Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan [Area & Hotel Guide]

Nusa Lembongan is a small, peaceful island, just a 30-minute boat ride from mainland Bali. It's one of our absolute favourite places to enjoy idyllic beaches and amazing snorkelling, away from the crowds and traffic of South Bali.

While you can take a day trip to Nusa Lembongon, staying for a few nights gives you the chance to soak in its rustic, laid-back vibe. It's not the easiest place to get around, so choosing the right base can make a big difference. In this guide, we'll help you decide exactly where to stay in Lembongan.

Overview

Jungutbatu Beach and Mushroom Bay are the best places to stay on Lembongan, as they're most accessible and have the most tourist amenities. This is also where you'll find many of Lembongan's top attractions. Here's a map of the best areas and hotels (explanations below).

Area Guides & Accommodation

Jungutbatu Beach

Home to the island's longest beach, Jungutbatu is a popular tourist area and our favourite place to stay in Nusa Lembongan.

The entire stretch of fine white sand is backed by numerous cafes, bars, and hotels, while even more sit along the main street that runs parallel to the beach.

If you stay in this area, you won't need a scooter to get around, as everything is easily walkable in 10-15 minutes. You'll only need a scooter or taxi when you want to explore the rest of the island.

There's plenty to do on Jungutbatu beach itself, whether it's relaxing at a beach club, enjoying the calm waters on a stand-up paddleboard, or heading out on a snorkeling adventure. It faces directly west, so it also has the best sunsets on the island.

Jungutbatu is where most of the ferries from Bali arrive, including Setia Fast Ferry, which is our favourite (we never use anyone else). However, double-check your booking, as a handful go to Mushroom Bay instead.

Accommodation at Jungutbatu

Where To Eat in Jungutbatu

• Ombak Zero Waste Cafe - A cute, sustainability-focused cafe, one of our favourite spots for brunch. Their banana bread is worth trying.
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• Ginger & Jamu - A beachfront restaurant that focuses on health-conscious and locally sourced whole foods.
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• Thai Pantry - One of our favourite restaurants on Lembongan, the clifftop venue sits at the very southern end of Jungutbatu. It's a great sunset spot, but you'll need to book as its very popular in the evenings. They serve great Thai food, including tom yum soup, pad thai, pad ka pow, and plenty of curries.

Mushroom Bay

Located just a 10-minute drive west of Jungutbatu, Mushroom Bay is Nusa Lembongan's second major bay. Some ferries from Bali dock here instead, so make sure to check your ticket beforehand!

The calm water makes Mushroom Bay a good area for swimming, snorkeling, and watersports. Although you should still be careful of the many boats bobbing up and down in the bay.

There are several cafes, restaurants, and resorts overlooking the sandy beach, while even more sit within walking distance. Many boat trips and snorkelling trips can pick up from here, so you won't need a scooter.

The area around Mushroom Bay is a little more compact than Jungutbatu, so it can feel busier and more crowded during peak tourist periods. But overall, it's great for making your money go further, which is why many expats staying longer in Lembongan choose to base themselves here.

Accommodation at Mushroom Bay

Where To Eat at Mushroom Bay

• Soka Warung - It might not look like much, but this popular warung is great and very affordable. They serve all the Indonesian classics, from nasi and mie goreng to gado-gado and Balinese curry.
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• Mushroom Espresso - This is the best spot for coffee at Mushroom Bay, though we weren't too impressed by the food.

Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Ceningan is an even tinier island, connected to Nusa Lembongan by its iconic Yellow Bridge. It's known for its Blue Lagoon, cliff-jumping spots, and the seaweed farms.

Ceningan is a little more rustic and less developed than Lembongan - perfect if you prefer a slower pace. More cafes and resorts have been popping up over the last few years, making it better for tourists. It even has a great beach club now. With its remote location, your money will go further than here than Jungutbatu or Mushroom Bay.

The biggest downside of Ceningan is that the connecting bridge is only wide enough for scooters or pedestrians. This is difficult when you have luggage.

To reach your accommodation, you'll need to arrange transport from the ferry to the bridge, walk across the bridge with your luggage, then be collected on the other side. Most hotels will arrange this, so it's not the end of the world, but it's one of the main reasons why we've never stayed on Ceningan ourselves.

Accommodation on Nusa Ceningan

Where To Eat on Nusa Ceningan

• ARNA Ocean Lounge - Even if you're not staying at ARNA Suites, it's worth visiting to enjoy their clifftop restaurant, which has a free-to-use panoramic infinity pool. The menu includes everything from sharing plates and charcuterie boards to grilled seafood and premium Australian steaks.
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• Suku Beach Club - The multi-level restaurant and beach club has a large pool with a swim-up bar and spacious seating areas with soft artificial sand and ocean views. There's no entrance fee or minimum spend for the restaurant areas. The menu includes small bites, pizzas, burgers, and Indonesian favourites.

FAQs About Staying on Lembongan

Is it better to stay on Lembongan or Penida?

Lembongan and Penida both have a different vibe. Penida is more touristy with lots more tourist attractions, whereas Lembongan is more laidback with lots of nice cafes and beach bars. We prefer Lembongan as a base, but others prefer Penida. You can easily take day trips between the islands if you wish.

Is Lembongan walkable?

You cannot walk around the entire island like you can on some of the Gili Islands. However, the two main bays of Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay are both very walkable areas.

Are there hostels on Nusa Lembongan?

Yes, there are lots of hostels on Lembongan, but they tend to be located in more remote parts of the island, so we've not covered them here. For partying, the best hostel is Mad Monkey. But if you prefer a more chilled stay, Lembongan Hostel has great facilities and is within walking distance of several great beaches.

Where can I get a sea view?

For a beautiful sea view on Nusa Lembongan, we recommend checking out Lembongan Island Beach Villas. These luxury villas sit on the cliffs at the southern end of Jungutbatu Beach. You'll pay a lot more for the privilege of a sea view, but if you're prepared to splash out, they are absolutely beautiful and in a great location.