Southeastern Bali Islands it is a region Indonesian of the island of Bali, known among lovers of scuba diving, surfing, hiking or simply relaxing.
To know
These islands are located about 15km southeast of Bali on the Badung Strait. All three have magnificent beaches and crystal clear waters.
- Nusa Lembongan it is the best known and it is the one that has developed the most from a tourist point of view. Great for surfing, it has accommodations for all budgets.
- Nusa Ceningan is a small island easily accessible from Nusa Lembongan thanks to a suspension bridge. It is well known among surfers and is a great place to explore.
- Nusa Penida compared to the others it is huge, more than 200 square kilometers. However it is a wild island and there is little tourist infrastructure. Famous for its lush nature and for being one of the most interesting destinations in the world for scuba diving.
Territories and tourist destinations
How to get
The only way to get there is by ship, unless you rent a helicopter. Typically you go through Nusa Lembongan first and then go to the other islands, but there are direct services from Bali. Nusa Ceningan can be reached on foot or by bicycle via the suspension bridge that connects it to Nusa Lembongan.
You can rent speedboats to reach Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida from Sanur or Padang Bai. About Rp 1,000,000 are paid for each trip. Contact the operators or go and speak at the departure docks a day before.
To Nusa Lembongan from Southern Bali
From southern Bali there are boats for Nusa Lembongan, departing from Sanur Beach and Benoa Harbor. Read more in the article by Nusa Lembongan.
To Nusa Lembongan from Eastern Bali
There is a ferry service to Nusa Lembongan from Padang Bai and Kusamba but it is not reliable, crowded and unsafe.
To Nusa Penida from Bali
You can take public ferries to Nusa Penida directly from Sanur, Kusamba or Padang Bai to Eastern Bali, but it's complicated. The service is not optimal, crowded and unsafe.
How to get around
By car
There are no taxis on the islands, but the locals will be happy to give you a ride in the back of a van for a small reward.
Boats can be found to go from Nusa Ceningan to Nusa Penida, but there are no organized connections.
Between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida there are public boats which depart daily at 6:00 am near the bridge between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan and go as far as Toyapakeh or Buyuk Harbor near Sampalan in the north of Nusa Penida. There are also services from the Jungut Batu area in Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. All of these are often very busy.
Then there are boats for rent which depart and arrive at the same points as public boats. If you are staying in Nusa Lembongan, ask at your hotel. Otherwise, go to the shore near the bridge or Jungut Batu beach and ask. Fares vary but are usually around Rp 300,000 for one trip.
The same goes for the return journey.
By bus
There are a few bemos in Nusa Penida, most of them on the coastal road between Toyapakeh and Sampalan.
By motorbike
Renting a motorbike is a practical and widespread system a Nusa Lembongan. It costs from 70,000 to 100,000 rupees per day. Nusa Lembongan is Nusa Ceningan they gladly lend themselves to walks. Bicycles are another good option and can be rented at various places in Nusa Lembongan.
A motorcycle is essential for exploring Nusa Penida and can be rented when arriving in Toyapakeh or Sampalan. Some tourists come from Nusa Lembongan with rented bicycles, but you must first have permission to take the bikes out of Nusa Lembongan. The roads in Nusa Penida are rough and in some areas they are just stony paths.
Nusa Ceningansi can be easily reached from Nusa Lembongan through the bridge that allows the passage on foot, by bike or motorbike.
What see
Sunsets in Bali they are an unmissable sight. Any place facing west is fine, but the best are on Jungut Batu Beach Nusa Lembongan, the ridge that crosses Nusa Ceningan and the highest point of Nusa Penida, Puncak Mundi.
TO Nusa Lembongan there are several hidden and "unspoiled" white sand beaches. Dream Beach and Sunset Beach in the southwest are the most recommended. You can spend all day there because they also have a small restaurant. But be careful, neither of them is suitable for swimming. The promontory of Devil's Tear that separates them is an excellent point where you can admire the waves of the Indian Ocean that crash on the rocks.
The whole southern coast of Nusa Penida has a spectacular limestone cliff truly breathtaking. Even by Nusa Penida standards the southern part is remote and almost inaccessible. The roads are bad, but once you get there you will understand that it was worth it, and any place between Pendem and Batumadeg is fine. Goa Karang Sari is a large cave on the east coast of Nusa Penida 4 km north of the village of Suana. Find a local guide and bring a flashlight to admire the impressive rock formations such as stalactites. Of great religious and cultural importance.
The culture of algae is a well established micro-industry in these islands. Most of the seaweed is destined for the Asian cosmetics market. The best spot to see the crops is between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
Itineraries
- By ship direct for Gili Islands, Lombok.
- Back to Sanur to Bali.
What to do
Nusa Penida it is one of the best places in the world for scuba diving. The waters around the islands are home to some 247 species of coral, 562 species of fish and turtles. Many of the operators of Bali is Nusa Lembongan who organize dives offer trips to Nusa Penida. Among the species to admire the fabulous and huge Mola Mola (Moonfish) during some seasons and the great Manta Ray all year round. Mola Molas are migratory fish and are found from July to October although they are sometimes spotted at other times as well. There are diving opportunities for beginners too, but a good level of experience is required for most. If you are not a diver you can always snorkel at Mushroom Bay and between the north mengrovie Nusa Lembongan, and in Crystal Bay, a Nusa Penida.
Nusa Lembongan it is well known among surfers. The best spots are Playgrounds, Shipwrecks and Lacerations. They are all located on the east coast, while another rather lively place is Jungut Batu. The waves are great, but sometimes there are too many people. Another point is on the south coast of Nusa Ceningan known as Ceningan Break.
There is a mangrove forest on the north coast of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan for a total of about 210 hectares. To explore it, the traditional called boats are used jukung which can be rented with a pilot. Just offshore from the mangroves you can go snorkeling.
How to have fun
Jungut Batu has a certain reputation among surfers and a few beachfront bars worth checking out. Expect frozen beer, Australian sports, and lots of surfing talk. On the occasion of the full moon, once a month, a party is held on the beach north of Jungut batu (Blue Corner Beach) in Lembongan.
At the table
TO Nusa Lembongan you can find different places to eat, from carts along the streets to elegant restaurants in the best resorts. The fish here is excellent, especially in the areas of Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay.
Far fewer options a Nusa Penida with a few warungs on the north coast and little else.
Tourist infrastructure
Almost all accommodations are at Nusa Lembongan and a few others a Nusa Penida and only one bed and breakfast in Nusa Ceningan. These are quite cheap and basic, but there are more luxurious accommodations as well.
