Nusa Lembongan is an island located
southeast of Bali, Indonesia. It is part
of a group of three islands, approximately
12 miles from south east Bali and 20 miles from Lombok. The other two (2)
islands are Nusa Penida being the bigger and Nusa Ceningan being the smaller.
Nusa Lembongan is
approximately 8 square kilometres in size with a permanent population estimated
at 6,000. Twelve kilometres of the Badung Strait separates Nusa
Lembongan from Bali Island. The island is surrounded by coral reefs with
white sand beaches and low limestone cliffs.
Nusa Lembongan is a pristine
tropical island, its highest point is 50 meters above sea level. Lembongan has
an average rainfall of approximately 1000 mm per year. Little temperature
variation from 30 degrees Celsius occurs between the only two seasons this island
experiences being the wet and the dry. Fresh water is limited and most of the
supply is derived from wells up to 60 meters deep.
Overlooking Sanghiang Bay
with its clear blue waters, the Nusa Lembongan Resort offers a panoramic view
of eastern Bali and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung. Known for its great
surf, the excellent crystal-clear waters also make it a perfect place for
snorkeling and diving. It’s still a basic place, but interesting, and there are
some lovely places to stay.
Surfing in Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is a small island with the crystal clear water is which makes for excellent diving and
snorkelling, and with fewer visitors than the main areas of Bali, surfers can
enjoy a less crowded surf at the breaks on Lembongan.
Find some surf some with
your favorite wave in Nusa Lembongan. If staying at the places in the cliff
overlooking the break, it’s a short (5 min) paddle out to this spot. Follow the
rope leading out, it makes it easier to guage the channel! Paddle around the
right, if you try to paddle acroos the left and then around, your arms will
give up on you before you start.
Nusa Lembongan has a tropical climate being just located below the equator. Temperatures average around 30′C all year round.
The wet season occurs
October to March, and as with all tropical climates the humidity at this time
can be oppresive. The dry season occurs from April to September, with less
humid conditions and sunnier weather. This is usually the most popular time to
travel to Bali.
Most rainfall in Nusa
Lembongan will occur during the wet season, but downpours are typical and can
occur at anytime, usually not lasting too long.
There are 4 main Surf Breaks
in Nusa Lembongan
- Shipwrecks – a fun, workable right that breaks on the mid to high tide.
- Lacerations – A high speed, hollow right barrel.
- Playgrounds – a mellow left and right peak that provides a wave when the swell is small and the tide is low.
- Ceningan – a rarely surfed left off the temple on Nusa Ceningan that is surfed when the swell is small and the winds light.
Other place for surf
Ceningan
Off the SW tip of the barely
populated Ceningan island is a lefthander that lines up rolling walls with a
nice steep pocket and predictable sections. Some protection from the trades but
it can get messy with currents and deepwater channel affecting the swell.
Lacerations
Hard core right with
excellent, wide open tube time on offer as the tide floods the sharp, shallow
reef. It’s a pitching, air-drop entry from the peak into a straight barrel
section then a further sucky bowl as it approaches the channel marked by
floating mooring lines that litter the bay.
Shipwrecks
Walk up beach from drop-off,
chose surf-style with view of the ocean. Sit back and enjoy. Can appear flat
during low tide, suddenly grows with incoming tide to be very awesome. Short,
intense ride, fairly safe, although can be shallow on the far inside. Easy
tube, and right-hander makes it popular.
Playgrounds
If staying at the places in
the cliff overlooking the break, it’s a short (5 min) paddle out to this spot.
Follow the rope leading out, it makes it easier to guage the channel! Paddle
around the right, if you try to paddle acroos the left and then around, your
arms will give up on you before you start.
Diving in Nusa Lembongan
Most of the dive sites
around Nusa Penida and its two small sister islands - Nusa Lembongan and Nusa
Ceningan will be a drift dive and the current can reach more than 4 knots.
Upwelling from the deep water south of Bali, keep the visibility in these areas
clear, but can also form thermo clines with temperatures dropping down to 22°.
Nusa Lembongan in the other
side, is a fine place, offers world class surfing locations. There’s the
“Shipwreck”, Lacerations” and “Play ground”.
Since this island more
knowned by the surfers, you will find, that Nusa lembongan is more developed
compare than Nusa Penida. Hotels, bungalows, restaurants and other tourist
facilities are easily sighted in this island.
Pelagic are the main
attraction here and you have a good chance to see jacks, mackerel, tuna,
turtle, and mantas. Sharks are common and big mantas are frequently sighted.
Perhaps the most unusual pelagic visitor to Nusa Penida ( August - September )
is the unique mola-mola or oceanic sutblcontect-texts1ish, a mysterious large
flattened fish with elongated dorsal and vertical fins and a lumpy growth
instead of a tail fin.
Below is the list of dive
sites in Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan;
- SD, Ped, Sental, Buyuk - These dive sites are located on the coast of northern Nusa Penida and offer great drift diving.
- Toya Pakeh - Located on the islands northwest point, the channel between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan is probably the single most popular dive site on Nusa Penida and is regarded by many as the best.
- Crystal Bay - Located on the south side of Gamat bay, south west of Nusa Penida there is another bay with rocky island in the middle of it, called Crystal Bay.
- Blue Corner - Located on the northwest of Nusa Lembongan. The site is sparse,sloping reef with a terrace at 24 meters.
- Lembongan Point - The dive site is located on the coast of northern Nusa Lembongan, offer great drift diving.
- Manta Point - his is a lime stone rock off the southwest coast of Nusa Penida. The above water scenery is dramatic, with lime stone cliffs that descend straight into the ocean.
- Ceningan Wall - Ceningan is the smallest island between the three and located at the middle of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan and the dive site is actualy at the strait of ceningan toward Toyapakeh.
Other Place of Interest
- Walk the suspension bridge between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
- Dream Beach on the south coast is a wonderful hidden beach with a great bar / cafe
- Visit the Lembongan Village seaweed farms; the view across the estuary is spectacular.
- Snorkel at Crystal Bay, as the coral is a a must-see and largely untouched.
- Have a drink or dinner at the lovely Sunset Villas and Cafe, and watch the spectacular sunset above the crashing waves.
- Underground House at Lembongan village
- Mangrove forest in a dugout canoe
- 'Sensational Sunsets’ along Jungut Batu (Sunset) Beach.
- Puncak Sari temple the biggest one in the island of Lembongan in the hill to explore nice view main land of Bali
- Hire a scooter (No license needed) and explore the island. Visit the Mangroves, Cross the Yellow Suspension Bridge to Ceningan Island (Shades of Indiana Jones), Mushroom beach, Dream beach, Devil’s tear and many more
Helpful Information. Bellow
is some helpful information before you go to Nusa Lembongan :
- Accommodation on Nusa Lembongan Budget accommodation can be found at Jungut Batu Village, while more luxurious accommodation is located at Mushroom Bay in Lembongan Village.
- No ATM on island, limited credit card and money changing facilities available, though the rates are not so good.
- A local doctor in Jungut Batu will charge you 300,000rp for a consultation. There is a small nurse’s clinic in Jungut Batu also which is cheaper.
- There should be no shortage of places offering snorkeling, surfing and cycling gear. Negotiate if you want a good price.
- To base your tipping structure to give the local people - the average wage is 50,000 rpa a day so have some 5000 rp to 10,000 rpa notes to give them and the gauge is base on what they do for you and where you are.
- Once in Bali you can purchase a local prepaid card starting from around $15 for your mobile phone to contact around Bali and Text back to your country.
- The type of electricity is 220 volts, 50 cycles and a round, two-pronged slim plug. We suggest taking an adaptor for your appliance.
- Manners are very important to the Indonesian people so be respectful and courteous towards their local customs and etiquette. below are a fewtips:
- Never just walk around in just shorts or bikinis when there’s ceremony in The Temple.
- Never touch their heads with either hand as this is the most sacred part of the body to them.
- Always use your right hand with the locals when doing anything as the use of the left hand they class this as being disrepectful, if you do accidently use your left hand, apologise.
Resort and Villas in
Lembongan Island:
Hai Tide Huts
The Hai Tide Huts are
located adjacent to the Bali Hai Cruises Beach Club on Lembongan Island, a
comfortable one hour cruise from Bali aboard the luxurious high speed catamaran
Bali Hai II, or a leisurely two hour sail aboard Aristocat.
Coconuts Beach Resort
Bali hotel or Bali romantic
villa, Coconuts Beach Resort is situated on the ocean edge of Jungut Batu
Village on the peaceful Lembongan island. The hotel or villa has a wonderful
ocean view. What could be more perfect? This island is a great hideaway for a
romantic getaway.
Indiana Kenanga Villas
On the beautiful sand beach
of Jungutbatu, in front of turquoise lagoon, in the heart of tropical
garden, Indiana Kenanga will offer you first class services in a peaceful
sanctuary according to the art of Balinese living.
Lembongan Diving Villa
Lembongan Diving Villa is
located on the small Island of Nusa Lembongan, only half an hour away from
Bali, and offers beautiful accomodation with friendly service at affordable
prices - making it a perfect base for Surfing, Diving, Sightseeing or just relaxation…
The Tanis Villas
Tanis Villas is a modern
world combination architect with Balinese decorations. A perfect home based for
your exploration of the heaven paradise of Lembongan Island. The Villas
lay out has made it possible for all Nine units exclusive sculptured environment
with six units standard villas, two units of two bedroom Villas and one Tanis
Villas. Some available are fan cooled and Air conditioned villa. Lush tropical
garden main view of the villas.
Villa Rumah Kami
Rumah Kami invites you to
enjoy outstanding private family accommodation on the spectacular island of
Nusa Lembongan, one of Bali’s best kept secrets. Our accommodation is
affordably priced for families, couples or individuals, providing them with the
highest level of service by our hand picked local staff.
Villa Shambala
This sensational villa is a
haven for those seeking privacy, seclusion, and tranquility with the nearby
convenience of beaches, restaurants, and water activities. Wake every morning
to sweeping views of the ocean and watch the majestic yachts glide past your
front door.
Villa Sayang Lembongan
Set on a cliff top
overlooking the straits of Lombok and with views to Bali and Mount Agung, Villa
Sayang offers superb accommodation comprising four large bedrooms (all
air-conditioned) with beautifully appointed bathrooms, dinning / sitting bale
and swimming pool. Downstairs contains a TV/Video room ideal for children.