How to Get to Nusa Lembongan From Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok, and the Gili Islands
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Nusa Lembongan is the smaller, less touristy island to the northwest of the well-known Nusa Penida. Between the two, I preferred Nusa Lembongan for its laidback vibes and how easy it was to get around. If you don’t want to spend several days on the island, it’s close enough to Bali and Nusa Penida for a day trip.
Whether you’re coming from Bali, Nusa Penida, Lombok, or one of the Gili Islands, taking the boat is the best and only way to get to Nusa Lembongan.
From Bali by fast boat
- Travel time: 30 minutes
- Cost: $9 – 12 USD
- How to book: 12Go.Asia or through your acommodation or a travel agent.
Most fast boats leave from Sanur harbor, which is on the southeast coast of Bali. The port is new, modern, clean, and thankfully air-conditioned. To get to the harbor, you can use the ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab to get a car or mototaxi. Alternatively, ask your accommodation to help you get a taxi.
There are multiple boat companies that operate this route, so boats run frequently between 8:15 AM and 5 PM every day. If you buy your ticket from 12Go.Asia, I recommend showing up 30 minutes early. You’ll need to trade your online confirmation for a physical ticket at your boat company’s booth, which is located in the parking lot in front of the port. It was a confusing process and the directions on my ticket confirmation from 12Go.Asia were out of date, which is why you should leave room for error.
If departing from Sanur doesn’t work for you, Eka Jaya makes one trip to Nusa Lembongan each day from Padang Bai and Serangan. Both of these ports are also in southeast Bali. You’re in good hands with Eka Jaya, which is one of the most reputable and safest fast boat companies. However, you’ll pay more ($15.50 USD per ticket) and the limited departure times might be inconvenient.
From Nusa Penida by small boat
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Cost: $3.30 – 6 USD
- How to book: 12Go.Asia or buy a ticket at the port.
There’s no fast boat between Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. And there’s no need for one, given how close the two islands are to each other. You’ll share a small motorboat with locals and other travelers for the short journey.
All boats leave from Toya Pakeh harbor and arrive at the Yellow Bridge. There isn’t much of a formal schedule, so just show up at the harbor and wait until the next boat has enough people to leave.
You can buy a ticket online, but it’s actually cheaper to buy your ticket at Toya Pakeh. A ticket is currently $6 USD on 12Go.Asia, while buying a ticket in-person costs 50,000 IDR or $3.30 USD.
From Lombok by fast boat
- Travel time: 2 hours
- Cost: $19 – 33 USD
- How to book: 12Go.Asia or through your acommodation or a travel agent.
Head to Lombok’s main harbor, Bangsal, to take a speedboat to Nusa Lembongan. Make sure to book a ticket ahead of time. There are only a few departures each day – all of them in the afternoon.
From the Gili Islands by fast boat
- Travel time: 2 – 5 hours
- Cost: $19 – 33 USD
- How to book: 12Go.Asia or through your accommodation or a travel agent.
You can get to Nusa Lembongan from any of the Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. Each island only has one port, which is where you can catch the fast boat. Since this isn’t a popular route, you need to plan for one of several afternoon departures.
Also note this is not a direct trip. Boats make a stop at all three Gili Islands before heading to Nusa Lembongan. Depending on which island you’re on, you might be the first pick-up or last.
Arriving in Nusa Lembongan
When you book your ticket, make sure you know where the boat will dock on Nusa Lembongan. Most boats arrive at Jungutbatu Beach, which is the main area where most people stay. Some boats arrive at Mushroom Bay Beach instead. This area also has plenty of restaurants and accommodations, but is quieter than the area around Jungutbatu Beach.
If your accommodation is close to your drop-off point, you can walk there. If you need to get to another part of the island, you have three options. You can hop on a mototaxi, arrange for transportation with your hotel/hostel ahead of time, or rent a motorbike to drive yourself.
Another important thing to know about arriving in Nusa Lembongan is there aren’t any piers, so be ready to get your feet wet. It’s best to wear flip flops or sandals. Basically, any type of shoe that can get wet or can be easily taken off. When the boat pulls up to the beach, you’ll have to step down into the water and walk up the beach. If you have electronics, make sure you hold them up high so they don’t get wet. Also be prepared for your butt to get a bit wet, depending on the tide.
