have a good level of mobility.

When we visited, entrance cost 100,000 IDR ⓘ per person, which we paid in cash, but we've heard you can negotiate it down to 50,000 IDR ⓘ. You only need 20 minutes or so to explore the whole site.

11. Take a yoga class

Have you even been to Bali if you haven’t taken a few yoga classes? And if you want to continue your practice, there are a handful of great yoga studios on Nusa Lembongan too.

12. Cross the famous yellow bridge to Nusa Ceningan

Honestly, we're not entirely sure what makes this bridge so “famous.” But the iconic yellow bridge is the only way to reach Nusa Ceningan next door, earning its position as a must-visit in Nusa Lembongan.

Often lumped together with Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan is a tiny island known for its Blue Lagoon, surfing, and cliff jumping (more below). It’s a little more rustic and less developed than Lembongan. Although a lot more beach clubs and resorts have been popping up over the last few years.

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 snapping a few photos.

You can only cross the bridge on foot or by scooter. If you are crossing by scooter, be sure to drive slowly and watch out for pedestrians coming the opposite way. We've experienced full tour groups clogging up the whole bridge before.

13. Visit the Blue Lagoon and Mahana Point

The Blue Lagoon is a stunning coastal formation on Nusa Ceningan with some of the bluest waters you’ll find anywhere in Bali! You can view the lagoon from the surrounding cliff top for free (here) or from the new Klyf Beach Club, which sits right above it.

The Blue Lagoon 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 do want to try cliff jumping, head just around the corner to Mahana Point for a smaller and safer place to jump. You can pay a small fee to use the 5m and 10m diving boards belonging to the clifftop bar. There’s also a ladder to help you get back out of the water.

14. See the seaweed farms from Song Tepo Beach

Nusa Lembongan has a long-standing tradition of seaweed farming, which has supported local livelihoods for generations. Most of the farms are located in the channel between Lembongan and Ceningan, now an iconic part of the island's landscape.

A great place to see the farms is from Song Tepo Beach, which lines the Nusa Ceningan side of the waterway, close to the yellow bridge.

Song Tepo isn't your traditional beach. At low tide, you'll find swings and hammocks lining the seabed for some fun photo ops. At high tide, the sand is entirely covered. But you can make the most of the many cafes and beach bars along the waterfront, many of which have pools and hammocks overlooking the water.

15. Attend a full moon party at Jibaku Bar

Nusa Lembongan isn’t usually a party destination. However, the island does have two big parties each month — the Full Moon Party and the New Moon Party at Jibaku Beach Bar.

While it's not quite the wild full moon parties of the Thai islands, the events feature a live band followed by a DJ, as well as a beach bonfire, fire dancing, and a small fireworks display. Popular with both locals and tourists, the party starts around 7pm and continues until the early hours with plenty of dancing and local arak.

Jibaku sits at the very end of Jungutbatu, so if you're staying in this area, it's easy enough to walk to and from the bar (we did!). You'll also find trucks and motorbike taxis offering rides all night.

How To Get to Lembongan From Bali

Nusa Lembongan is super easy to reach from mainland Bali. Most boats leave from Sanur Port in eastern Bali and arrive at either Jungutbatu Beach or Mushroom Bay on Lembongan Island.

The journey takes around 30 minutes by boat, although we recommend allowing up to an hour in total for checking-in, embarking, and disembarking. Some companies also offer hotel transfers in Bali for an additional fee.

How To Get Around Lembongan

The best way to travel around Nusa Lembongan is by scooter or motorbike. You can rent a bike for around 80,000 - 100,000 IDR ⓘ per day from most accommodation or dedicated rental companies.

The island is quite hilly, but the main roads are fairly well maintained and there’s never much traffic, so it's not too difficult to drive on Lembongan.

If you’re not comfortable on a scooter or travelling with kids or in a big group, you can also hire a multi-person buggy. 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.

Getting taxis and private drivers on Lembongan is more challenging than elsewhere in Bali. There are some local bike taxis that you can pick up on the street (there are no ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Gojek here).

Truck-style shared taxis also move between the major locations on Lembongan - but they're not particularly regular and they can’t cross the bridge to Cenigan.

Some resorts and restaurants on the island will send a free truck or car to pick you up if you call ahead and ask.

Where To Stay On Lembongan

There’s really no bad area to stay on Nusa Lembongan. It all depends on your preferences. The island is super small, and most places are reachable in a 10-15 minute bike ride.

Jungutbatu Beach is our favourite area to stay. Most hotels here are walkable to the beach, and there's a great selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants nearby. It's also where most boats from Bali dock, so it's quick and easy to reach your accommodation when you first arrive.

Here are a few recommendations:

Best Places To Eat

Nusa Lembongan has a fantastic foodie offering. There are many warungs serving Balinese dishes. However, the island is mostly known for its charming oceanside brunch cafes and its variety of international restaurants.