13 Unforgettable Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan: Beaches, Views & Island Vibes

Are you traveling to Bali soon and planning a trip to Nusa Lembongan? That’s honestly one of the best ideas!

After spending days surrounded by tourists and traffic on the mainland, taking a short 30-minute boat ride to this peaceful corner of Bali feels like the relaxing break you didn’t know you needed.

I absolutely loved my stay on Nusa Lembongan. Even though it’s the most popular among the Nusa Islands — and where most people choose to stay — it never feels overcrowded or overly touristy.

So, if you’re starting to plan your trip, here are 13 things to do in Nusa Lembongan that will make your stay unforgettable — active yet relaxing, full of sunsets, coconuts, and island adventures.

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Quick Introduction About Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan sits right in the middle, size-wise, among the Nusa Islands — with Nusa Penida being the largest and wildest, and Nusa Ceningan the smallest, almost like an extension of Lembongan itself.

For some reason, most travelers only hear about Nusa Penida because of its iconic beaches, and often overlook Nusa Lembongan. But in reality, this island is actually the best option if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday with the right balance of adventure and peace.

Nusa Lembongan has everything you could want: from luxury resorts to affordable yet charming stays, plenty of things to do so you’ll never get bored, white-sand beaches perfect for working on your tan, and crystal-clear waters for your morning dips.

And above all, it has that irresistible island vibe that makes you truly feel like you’re on holiday.

Life here is beautifully simple — just put on your bikini, sarong, and flip-flops, hop on your bike, and explore the beaches, ride through the mangroves, or unwind at a pool club overlooking the ocean.

How to Get From Bali to Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is just a 30-minute ferry ride off the coast of Bali.

The most common departure point is Sanur Harbor, where you’ll find several providers offering both one-way and return tickets to the island.

I personally traveled with Dream Beach Express, which, as I later realized, is connected to the Dream Beach Resort on Nusa Lembongan.

The trip was smooth and well-organized — they even carried our luggage all the way from their office to the harbor.

My ferry left us at Mushroom Bay, but other companies are departing and arriving at Jungut Batu Beach, depending on where you’re hotel is located. You can easily book your ferry ticket in advance here.

How to Get Around in Nusa Lembongan

I wouldn’t consider Nusa Lembongan walkable, unless you’re planning to stay in just one area — for example, not moving between the north and the south of the island (like from Mushroom Bay to Jungut Batu).

If you want to explore on your own, you’ll need to rent a scooter, as it’s by far the most flexible and convenient option. The average price for a standard scooter rental is around IDR 80,000 per day.

If you don’t ride a scooter, taxi bikes and carts are available throughout the island. To rent a scooter or book a taxi, ask the staff at your accommodation. Most hotels offer scooters for guests or can easily arrange a local driver for you.

13 Things To Do In Nusa Lembongan

1. Beach-Hopping Day

On my very first day in Nusa Lembongan, I hopped on my scooter with no plan — just the intention to explore every beach I could find.

All the beaches in Nusa Lembongan are located along the western coast — the side facing the Bali mainland — and they’re all quite different from one another.

Not all of them are ideal for swimming or sunbathing, so it’s worth checking out a few before you settle down.

You’ll find Mushroom Bay and Jungut Batu Beach, both great for sunbathing and swimming (and surfing, in the case of Jungut Batu).

Then there’s Dream Beach, probably my favorite. You can rent a sunbed here and spend a relaxing afternoon, though swimming isn’t really recommended due to the strong currents.

By exploring and getting a feel for each spot, you’ll quickly figure out which beach suits your vibe best. Plus, beach hopping is the perfect way to see the island as a whole — from the south all the way up to Mangrove Beach in the north.

If you want to know more about my favorite beaches on the island — and which ones are best for swimming, surfing, or sunbathing — I’ve created a short beach guide including the best beach experiences in Nusa Lembongan.

2. Plan a Day-Trip to Nusa Penida

Yes, day-tripping to Nusa Penida can be a real adventure — with all the positive and slightly chaotic sides of it — but if you’re staying on Nusa Lembongan, it’s definitely easier to visit from here than from Bali.

Nusa Penida is just a 30-minute boat ride away from Nusa Lembongan.

For your day trip, you can choose to explore either the west coast, which is closer to the port and home to the most popular spots, or the east coast, located around 1 hour and 40 minutes from the harbor (in my opinion, the most beautiful side of the island).

If you have around four days in Nusa Lembongan, a day trip to Nusa Penida is absolutely worth it. Despite being quite touristy and often crowded (especially if you’re visiting for the day), it has some of the most breathtaking landscapes you’ll ever see.

If I had to give one recommendation, it would be to stay overnight in Nusa Penida — that way, you’ll have the chance to visit the main sights without the crowds of day trippers. But if that’s not possible, go for it and enjoy the views — even if a few other people sneak into your photos.

If you’re lucky enough to have more time and can plan an overnight stay in Nusa Penida, this is the one tour I’d definitely book — it lets you see the best of the island (east and west), avoid the day-tripper crowds, and support the local community.

3. Spend the day at Dream Beach Huts Pool Club

If you’re planning a more relax-and-unwind type of holiday, spending a day at a beach club with an ocean view is definitely the best way to do it — at least for one day.

I actually spent two full days doing absolutely nothing but sunbathing at Dream Beach Huts Pool Club, located right above Dream Beach.

It’s the perfect kind of beach club: simple but functional, with two ocean-view swimming pools, comfortable sun beds priced at around 100K a day, and a nice bar serving all kinds of food — ideal for lunch break.

Dream Beach is just below, so you can easily dip your feet in the sand and salt water whenever you feel like it.

And the final cherry on top? It’s never too crowded. In fact, it feels wonderfully peaceful and low-key.

4. Cross The Yellow Bridge To Nusa Ceningan

After visiting other islands around Bali, Nusa Lembongan actually feels quite big — especially considering that by renting a scooter, you can reach Nusa Ceningan in less than 15 minutes.

Riding your own scooter all the way to the Yellow Bridge, the bright structure connecting the two islands, is one of the most exciting things to do here.

The landscape that unfolds as you ride along the southern side of Nusa Lembongan is breathtaking.

During low tide, endless seaweed farms stretch across the shallow canal between the two islands, while the wild greenery of Nusa Ceningan forms the perfect backdrop.

And then there’s that retro seaweed scent in the air — not exactly pleasant, but somehow part of the island’s charm.

Most people consider the Yellow Bridge itself the main attraction, but I believe the real beauty lies in the view as you cross it and in the scenery from the Nusa Ceningan side.

5. Stop at The Blue Lagoon Cliff Jump

Another reason to visit Nusa Ceningan is its viewpoints, with Blue Lagoon being one of the most breathtaking.

Here, you’ll witness the bluest water you’ve ever seen and powerful waves crashing against the cliffs. The lagoon is surrounded by dramatic rock formations that create a natural circular enclosure.

From the top, you can also spot Klyf Club Blue Lagoon and the bungalows of Blue Lagoon Avia Villas Resort.

To get to Blue Lagoon, after crossing the Yellow Bridge, follow the road all the way to the end and park your scooter when you see the signs for the lagoon. From there, it’s a short walk up the hill to the viewpoint.

There isn’t much to do here besides taking a few amazing photos, but it’s definitely a spot you shouldn’t miss.

6. Catch the Sunset at Mahana Point

If I had to pick one viewpoint on Nusa Ceningan, it would be Mahana Point.

I ended up there almost by accident, wandering around the hill after checking out Blue Lagoon. It’s just a short walk north from there — you don’t even need to ride your scooter.

Let me tell you… It was one of the best random finds of my trip. I arrived right at sunset, without even planning it.

From here, you can watch massive waves crash against the cliffs, with the coastline of Nusa Lembongan framed in the distance.

Right above the cliff sits Mahana Point (Surf Place), a laid-back bar where people gather at high tables, sipping beers while watching what turned out to be the most fiery sunset I’ve ever seen.

It was, without a doubt, the best view of my entire trip.

7. Stop at My Beach Ceningan for The Best View over the Canal

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Nusa Ceningan is smaller and looks wild from the shore — there are actually a few beach clubs that are definitely worth checking out.

Besides the well-known spots like Le Pirate Beach Club and Suku Beach Club, I ended up stopping by one of the most low-key yet scenic pool clubs on the island.

Google Maps lists it as a restaurant, but just below it, there’s a lovely pool with sunbeds and giant pillows — the perfect spot to take in the view of the canal and the seaweed farms.

It might not be the ideal place to spend a whole day, but if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to relax for a couple of hours in the afternoon or catch the sunset, this place is just perfect.

8. Early Morning Dip at Mushroom Bay

One of the first things I told myself upon landing at Mushroom Bay in Nusa Lembongan was, “Okay, you’re never coming to the beach here — it’s way too chaotic.” And honestly, that’s what most people feel when they first arrive.

But the truth is, if you walk a bit farther away from the ferry drop-off point toward the quieter end of the beach, it is incredibly peaceful.

One thing I was really grateful for was choosing accommodation close to Mushroom Bay — it allowed me to head there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to catch the sunset.

The best time to visit? Definitely at sunrise, when the rest of the island is still asleep. And if you’re not an early riser, 8 or 9 a.m. is still a great time to enjoy the calm before the crowds.

Another favorite moment of mine was going there around 5 p.m., grabbing a fresh coconut, and watching the sun slowly disappear beyond the cliffs.

9. Massage with the Sound of Waves

Ok, nothing new for a holiday in Bali — massages are everywhere in Nusa Lembongan.

However, not many places offer one with the sound of waves as their background soundtrack.

That’s precisely what I experienced at Dream Beach. The Dream Beach Huts Resort and Pool Club also features its Dream Beach Spa, offering very affordable treatments. I had a Balinese massage for only 150K, and yes, it was good.

The spa room itself is tiny, but the massage was incredibly relaxing — intense yet soothing — and I even fell asleep (and had a dream about dogs barking!).

But what truly made the difference was the sound of the crashing waves coming from Dream Beach just below.

That natural sound made the experience unforgettable and unlike any massage you could get in an enclosed space.

10. Join a Pilates or Yoga Class At Pilates Collective

If you’re like me — the kind of person who loves to keep up with her favorite activities even while on holiday — then you have to join a Pilates or Yoga class at The Pilates Collective Lembongan.

Imagine flowing through a Vinyasa surrounded by the island’s wild nature — it was honestly one of the best ways to start my morning.

They hold classes in two different locations on the island: one near Dream Beach (the one in the pictures above), ideal if you’re staying on that side, and another closer to Jungut Batu, on the northern end.

If you’re as passionate about wellness as I am, be sure to check out their Instagram schedule to see if your plans align with theirs.

11. Try one of the Many Seafood Restaurants

All over Bali, food is divine — but if there’s one thing you must try in Nusa Lembongan, it’s the fresh seafood.

You’ll find plenty of restaurants from Jungut Batu to Mushroom Bay, many of them offering direct ocean views or beachside tables where you can feel the sand beneath your feet.

One of my favorite spots on the island is Hai Grill & Bar, located right on Mushroom Bay. I’ve had some of the best seafood there — but as I said, there are plenty of great options to explore.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, check out my Nusa Lembongan Restaurant Guide for my top picks.

12. Explore The Island on A Scooter

All of the above is, unfortunately, (almost) impossible without a scooter — unless you’re planning to hop on a taxi bike every time you need to go somewhere (which isn’t exactly the most flexible option).

Renting a scooter is absolutely the best way to get around and explore every corner of Nusa Lembongan. It gives you the freedom to discover hidden corners you didn’t even know existed.

That sense of freedom honestly makes up at least 70% of that “I’m living an island adventure” feeling.

I wouldn’t have found some of the most random, breathtaking views — like Mount Agung towering over Jungut Batu Beach — without my scooter explorations.

Sure, the roads can be a bit bumpy, full of potholes, and not very well lit at night, but they’re still manageable if you drive carefully.

13. Snorkeling & Diving Boat Tour

I would have put snorkeling and diving at the very top of this list. Still, unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience the snorkeling tour I had been looking forward to (especially after snorkeling around the Gili Islands).

Due to the low tide and a couple of Balinese ceremonies taking place on the road that day, the logistics didn’t work out.

Hopefully, you’ll be luckier than I was — because a snorkeling or diving boat tour is truly one of the best things to do on Nusa Lembongan.

The most popular snorkeling spots are Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay — each offering something slightly different, from vibrant corals to the opportunity to swim with the manta rays.

As for diving in Nusa Lembongan, it does require a bit more preparation and care, since you’ll be diving to deeper depths.

However, for those who are certified or willing to learn, it’s an experience that’s absolutely worth it.

Most hotels organize their own private snorkeling tours. Still, if you’re looking for a great experience to book in advance, this snorkeling trip takes you to Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, and Mangrove Point.

There you go — these are the 13 best things to do in Nusa Lembongan that made my stay truly unforgettable. I hope they’ll inspire you to discover the most beautiful sides of this little paradise.

If you’re still in the middle of planning your Bali trip and looking for more tips and the best places to stay or visit, don’t miss my complete Bali Travel Guide — you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your time here.

Now I’d love to hear from you — when are you coming to Bali? 🌴 If you have any questions about Nusa Lembongan or traveling here, drop them in the comments — I’m always happy to help!

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