Planning your next vacation in Bali? Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Nusa islands to the south of the Island of the Gods!
For holidaymakers visiting Bali, the main excursion is the Gili Islands. But there are three lesser-known islands to the south that are just as worth a visit. These are the Nusa Islands: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. This article lists all the practical tips (when to visit, what to do, how to get around…) for visiting the Nusa Islands from Bali. Ready to embark? Follow the guide to discover one of Indonesia’s treasures.
History of the Nusa Islands
Photo Credit : Shutterstock / Cocos.Bounty
For many centuries, the Nusa islands formed an independent kingdom concentrated around the main island, Nusa Penida. The earliest written records date from the 10th century and mention a failed expedition by the Balinese king of the time to conquer the three islands. Until the 17th century, the islands remained independent, resisting numerous military expeditions. The Gegel dynasty, famous for having perhaps sanctuarized the Monkey Forest in Ubud, finally put an end to the resistance of the islands, which were then incorporated into Bali.
The rest of the island became part of Bali until the Dutch conquered it in 1908. The history of Nusa Penida is the best documented. In particular, we know that it was nicknamed the island of bandits! The Balinese used to send all criminals, political opponents and practitioners of black magic to Nusa Penida. As a result of this bad reputation, the island opened up to tourists rather late in its history.
Our tips for visiting the Nusa Islands
The best times
The climate on the Nusa Islands is fairly stable. Temperatures range between 25 and 32° all year round, rarely higher. However, April-October is the dry season. November to March is the rainy season, although thunderstorms often occur at the end of the day. Humidity is present all year round, and the temperature often feels higher than it actually is, especially during the rainy season.
In a nutshell:
- The best weather is from May to October.
- July and August are the driest months, and therefore the most pleasant… but also the most touristic.
- We advise against December and especially January, as the latter month is generally very rainy.
- For those who have the choice, we recommend visiting the Nusas Islands in May, June and September, which are outside the tourist season and almost as pleasant as July and August.
Visit time
It’s hard to say what the average time will be, so different are the desires of each traveler. It’s perfectly possible to spend 2 days or 3 weeks on the islands! In general, visiting Nusa Penida automatically extends the length of your stay, as it is by far the largest island.
If possible, Generation Voyage recommends staying for at least 5 days, as the scenery on Nusa Penida is truly breathtaking!
Travel on the Nusa islands
It doesn’t take long to notice how few cars there are on the islands. Scooters , on the other hand, are everywhere. They’re clearly the best, most pleasant and cheapest way (around €8 a day) of getting around the three Nusas.
What to see and do in Nusa?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / pekk
The beaches of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida
Nusa Lembongan is the closest to Bali, and many boats dock here. It’s a small but friendly island! Calm and welcoming, Nusa Lembongan offers above all beautiful beaches for sunbathing.
- Apart from Mushroom Beach, which should be avoided as all boats disembark here, the island’s beaches are superb.
- Generation Voyage’s favorite is Pantai Pasir Putih beach (« white sand beach »), also known as Mahagiri beach. As its name suggests, it’s a veritable Caribbean paradise!
There are also many beaches on Nusa Penida(Crystal Bay, Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach), which is the southernmost island. Nevertheless, Nusa Penida has so many other assets that we sometimes forget about the quality of its beaches! If the opportunity arises and there’s plenty of time, take the opportunity to relax and take a dip in the water, especially at Crystal Bay.
The panorama from the cliffs
A visit to the Nusa islands is also a chance to contemplate magnificent landscapes. Nusa Penida is home to the most beautiful cliffs.
- The best known is undoubtedly the Paluang cliff, located on the west side of the island. A pristine beach a hundred meters below your feet, a greenish rock stretching out to the left, turquoise water: it’s a real picture postcard that opens up before your eyes. The best time is undoubtedly just before sunset, which is a regular occurrence in Bali.
- Nusa Penida abounds with other breathtaking cliffs and vistas, such as Broken Beach (Pasih Uug), where the rock forms an arch, and the Thousand Islands viewpoint to the south. From the latter, you don’t see a thousand islands, but a magnificent panorama.
- But what if we had to choose THE most beautiful cliff on the Nusa islands? Then we’d set our sights on the Blue Lagoon on tiny Nusa Ceningan! If the sun is shining on the day of your visit, you’ll be able to admire a veritable perfection of nature at its most beautiful.
Diving
The Nusa Islands boast some of Bali’s most beautiful dive sites. The marine flora and fauna are exceptional and very well preserved thanks to the protection of the local authorities. You’ll find superb coral just a few meters from shore and manta rays. There’s even a sunken temple for divers!
The majority of dive sites are in Nusa Penida, but there are also some in Nusa Lembongan. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Of course, each agency has its own level requirements, so it’s essential to find out in advance or once you’re on site. Our diving equipment is of the highest quality and well maintained. So don’t worry!
Surfing
Of course, the heart of Balinese surfing lies in Uluwatu. But you can also surf on the Nusa islands. Nusa Lembongan, close to the Coconuts Resort, is the main spot for surfers. However, the waves are not easy to tame and the area is not recommended for beginners. Regulars recommend surfing at high tide.
It’s also possible to surf at Nusa Ceningan, but it’s only accessible by boat.
The mangrove
East Nusa Lembongan is covered by tropical mangroves. You can tour it by boat. For those who want to get a closer look at a tropical ecosystem, this is the place to be.
Algaculture
Algaculture is the cultivation of seaweed. Seaweed farms are found mainly on the boundary between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. They are clearly visible at low tide when you take the yellow bridge from one island to the other. Here you can observe the traditional work of the locals.
How much does a ticket to the Nusa Islands cost?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / DenisShumov
There is no entrance ticket to the Nusa Islands. In fact, the only thing you have to pay for is your journey. Depending on your point of departure, point of arrival and type of boat, the trip will take between 30 minutes and 2 hours , for prices ranging from €50 to €70.
See ferries from Bali to Nusa.
How do I book a ticket to the Nusa Islands online?
Numerous tour operators offer excursions to the Nusa Islands. You’ll be spoilt for choice when booking, as many packages can be purchased online: private transfer, diving, accommodation, driver… Prices vary widely, from €10 per person to over €2,000 for a private boat with captain!
Are tours combined with other locations available?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / AsiaTravel
Some packages bookable online include the Gili Islands. Everything is taken care of. The price is quite high, but with the added bonus of tranquility. To give you an idea, a 5-day cruise between the two islands costs around €500.
How to get to the Nusa islands
- First of all, you need to fly to Bali. Don’t hesitate to consult the website of our partner Skyscanner to find the right combination. Once you’ve arrived at the Bali-Denpasar airport, the transfer is fairly straightforward. There are numerous means of transport at your disposal: shuttles, cabs, buses, private drivers…
- Once you’ve arrived, you’ll need to go to Sanur on the east side of the island, less than 30 minutes from the airport, Kuta or Seminyak. Then, if you’ve already booked in advance on the Internet or via an agency, you take your boat. All depart fairly early in the morning, often around 8am.
Please note: the types of boat are quite disparate, from local wooden boats tofast boats. The former is not very expensive(€3 to €5), but the trip takes between 60 and 90 minutes. If the sea is rough, given the absence of Western safety standards, this may frighten some, but incidents are extremely rare. The second is much more expensive, costing over €20, and sometimes €50 if you’re going directly to Nusa Penida! The journey then takes between 30 minutes (Lembongan) and 45 minutes (Penida).
See ferries from Bali to Nusa.
Where to stay in Nusa?
On the Nusa Islands, you’ll mainly find what are known as villas. These are often small, identical houses for each visitor. The place is well decorated, Balinese-style, and breakfast is often excellent. Accommodation in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida is fairly easy. There’s virtually no choice in Nusa Ceningan.
To find your accommodation, don’t hesitate to consult a hotel comparator or Airbnb for a more authentic experience.
Enjoy your stay in Bali!