Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan? Why This Bali Island Might Be the Better Pick for You

If you’re headed to Bali and excited about the nearby Nusa islands, you may be scratching your head wondering whether Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan is the better fit for your trip.

Both of the islands are stunning, and a fast ferry ride from Sanur port in Bali, so travelers often get stuck deciding between the islands.

Having experienced both Penida and Lembongan, I think Nusa Lembongan is the better base for most travelers:

• It has better infrastructure while boasting fewer crowds
• It’s a condensed island so you can fit in a lot within a short amount of time
• It allows for easy day trips to Nusa Penida and other adventures so you can feel like you’ve done it all

Let’s get into the details and break down the key differences so you can better decide which choice is right for you based on your travel style!

Already hear Nusa Lembongan calling your name? Here’s how to spend 3 days exploring the Nusa islands while based in Nusa Lembongan!

Nusa Penida vs Nusa Lembongan: The Big Question

Key Differences Between Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan

The Feeling of the Islands

I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I’m looking for a feeling just as much as I am going for adventure, relaxation, and culture; so let’s talk about the vibes of each of the islands first.

Nusa Lembongan has a relaxed, small-island charm. While you’ll see other tourists on the island, and have plenty of things to do, you’ll interact with more locals, and enjoy a more peaceful experience on the island.

Nusa Penida, on the other hand, feels more dramatic and remote — with its massive cliffs overlooking the sea and large distances between view points — but it can also feel overwhelming and touristy with the many day trippers who come to the island.

I do think Nusa Penida is worth a day trip — and it’s one that is easily doable from Nusa Lembongan — but when comparing the overall vibes of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, Lembongan island wins out for me every time!

Accessibility of the Islands

Another leading point for Nusa Lembongan is the accessibility of the island.

While Nusa Penida is bigger, more spread out, and has long travel times, Nusa Lembongan is compact and easy to get around.

By scooter, you can go end to end on Nusa Lembongan in about 15 minutes. This means you can quickly see many things, even if you aren’t directly in the main area of the island.

Plus, if you are staying in the mains hubs of Nusa Lembongan like Jungut Batu, you even have some walkability… which is definitely not a thing on Nusa Penida!

Infrastructure on the Islands

Infrastructure is another reason I think Nusa Lembongan makes for the best base for your time in the Nusa islands!

Because it is a more local island, the road infrastructure is much better and there are walkable areas.

Meanwhile, on Nusa Penida, you’ll find many potholes scattered on the narrow roads, terrible traffic, and overall harder logistics.

I don’t think these are reasons to skip Nusa Penida all together, but I do think that it’s much better to explore Penida via a day trip with a guide/driver, rather than using it as your base location.

Activities on the Islands

If you thought Nusa Lembongan was going to win each of these categories… here’s a surprise — it doesn’t flat out win on activities… which is why I think you should build in some time on Nusa Penida into your Nusa Lembongan stay!

There are plenty of things to do while you stay in Nusa Lembongan, but here are just a few ideas :

• Take a day trip to incredible landscapes like the Blue Lagoon
• Learn to surf on the beginner-friendly surf breaks
• Explore the mangrove forest

Meanwhile, Nusa Penida also has some epic experiences waiting for you! My personal favorite was getting up close and personal with manta rays.

Read more: What it’s like to scuba dive with the manta rays in Nusa Penida

There are also tons of iconic view points like the famous Kelingking Beach (T-rex Beach) and Diamond Beach.

It’s definitely worth spending a day or two exploring Nusa Penida, and the great news is that it’s only 15 minutes by ferry to transfer between the two islands!

Stay Experience on the Islands

Everything that we’ve touched on so far can give you a better sense for what a stay on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan would be like, but I did want to specifically call out what you should expect:

If you choose to stay on Lembongan, you’ll find common areas of hotel clusters around the island, and because these areas are the popular spots for accommodations, you’ll also find many restaurants and bars nearby, often times within walking distance of your hotel.

Ready to find your stay? Read this where to stay in Nusa Lembongan guide for a deep dive into the common hotel areas.

Meanwhile, with Penida’s large landmass and more spread out landscape, you won’t find as many central areas for accommodations.

This can be nice if you want a more remote feel, but it also means that you’ll often be traveling farther not just to viewpoints and attractions, but also for meals and groceries!

Why Nusa Lembongan is the Better Base

Easier to Explore

With Nusa Lembongan’s compact size, it’s much easier to explore, and you can see a lot in even just a day.

But it’s not just the size that’s helpful. The roads are less populated and better maintained, meaning it’s much easier to get around by yourself on scooter than it is in Nusa Penida.

I still only suggest renting a scooter if you have previous experience, but it is much less exhausting to get around Nusa Lembongan than it is to get around Nusa Penida.

Better for Short Trips

Because Nusa Lembongan is so easy to explore, you can squeeze a lot of things into a short amount of time — even just 2-3 days — without feeling overwhelmed!

My friend and I were able to do a road trip one day, scuba dive with manta rays the next day, and take an (admittedly not well done) DIY day trip to Nusa Penida on our third and final day.

My friend and I tried to DIY our own Nusa Penida day trip and let’s just say… it was a rough experience… Here’s the whole story on my Nusa Penida mistake!

Not just that, we had time each day to spend a few hours relaxing at our hotel pool and recovering our energy from all of our exciting adventures!

Even just a short trip to Nusa Lembongan can feel both relaxed and adventurous!

Laid-Back Vibe

I think the laid-back vibe of Nusa Lembongan is what helps the trip feel so relaxed despite also being filled with adventures.

Fewer crowds means less overwhelm and more enjoyment.

The small town feel allows you to truly relax in the evenings — I loved ending my nights by the hotel pool with my kindle; the receptionist would turn on some cozy lights, relaxing music, and the garden fountain to help all of the guests ease into the night.

If that type of evening sounds right up your alley, book your stay at the Royal Cottages here →

Plus everything seems more accessible — plenty of space on the beaches to lay out your towel and relax with no one in site (at least that was our experience at Hidden Beach), viewpoints with just a few other tourists around, and no wait at meal times!

Adventures at Your Doorstep

But it’s not just about the relaxation in Nusa Lembongan if you don’t want it to be; there’s plenty of adventures to be had for whatever you’re in the mood for.

You can:

• Snorkel amongst colorful reefs and fish
• Scuba dive with manta rays or get your Open Water certification if you’ve never tried scuba before
• Take a surf lesson or experience the more advanced breaks
• Discover hidden beaches, secret lagoons, and gorgeous viewpoints
• Cross the Yellow Bridge into Nusa Ceningan for even more incredible views
• Explore the unique ecosystem of the mangrove forest

There are so many exciting things to do with your time in Nusa Lembongan.

Gateway to Penida

And if you do run out of things to do or you just want to try something else, Nusa Penida is an easy boat ride away!

You can hop on a 10 minute ferry from the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Penida and discover it on your own.

Or — the better option from my experience — is to book a driver who can take around to all the famous sites you’d want to see on Nusa Penida.

Check availability for Nusa Penida day tours here →

You can even book a snorkel and day tour combo which will take you to iconic spots like Crystal Bay and Kelingking beach and pick you up right at your hotel!

All while making back to Nusa Lembongan in time for dinner and an evening dip in the pool!

When Nusa Penida Might Be Better for You

Now, I don’t want this post to seem like I’m bashing Nusa Penida — I’m definitely not — and there are some instances when it may be the right choice for you:

1. As I’ve mentioned a few times, it’s a great spot for a day trip — especially if you want the iconic, instagram-worthy photo ops. The earlier in the morning you can get to the viewpoints (or later in the evening), the more likely you are to have these spots mostly to yourself, making it easier for you to grab your incredible photos!
   
2. Nusa Penida is better for travelers who want to prioritize dramatic landscapes over convenience. Nusa Lembongan has some great views, but Nusa Penida’s are even better — there’s a reason it’s become so popular. If you’re willing to deal with the less built-out infrastructure and are very comfortable driving yourself around by scooter, Nusa Penida could be a solid choice for you.
   
3. Basing in Nusa Penida is best for those who have 1-2 extra days after visiting Lembongan. If you have a longer time frame for your trip, then it could definitely make sense to spend a couple days on Lembongan island followed by a couple on Penida island. This will allow you to explore each island at a slower pace rather than feeling rushed to hit each of the highlights in Penida.

Nusa Lembongan Wins for Most Travelers

If I had to pick just one island to stay on, Nusa Lembongan wins hands down — and it’s the choice I made for my own trip!

Lembongan is easier, less stressful, and still gives you all the adventure vibes!

Plus, you don’t have to miss out, because it’s very easy to do a Penida day trip and explore what the other island has to offer!

Whether you’re into diving, beaches, or just soaking up the laid-back, island life, Nusa Lembongan is the one I’d recommend for most travelers!

If you’re ready to see how Nusa Lembongan makes the perfect base for 3 days, read my Nusa Island itinerary next! And if you have any other questions about the two islands, feel free to drop me a comment below!