17 No FOMO Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan & Ceningan, Bali (2024)
Looking for the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan Island and Ceningan Island? You’ll find an amazing array of activities on these beautiful tropical islands off the east of Bali. Sunbathe on white sand beaches, dive and snorkel in world-class coral reefs, and explore the mangrove interior.
Relatively quiet, Nusa Lembongan has a cozy community feel that makes it a great place to relax and unwind, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Southern Bali. Ready for the perfect island getaway exploring Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan?
Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan
Two relatively small islands, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are often lumped together since they’re connected by the famous Yellow Bridge and share ferry ports. Although these islands are close to Bali, they couldn’t be more different in terms of vibe: think laid-back and easily drivable in just a couple of hours. Here are some of the best things to do in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
1. Beach Hop Around Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
You’re sure to be impressed with any beach you come across around Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. The only question is, out of all the beauty, which is the most beautiful? Below are some of my favorite Nusa Lembongan beaches, but by no means a comprehensive list.
Can you swim at Nusa Lembongan?
If you’re planning on going for a swim, most of the beaches get rocky during low tide, but high tide may bring very strong waves.
Secret Beach
For this, I will have to hand the winning spot to Secret Beach on Nusa Ceningan. As a more secluded beach experience, this beautiful white sand beach is often deserted, making it the perfect place to relax and be awe-struck by the color and intensity of the waves.
Due to the rocky bottom and strong waves, this isn’t the best beach to go play in the waves. There is also a nearby deserted resort for those who like to do some urban exploring.
Walk just 5 minutes down the stairs from the parking area to arrive at the beach.
Dream Beach
If you’re looking for a hangout beach with more things to do, look no further than Dream Beach on Nusa Lembongan. With plenty of warungs (local food stalls) nearby, this is a great place to spend a beach day at.
As Dream Beach is more in a bay, the waves here are much calmer than at Secret Beach, making it a great place to swim. Aesthetically, Dream Beach is prettier if you go during higher tide as the rocky bottom is covered. Take a short walk past Devil’s Tear for the best sunset view on the island.
Mushroom Beach
Mushroom Bay is one of the busiest beaches on the island as it’s right next to some of the main resorts and one of the ferry drop-off/pick-up points from Bali. With plenty of food and accommodation options, Mushroom Bay is a great place to stay nearby. Most likely, you will be able to rent scooters from your hotel, but you will also have options right off this beach as well.
Mushroom Bay is also a great sunset viewpoint contender. Chill closer to the east side so that the cliffs don’t block your view.
2. Stare in Awe at the Cliffs of The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular places to visit on Nusa Lembongan with good reason. As you approach the lagoon, you’ll be met with a stunning view of the turquoise waters surrounded by high cliffs. From an aerial view, it even resembles a blue heart.
3. Beware the Fallout at Devil’s Tear
Devil’s Tear is a beautiful natural formation located on the southern tip of Nusa Lembongan. It gets its name from the waves crashing against the cliff, causing the water to spray and look like tears.
The best time to visit is during high tide, when you can see the water aggressively crashing against the rocks. Just be careful as there have been a few accidents of people being pulled out to sea by the strong currents.
Devil’s Tear is right next to one of the best beaches on Nusa Lembongan, Dream Beach, and is a popular sunset spot.
4. Walk Across the Yellow Bridge
The Yellow Bridge is one of the most popular landmarks to see on Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. As the only bridge that connects the two islands, it’s a great place to take in the views of both sides and view the seaweed farmers from overhead. Plus, it’s a great spot for that perfect photo of a lone motorcycle driving through!
Even though the lane looks like it should only be for one, it is a two-way drive shared with pedestrians, and a bit rickety, so make sure to go slowly across.
5. Boat Tour the Mangrove Forest
On the northeastern side, Nusa Lembongan is known for its mangrove forests, and what better way to explore it than by taking a boat tour? You’ll get up close and personal under the canopy of the mangroves and see some of the wildlife that calls it home.
You can always book a tour beforehand or scooter over to Mangrove point yourself, where plenty of boat captains will offer you a 25 minute ride around the mangroves. For conservation purposes, no motorboats are allowed, so you will serenely paddle through on a traditional Indonesian boat with your local guide. The prices offered to me were 150K IDR per boat.
6. Snorkel at Mangrove Point
Aside from seeing the mangroves by boat, you can also go snorkeling and explore the world underneath the waves at Mangrove Point to see some of the corals and fish that call this area home. You can either book a tour or rent snorkeling gear from one of the many shops in town and just hop into the water.
7. Nusa Lembongan Diving
With its clear waters and vibrant corals, Nusa Lembongan is a world-class diving destination. Plenty of dive schools on the island can cater to all levels of divers, from beginners to experienced.
Manta Rays can be found at the feeding station, Manta Point, all year long. If you’re lucky, this area offers one of the best places in the world to see the elusive Mola Mola, an up to 3 meter giant Sunfish.
Note: The best time to see Mola Mola is between Mid-July to September, when the water temperature drops and the drift currents can be extreme. Experienced divers may have an easier time at dive sites with these conditions.
8. Dive or Snorkel with Manta Rays
Although technically on Nusa Penida, one of the top things to do on Nusa Lembongan is go diving or snorkeling with giant manta rays. These gentle giants are often seen swimming shallowly around the waters off of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
There are a few dive and snorkel sites where you’re almost guaranteed to see them. There are two great locations for the highest chances of viewing Manta Rays: Manta Point and Manta Bay.
Manta Point is one of the most popular dive sites to see manta rays, as well as turtles, sharks, and a variety of other marine life. I have heard of at least one company that takes snorkelers there for a more peaceful, uncrowded boat trip experience, but it is a bit more expensive than the usual snorkeling route.
Manta Bay is the feeding station next to another popular Nusa Penida location, Crystal Bay. If you sign up for the snorkeling tour, the organizer will offer a tour with some sort of variation fo Gamat Bay, Crystal Bay, Wall Bay, and Manta Bay for ~250K IDR.
Manta Rays are commonly found only 10 meters deep or so, so you aren’t at a disadvantage if you are snorkeling, but divers will definitely get a better view of the mantas.
9. Panorama Point
From Panorama Point, get the best view of the island and Jungut Batu Beach. From here, you can see all three of the Nusa islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and of course – Nusa Lembongan.
The best time to go is during sunset when you can see the sun dip down into the water and turn the sky a beautiful hue of orange and red. As night falls, you can also see all the lights turn on in the distance.
10. Watch How to Farm Seaweed
If you’ve been wondering what the piles of green, white, and brown lining the streets are, it’s seaweed. Seaweed farming is traditionally the primary industry on Nusa Lembongan, but especially after COVID, many families returned to this trade. Many small family seaweed farms dot the coast, and all follow similar methods.
First, long lines of seaweed seeds are placed into the water and anchored to the seafloor with concrete blocks. The seaweed grows quickly and is ready to be harvested in about two months.
During the harvest, the local farmers wade out into the water with fishing boats and cut the seaweed from the lines. The seaweed is then brought to shore, sorted, dried, and bundled.
The final product is then taken to the processing plant, where it is turned into things like cosmetics, shampoo, and food like sushi seaweed.
11. Crawl Through the Gala-Gala Underground House
The Gala-Gala Underground House is a unique attraction on Nusa Lembongan. Above ground, several traditional Balinese-style structures with high thatched roofs cover the random holes that dot the property, three “windows” and seven “entrances,” to be exact.
Inspiration taken from a religious legend, the owner created the Gala-Gala house to be completely underground! To get inside, you must crawl through a small opening into the tunnel system beneath.
Once inside, a large open space connects to smaller rooms leading off of it. The rooms are used as storage areas and bedrooms and are quite a maze. A bat flew bat and scared the bejeezus out of me.
Admission costs 50K IDR, but the keeper may be flexible with the entry fee.
12. Day trip to Nusa Penida
Although most people arrive from Nusa Penida to Lembongan or opt to go there after, if you’re short on time, catch a 15-minute public ferry or take a day trip tour to another small island Nusa Penida. Although Nusa Penida is considerably larger than Lembongan, almost all the main attractions are located on the island’s west side, making it totally possible to see it in one day.
If you are planning a day trip, these are the places you shouldn’t miss:
- Kelingking Beach – that classic Instagram picture that offers stunning cliffside views and crazy blue waters. For the adventurous, climb down all the stairs to get to the spectacular beach beneath.
- Broken Beach – a beautiful archway over an inaccessible beach.
- Angel’s Billabong – a natural infinity pool with crystal clear water.
- Crystal Bay and Manta Bay – beautiful snorkeling options in beautiful bays.
You can take a public ferry at the Yellow Bridge that costs 50K IDR and leave between 9am and 5pm whenever the boats are full (7-9 people).
13. Surfing at Lembongan
Lembongan Beach is one of the best places to surf on the island. The waves here are consistent, and beginners can take surfing lessons from the surf schools on the beach.
14. Dreampoint viewpoint
Dreampoint is located on the south coast of Nusa Lembongan and offers views of the cliffs, ocean, and seaweed farmers. If you have been to Blue Lagoon, Dream Point viewpoint is not as exciting, but if you happen to be here around sunset, you can take a cool shot with the old tree.
15. Take a Yoga Class in True Bali Fashion
Although yoga is not originally from Bali, the island has definitely made it its own and ran with it. With picturesque locations and impressive options, a yoga instructor told me that yoga may now be bigger in Bali than even in India.
16. Nusa Lembongan Cemetery
Just as a quick stop on your route, it is interesting to note that at the cemetery in Nusa Lembongan, on top of every gravestone, is a single colorful umbrella.
17. Joyride Scooter Around Both Islands
One of the best ways to explore Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan is by scooter. You can easily rent a scooter for around 70K IDR per day and zoom around both islands, stopping at all the different viewpoints and beaches. The roads are in decent shape in both Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan, except on the latter’s southeastern side.
How to Get to Nusa Lembongan By Ferry
Sanur, Bali to Nusa Lembongan
The most common way to get to Nusa Lembongan is by fast boat from Bali. The journey takes around 45 minutes, and many different companies are offering the service. The cost is usually between 150-200K IDR for a ticket, although prices may be cheaper if you book straight at the ferry ticket kiosk.
Tip: If someone offers higher, haggle.
Kusamba & Patang Pai, Bali to Nusa Lembongan
Public Ferry from Patang Pai to Nusa Lembongan
I only have anecdotal information that this ferry exists, but public ferries do operate from Padang Pai in North Bali to Lembongan, although these are much slower than the fast boats. You may just have to show up at the ferry port to ask, but the journey should only cost ~50K IDR one way. These boats only operate once or twice daily, so checking the schedule in advance is important.
Fast Boat from Kusamba/Patang Pai to Nusa Lembongan
A few fast boat companies operate ferries from Kusamba and Patang Pai in Bali to Nusa Lembongan. Fast boat operators take passengers daily from Kusamba and Padang Pai. This journey will only take 15-20 minutes and cost around 150K IDR for a ticket.
Where to Stay on Nusa Lembongan
There are two main popular areas to stay on Nusa Lembongan: Mushroom Bay and JuJungut Batu. Not coincidentally, this is also where the two ferry ports operate. Mushroom Bay is quieter than Jungut Batu but still with its fill of Warungs and more western eateries. Mushroom Bay, in my humble opinion, is along a better stretch of the beach to just hang out and enter a cafe for.
I stayed in Canda Villages, just a 5 minute walk away from Mushroom Bay, and loved it. For two nights at this 3 star resort, it was only a whopping 16$, complete with a beautiful private room and two pools. As most hotels do, they also rent motorbikes and offer tours.
How to Get Around Nusa Lembongan
Renting a scooter is the best way to get around Nusa Lembongan. Most accommodations and ferry port areas offer scooters at around 70K IDR daily. Check to make sure your scooter is in riding condition! Personally, my frame was so corroded that the frame cracked, and I had to walk-drive it back 5 miles to the rental office.
Gas Stations on Nusa Lembongan
There is only one official Pertamina gas station…and it is closed, unsure if temporarily or permanently. A few smaller stations, “Pertamini’s” are usually located by minimarts, which is the next cheapest option.
Many shopfronts and houses have wooden signs with the word “Petrol” written out on the front, where you can purchase gas by the liter. This will cost the most, and the shop owner will pour the colored liquid into your tank through a funnel.
Bucket List Worthy? Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
Yes, Nusa Lembongan is a bucket list Bali getaway filled with gorgeous scenery to offer visitors. If you are short on time, here are some of the things to do on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan that you shouldn’t miss.
- The Blue Lagoon
- Visit Devil’s Tears
- See the Giant Manta Rays
