Nusa Lembongan Place guide

Nusa Lembongan sits southeast of Bali, easily overshadowed by its larger sister island, Nusa Penida. The islands don’t get as much tourist traffic as Bali although, in recent years, Lembongan has seen a rise in visitors. Travelers looking for a slower pace and uncrowded spots will find their welcome here. It’s possible to walk the charming and rural 8km2 Lembongan in a day, although bicycles and motorbikes are widely available for hire.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are rewarding in the rich turquoise waters of Lembongan teeming with life with many large marine animals. Locals have managed to protect their reefs from dynamite fishing, and in 2012 the islands were established as a marine conservation district. Dive at Blue Corner or Jackfish Point for a good diving experience. Surfing at spots such as Shipwreck, Lacerations, and Playground is top notch and popular with tourists on the island thus waves can get a bit crowded, but a trip to any of the several uncrowded white sand beaches afterward can wash your worries away. Lounging on the sand by the northwestern coastline can provide fantastic views of Bali and Mount Agung in the distance.

On the island, 85% of the population engages in seaweed farming, mostly to produce carrageenan. Make friends with the locals and ask them more about it if you’re interested, as it is the major livelihood on Lembongan.

GETTING THERE

Take the Scoot fast boat from Sanur, the Gilis, or Lombok to Nusa Lembongan in thirty to forty minutes, with several regular trips daily. The Perama boat takes almost two hours from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan, leaving in the morning and costing IDR180,000. Public boats take two hours to Lembongan, and you might find yourself sharing the space with chickens and boxes of supplies.