24 Best Things to Do on the Nusa Islands

Angel’s Billabong is a spectacular rock formation near Pasih Uug (Broken Beach), on the southwestern end of Nusa Penida Island. Both spots offer views of beautiful cliffs and pristine coastlines. There’s a pathway (with signposts) leading to natural pools that are suitable for swimming during low tide. It’s a good idea to come with reef shoes as the seaweed-covered rocks can get rather slippery.

Broken Beach is a hidden beach on the southwestern edge of Nusa Penida. It’s marked by a distinguishable landmark of an arched rock formation over crashing waves. The beach is close to Angel’s Billabong, attracting many travelers with its impressive views and natural pool (which you can explore during low tide). The adjacent area is home to gray long-tailed macaques, while giant manta rays roam the surrounding waters.

Crystal Bay is a secluded cove with a 200-meter stretch of sand on Nusa Penida’s western coast. It’s one of the best places to enjoy snorkeling and diving – the water’s visibility can reach up to 30 meters. For the regular beachgoer, this palm-fringed bay is very clean and suitable for sunbathing. Near the shore, the waves are calm enough for swimming on clear days. There are also a few local warungs (traditional food stalls) on the beach.

Crystal Bay is scenic, being surrounded by hilltops on both ends and with the Pulau Batumelinjong islet dotting the nearby horizon. You can also explore the seaside temple, Pura Segara Penida, located halfway along the bay.

The scenic outcrop of Devil’s Tear Bali lies on the south-westernmost edge of Nusa Lembongan. It’s an impressive sight of waves crashing against the jagged limestone cliffs. Try not to stand too close to the edge – an unexpected surge of water might leave you drenched during your visit. There’s a natural infinity pool around the corner of Devil’s Tear, so bring your swimwear if you’re looking to take a dip. If you’re here to take photos, visit in the evening for impressive sunset views.

Dream Beach is a secluded stretch of white sand on the southwestern coast of Lembongan Island. The 115-meter-long beach has a beautiful landscape of low-lying limestone cliffs and dramatic rock formations. You can enjoy spectacular seascapes with bird’s-eye views from above the nearby cliff edges. 

Head down to the small cove and dig your feet into the soft sandy coast. The blue waters are clear and great for swimming at low tide, but take extra care as Dream Beach directly faces the Indian Ocean. 

Jungut Batu is the name of a seaside village and beach in the north-western part of Nusa Lembongan Island. The beach has a walkway that overlooks Mount Agung in the distance, while a rocky cliff to its south provides views over the island’s main surf breaks, Shipwrecks and Lacerations. Jungut Batu Beach has one of longest stretches of sand on the island. You’ll find most of Nusa’s luxury hotels, resorts and restaurants along the beachfront. 

Kelingking Beach lies within the village of Bunga Mekar, on the southwestern coast of Nusa Penida Island. One of its most popular landmarks is a plant-covered limestone headland, with massive waves crashing against it. This unique formation resembles the shape of a T-Rex’s head. You can get to the secluded beach via a rugged 400-meter hike during low tide. It’s a rather steep descend that requires a bit of rock-climbing, which attracts many fit and adventurous travelers.

Lacerations is the name of a challenging surf break in Nusa Lembongan. This sheltered reef break can be reached by charter boats from Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay. The best time to surf is during the dry season (March-October). Lacerations’ best swell direction typically comes from the southwest – its high-speed barrel suits intermediate to experienced surfers. 

Mushroom Bay neighbours the longer coastline of Jungut Batu, towards the southwest of Nusa Lembongan Island. The bay is very secluded, and become very quiet in the afternoons when boats carry day-trippers back to the Bali. If you’re looking to spend a few nights in Nusa Lembongan, several bungalow-style options line Mushroom Bay Beach. The bay is close to some of the island’s best surf breaks, including Lacerations and Playgrounds.

Nusa Lembongan has a lush mangrove forest that covers most of its north-eastern coastline. There are local wooden boat operators in the adjacent fishing village. You can enjoy gondola-like mangrove tours through the forest at a quiet, slow and steady pace. If you’re feeling rather adventurous, rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak (hourly rates apply) to explore the mangrove forest according to your own pace. 

There are plenty of seaweed farms throughout Lembongan Island, as it's one of the locals' main sources of income. The most accessible farms can be found on the southern side of Lembongan Village. You’ll see many harvested seaweed being dried up on the shore. Most of the seaweed in Nusa Lembongan is cultivated for the Asian cosmetics and food industries.

Pantai Atuh Beach is a remote beach on the south-eastern coast of Nusa Penida island, which is bordered by magnificent green hills and peninsular formations. You’ll find 4 rocky outcrops dotting the coast, which are named Batu Melawang, Batu Abah, Batu Paon, and Bukit Jineng. The white sand beach is accessible via a purpose-built stairway. If you’re up for a hike, you can attempt the narrow tracks along a rugged cliff face. Visit Pantai Atuh Beach at low tide to see rock pools with exotic marine life.  

Paradise Beach lies at the far end of Jungut Batu, and borders the mangrove forests on Lembongan’s northern coastline. Visit at sunset to enjoy a beautiful view over Mount Agung and the Bali mainland on the horizon. The stretch of sand offers pleasant beach walks year-round, while its waters are calm enough for leisurely swims. You can get to Paradise Beach via the main Jalan Jungut Batu road, which runs the length of Nusa Lembongan’s western coastline.

Playgrounds is the name of a popular surf break in Nusa Lembongan. Located close to Mushroom Bay, it provides relatively small swells, making it a popular spot for beginner-level surfers. It’s easy to paddle to Playgrounds, since it’s closer to shore compared to other surf breaks in Nusa Lembongan. There are boat mooring and pontoons outside the break if you need a break from wave riding. 

Pura Paluang is a unique temple complex featuring shrines in the form of a house and automobiles. As one of the many mysterious temples that dot this remote island, the Paluang Temple (also called Car Temple) can be found located within the local community of Sebun Ibus in the Karangdawa village, on Nusa Penida's southern peninsula.

The Shipwrecks surf break is marked by a marooned boat that’s exposed on a long stretch of reef. Located off the north-western coast of Nusa Lembongan, the Shipwrecks and Playgrounds surf breaks are adjacent to each other, both of which are reachable by chartered boat from Jungut Batu. Shipwrecks offers challenging swells that suit intermediate to professional surfers. It’s a good idea to stay clear of the exposed reef, which is conveniently marked by the boat wreck.

Sunset Beach is close to the rocky outcrop of Devil’s Tear, on Nusa Lembongan’s southwestern coast. It’s also called Sandy Bay, offering a nice place for sunbathing and relaxing under the palm shades. There’s a lively beach club where you can rent a lounger and enjoy refreshments throughout the day. It also organizes private boat and yacht tours if you’re looking to explore Nusa Lembongan’s neighboring islets.   

Tamarind Beach is a 300-meter coast that’s lined with bungalows and restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean. The beach lies east of Mushroom Bay and is very close to Playgrounds, one of Nusa Lembongan’s most popular surf breaks. It’s rather popular among novice surfers as they can easily paddle out from the shoreline.

The Bridge of Love (formerly called Yellow Bridge) connects Lembongan Island with its sister island Nusa Ceningan. This 140-meter-long suspension bridge is located on Nusa Lembongan’s southwest coast, provides a panoramic and elevated view over the Indian Ocean. It’s one of the easiest ways to travel between the Nusa Islands, though the bridge is only open for pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Manta Point is the name of a popular dive spot off the southernmost shore of Nusa Penida Island. It is so named as it’s one of the main dive sites in Bali where you can spot manta rays. These graceful rays are visible on almost every dive, along with spotted stingrays and nurse sharks.

You can dive here year-round, but the best time to go is usually between August and October when visibility can be an excellent 20 meters deep. Most trips depart from the dive resorts on Nusa Lembongan, or from the coasts of Sanur and Padangbai on the Bali mainland.