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If you’re dreaming of a family holiday that’s easy and relaxed, Nusa Lembongan is your perfect match. Just a short boat ride from Bali, this small island is a favourite of ours for its chilled pace, warm hospitality, and family-friendly vibe.
Why Choose Nusa Lembongan with Kids?
Unlike the hustle of mainland Bali, Lembongan feels like a true island escape. It’s safe, easy to get around, and packed with things the whole family can enjoy. Think sandy beaches, calm shallow waters, delicious beach cafes, and enough adventure to keep older kids entertained but at a slower pace. With easy access to Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan, it is an excellent base for island exploring.
Getting to Nusa Lembongan with Kids
When travelling with the kids, the journey sets the tone for your holiday. We chose Rocky Fast Cruise for our Bali-to-Nusa Lembongan transfer, and here’s why it stood out:
- Frequent, flexible schedule: Rocky offers four daily departures from Sanur, with matching return times, making it easy to match with nap schedules and ferry transfer times. The crossing takes about 30–45 minutes, depending on sea conditions.
- Jetty-to-jetty comfort: The transfer leaves from Sanur Harbour and arrives at Rocky’s private jetty in Telatak Village (near Rocky Beach Club), so no wet landings or wading through waves, ideal for parents carrying kids or luggage.
- Family-friendly: The boats include life jackets for all ages and offer insurance coverage.
- Private Charter: Rocky Fast Cruises also offers private boat transfers for up to 12 guests. Perfect when you are travelling with other families.
- Tips for smooth sailing: Book early, especially during school holidays and weekends. Opt for the earlier boat when the seas are typically calmer. Bring seasickness remedies, just in case.
- 20% Discount: Book accommodation with The Lembongan Traveller and enjoy a discount on the Rocky Fast Cruise ticket price.
Accommodation options on Nusa Lembongan
When choosing where to stay on Nusa Lembongan with kids, The Lembongan Traveller website is a fantastic resource. It lists a wide range of family-friendly villas and resorts across the island, with helpful filters, photos, and honest descriptions. Whether you’re after beachfront access, a private pool, or walking distance to Coconut Beach or Sandy Bay, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your family’s needs, all curated by a local team that knows the island well.
We recently stayed at two great family-friendly spots on the island:
Lembongan Island Beach Villas are perfect for families who want to be close to the action. These villas offer stunning views over Jungutbatu Bay, and you’re steps from the beach and right by the boardwalk to Coconut Beach.
Villa Kokomo at Sandy Bay offers a more private, luxurious stay. Just a short walk from the beach and popular Sandy Bay Beach Club, it’s ideal for families wanting space and quiet. The private pool and enclosed garden make it a relaxing spot for both parents and kids.
Both options have their own charm and are well-suited to a family escape, depending on the vibe you’re after: central and convenient or calm and secluded.
In 2019, we stayed in Mushroom Bay at Sanghyang Bay Villas. A great family-friendly option, I recently had a look through the property, and it is well-maintained. Also, Hai Tide Beach Resort in Mushroom Bay is worth looking into for families.
Nusa Lembongan Family-Friendly Beaches
Nusa Lembongan’s beaches are a major drawcard for families, offering a mix of soft sand, clear water, and safe, shallow areas for kids to play. The island’s relaxed vibe means beaches are rarely crowded, making it easy to find a peaceful spot to swim, paddle, or enjoy the sunshine together.
Nusa Lembongan’s beaches change beautifully with the tides, offering different experiences throughout the day. At low tide, rocky pools and coral reefs become accessible for kids to explore safely, while high tide brings calm, deeper water perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.
Coconut Beach is a little gem; calm waves, clean sand, and a warung serving snacks and drinks. Lago Pontoon is reachable from the beach; you organise a boat to the pontoon from the Lago Beach Cafe. Sunsets at Coconut Beach are spectacular, and then you can enjoy an early dinner nearby.
Jungutbatu Beach is an excellent spot for families on Nusa Lembongan, with calm, clear water perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and beginner snorkelling. The long sandy stretch is easy to access, with beachfront cafes, sunset views, and rental spots for kayaks or SUPs, making it a relaxed and fun day out for all ages.
Sandy Bay is located on the southwest coast of Nusa Lembongan and offers dramatic sunsets, tidepools, and a gorgeous setting for dinner with your feet in the sand at Sandy Bay Beach Club. The beach is not for swimming as the combination of rocks and waves makes it unsafe.
Mushroom Bay is a chill, family-friendly beach with calm, shallow waters that make it easy for kids to splash around safely. It’s a great spot to relax, paddleboard, or grab a bite at one of the beachfront cafes while enjoying laid-back island vibes. During the day, boat transfers make the bay busy, so swimming is best early morning and late afternoon.
Tamarind Bay is a peaceful and scenic spot between Coconut Beach and Mushroom Bay, with calm views and a quiet atmosphere. While it’s not ideal for swimming at low tide, it’s excellent for paddleboarding or relaxing by the water, with nearby villas offering easy access and stunning views.
Family-friendly places to eat and drink on Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan has plenty of family-friendly food and drink options, from casual beach cafes to laid-back restaurants with kid-friendly menus. You’ll find fresh juices, smoothie bowls, wood-fired pizzas, and classic Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng. Many spots offer high chairs, relaxed seating, and space for kids to move around, making mealtimes easy and enjoyable for the whole family.
The Lembongan Traveller guide to eating on Nusa Lembongan
Over our 4-night stay on the island, we ate and drank at the following places.
- Mushroom Espresso (Great coffee, serving Milk Lab milks)
- Tropical Juice Cafe (Great food and drinks at reasonable prices. Space for the kids to run around on the grass)
- The General (Great coffee, serving Milk Lab milks)
- Thai Pantry (Always a favourite for yummy Thai food with spectacular sunset views)
- Lago Beach Cafe (Yummy cocktails)
- Bar Riva (Excellent cocktails with prices to match. Great sunset views)
- Let’s Bake (Great coffee, serving Milk Lab milks. Food is yummy and pastries are fantastic)
- Casa Bambu Cantina (Great Mexican food with a play area for the kids and live music)
- Sandy Bay Beach Club (Great range of food and drinks with a kids’ playground)
- The Shack by Sandy Bay (Spot for early breakfast at Sandy Bay, great coffee)
- Oishii Bar & Grill (Great range of dishes, including sushi)
- Kayu Lembongan (Great coffee, serving Milk Lab milks)
What to Do with Kids on Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, perfect for families.
- Snorkelling trips to see manta rays and coral reefs (choose shorter tours for younger kids)
- Exploring the mangroves by kayak or boat
- Walking the Yellow Bridge to nearby Nusa Ceningan
- Mini golf and lunch at The Coconut Hut. A fun way to entertain the kids with tasty food and plenty of space for them to play
- Watching the sunset from one of the beach bars while kids play in the sand
- For the older kids, hire a Jetski with Jetski Lembongan
- Hire a nanny with Nusa Baby Care and book yourself a massage (Rates as of June 2025: 100k p/hr 1 child, 125k p/hr 2 children, 150k p/hr 3 children, depending on ages. Minimum 4 hrs, cancellation fee 200k)
Getting Around Nusa Lembongan with Kids
Getting around Nusa Lembongan is part of the fun! Most families either walk, rent a golf buggy or organise a truck taxi to get around. It’s fun, safe, and means you can explore at your own pace. If you’re planning to hire a scooter, make sure you have a valid motorbike license, travel insurance like Covermore, and always wear a helmet!
On Nusa Lembongan, taxi trucks are the main way to get around for family groups. These open-air pickup trucks have bench seats and are great for families, making it easy to hop in with kids, bags, and beach gear, plus it’s a lot of fun! Most rides cost around IDR 100,000 one-way and can be booked through your villa/resort or local drivers. Always agree on the fare before you go. Many restaurants offer free taxi truck rides if you dine with them.
We hired our golf buggy through Made Lembongan Transport, who were friendly, reliable, and made the whole process super easy. He dropped the buggy off at our villa and picked it up when we were done, no fuss at all. You can find him on WhatsApp or through Instagram, and we highly recommend booking in advance during busy periods.
Nusa Lembongan is the kind of place where you slow down, reconnect, and spend quality time as a family. It’s not flashy or overly commercial, and that’s what makes it so special. We have been twice with the kids, and I know we’ll be back again.
Feel free to join our Facebook Group for up-to-date details on travelling to Nusa Lembongan with kids.
Kate xx
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