Is Nusa Lembongan Worth Visiting? 5 Reasons This Bali Escape Belongs on Your Itinerary

When most travelers think of Bali, their minds jump straight to the jungles of Ubud, the beaches of Uluwatu, or the digital nomad life in Canggu, but those travelers are missing out on the under-the-radar gem of Nusa Lembongan.

I only found out about this island by happenstance when planning a day trip to Nusa Penida, but ended up spending 3 days on Nusa Lembongan island during my own trip to Bali… and wow… it left me wanting more!

Nusa Lembongan deserves a spot on every Bali itinerary — though I’m secretly glad it’s still off-the-radar for most folks so the few of us who know about it can enjoy it crowd-free! 😉

If you’re curious about how Nusa Lembongan fits into your Bali itinerary, check out my full 10 day Bali itinerary post to see how to structure your trip!

In Nusa Lembongan, you’ve got:

• Easy access from Bali
• Fewer crowds on the island leading to a peaceful escape
• Beautiful natural landscapes
• A compact area so you can do a lot in a short amount of time
• Adventures for everyone

Nusa Lembongan is the short, easy add-on to your Bali trip that feels adventurous without being overwhelming!

5 Reasons to Add Nusa Lembongan to Your Bali Trip

I’ve teased the reasons Nusa Lembongan is worth visiting, but let’s dive into the details so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth a spot on your trip (spoiler: it definitely does!)

1. Easy Access from Bali

First things first: how does one get to Nusa Lembongan?

Nusa Lembongan is just a quick 30-minute ferry ride from Bali, with most boats departing from Sanur port.

I loved feeling like I was getting a mini-getaway without the long travel time! We took one of the first fast boats in the morning, and then had an entire day left to explore the island; in fact, we did an entire road trip Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan on our first day!

There are multiple fast boat companies that each offer their own boat schedules, so make sure to check in advance for the time slot that best suits your needs.

I recommend booking a combo ticket that includes pick-up from your hotel in Bali and drop-off at your hotel in Nusa Lembongan; this will make for the smoothest experience!

Skip the stress and book your fast boat transfer here →

2. Fewer Crowds = A Peaceful Escape

One of my favorite things about Nusa Lembongan was the fact that not many tourists seemed to be on the island… or even know about it!

The quiet streets were a massive contrast to Ubud’s hustle and even Uluwatu’s traffic!

It was nice to travel at a more relaxed pace and feel like my friend and I had the roads almost to ourselves as we rode our scooter around the island — it had the small village feel and charm, while still having enough to do to keep us occupied!

If you’re a traveler who wants some down time built into your trip without feeling like you’re missing out on any of the excitement, Nusa Lembongan is absolutely worth visiting during your time in Bali!

If you’re comparing islands, read this Nusa Penida vs Nusa Lembongan comparison guide next! It will be on the website soon!

3. Beautiful Natural Landscapes

I was absolutely stunned by all of the natural beauty I found in Nusa Lembongan!

From the white sand at Dream Beach, the incredible waves at Devil’s Tears, the piercing color of water at Blue Lagoon, and the beautiful insight into local life at the seaweed farms, I felt absolutely mesmerized by all there is to see on Nusa Lembongan!

It’s like everywhere you look there is an insta-worthy photo waiting to happen, while the location still feels real, raw, and down to earth.

Plus, it’s easy to explore it all within a couple of days, so you leave Nusa Lembongan feeling like your time was well spent!

Here’s a full list of unique things to do in Nusa Lembongan!

4. A Compact Island = Do a Lot in a Short Time

Unlike the neighboring Bali, Nusa Lembongan is not very spread out, making it perfect for exploring even if you don’t have much time!

It’s an easy scooter ride around the small island — just about 15 minutes end-to-end, with quick rides between many of the different sites and attractions!

You can visit multiple beaches and view points in a day, while still having time for other activities like surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, or enjoying the pool at your accommodation!

Nusa Lembongan is a great option if you’re looking for how to fill just a few extra days on your trip to Bali!

See how much you can do with just 3 days in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida!

5. Adventures for Everyone

Nusa Lembongan has adventures for everyone, at every level, with any type of vibe!

You can scuba dive at world class sites with a chance to see manta rays and even mola mola. I did this my second day in Nusa Lembongan and it was an incredible day filled with magical moments… including one where a manta ray swam inches above my head!

If you’re not scuba diver, there are snorkeling tours that are more easily accessible — and they include spots where you can see the manta rays as well, so you won’t be missing out!

Plus, the colorful reefs you’ll snorkel in will have more fish than you can imagine… at least, that’s how I felt when I was in the waters around Nusa Lembongan.

Diving with manta rays is a peak life memory for me… Learn more about what it’s like to scuba dive or snorkel with manta rays here →

If you prefer to be on top of the water, Nusa Lembongan has great surfing options; from mellow breaks for beginners where you can learn how to get on the surf board to reef breaks for those who are more advanced surfers.

You can even explore the mangrove forest ecosystem that thrives in Nusa Lembongan with a stand up paddle board or a kayak!

And let’s not forget the thrill of zooming around the island on a scooter you’ve rented, feeling the freedom of the wind in your hair and all the epic landscapes, or the easy day trips you can take over to the neighboring Nusa Penida island!

If you’re looking to add more adventure into your Bali trip — whether that’s a soft adventure of a snorkel tour or a wild one like surfing the advanced breaks — Nusa Lembongan is absolutely worth visiting!

Practical Tips to Plan Your Nusa Lembongan Trip

How Long is it Worth Staying in Nusa Lembongan

I suggest spending at least 2-3 full days in Nusa Lembongan island if you want to be able to experience all the island has to offer.

With two days, you can plan to see the highlights of Nusa Lembongan by scooter one day and then do a day trip with a combined snorkel & Nusa Penida tour the following day which will take you to a couple of the highlights on Penida island, like Kelingking Beach.

Ideally, you’d have three full days which would allow you to:

• Explore Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan
• Spend half a day snorkeling or scuba diving with the manta rays
• Spend half a day enjoying the mangrove forest
• Take a full day tour of Nusa Penida to all of the iconic spots on the island

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan

The best way to get to Nusa Lembongan is via fast boat from Bali.

You can look up the times for these ferries here and pick the one that best suits your trip (I’d recommend a morning ferry to maximize your time on Nusa Lembongan).

Most ferries leave from Sanur port, and you can often book a transport + ferry combo that will include a pick up at your Bali accommodation and a drop off at your Nusa Lembongan accommodation.

Where to Stay on Nusa Lembongan

For your first visit to Nusa Lembongan, I’d recommend staying in either Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay.

Jungut Batu will be a bit more lively, is great for beach-goers, and is the most walkable area — all great things for first timers!

That being said, I stayed in the Mushroom Bay Area, and thought it was still very easy to access the main points on the island while enjoying a bit of a quieter feel!

No matter which area you choose, know that Nusa Lembongan is easy to get around and relatively small, so you’ll never be too far away from the main attractions!

Read more: where to stay in Nusa Lembongan

So, Is Nusa Lembongan Worth Visiting?

If you’re looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation without the chaos that can come with some of the more well-known areas of Bali… then the clear answer is YES, Nusa Lembongan is absolutely worth visiting!

And once you get back from your trip, I’d love to hear from you about your favorite part! Leave a comment below or send me an email with your thoughts on Nusa Lembongan!

Want to see how this all looks in an itinerary? Read my 3 day Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida itinerary next.