Nusa Lembongan is an island located off the east coast of Bali. It is a place where tranquility meets the wildness of the Indian Ocean and it will surely put you in a state of mind similar to that of an adventurer. It is approximately 8 square km in size, and is one of three neighboring islands, the others being much larger Nusa Penida and tiny Nusa Ceningan. The three islands are separated from Bali by the Badung Strait. Some visitors may find Nusa Lembongan a little slow after the pace of South Bali.
Lembongan is populated with around 7000 locals most of whom came from Bali’s Klungklung regency. The locals themselves are wonderful people to meet and you may find yourself sharing coffee and being told about seaweed. This is what makes lembongan so special; it is a place where a lot of the locals have been farming seaweed since the government started to support the commercial use of this algae in the 80′s. Alot of the seaweed is farmed and then sent to Japan for food and cosmetic purposes. With the constant production of this algae, you can expect to see alot of it. Walking along the beach you will come across numerous patches of seaweed where the locals lay it out to dry. It is not just along the beach and the villages where you will stumble upon this green, yellow, brown crop. It is in the sea where you gain a much spectacular view of what is being farmed here. Maybe from your hotel terrace or balcony perched on the side of the hill, you will be greeted by a most spectacular view in the way of a patchwork quilt with literally hundreds of shades of greens and browns. It is said that the farms themselves when viewed from high are nothing short of works of art.
Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in color. Many areas around the island are good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthy coral. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good. There are several white sand beaches away from the main centers which are virtually never crowded.
CLIMATE
The climate of Nusa
Lembongan is similar to neighboring ‘mainland’ Bali, but it is noticeably drier
here, particularly in the period of May to September. If there is a time to
avoid, it would be the height of the rainy season in January and February.
GETTING IN
The only realistic way
to reach Nusa Lembongan from Bali is by boat. There are several options
according to budget and speed. Most of the scheduled services leave from Sanur
Beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah and involve getting your feet wet. The exact
departure and arrival point on this beach depends on the tide. Other services
run from Benoa Harbor and there are local public boat services to and from
Padang Bai and Kusamba in East Bali but these are not recommended.From Sanur Beach
Scoot Fast Boat, Tel: +61 361 285522. Leaves from Sanur beach. Scoot operates fast boats which take you to Jungut Batu for US$45 return (Adults). Hotel vehicle transfers are included. The tickets can be bought from the Scoot office next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Jalan Hangtuah, Sanur opposite the Sanur Paradise Plaza Beach Hotel, or on the beach near the departure point. It takes 30-40 minutes from Sanur. Leaving Sanur 9.30AM, 1.30PM & 4PM. Leaving Nusa Lembongan 8.30AM, 11.30AM & 3PM.
Perama, a local transfers-only operator for the budget traveler, without same day return, Rp 100,000 one way, and has a network of connecting bus-links from around Bali. Boat departures daily at 10.30AM. The ride across is approximately 90 minutes. The office of Perama Sanur can be found at friendly Warung Pojok in Jalan Hangtuah. Daily Perama buses depart from here to Ubud, Kuta, the airport, Padang Bai (for Lombok) and now also Amed.
The Tanis Lembongan Express Tel: +61 361 7432344. Speed boat service to and from Mushroom Bay taking 25-35 minutes from Sanur Beach near Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Return fare US$ 45.00 per person and one way US$ 27.00 per person including hotel pick up. Scheduled departure from Sanur beach at 12.00 noon and 4PM and departure back to Sanur from from Mushroom Bay on Lembongan at 10.30AM and 3PM. Also offers surf safaris and day cruises. Special charters from Padang Bay US$ 90.00 one way.
Public slow boat, depart daily from Sanur beach at 8AM in front of the Ananda Hotel or near the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel (depending on tide). They can be a bit sketchy at times and are usually very crowded. No same day return facility. The ride across is approximately 90 minutes. Price including transfers is Rp 100,000 per person one way. Pick up from hotels in Kuta, Seminyak, and Sanur. Other areas with extra charge.
Public fast boat, tel: +62 361 7432344 Thirty minutes by speed boat from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan. Departs Sanur daily at 12.30, 2.30PM, 4.00PM and departs Nusa Lembongan at 10.30AM, 1PM and 3PM. Price including hotel transfers Rp 240,000 per person each way and excluding transfers Rp 200,000 per person each way. Pick-up from hotels in Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur. Other areas with an extra charge.
Tamarind Jaya Express Tel: +62 361 8572572. Speed boat service to and from Mushroom Bay taking 30-45 minutes from Sanur Beach near Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Return fare US$ 45.00 per person and one way US$ 27.00 per person including hotel pick up. Scheduled departure from Sanur beach at 11.30 AM and 3.30PM and departure back to Sanur from from Mushroom Bay on Lembongan at 10.00AM and 2.00PM. Also offers day cruises. Special charters from Padang Bay US$ 90.00 one way.
From Benoa Harbor
Bounty Cruises, ☎ +62 361 443765. A standard transfer is available using a high speed catamaran service. The (standard transfer) service departs daily from Benoa Harbor at 9AM and from Nusa Lembongan at 3:15PM. If you have limited time for a visit to the island, an option is to take a one day cruise to the Nusa Lembongan Bounty pontoon. On a twin-hull boat under sail you will reach the island within 90 min. Drinks and snacks are available on board. The trip includes water activities on and near the pontoon; such as banana boat, water slide, kayaking, snorkelling and glass bottom boat rides. You can also take part in a Nusa Lembongan Village tour, visit a seaweed plantation and the ‘Underground House’. Fastboat transfer: US$35 one-way and US$70 return. One day cruise is US$95, buffet lunch included.
Island Explorer Cruises, ☎ +62 361 728 088, [8]. A standard transfer is available by fast boat or by fast catamaran. An alternative is a day cruise by a leisurely sailing yacht or by fast catamaran (“fun ship”). The fast boat (transfer only) departs from Benoa Harbor at 10:30 AM, it returns from Nusa Lembongan at 12:30PM. The yacht (day cruise) departs from Benoa Harbor at 9AM and will be back at about 5PM. Fastboat US$23 one-way and US$40 return (hotel pick up included) or by fast catamaran US$20 one-way and US$35 return (hotel pick up excluded). Price for the day cruise is US$69 by yacht or US$79 by fast catamaran, including hotel pick up, buffet lunch & water sport activities.
Lembongan Island Fast Boat, ☎ +62 361 361 0840, [9]. The fast boat departs from Benoa Harbor at 10:30AM and 3:30PM departs and from Nusa Lembongan at 9AM and 1:30PM. US$25 one-way and US$45 return with a hotel pick up included.
From Nusa Penida
Neighbouring Nusa Penida is seldom visited, and almost always from Nusa Lembongan. It is though relatively straightforward to get between the islands.
Public boats depart daily from Toyapakeh and sometimes Buyuk Harbour, both in northern Nusa Penida. Departure times are a bit of moveable feast. Ask around at the time, but about 6AM is a fairly reliable slot. They run to either Jungut Batu or the the estuary bank near the suspension bridge on Nusa Lembongan, depending on tide. These can be very over-crowded and a little worrying at times. As a visitor, expect to pay about Rp 50,000 each way.
Charter boats are available, departing from and arriving at the same areas as public boats. Rates vary greatly but expect to pay Rp 300,000-500,000. Please ensure that the full price is absolutely clarified with the operator prior to boarding the boat.
GET AROUND
Nusa Lembongan is a nice place to walk, with coastal paths linking nearly all the guest houses, hotels and restaurants. Most walks will take less than two hours. The less developed southwestern area of the island has some spectacular coast paths which provide easy walking, great views back to Bali, and spectacular sunsets. You can cross by foot to the small neighbouring island of Nusa Ceningan via a scenic suspension bridge.The cliffs of southwest Nusa Lembongan make for excellent walking
From the end of the beach at Jungut Batu it is a 35 min walk along the coast to Mushroom Bay.
By bike
Bicycles can be rented at most hotels and guest-houses. Some of the roads are quite well surfaced, but be prepared for some very degraded surfaces in places. This is a great way to see the island at your own pace. Expect to pay about Rp 20,000-30,000 per day.
By motorbike
Motorbikes are also widely available for rent, but may be unnecessary given the short distances involved — the island is only about 4 km end-to-end. Expect to pay Rp 60,000-100,000 per day, depending on how busy it is. Local boys are more than happy to transport you on the back of their motorbike for a fee.
By truck
There are virtually no cars on Nusa Lembongan, and any business or local resident wishing to bring one to the island needs special permission from the village elders. This will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Local 4-wheeled transport is available though in the form of basic pick-up trucks which most hotels and restaurants use. These are useful for transport to and from the boat transfer point when you are likely to have heavy bags, but are otherwise not really necessary.
By boat
Local boatmen are willing to take you by boat from Jungut Batu to Mushroom Bay. One way should cost about Rp 30,000. A return trip can be negotiated down to Rp 50,000.
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