In this post I will introduce you the hidden island of Indonesia – Lembongan. Lembongan is one of the 17 508 islands of the biggest Muslim country in the world.

Nusa Lembongan (Nusa means “island” in Indonesian language) is a small island connected with Nusa Ceningan located few miles/kilometers from Bali. Both are worth to visit, they are less hectic and touristy than the neighbor island Bali.

Before traveling to Indonesia, I had never heard about the island Lembongan. However, during my travels around Bali other travelers recommended it. I planned to travel 1 week in islands east part of Bali.

I booked a boat ticket from Bali – Lembongan – Gili islands – Lombok – Bali. And I did a great choice!

Lembongan harbor

Crystal clear water in Lembongan harbor

Interesting facts and my travel tips about Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

• There is no police; you can drive on motorbike without any limitations. BUT be careful about terrible roads like this:
  

  On the way to Mangrove forest in Lembongan

• The locals are poor, daily earnings in Indonesia is around 52 000 IDR (3,5 EUR; 15 000=1 EUR), but they are less worried about the future and much happier. They are friendly and smiley (of course, if you are tourist, they want to get as much money as possible, but in general you will have a positive experience)
  

  Locals in Nusa Ceningan, Indonesia

  

  Old woman on Lembongan island

• Many locals work on kelp farms, and they dry them in from of their cottages. Most of kelp are sent to Japan and used for cosmetics
  

  Cottages of local people on Lembongan

  

  Beach next to the cottage in Lembongan

  

  Man working in front of his cottage, Indonesia

  

  Woman with her child next to a kelp farm in Lembongan

  

  Woman with her child next to a kelp farm in Lembongan

  

  Kelp Farms in Lembongan

  

  Woman collecting kelp in Lembongan harbour

• The prices on Lembongan are little bit higher than on Bali, for example renting a motorbike with oil is 70 000 IDR/per day (5 EUR). In Bali you can rent a motorbike for 40 000 IDR/per day (3 EUR) + full tank is around 15 000 IDR (1 EUR)
• Lembongan does have Balinese Hinduism, same as Bali. This is different from other parts of Indonesia, as this is the biggest Muslim country in the world
  

  Traditional sacrifices

• You can get from Bali to Lembongan by boat which takes around 30 minutes. I bought the boat ticket Bali – Lembongan – Gili islands – Lombok – Bali for 900 000 IDR/60 EUR with open days, so I could manage my travels
  

  On the way to harbor in Lembongan

How to travel around the Lembongan in 1 day

1. Start with a breakfast: Watermelon fresh with Asian omelet and swim a while in the sea
   

   Omelet with watermelon fresh in Lembongan

2. Go to north part of the island to mangrove forest. Be aware of that terrible road! On the way back we passed Empu Aji Temple, the Balinese temple
   

   The bridge to Mandrove forest in Lembongan

   

   Mangrove forest in Lembongan, Indonesia

   

   Empu Aji Temple

3. North part of island is full of kelp farms with cottages. This is one of my favorite part of Lembongan -> peaceful, quite and for the possibility to take many colorful photos
   

   Beautiful spot of Lembongan

   

   Kelp farms in Lembongan

   

   Fishing boat in a kelp farm in Lembongan

   

   Locals are painting the old ship

4. Going into center of the island Lembongan, the Jungubatu village, it is getting greener and even more quite, really we did not meet anybody!
   

   Driving motorbike to Jungubatu village, the heart of Lembongan

5. Passing the bridge from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan is a real dream
   

   The bridge from Ceningan to Lembongan

   

   Me passing the bridge from Lembongan to Ceningan

6. Ceningan island does have a Dream Point with rocky beach (difficult to access), however the view is stunning!
   

   View from Dream Point in Lembongan

7. Coming back to Lembongan to its South and seeing Mushroom Bay next to Dream Beach. We swam in the ocean,  (be careful about the big waves, it can be dangerous), it is lot of fun! On the top of rocks the amazing show ends the day. Many locals come to watch the power of ocean
   

   Entering Dream Beach on Lembongan

   

   Swing of Dream Beach in Lembongan

   

   Me on Dream Beach before sunset

   

   Cloudy afternoon on Dream Beach, Lembongan

   

   Amazing sunset with big waves on Dream Beach

   

   Waves are coming to rocks in Lembongan

   

   Waves hit rocks in Lembongan

   

   Watching waves in Dream Beach

   

   Sunset from Dream beach in Lembongan

8. On the way back we got lost due to lack of lights on the streets, but with help of locals we drove back to the port and ate an amazing dinner

What to see/do on Lembongan, if you have more than 1 day:

• Diving with Manta rays
• To visit Sunset beach for the best sunset on the island
• Tour in Mangrove forest
• Relaxing with the view to ocean
• Surfing

Have you visited Indonesia? What recommendations do you have?

If not, is this country on your bucket list?

Share your experience and thoughts with us!