Have you ever heard about Lembongan and Ceningan Island? Bali is undoubtedly a popular travel destination and it is true that there are so many things to do on the island itself. However, about 45 minutes by boat from Bali lies a paradise that is often overlooked by many visitors: Lembongan and Cenigan Island. I came across these islands when I was looking for things to do during my last vacation to Bali in November 2018. When I saw pictures of Blue Lagoon, I decided to go there during a day trip from Bali. In this article, I will give you some recommendations on what to see on both islands.
How To Get There And How To Get Around
Many boats are leaving every day from Sanur beach. The boat trip to Lembongan takes about 45 minutes and boating conditions are best in the morning. On my way back to Bali the swell was larger and the boat did bounce a few times over the waves. There are many boat companies and almost all will ask to put your shoes off as you have to walk through the water to the boat. A company called Rocky seems to have the best reviews. Boats from Bali will arrive at Lembongan on the northeastern side of the island.
The best way to get around on the islands is by hiring a scooter. A scooter cost 7000 rp per day (about $7 USD) and they don’t need it to be filled afterwards. This is the best way to see the islands on your own pace, without needing to be reliant on others all the time. Lembongan and Cenigan island are both pretty small but hilly islands. They are connected to each other by a bridge. In case you don’t want to drive a scooter yourself, don’t worry. You can hire a scooter with driver as well like I did.
Dream Beach
Dream Beach is located on the western side of the island and is in my opinion the best beach at Lembongan. There is a nice restaurant with wonderful views over the beach, perfect to start your day with a cappuccino! You will not find many other sandy beaches at Lembongan island. Other beaches are Maharigi Beach, Jungut Batu Beach, Mushroom Beach and Sandy Bay Beach.
Devil’s Tears Bay
Nest to Dream Beach is Devil’s Tears Bay, one of the numerous blow wholes on the island. It’s amazing to see the water of the ocean crashing into the cliff. Check my highlights on my instagram account to see this. Personally, I could stay here for hours and walk around the coast. As you can see on the photos, I was not the only tourist here.
Mangrove Nusantara
All the way on the other side of the island, you will find Mangrove Nusantara. Enter the boat and experience the beauty of the nature with all the animals in the forest.
Snorkling at Lembongan
Near Mangrove Nusantara, you’ll see crystal clear water that is perfect to do some snorkelling. This was definitely one of the highlights of all activities I undertook at Lembongan island. About 15 minutes by boat from the northeastern coast, I saw some beautiful coral and colourful fishes swimming around.
Cenigan Island
As I explain before, the two islands are connected to each other by bridge which is only accessible for scooters and bicycles. Cenigan island is smaller in size than Lembongan but I took some of the most beautiful photos here. I recommend 3 things to do here.
The Sand Restaurant
First it’s time to have lunch. I recommend The Sand Restaurant because of its beautiful setting, good food and many facilities around the coast. The restaurant is located on the western side of the island and I personally really love the view here. Besides good food, this place offers many more facilities for swimming or just to relax.
Blue Lagoon
With its crystal clear water and beautiful coast, Blue Lagoon is definitely the most beautiful tourist attraction here in my opinion. Blue Lagoon is located on the western side of the island near The Sand Restaurant. I recommend to spend at least one hour here to walk around the coast but be careful. I took many photos here, see below some of the best ones.
Cenigan Cliff
The last place I would recommend on Cenigan Island is the Cenigan Cliff. The cliff is located on the southeastern part of the island. I was surprised by the low number of tourists I saw here so good for nature lovers! There is also a restaurant here. The island you see on the other side is Penida Island, the biggest one of the three.
General Travel Tips
- For Accommodations, always check Airbnb and Hotels Combined for the best price options
- For specific tours and to know what’s around, always check Get Your Guide and Viator.
Lembongan And Ceningan Island Bottom Line
Before my visit to Bali, I didn’t know about Lembongan and Ceningan Island. I was so happy that I visited these beautiful places and to be honest, it was probably one of the best days of that trip. The trip is perfectly possible from Denpasar, Bali as most hotels are located over there. Myself, I stayed at the Hilton Bali Resort.
In my opinion, you can visit the most beautiful places of the islands in one day but you have to be selective. If you want to see more of the islands or stay longer, then it’s better to stay there for a few days. Personally, I really enjoyed the Blue Lagoon at Cenigan island as well as The Sand restaurant and its facilities.
Have you already visited Lembongan and Cenigan Island or are you planning a trip to Bali and do you want to go here? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
Love watching sunset every night !