hostelisland.com

nusa lembongan

Fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, this island paradise is a world away from the pollution, hassles and hectic pace of Bali. There are no hawkers, no traffic, magnificent scenery and this is the perfect place to put your feet up and relax. Popular with families weary of travel warnings this island is a safe spot to enjoy that perfect Bali Holiday. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. Some tourists may find the island a little slow after the pace of southern Bali.

The water is some of the clearest you can find and aqua blue in color; good for diving and snorkeling with abundant marine life and live coral. Surfing is crowded but nice waves. Several white sand beaches which are rarely crowded. Learn about the seaweed farming industry on the island.

There are two main beach areas which have traditionally attracted visitors. Jungut Batu in the north is the bigger of the two with a myriad of hotels, restaurants and cheap eateries and traditionally used to attract the backpackers, families and surfers. Now with the development of the higher Bukit area the latter is fast becoming the main attraction and provides some of the best accommodation on the island. The views from the Bukit are second to none on Nusa Lembongan. Sunsets are best viewed along the beachfront.

Mushroom Bay to the south-west of Jungut Batu is a quaint, attractive and sheltered bay. It is a nice spot after 3pm when the day trippers have gone home and it has a great white sandy beach along with some cozy little restaurants that line the beach. Further south the lesser known beaches either side of the Devil's Tear outcrop are increasingly drawing more visitors. 

From Sanur Beach:

• Scoot Fast Boat
  

  
  Leaves from Sanur beach. Scoot operates fast boats which take you to either Mushroom Bay or Jungut Batu for US$45.00 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.

• The Tanis Lembongan Express  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/person and one way US$ 27.00/person including hotel pick up. Scheduled departure from Sanur beach at 12.00 and 16.00 and departure back to Sanur from from Mushroom Bay on Lembongan at 10.30 and 15.00. Price excluding transfers US$ 20.00/pp one way and 40.00/pp roundtrip.Also offers surf safaris and day cruises. Special charters from Padang Bay US$ 90.00/one way.

• Perama Boat 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, Padangbai (for Lombok) and now also Amed.

• Public slow boat, depart daily from Sanur beach public boat at 08.00am in front of Ananda Hotel ornear the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel. 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. Departs Sanur at 08.00 price including transfers is Rp 100,000/person/one way.Departs at 10.30, price including is Rp. 130,000/person. Pick up hotel area Kuta, Seminyak, and Sanur, Others area with extra charge. Booking Return including hotels transfers.

• Public fast boat,30 minutes by speed boat from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan. Departs Sanur daily at 12.30, 2.30, 16.00 and departs Nusa Lembongan at 10.30, 13.00, 15.00. Price including hotel transfers Rp. 240,000 per person/oneway and excluding transfers Rp.200,000 per person/oneway. Pick-up from hotels in Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur and other areas with an extra charge.

From Benoa Harbour:

• BlueWater Express, BlueWater Express has a high speed boat service from Bali International Marina at Benoa Harbour direct to Nusa Lembongan. This service continues on to the Gili islands in Lombok, allowing visitors to island hop all the way from Bali to Lombok. Hotel transfers in Bali are included in the fare. The boats are high-powered, large capacity speed boats which cover the distance in less than 30 minutes in normal sea conditions. Departure time is 10.00am from Bali to Lembongan, 11.00am from Lembongan to Gili, 13.30 from Gili to Lembongan, then 15.30 from Lembongan to Bali. More services may be added.

• Island Explorer Cruises, Transfer only or day cruise include lunch & activities, super fast boats or leisurely sailing yacht to island. Departs Benoa at 9am yacht or 10.30AM fast boat. Does pick up from hotels.

• Bounty Cruises, has a high speed catamaran service for US$ 35 one-way.

If you have limited time a good option is to take a one day cruise: on a twin-hull boat under sail you'll reach the island within 1.5 hours (drinks and snacks are available on board). On the island you can take part in a mangrove forest trip, snorkeling, banana boat ride, glass bottom boat ride, sea-kayaking. A lunch and swimming-pool are also available. The approximate price is US$ 60.