There are so many wonders to Bali that you'd need more than a few days to discover all of its hidden gems. One of these gems that you must visit is Nusa Lembongan. It's an island on the southeast of Bali that's part of the Nusa islands, which includes Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Lembongan is famous for pristine beaches that are great for diving and snorkelling, while having a more relaxed and laidback feel than Bali's south coast. For the best holiday, visit Nusa Lembongan island during the dry season from May to September and get the most out of the beautiful beaches and avoid rough seas.
Interested in learning more about the Nusa islands? Take a day trip and explore Nusa Penida's top attractions too! We've got a guide to help.
How to get to Nusa Lembongan
From Bali, it's a quick and easy trip to Nusa Lembongan when you book your tickets on Klook. Hop on board an air-conditioned ferry and, for 30 minutes, take in the view and snap photos of the sparkling waters on your journey. Simply choose your preferred departure time and date, then take your pick from the available schedules.
Have more questions about getting around Bali? We've got this all-in-one guide for how to get from one attraction to another.
Unmissable things to do in Nusa Lembongan
It may be a small island, but there are tons of things you can do while visiting Nusa Lembongan. Plan your itinerary with these 10 things to do in Nusa Lembongan for a true island getaway:
- Explore Nusa Lembongan on a yacht
- Chill at a beach club
- Ride the waves
- Immerse in Nusa Lembongan's biodiversity
- Swim alongside manta rays
- Visit Devil's Tears
- Take pics by the tidal pools
- Discover the best of Nusa Ceningan
- Hang out at Lago Pontoon
- Chase the sunset at The Deck
1. Explore Nusa Lembongan on a yacht
Sail around the island in style on a luxurious yacht. This tour offers an unforgettable journey for tourists who want to tick off all the things to do in Nusa Lembongan in one day. Cruise to some of the island's best attractions, like Devil's Tears, Dream Beach, the best snorkelling spots, and a seaweed farm. Throughout your adventure, you'll be able to treat your tastebuds to the flavours of Indonesian food with the tropical banquet onboard.
2. Chill at a beach club
One of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan is to actually do nothing; feel free to just relax under the sun and consider that a day well spent. Lounge around by the beach or in the pool at any of the many popular beach clubs in Nusa Lembongan—tourists love the Sandy Bay Beach Club. Snack and sip on cocktails by the beach bar as you relax, whether you're reading a book or working on your tan. This is the perfect way to enjoy with the family or have a fun time with friends.
If you wanna eat and drink like a local, we recommend ordering a Bintang Beer—the most popular beer in Bali—to keep you company. Or, try a cup of Kuwut Ice, the Balinese choice for staying cool under the sun.
3. Ride the waves
Nusa Lembongan is a top surfing destination year-round. There are breaks for beginner and immediate surfers, so don't worry if you're just getting to know the waves. You can even take surfing lessons over at Coconut Beach. If you're still polishing your skills, head over to Tamarind or Playgrounds, ideal spots for beginners, or to Lacerations, which has small to medium swells and learner waves. For more experienced surfers, the Shipwrecks are perfect for excitingly high peaks and tubing sections. Razors is another great spot with swells that usually cater to different surfing abilities plus it's not as crowded as other breaks!
4. Immerse in Nusa Lembongan's biodiversity
For an immersive nature adventure, this day tour will take you to some of the best spots to appreciate the island's natural beauty, so don't forget to add this to your list of things to do in Nusa Lembongan. Discover the island's vibrant marine life filled with unique fish and colourful algae at three different snorkelling spots. Then, head to Panorama Point for a bird's eye view of Jungut Batu Beach, the village, and the turquoise waters. Afterwards, sink your toes in the golden sands of Dream Beach. For an IG-worthy shot, pose by the cliff, so the ocean is also in the frame.
To cap off your exploration, hop on a boat and paddle through the lush mangrove forest, where your guide will tell you all about the animals that reside within the forest.
5. Swim alongside manta rays
Observe Nusa Lembongan's fascinating coral reefs up close and meet the island's diverse marine species, such as sea turtles and sea horses at this one-of-a-kind snorkelling tour. Swim to your heart's content at Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, and Toyapakeh Wall Penida—some of the must-visit spots on the list of things to do in Nusa Lembongan for exotic fish and crystal clear waters. Some of the fish you'll be able to see are pufferfish, Moray eels, clown fish, scorpionfish, lionfish, and Hawksbill turtles. At Manta Bay, you'll be able to see the adorable manta rays up close and swim next to them!
After a day of diving into the island's waters, hop onboard a traditional gondola and take in the serene vibes of the mangrove forest.
6. Visit Devil's Tears
You might be curious how a place could have such an intimidating name, especially once you see how beautiful this spot really is. Devil's Tears is a popular cave pool in Nusa Lembongan known for having one of the best spots in town for watching the sunset, but that's not all. There are some powerful waves that crash into these cliffsides that cause the water to create a fine mist hence, the name 'Devil's Tears.' Although you'll enjoy watching the waves, don't get too close to the edge as they can sometimes reach high into the air.
7. Take pics by the tidal pools
Just a short walk away from Devil's Tears, there are more scenic spots to appreciate the gorgeous views. The tidal pools nearby offer a much better photo op with crystal clear reflections in the water. They're also some of the best spots to catch the sunset as they face directly over the ocean as the sun goes down.
8. Discover the best of Nusa Ceningan
Don't be afraid to venture outside of the island, especially since the two islands are just a few minutes away from each other! Take a day trip to Nusa Ceningan to easily explore its attractions just by crossing the famous Yellow Bridge connecting the two islands.
Both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan boast impressive beaches. Nusa Ceningan has Secret Beach, which is a must-visit for some peace and quiet. It's a beautiful white sand beach framed by rock formations for all the privacy you need. There are also the Blue Lagoon Cliffs and the Ceningan Cliffs, both of which are great viewpoints to take in the island's beauty. We can't forget to mention the dive sites and cliff jumping sites too!
9. Hang out at Lago Pontoon
Since you're on holiday, it's only right that you take a day to just chill and laze around island-style. Lago Pontoon is a floating deck with a bar and a lounge area to relax. You can unwind by the ocean in the company of your friends or meet new people over delicious food and drinks.
Fun Fact: Lago Pontoon is entirely powered by solar panels and its own filtration system!
10. Chase the sunset at The Deck
The Deck Cafe & Bar is the ultimate spot for appreciating the sunset in Nusa Lembongan. Why? Because you can do so with a cocktail in hand! It has a prime spot on the hillside above Jungut Batu Beach, and you can munch on delicious dishes with a view.
The Deck serves a healthy menu with only fresh and locally sourced ingredients, along with expertly-crafted cocktails. Their breakfast and all-day menus have plant-based and gluten-free options, like Poke Bowls, Garden Bowls and Salads. They also have Indonesian classics, like Mie Goreng and Nasi Goreng Kumpung, if you wanna try something new. Pair your meal with one of their healthy juices or smoothies, or indulge in any of their cocktails for an extra fun night. Lastly, treat yourself to a cup of fresh Italian gelato for dessert. If this isn't a great way to spend a day in Bali, then we don't know what is!
Klook Tip: Happy hour is from 5PM to 6:30PM every day; so, it's the perfect sneak peek into Nusa Lembongan nightlife.
Do you prefer to chill at the beach club? Or does a boat tour sound more fun? Either way, these are just ten out of so many things to do in Nusa Lembongan, so make sure you don't miss out on this when you're visiting the three Nusa islands. There are even more adventures that await in Nusa Lembongan, so book your tickets today to experience them all!
Where's your next stop after Nusa Lembongan? What about Uluwatu? Check out our guide for the best things to do in Uluwatu.
Written by: Gabby Mendoza