Nusa Lembongan is what many people hope Bali will be: clear water, a slow pace, little traffic and a strong island culture — with world-class snorkelling and diving on the doorstep. It is part of the Nusa Penida district of Klungkung Regency, with two main villages, Jungutbatu and Lembongan, and a population that has lived from fishing, seaweed farming and, now, tourism.
How long do you need?
- A day trip — possible from Bali, but rushed: a snorkel, lunch and a quick look at Devil’s Tear.
- Two to three nights — the sweet spot: mantas, the mangroves, Devil’s Tear at sunset, Ceningan and a Nusa Penida day.
- Four to seven nights — for divers, surfers and anyone who wants to slow down: add dive days, mola mola in season and lazy beach time.
Getting there
Take a fast boat from Sanur on Bali — about 30–45 minutes — or a day cruise from Benoa. Our getting here guide compares every option and explains the landing points.
What to see and do
Nusa Lembongan Devil’s Tear
Where the Indian Ocean explodes into the rocks
A jagged limestone inlet on Lembongan’s south-west coast where swells funnel into a sea cave and burst upwards in plumes of spray. Sunset here, with rainbows in the mist, is the island’s signature sight — and the rocks are genuinely dangerous.
Nusa Lembongan Dream Beach
Lembongan’s prettiest cove
A short crescent of white sand between limestone cliffs, a five-minute walk from Devil’s Tear. The colour of the water is extraordinary; the waves and currents can be too, so it is often better for looking at than swimming in.
Nusa Lembongan Mushroom Bay
The calm, sheltered bay on the west coast
A crescent of sand on the west coast, named after the mushroom corals that once filled it. Protected from the swell, it is Lembongan’s best swimming beach and the base for many resorts, day-cruise beach clubs and boats from Sanur.
Nusa Lembongan Mangrove Forest
Quiet channels on the north-east coast
Lembongan’s north-eastern shore is fringed by a protected mangrove forest threaded with shallow channels. Local boatmen punt visitors through it on flat wooden boats; you can also kayak or paddleboard, and snorkel at the nearby Mangrove Point reef.
See all of them, with directions and tours, in our things to do guide.
Entry rules, levies and health
- Visa: many nationalities can get a 30-day visa on arrival or apply online for an e-VOA (IDR 500,000 at the time of writing), extendable once. Use the official Indonesian immigration website only.
- Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor since 14 February 2024, paid once per trip, preferably online via the official Love Bali site or app.
- Local levy: the Nusa Penida islands usually collect a small retribution fee on arrival (around IDR 25,000 per adult at last check).
- Health: drink bottled or refilled filtered water, not tap water. Lembongan has small clinics and pharmacies; serious cases go to Bali, so good travel insurance that covers diving and scooter riding matters.
Entry rules and fees change. Check official Indonesian government sources, or your airline, shortly before you travel.
What it costs
Lembongan is a little pricier than mainland Bali for some things (everything arrives by boat), but it covers every budget:
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Fast boat Sanur–Lembongan (one way) | from ≈€11–15 |
| Manta snorkel trip from Lembongan | from ≈€20 |
| Nusa Penida day tour from Lembongan | from ≈€50 |
| Mangrove boat or kayak | ≈€5–10 |
| Scooter rental, per day | ≈IDR 70,000–100,000 |
| Two fun dives | roughly €80–130 — check dive centres |
| Meal at a local warung | ≈IDR 30,000–70,000 |
| Guesthouse double with pool | from ≈US$30–60 |
| Boutique resort or pool villa | ≈US$120–300+ |
What to eat
Seafood and Balinese classics: grilled fish with sambal matah, nasi campur, mie goreng, satay, and sweet pisang goreng (fried banana). Many warungs serve seaweed dishes and salads — a nod to the island’s farming past. Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay also have plenty of cafés for smoothie bowls and coffee, and clifftop bars for sunset drinks.
Where to stay
- Jungutbatu — the village hub: most boats, dive shops, restaurants, surf and views of Mount Agung.
- Mushroom Bay and Tamarind Beach — calm swimming, resorts and sunset over Bali.
- Dream Beach and Sunset Beach — clifftop villas near Devil’s Tear.
- Nusa Ceningan — quieter, with the Blue Lagoon and characterful small resorts.
We compare the best of each, with live rates, on our where to stay page.
Practical details
- Money: Indonesian rupiah (IDR). There are ATMs in Jungutbatu and Lembongan village, but they can run out of cash — bring some from Bali. Cards are accepted at most hotels and dive centres; warungs and parking attendants want cash.
- Language: Balinese and Indonesian; English is widely spoken in tourism. Terima kasih (thank you) goes a long way.
- Culture: the islands are Hindu. Cover shoulders and knees at temples (a sarong and sash are required), don’t step on offerings on the ground, and give way to ceremonial processions.
- Nyepi: on the Balinese Day of Silence (usually March) there are no boats, no traffic and no lights for 24 hours. Plan around it.
- Power: Type C/F European-style sockets, 230 V. Short power cuts happen.
- Connectivity: 4G is good on Lembongan and most of Ceningan; an Indonesian SIM or eSIM is cheap.
- Safety: crime is low. The main risks are scooter accidents, the sea (currents, surge, rogue waves at the cliffs) and the sun.
What to pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash vest.
- Reef shoes for rocky shores and seaweed-farm shallows.
- A dry bag for wet boat landings and snorkel trips.
- A light sarong for temples and village streets.
- Your own mask if you care about fit; a light wetsuit for Penida in the cool-water months.
- Cash in small rupiah notes, and motion-sickness tablets if you are prone.
Common mistakes
- Visiting only as a day trip, and missing the sunsets and quiet mornings.
- Leaving the manta trip to the last day — if the sea is rough, there is no second chance.
- Riding a scooter for the first time on Lembongan’s and Ceningan’s steep, sandy roads.
- Getting too close to the edge at Devil’s Tear or swimming at Dream Beach in big surf.
- Forgetting that you will land in the water — and packing the laptop at the bottom of a wheeled suitcase.
