Diving, Surfing and Mangroves on Nusa Lembongan
Quick Facts
- Where: Nusa Lembongan, Klungkung Regency, across the strait from Sanur
- Getting there: fast boat, about 30 minutes (25 to 45)
- Main activities: diving, surfing, mangrove paddling, snorkelling, yoga
- Not on offer: rafting, trekking, zip lines, cable cars
The island is only about 8 square kilometres, so everything below is a short ride or walk from the next thing.
Under the Water
Five PADI-listed dive centres operate from Jungut Batu: Blue Corner Dive, Lembongan Dive Center, World Diving Lembongan (a PADI 5 Star centre since 1998), Legend Diving Lembongan and Two Fish Divers. As a rough guide, two fun dives cost about IDR 1,100,000, with a little less from January to May, and Manta Point trips add around IDR 100,000 a day. The Open Water course is near US$395.
Dive sites vary a lot in difficulty:
- Blue Corner: a drift dive along a wall from about 10 to 40 metres, with a strong and unpredictable current. It is not for beginners, and operators suggest around 50 logged dives.
- Mangrove: 7 to 15 metres, a drift over hard and soft coral, suitable for every level.
- Pontoon: 4 to 10 metres, the easy site for new divers.
Mola mola turn up between July and October, in water of 18 to 22 C, mostly on the deep walls.
On the Waves
Surf season is April to October. Playgrounds is the kindest break but is still tricky for novices. Lacerations and Shipwrecks break over shallow reef and call for intermediate to advanced skills, reef booties and a close eye on the tide. Monkey Surfing and Newbro Surfing run lessons at about US$40 to 77 for two hours. Across the bridge on Ceningan, a left-hander breaks off Mahana Point in mid to large swell at high tide.
Mangrove Paddling
The mangrove channel in the north-east is explorable by kayak, paddleboard or traditional boat when the tide is mid to high. Boat trips run about IDR 187,500 a head, minimum two people, while hourly kayak or paddleboard sessions start around US$12. Entry fees are normally part of the price.
Yoga
Yoga Bliss Lembongan holds daily drop-in sessions in an open-air shala behind Green Garden Restaurant, and Serenity Yoga Lembongan, at the north end, offers paddleboard yoga near the seaweed farms. Yoga Dunia is another studio.
Rules for the Ocean
The south-west shore is open ocean. Do not swim at Dream Beach, where rips are strong, and keep behind the barriers at Devil’s Tear, which is a viewing spot with a record of fatal falls. Never climb, swim or jump there. Cliff jumping at Mahana Point and the Blue Lagoon on Ceningan is done at your own risk and depends on swell. At the Blue Lagoon the exit is a climb up a small cliff face.
Fees to Expect
The Bali tourist levy is IDR 150,000 per international visitor, paid once online. Nusa island entry is about IDR 25,000 per adult and is often folded into tours. The marine protected area fee for snorkelling and diving, about IDR 100,000, usually comes with packages, so confirm it.
Read more: day trips from Lembongan covers Ceningan and Nusa Penida.
Browse Two Fish Divers , check Indonesia travel advice from the UK government and compare tours on Viator .