Nusa Lembongan Island

Nusa Lembongan is the most popular of the 3 islands across the Badung Strait (the others being Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida). The island is popular with surfers for the 3 breaks (Playgrounds, Shipwrecks and Lacerations), day cruise people and overnight tourists. Nusa Lembongan is only 4km long and no wider than 3km wide and takes 3-4 hours to walk around. There are motorbikes for hire in Jungutbatu. The reefs are enjoyed also by scuba divers and the snorkeling is awesome.

Nusa Lembongan has several thousand locals, engaged in seaweed farming activities as well as serving tourist needs. Similarities to the Peninsula hill create a quiet environment, ideal for relaxation.

Getting to Nusa Lembongan

Public boats from Sanur beach, leaving daily at 8am and 10am (90 minute one-way, Rp35,000). Coming back the boats leave at 7.30am from Jungutbatu.

Perama does a shuttle from Sanur, leaving at 10.30am and returning at 8.30am, for Rp50,000. It is possible to charter a private boat for Rp300,000. For people staying in Kuta, Perama has an office about 50 meters before the bottom end of Jl. Legian. Pop in and ask about their latest schedules and rates.

Several luxury boat lines do day trips to Nusa Lembongan, dropping people of on the beach, giving them a BBQ, snorkeling and then back to Benoa harbor. Companies such as Bali Hai have their own accommodation (Tide Huts) which can be booked in a package with the cruise.

• Accommodation on Nusa Lembongan

Budget accommodation can be found at Jungutbatu, while more luxurious accommodation is located at Mushroom Bay

• Post & Money on Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan has no post office but Perama can handle your mail as long as you have stamps. Most places rely on the 3pm-8am locally generated electricity, with high-end places having their own generators. It is advisable to bring plenty of rupiah with you. Perama and Bank Pembangunan Daerah Bali can change currency and travelers checks, though the rates are not so good.

• Medical services on Nusa Lembongan

A local doctor in Jungutbatu will charge you Rp300,000 for a consultation. There is a small nurse’s clinic in Jungutbatu also which is cheaper.

• Gear rental on Nusa Lembongan

There should be no shortage of places offering snorkeling, surfing and cycling gear. Negotiate if you want a good price you might try Ketut’s Bungalows and expect to pay something like 35,000rp for a bicycle per day, Rp30,000-40,000 for snorkeling gear per day and 40,000rp per hour for motorbikes.

• Snorkeling & Diving on Nusa Lembongan

World diving located on Jungutbatu Beach at Pondok Baruna, can do PADI courses and pleasure dives. Contact the website for current prices and deals. You will also find other operators in Jungutbatu Beach. You can join a diving trip with World diving, if you just want to snorkel, for a fee. This is a smart idea as you have the security of the boat. Other boat operators might charge 40,000rp - 60,000rp per hour. Jungutbatu Beach has good spots for snorkeling off of the beach.

• Telephone & internet access on Nusa Lembongan

There is a wartel (phone office) that also has internet located at Mainski Inn. Bunga Bungalows also has internet access. Connection speeds for Nusa Lembongan are likely to be awful, given the speeds back on the mainland for anywhere outside of Kuta / Seminyak / Ubud.

• Food & Drink on Nusa Lembongan

Most hotel / guest houses have some kind of restaurant attached. The cheaper the accommodation, the cheaper the food. Plenty of options and Jungutbatu is where you’ll find the deals.

The main cruise operators serving Nusa Lembongan are:
* Bali Hai
(0361)720331

* Bounty
(0361)726666

* Island Explorer
(0361)728088

* Lembongan Island Cruise
(0361)271212

* Quicksilver
(0361)729564

* Sail Sensations
(0361)725864

* Waka Louka
(0361)723629

Call around for the latest deals and specials.