Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan: Best Areas & Hotels
Nusa Lembongan is one of the three islands located in Southeast Bali that are often referred to as Bali’s little sister islands, namely Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan.
The small island of Nusa Lembongan is the most popular one and is the perfect getaway if you are looking for a little break from the Island of Gods.
Although it has a calmer, more rustic vibe there is still a lot to explore and is well worth a visit.
Lembongan has beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and two right-breaking barrel waves (most breaks in Bali are left) and is also loved by the dive community. It is the perfect place to relax, unwind and switch off for a while.
How Far Is Nusa Lembongan From Bali & How To Get There
Making the trip from Bali to Nusa Lembongan is easy and most of all quick! You can hop on a fast boat at Sanur Harbor, which is in the Southeast of Bali and arrive at Nusa Lembongan within 30-45 minutes.
You can travel to the harbour by yourself or make use of the hotel pick-up that is often included in the ferry ticket price. Most agents pick up and drop off at accommodations in Ubud, Canggu or Uluwatu.
The ferries operate daily and you can buy your ticket there, however, if you book in advance you can often avoid waiting and get a slightly lower price.
You easily book your fast boat tickets online at my preferred site called 12Go Asia.
A little tip for those who tend to get seasick! Sit in the back of the ferry and travel in the mornings. The sea is often much calmer with less wind, making the crossing a lot less bumpy.
Where to Stay In Nusa Lembongan: Best Areas
It doesn’t take a lot to convince most people to head to the Nusa Islands. Because let’s be honest, even in pictures, it looks stunning (and trust me, it is).
Wondering where you should stay in Nusa Lembongan? Well, there are a few different areas to pick from.
Jungut Batu Beach – The island’s main hub, offers a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and water-based activities.
Mushroom Bay – A tranquil escape with serene beaches and stunning sunsets, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
Sandy Bay – For those seeking a more remote experience, Sandy Bay offers seclusion and a rugged coastline.
Dream Beach – Boasts a pristine shoreline with the best beaches on the island. It has a sense of seclusion, ideal for those seeking an intimate retreat.
Tamarind Beach – Offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, with opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, water spots and a more laid-back vibe.
Coconut Beach – For a remote experience off the beaten path, consider Coconut Beach, where you can immerse yourself in the island’s rugged beauty. It’s great and calm for families too!
Ultimately, Nusa Lembongan caters to various tastes, whether you desire vibrant beach life, peaceful relaxation, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
1. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan for the first time & where the boats arrive: Jungut Batu Beach
Jungut Batu is where most people start their Nusa journey, as this is where you’ll arrive if you take the ferry from Sanur. The water is filled with lots of boats, as a lot of snorkel and dive tours head off from too. It is a very popular beach, although granted not the best for swimming.
Head to Jungut around 6 pm to watch the sunset with the locals and after head to one of the small, authentic restaurants dotted around the beach.
A lot of people like to stay around this area as it is nice and central and close to where the ferry takes off.
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Indiana Kenanga Boutique Hotel & Spa
🌴 Mid-Range: Ohana’s Beachfront Resort & Beach Club (famous, usually books out fast!)
🏠 Budget: Ketut Losmen Bungalows Lembongan
2. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan for swimming: Mushroom Bay
Mushroom Bay is also found on the west side of the island and is another (very) popular spot. If you are looking for peace and quiet this might not be the best choice, however, if you are looking for beach bars and restaurants, you want to head this way!
It is also an excellent swimming spot and is said to be the most child-friendly of all the beaches. Here you can rent a beanbag for the day for a fair price.
Overall the prices on the Nusa Islands are a little higher than on Bali itself. This is because everything on the islands has to be shipped over from Bali, generating more costs for the operators. So don’t feel ripped off, they simply incorporate these costs in their prices.
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Castaway
🌴 Best Villa: Villa Tanjung
🏠 Budget: Lotus Garden Huts
3. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan away from the crowds: Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay is a stunning stretch of beach which is technically owned by Sandy Bay Beach Club. It is located right next to Devil Tear on the West Coast of Lembongan.
You get onto the beach through the restaurant and although you could spend your day on your favourite beach towel, most people opt for the beanbags with parasols owned by the beach club.
Although it is a bit on the expensive side compared to other places, it is one of the best beaches on the island.
Due to the strong swells and currents swimming in the ocean is not recommended here. But you probably won’t care once you see the elegant infinity pool of Sandy Bay, overlooking the turquoise waters.
It is a great spot to unwind and I felt like celebrities, sipping away our cocktails on the beach beds and indulging in the fancy lunch. The prawns are mouth-watering!
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Sandy Bay Lembongan
🌴 Best Villa: Villa Waru
🏠 Budget: The Lucky Cottage
4. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan for the best beaches: Dream Beach
Dream Beach is exactly that: a dream! You will want to have this at the top of your to-visit list as it is one of the best beaches of all three islands.
The only downside is that a lot of other tourists think the same, so to avoid the crowds the best time to head this way is in the am. Or wait till low tide and walk around the rocky headland. You can walk into a cave that will bring you to a secluded part of the beach, which you likely get to have all to yourself.
At Dream Beach, you will find crystal clear waters, white sands, hidden caves, colourful reefs and cliff jumps here.
Swimming here is possible but be aware of the rip tides and swells. If you are not a strong swimmer you might want to skip the ocean here and head to Cafe Pandan and dip into their infinity pool instead.
If you are looking for some adrenaline-filled fun you are in the right place. There are some epic cliff jumping spots, and although there are no officially designated spots to jump from there are plenty of places where the water is deep enough to take a leap. Do bear in mind you’ll have to climb back onto the rocky cliffs or swim back all the way to shore!
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Villa Kingfisher
🌴 Mid-Range: Water Blow Huts
🏠 Budget: Pange Hostel Lembongan
5. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan for swimming, snorkeling & water activities: Tamarind Beach
This family-friendly beach is perfect for swimming and snorkelling and all sorts of water activities such as SUP-ing.
If the swell is large enough there is a fun left-hand wave for surfing, and on calmer days you’ll find many people paddling out on a SUP board.
Oh and one more thing! On the far northern tip, you find a magical little lagoon to swim in!
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Bay Shore Huts
🌴 Mid-Range: White Horse Resort
🏠 Budget: Nanuk’s Bungalows
6. Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan for families: Coconut Beach
Coconut Beach gets a lot of praise and many say it is the best out of all of them. Great for a family trip, kids can safely swim here, making it an excellent place for a family trip. You find it located between Jungut Batu and Tamarind Bay.
This is also where all the surfers paddle out to Playgrounds and Lacerations surf break.
Best Hotel Picks
⭐ Splurge: Aqua Nusa
🌴 Mid-Range: Lembongan Sanctuary Villas
🏠 Budget: Song Lambung Beach Huts
Where to Stay In Nusa Lembongan: My Personal Best Hotels Picks
Wondering where to sleep in Nusa Lembongan?
There are so many incredible places to choose from, so to make your life a whole lot easier I have selected my all-time favourites.
Best Luxury Hotels in Nusa Lembongan
Lembongan Beach Club and Resort
Lembongan Beach Club and Resort is an absolute gem. This tropical retreat has an outdoor pool overlooking the white sandy beach of Jungut Batu and each villa comes with a private pool as well. This place will have you feeling like absolute royalty.
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The Tamarind Resort
If you are looking for unique places to stay in Nusa Lembongan then I highly recommend The Tamarind Resort. The rooms are mesmerising (you’ll have a hard time leaving them at all, to be honest), and the location is incredible. It is right next to Ungutbatu Beach, Song Lambung Beach and Tamarind Beach.
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Indiana Kenanga Boutique Hotel
As I am talking luxury, you cannot skip on Indiana Kenanga Boutique Hotel, as it is one of the best hotels in Nusa Lembongan. What I love in particular about this place is the gorgeous beachfront restaurant and the obviously lavish executive suites!
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Best Villas in Nusa Lembongan
Another option in terms of accommodation in Nusa Lembongan is to opt for a villa. You’ll have all the luxury but with added privacy, and major rockstar vibes of course!
353 Degrees North
One of my all-time favourite villas has to be 353 Degrees North. This modern villa is a family-friendly getaway with all the added-on luxury! Think private pool, a separate living area overlooking the turquoise waters. And on top of that, it has a prime location with Mushroom Bay being only a 15-minute walk.
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Villa Sayang
Villa Sayang is amazing but it has one downside… You might never want to leave! Besides fancy rooms and peaceful vibes, the villa also offers a continental or à la carte breakfast every morning.
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Lembongan Harmony Villas
If you want views, head over to Lembongan Harmony Villas. With its hilltop position, you can see the Bali mainlands, the ocean and Mt. Agung. But not to worry, Tamarind Beach is only a 10-minute walk away.
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Best Mid-Range Hotels in Nusa Lembongan
To be honest, some of the best beach hotels in Nusa Lembongan fall in the ‘mid-range’ category.
The Shacks at Sandy Bay
The shacks at Sandy Bay are a great example. Located in Sandy Bay (duh), these wooden cabins are absolutely stunning and have a luxurious feel to them. Located in the Jungut Batu district means you’ll have all the restaurants and bars right at your doorstep.
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Water Blow Huts
I also love the Water Blow huts, situated right next to Devil’s Tear. What makes this place one of the accommodations in Nusa Lembongan is the fact that they have a private beach! Read: avoid all the crowds and relax.
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Dream Beach Huts
Of course, Dream Beach Huts has to be in this top 3 because they are… well, dreamy! This place is Instagram-worthy, to say the least. Besides looks, it also has all the comforts that you could wish for including an amazing restaurant that serves both Balinese and Western dishes.
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Best affordable hotels in Nusa Lembongan
Komodo Garden
Komodo Garden is a cosy Nusa Lembongan accommodation that features traditional wooden Lumbung-style architecture for a very soft price. It is a great place to settle if you are looking to go diving, as it is only a 20-minute ride away from all the dive hotspots.
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Twilight Ceningan
Dreaming of staying in a wooden cabin with a private terrace, without going bankrupt? Then Twilight Ceningan is your spot! This is a great place to go and explore the islands. The Yellow Bridge is only a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
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The Lucky Cottage
Last but definitely not least is The Lucky Cottage. The cute rooms are very comfortable. Little insider’s tip: ordering room service here is a real treat and will have you feeling all pampered.
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Best Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan
This tiny island has a lot going for it and I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary if you are heading towards Bali.
Nusa Lembongan is smaller than its sister Nusa Penida but don’t be fooled by size because there is still plenty to do on this island besides relaxing.
This is a list of things I enjoyed doing during my visit:
- An epic bucket-list moment: swimming with Manta Rays!
- Plan a mangrove forest tour to explore the lush green scenery.
- Cross the Yellow Bridge and walk to Nusa Ceningan to explore the smallest island for the day.
- I enjoyed watching a movie under the stars at Hai Tide Beach Resort.
- Surfing! A great spot for both beginners and intermediates all year round. Coconut Beach offers lessons for newbies and more advanced surfers might want to head towards Mahana Point. You’ll find some of the most perfect left-handed breaks at Mahana Point.
- Scuba diving is a big deal here and worth staying an extra few days on the island for.
- Visit one of the many gorgeous beach-front eateries and beach clubs! My favourites are Ohana’s Beach Club (you can even stay here!) and Sandy Bay Beach Club, but don’t forget about Ginger & Jamu either, it’s more of an experience than a beach club. Looking for a slightly more affordable option? Head over towards Ceningan to visit Le Pirate Beach Club or The Sand.
- Unwind and reconnect during a yoga class at the Yoga Shack or Yoga Bliss.
The white, soft sandy beaches on the Nusa islands are what dreams are made of and they provide enough entertainment by themselves.
Crystal clear waters, peaceful vibes and calm sunsets – need I say more?
Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan – Frequently Asked Questions
📍 Is It Better to Stay In Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida or Nusa Ceningan?
The Nusa Islands are made up of three small islands: Nusa Ceningan, Penida and Lembongan. Travelling between them is super easy and cheap. You can also walk the famous yellow bridge between Lembongan (or even by land if the tide is super low) and Nusa Ceningan or take a 15-minute boat ride to Penida.
Nusa Penida – Is the biggest island of the three. The scenery is dreamy and you can find lots of untouched and quiet places here. The high cliffs offer incredible views, which are really worth the visit. If you are feeling active you can actually hike down! You can explore the rest of the island by motorbike or car.
Nusa Ceningan – This is the smallest, more hipster island but definitely a must-visit. Near the Yellow Bridge, you find countless restaurants, hippie cafes and spots with infinity pools overlooking the ocean. But do venture further onto the island to visit the mesmerizing Blue Lagoon or Mahana Point for surfing and cliff jumping.
Nusa Lembongan – Nusa Lembongan might not be the biggest island, but it is often the first pick and therefore the most popular out of the three. It has the most options when it comes to sleeping and eating, which is probably why most choose it as their base when exploring the other two islands. If you want to surf Lembongan is also the best choice.
As you might have noticed, I personally love Nusa Lembongan. A lot of people travel here for just a couple of days, taking a break from the Bali mainland but if you ask us you can easily spend a week here. The vibe is relaxed, the beaches stunning and the activities are plenty. Whether you are staying in a villa or an affordable hotel, you’ll feel like you are wandering in a dream.
📅 How many nights should I stay in Nusa Lembongan?
The ideal duration for a stay in Nusa Lembongan depends on you, but I recommend a 4-5 night stay for most travelers. This allows you to explore the island’s sights, relax on its beautiful beaches, eat at different restaurants, and do some in water sports. However, shorter getaways of 2-3 nights or longer vacations of 6 or more nights are also viable options depending on what other places you’re visiting in Bali.
☀️ What’s the best time to visit Nusa Lembongan?
The Nusa islands, being in the tropics, experience a wet season which normally begins in November and lasts till the end of March. It isn’t as rainy as in Bali because there are fewer mountains on the Nusa islands and sometimes you can see the rain clouds hovering over Bali while you sip on your cocktail at the beach.
So, if you are looking for sun-soaked days lounging away on the beach, your best bet is to visit from May to September.
This is also the recommended time to visit if you are planning a surf trip. You can swim with manta rays all year round but November to April are often the best months for snorkelling and diving because the waters are calmer and there is more visibility.
Where to stay in Nusa Lembongan – Final Words
Nusa Lembongan has got lots to offer, whether you’re drawn to the vibrant atmosphere and beach clubs around Jungut Batu Beach, the serene beauty of Mushroom Bay, the secluded tranquility of Dream Beach, the mix of relaxation and adventure at Tamarind Beach, or the remote and rugged charm of Coconut Beach, this island paradise has a perfect place for you to stay.
Your choice of where to stay in Nusa Lembongan will ultimately shape your Nusa Island experience, ensuring that it aligns perfectly with your vision of an idyllic island getaway.
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