The old saying is true, that visitors to your see more of it than you do. I am a longtern visitor to Bali, and have seen my fair share of it. One part of Bali I have never seen, that is popular
with visitors, is Nusa Lembongan.
Looking a map of Bali, you can see 3 islands across the Badung Strait to the south. These are Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The tourist island is Nusa Lembongan, famous for its surfing breaks (Shipwrecks, Lacerations, Playgrounds) and for its days trips for snorkeling.
Ika and Jevon are going to Java for most of Ramadan and the week of Idul Fitri. Ika wants him to experience the festive atmosphere and feel the spirit of the occassion, much like being in England for Christmas.
This gives me some extra space with which to explore and a trip to Nusa Lembongan is overdue. Looking at my guide book, the ‘Natural Guide to Bali‘, it tells me there are several ways I could get to Nusa Lembongan. These include: Public boats from Sanur beach, leaving daily at 8am and 10am (90 minute one-way, 35,000rp). Coming back the boats leave at 7.30am from Jungutbatu.
Perama does a shuttle from Sanur, leaving at 10.30am and returning at 8.30am, for 50,000rp. I’ll probably take Perama, as they are most likely be on time, and have a boat with no holes in. It is possible to charter a private boat for 300,000rp.
For people staying in Kuta, Perama has an office about 50 meters before the bottom end of Jl. Legian. Pop in and ask about their latest schedules and rates.
What’s on Nusa Lembongan?
Nusa Lembongan is basically a quiet fishing community located on a dry island. Westeners go there for surfing, staying at the guest houses in front of Lacerations and snorkeling, from day trip boats. There is budget accomodation as well as higher end. I’ll go for the budget and give a rundown of what else is there.
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Hi Nick,
I went there just once, quite a few years ago. As I remember it, we got on an oversized outrigger, with a good motor on the back. I think we paid a small amount at a place close to where the boat left Sanur.
It was a very smooth trip. A bit of rough water doesn’t bother me, but my wife was prone to sea-sickness, even in comparatively smooth water with just a bit of swell. No problems at all, this outrigger cut through the water like a knife. Altogether, a very pleasant trip.
We spent a few pleasant days there, but the outrigger wasn’t running on the day we returned so we came back on one of the modern, state-of-the-art ferries. In the middle of the strait there was a bit of a tidal race and the ferry was thrown around all over the place. One of the crew, a nice young man from Fremantle, took my wife up on deck to where he reckoned she would be most comfortable.
I know we can’t always judge a situation from just one experience, but I would be inclined to take the cheap outrigger every time.