Nusa Lembongan
The Small Island Between Bali And Nusa Penida, Where Seaweed Farming Was The Economy Before Tourism And The Drying Racks Are Still On The Shore · Jungutbatu, Bali
Lembongan is the small island of the three, half an hour by fast boat from Sanur, and it is far more developed than NUSA PENIDA and far easier. THE MANGROVE FOREST at the northern end is paddled through in a narrow boat; DEVIL'S TEAR is a cliff blowhole where swell detonates upward and soaks everyone watching; and DREAM BEACH sits below the cliffs on the south side. THE YELLOW BRIDGE to NUSA CENINGAN is the island's other landmark, and its history matters: THE ORIGINAL COLLAPSED IN 2016, KILLING SEVERAL PEOPLE, and the replacement is a pedestrian crossing. WHAT IS EASY TO MISS IS WHAT THE ISLAND DID BEFORE ANY OF THIS. SEAWEED FARMING WAS THE ECONOMY, in plots staked out across the shallows, and the drying racks and the smell are still there behind the beach bars. The island is small enough to cycle, the day boats empty it again by mid-afternoon, and the sunset looks back at Bali with Agung standing behind it - the one view Bali cannot give you.
Nusa Lembongan, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Jungutbatu, Bali, Indonesia
REACHED BY FAST BOAT FROM SANUR in about thirty minutes, running through the day and STOPPING IN THE LATE AFTERNOON; there are also services from Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. CROSSINGS ARE CANCELLED IN ROUGH WEATHER. THERE IS NO GATE AND NO ADMISSION - Lembongan is a small island and you get around by scooter, bicycle or on foot, and the roads are narrow and busy. THE MANGROVE BOAT TRIPS are arranged at the northern end on the day. DEVIL'S TEAR AND DREAM BEACH have small local parking charges. THE YELLOW BRIDGE TO NUSA CENINGAN IS PEDESTRIAN AND SCOOTER ONLY and is narrow. Dive and snorkel boats to Manta Point and the Penida sites run from here. It is busiest in the dry season.