Discovery of Nusa Islands

Map of Bali island (including Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Penida)

Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8km² in size and is one of three neighbouring islands, the others being much larger Nusa Penida and tiny Nusa Ceningan. The three islands are separated from Bali by the Badung Strait. Some visitors may find Nusa Lembongan a little slow after the pace of South Bali. This is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Many areas around the island are good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthy coral. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good. There are several white sand beaches away from the main centres which are virtually never crowded. There is a flourishing and well established seaweed farming industry here, and many visitors find it interesting to learn about this.

Map of Nusa Lembongan

There are attractive beaches and forest that can be visited in Lembongan;

• Dream Beach is a wonderful secluded beach with powdery, white sand, located on the south coast is one of the most beautiful in Bali. From the main accommodation areas on the west coast, head southeast towards Lembongan Village where you should turn west, and then look for the signposted small track leading south to Dream Beach. There is a cafe attached to the single resort here, and this makes Dream Beach a great place to spend the whole day doing nothing. Be very careful though about entering the water here as the rips can be fierce. Only the strongest swimmers should consider this and even then, avoid the eastern end of the beach. The cliff at the right side of the beach has some beautiful views, especially at sunset.
• Sandy Bay(also known as Sunset Beach) is adjacent to Devil’s Tear. A small but spectacular beach with white sand and crashing waves, located just to the north of Dream Beach, and easiest reached via the same route. The coastal landscape in this part of the island is mostly low-lying limestone cliffs, and there are some dramatic cave formations. A beautiful view can be seen from the cliff at the right side of the Dream beach, especially at the sunset.
• Mangrove forest. The north end of the island is fringed by an important mangrove forest, and the eastern side of the island is separated from neighbouring Nusa Ceningan by a shallow estuarine channel.

Devil Tears, Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Penida is the largest of three islands off the south eastern coast of Bali, the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Due to a lack of natural fresh water, little is grown or produced on Nusa Penida, and even some basic foodstuffs come in by boat. Visitors should therefore expect higher prices than in Bali, and not bank on any tourism-related luxury items being available for purchase here. There are many quiet and secluded white sand beaches along the north and northwest coasts of Nusa Penida. Other geographical highlights include limestone caves, spectacular high coastal cliffs with karst formations and offshore pinnacles in the south and east, and rugged hill tops in the high centre.

Penida dive sites

Nusa Penida has several interesting and beautiful beaches;

• Crystal Bay, (take the only small road which heads west from the main road at Sakti village and keep going until you hit the coast.). A stunning white sand beach at Banjar Penida west of Sakti village on the north western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. Perfect clear waters and excellent snorkeling. Lovely white sand beach and a great place for a picnic. A truly idyllic spot. This place seems to be one of the more ‘touristic’ spots on the island.

Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida

• Broken beach and Angel billabong. Broken beach (Pasih uug) is a large cave that has lost its roof over time. Watch from above as the water come in with the tide, it has a small beach but this cannot be accessed by land. A great place to take photos and giant mantas can sometimes been seen swimming in the sea below. Angel billabong is about 200 metres away, it is a natural infinity pool – best viewed at low tide. Be careful when climbing down to take a swim.
• Kelingking beach. Kelingking Beach is a hidden beach in the village of Bunga Mekar, on the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida island. You can enjoy one of the most breath-taking views over the hills and small strip of white sand from atop a hill of the same name. The sight features a limestone headland covered in green, against the deep blue waters of the open Indian Ocean. This unique formation is reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex head, hence its nickname ‘T-RexBay’

Nusa Penida also has attractive activities;

Dive with Manta, at Manta Bay, Nusa Penida

• Cruise Tours. Private beach cruise to Crystal Bay and go through a real Balinese Island experience.
• Guided Tours. Numerous local tour operators have popped up with the increase in tourism. They are all locally owned and operated and most have quite good English skills. They provide island tours, snorkeling tours. They operate boats and also conduct scooter or car tours.
• Snorkeling. Good snorkeling is available in most places along the coastal road, since the edge of the reef is not far from shore. Easiest access is usually in places, where locals keep their fishing boats. Due to the currents along the coast, walk back along the road to the starting place may be necessary. Ped, Toyapakeh, Crystal Bay (if not too windy) and Gamat Bay are fantastic for snorkelers and can be accessed from land. If you want to snorkel with giant mantas you will need to take a snorkel tour on a boat, these leave from Toyapakeh mostly.
• Diving. Nusa Penida is best known as a world class diving destination. There are more than 20 identified dive sites around the island, the most notable including Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Manta Bay, Toyapakeh, Gamat Bay, Ped and SD. Special attractions include fabulous Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) in season (July-November) and large Manta Rays year round. Mola Mola are migratory fish and most likely from July to October although sightings are reported all year round. There is diving available here for beginners but most of the dives require a decent level of experience as currents are strong and unpredictable.

Nusa Ceningan is a smaller island located between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, which is easily reached via the yellow suspension bridge on foot or by bicycle/motorbike. There is a notable surf break off Nusa Ceningan which attracts some surfers away from the more crowded breaks on Nusa Lembongan. The island offers some scenic roads and paths, and the westward views back over Nusa Lembongan to Bali are impressive. Viewing the sunset over Bali from the central Ceningan ridge is very much worth the effort. The estuarine channel between Lembongan and Ceningan is home to many seaweed farms and pristine mangrove forests.

Map of Nusa Ceningan

The most famous snorkeling/ dive site in Nusa Ceningan is called Ceningan Wall, even so this dive site is quite unpopular among local and foreign divers. Only a few dive operators ever take their customers to this place. Because Ceningan Wall is located in the western shore of Ceningan island, directly ahead to the Penida Island, so very strong and unpredictable down current, which continuously change direction between north and south.

Picture of Ceningan wall