Nusa Lembongan Travel Guide- Where to Eat, Stay & Play
Nusa Lembongan is an idyllic piece of paradise 30 minutes off the coast of Bali. With crystal clear turquoise waters, cute cafes on the water, and laid-back beach clubs, it is the very definition of “island life.”
How to get there:
From Bali, head to Sanur harbor, where you will take a 30-minute fast boat to either Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay harbor. Be advised that the pier at Sanur only operates for some fast boats, so you may have to wade through knee-deep water at times getting on and off the boat.
You can either book your ticket online, which I highly recommend to avoid haggling, or purchase a ticket at the harbor. I used Klook to book online. It should cost anywhere between 100k-150k IDR ($6-10).
You can arrange a driver in advance with your hotel, or take up one of the local Balinese taxi drivers who will offer their services once you pull into the harbor. The prices they quote you will be much more than the actual cost, so make sure to agree on a price beforehand. About 50k-100k ($3-6) is fair.
Stay
After staying on Nusa Lembongan twice during my Bali trip, I came to the conclusion that Jungut Batu Beach was the place to be. It’s within walking distance to all the best restaurants, activities, and my favorite beach club, Ohana’s. Not to mention, the scenery is absolutely stunning. Playgrounds surf break is only a 5-minute paddle out for surfers, with a nearly empty lineup each morning. If you go to Nusa Lembongan, I HIGHLY recommend staying in this area.
$ Lembongan Cliff Villas- Book Here
We stayed at Lembongan Cliff Villas our second time in Nusa Lembongan and loved it. The staff was super friendly, offering us pick-up from the harbor and giving my boyfriend insider tips on the best surf breaks nearby. For only $20/night we had access to two great pools, one with an amazing view of the island, a cozy bed, fast wifi, and hot water. All major pluses for budget travel in Indonesia. The location was also perfect, allowing us to have a peaceful walk along the clear water each morning for breakfast.
$ Lanussa Hill Villa- Book Here
This is another budget stay near the Yellow Bridge. The view is stunning, though it is a 5-10 minute drive from the main Jungut Batu strip. Be sure to have experience on a motorbike if you stay here!
$$ Ohana’s - Book Here
Ohana’s is both a beach club and a small resort, offering a beachfront location and beautiful setting. While the food is a bit on the pricier side, as most things in Lembongan are (compared to Bali), it is some of the best we had on the island. The rooms are cute and cozy, giving you free access to the beach club and daybeds. If you are looking for something quieter, though, I would maybe stay somewhere else. This place can get quite crowded and noisy in the evening. Stay for sunset and roast marshmallows by the bonfire on Jungut Batu beach.
$$$ Batu Karang Resort & Spa - Book Here
Batu Karang was by far my favorite place that I stayed on Nusa Lembongan, if not in all of Bali. It’s a small boutique hotel, with the kindest staff and absolutely unreal views. Each room is an ocean view, and the resort boasts 3 pools with stunning scenery of the sea.
If all that wasn’t enough, it also has a cute cafe on the water, The Deck, a dedicated whiskey bar with amazing old fashioned’s, and an ice cream parlor. It’s well worth the splurge. I went alone, but this would be the ideal spot for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.
$$$ Morin Resort - Book Here
Morin is a beautiful new boutique hotel nestled away behind Song Lambung beach. With only a few private suites, this quaint spot is the perfect place to get some peace and quiet on Lembongan. Sip on cocktails by the pool at happy hour and watch the sun set.
Eat
The Deck
Located on the water, the deck is a cute cafe that offers refreshing cocktails, good food, and a view of the ocean and Bali’s volcanoes.
Ginger & Jamu
Ginger & Jamu is an unassuming cafe located on Jungut Batu Beach. With healthy food and a great happy hour, this is the perfect spot to kick back on the beach for a relaxed lunch.
Thai Pantry
A location overlooking the water, quick service, and the best Pad Thai in all of Bali- what more could you really ask for?
The Little Coconut
Start your morning with a walk along Jungut Batu beach, and continue onto the main road for a coffee at this cute little shack along the side of the street.
Ohana’s
Ohana’s takes the cake as my favorite spot on Lembongan to watch the sunset and chill. They have the BEST frozen mango daiquiris, pizzas, spicy poke, and more. There is a small minimum spend for a daybed- get here early and listen to a live DJ while the sun goes down.
The Howf
This place doesn’t serve food, but I had to include it because we had one of the best Old Fashioned’s and Espresso Martinis in Bali here. Located on the water below the Deck, relax with some handcrafted cocktails in this unique old-world-themed spot.
Indiana Kenanga
Have a romantic evening underneath lanterns with the sand between your toes. Indiana Kenanga is located directly on the beach and serves delicious Western and Indonesian cuisine.
Lago Beach Cafe
Lago Beach Cafe is located right below Lembongan Cliff Villas at Song Lambung Beach. Take a walk down the path to the beach and find yourself at a chic little shack serving the best smoothie bowls in town.
Sandy Bay Beach Club
Located next to the famous Devil’s Tears, Sandy Bay is a beautiful and quiet spot with delicious cocktails and yummy food. Spend the day here relaxing by the pool and listening to the sound of the waves crash.
Play
@thepontoonatlago
The Pontoon at Lago
If you’re looking for a unique experience on Lembongan, make your way to the Pontoon at Lago. Head to Lago beach cafe, where you will take a small boat to the pontoon off the coast of Nusa Lembongan. With craft beer, margaritas, and a selection of cocktails, waste your time away lounging in the shade and swimming in the warm water of the Nusa Islands.
Go Snorkeling
Nusa Lembongan offers some of the most pristine beaches in all of Bali. Rent some snorkel gear or take a boat out to explore the clear water and see the famous manta rays.
Devil’s Tear
This is a little too touristy of a spot for my taste. It’s essentially just a blowhole and overrated in my opinion.
Sauna & Cold Plunge at Lago
Immerse yourself in ultimate relaxation and breathtaking views at The Deck at Lago. This hidden gem boasts a sauna and cold plunge pool, perfectly positioned overlooking the famous Jungut Batu & Shipwrecks surf breaks.
Rent a Paddle Board
With a strong sun and clear waters, this is the best spot to paddle board. You’ll find plenty of vendors offering to rent you a paddle board walking along the beaches of Lembongan.
Have a Spa Day at Spring Spa
Spring Spa is located along the path from Batu Karang Resort and Spa to Song Lambung Beach. They offer luxury manicures, hair treatments, and of course, massages- all overlooking the water.
Go Surfing
Nusa Lembongan has a few surf breaks with good waves and an empty lineup. Playgrounds, Shipwrecks & Razors are all spots my boyfriend frequented during our visit.
Visit Nusa Ceningan
Nusa Ceningan is the smaller sister island to Lembongan, connected by the Yellow Bridge. Rent a scooter and cross the bridge to visit Ceningan for the day. It’s most beautiful during high tide, so go then if you can. I would recommend staying at Lembongan rather than Ceningan, but it’s still nice to visit.
Eat on Ceningan:
Seabreeze, The Sand, Le Pirate, and Klyf Club are all great spots on the water.
See on Ceningan:
The Blue Lagoon, Secret Beach, Ceningan Cliffs
Stay on Ceningan:
Le Pirate Beach Club ($), Blue Lagoon Avia Villas ($$$)
Visit Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is another sister island of Nusa Lembongan, with rugged cliffs and some of Bali’s most beautiful views- but you will need to take a boat to get there. From the harbor at Yellow bridge, take a 10-minute boat ride to Penida. You can take a day trip, but I recommend staying at least 1-2 nights to see everything.
If you spend a few nights there, you can take the fast boat directly back to Sanur after. This is what I did and it worked great.
Eat on Nusa Penida:
Secret Penida Cafe (try the Frozen Rose!), The Chill Penida, Penida Colada Beach Bar, Sari Garden Cottage & Resto, and Penida Espresso.
See on Nusa Penida:
Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, Rumah Pohn Treehouse, Suwehan Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay & SO much more! This is why you need more than a day trip.
Stay on Nusa Penida:
Sari Garden Cottage & Resto ($), The Mesare Resort ($$), The Rajah Lima ($$), Tropical Glamping ($$$)
Good to Know:
Nusa Penida is a large island, and the distances between things can be quite far with bumpy and windy roads. I recommend hiring a private driver for the time you are there. Book Online Here
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Take the Hassle Out of Travel Planning
Planning your trip to Bali should be a breeze, but with so many amazing attractions and hidden spots on this beautiful island, it can get overwhelming. That's why I created the ultimate Bali Google Map! Take the stress out of travel planning- this map has been curated for travelers and includes over 500+ pre-pinned locations.
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This map contains 500+ Google pins, including:
Where to stay: everything from hostels & local homestays to eco-luxe Airbnb’s and luxurious 5-star resorts- all in prime locations.
Secret waterfalls, beaches, ricefields, temples, and viewpoints.
Attractions in hotspots like Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan.
Attractions in lesser-known areas such as Munduk, Sidemen, Lovina, Kintamani, Amed, Tabanan, Keramas, & West Bali.
Where to eat: cafes, coffeeshops, local warungs, and full-blown dining experiences.
Travel essentials: where to find Western-grade medical care, pharmacies, grocery stores, laundry, my visa agents, reliable ATM’s, etc.
The best beaches & prime surf breaks.
My favorite spas, wellness centers, and yoga studios.
The most Insta-worthy spots on the island.
Where to play: beachclubs, sunset-spots, speakeasys (you can even get a free tattoo when you buy a taco at one Canggu hotspot!).
Harbors, airports, and other transport points.
Insider tips for the smoothest travel, happy hour deals, and more!
Temples, markets, water-palaces, local trekking, and scenic viewpoints.
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No WIFI, no problem. Simply download Google Maps offline on your phone to secure access no matter your signal.
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This Google map will automatically update to your phone whenever I add a new location, tip, or region of Bali
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Once purchased, I will grant your email access to the Google map. You then have unlimited access to 500+ locations in Bali at your fingertips.
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I did the work so you don’t have to! I read countless blogs, scrolled endlessly on Instagram, and even bought a few guidebooks to plan my 3-month Bali trip. After all this, I pinned everything on this Google map and planned my itinerary by grouping things from my maps together. I ended up finding the best spots & making my travel days as smooth as possible!
Book Your Nusa Lembongan Stay
Lembongan’s best resorts, ecostays, homestays, and hostels.
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