The Nusa islands are 3 beautiful islands about 30 minutes from Bali by fastboat.

These islands are worth travelling to when:

You are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bali
You enjoy extrodinary nature
You love white beaches and turquoise water
You love swimming with manta rays
IN SHORT:
If you like wild nature and chilling => go to Nusa Penida
If you like a mini version of Bali with less traffic and less people => go to Nusa Lembongan and/or Nusa Ceninigan.

TIP: bring some cash money from the mainland as there are not many ATM’s here (especially Penida)

THE ISLANDS

NUSA CENINGAN

Is the smallest island out of the 3. Ceningan is connected to Lembongan by the yellow bridge. You can not cross this bridge by car, only by foot or scooter. So if you want to explore Ceningan, I suggest you rent a scooter. There is not a whole of a lot going on here, it’s pretty quiet so if you are looking to relax, this is your spot. I really like the vibe here!

NUSA LEMBONGAN

Is a bit bigger than Ceningan and there is a lot more going on compared to Ceningan. It’s a mini, less crowded version of Bali. There are nice restaurants, beachbars and cute little shops.

NUSA PENIDA

Is the biggest out of the 3 islands. You come here to enjoy nature. There is hardly any nightlife and only a handful nice places to eat ( I have to be honest here). So this place really is for adventure, relax and reconnect with nature.

I need to say that the roads are shit and it can be a mission to visit some of the places you want to go to. We booked a driver (car) to explore the island as doing it by scooter is pretty much for experienced drivers ( in my opinion).

But don’t let this scare you, because what you will see is absolutly breathtaking!!

You can also do a little day trip to Lembongan or Ceningan from here. It takes around 15 minutes by speed boat. Just ask a local at the beach to bring you. It’s super cheap.

If you are looking to take a day trip from Lembongan/Ceningan to Penida, the best place to get a boat is at the yellow bridge.

HOW TO GET THERE

NUSA LEMBONGAN AND NUSA CENINGAN

The boats to Nusa Lembongan (and Ceningan, both islands are connected through a bridge) leave at the port of Sanur. You can buy your tickets online, at a tourist stall or when you arrive at the port. So, no matter which of these 2 islands you go to, it’s the same boat.

Boats leave about 4 times each day - you can look up the schedules of the boat companies online. Make sure to be at the port at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

The boat will take you to Nusa Lembongan in about 30 to 40 minutes. When you arrive there are plenty of people who will help you to get to your hotel or you can rent a scooter and get there yourself. It’s really well organised!

If your accomodation is on Nusa Ceningan, they will take you to the famous yellow bridge, that connects the islands.

NUSA PENIDA

The boats to Nusa Penida also leaves from Sanur. For a return ticket you’ll pay around 350.000 rupiah per person. Last time I went there I booked at the company Angel Billabong, but there are plenty of good companies to choose from.

When you arrive at Nusa Penida, it’s pretty much the same as arriving on the other 2 islands: there are plenty of people waiting for you to help you get to your hotel.

WHERE TO STAY?

NUSA LEMBONGAN

€ Water Blow Huts + Cassava Bungalow + Komodo Garden

€€ Sunset Coin Lembongan (next to Sandy Bay Beach Club) + Bukit Taman cottages + Tigerlillys (boutique style) + Hai Tide Beach Resort (stunning ocean view bungalows at Mushroom beach)

€€€ Indiana Kenanga Boutique Hotel + The Acala Shri Sedana+ Batu Karang Lembongan Resort& Day Spa

NUSA CENINGAN

€ Candy Hostel + Secret Point Huts + Tatak Bunut villa + Wooden Beach Sunset Cottages

€€ Blue Lagoon Avia Villas (all villa’s have their own pool) + Le Pirate

€€€ Villa Bahagia + Nusa Veranda Sunset Villas

NUSA PENIDA

€ Nuansa Penida Hostel + Coco resort

€€ La Roja Bungalows + Tropical Glamping (AIRBNB- crazy beautiful) + The Angkal Resort + Autentik (luxury safari tents in amazing setting)

€€€ Villa Opera

WHERE TO EAT

NUSA LEMBONGAN

· Sandy Bay beach club

· Lemongrass

· Bali Eco Del

· Tigerlillys

· The Deck

· Ginger & Jamu

· The Coconut Hut

NUSA CENINGAN

· Sea breeze warung

· Le Pirate restaurant

· The Sand

· Next level cafe

· Klyf Club ( restaurant at Blue lagoon Avia Villas, the food is not bad but the view is spectacular)

NUSA PENIDA

· Penida Colada

· Penido Espresso

· Papilas Coffee House

· Amok Sunset (also come here for sunset, crazy views, also has a pool)

Secret Penida Cafe

· Warungs (local restaurants, plenty of them)

· The Chill Penida ( also has a pool overlooking the ocean)

· Coco Penida: beachfront bar & restaurant. A tropical oasis by the beach

WHAT TO DO

NUSA LEMBONGAN

Beach hangout spots with a pool on the beach: Ohana Beach Club, Blue Corner Bar, Sandy Bay Beach Club and Agung Beach Club

Dream beach & Mushroom Bay

Coconut beach!! (nestled between Jungut Batu and Tamarind Bay)

Tamarind Bay!! (located between Coconut beach and Mushroom Bay)

Song Lambung Beach!

NUSA CENINGAN

Abyss Zipline Ceningan: zipline over the ocean. End this adventure with a drink at the infinity pool of the Driftwood bar

The Sand: beach hangout with incredible views, very instagram worthy ;)

The Blue Lagoon & Klyf Club (bluest water you’ve ever seen)

Mahana point cliff jump: a cliff jump! you’ll find Mahana Point across the street from the Blue Lagoon.

Secret Beach Ceningan (at Mahana Point) : a popular stop on Nusa Ceningan. The hotel on the beach, Villa Trevally, requests that those who use the beach at least spend 35k at the restaurant, or 100k for use of the pool and the beach.

NUSA PENIDA

Swimming with Manta Rays (and they are HUGE)

Kelingking beach & T-rex (big hike if you want to go to the beach, go early)

Tembeling beach and forest (hidden gem)

Attu beach

Diamond beach (a dream!! Come early)

Broken beach

Thousand Islands Viewpoint

The Chill: beachfront pool hangout spot with yummy food and cocktails. Perfect to have a lazy poolday overlooking the ocean.