Nusa Islands hotel guide
Best hotels on Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are two islands off Bali's southeast coast, reached by fast boat from Sanur in 30 to 45 minutes. Lembongan is the smaller, easier island, with calm bays, beach clubs, and manta ray snorkelling. Penida is bigger and wilder, home to the Kelingking cliff viewpoint, Angel's Billabong, and Broken Beach. Staying overnight beats a day trip: you get the viewpoints early, before the day-trippers arrive.
What the Nusa islands are actually like
Nusa Lembongan sits about 12 km across the Badung Strait from Sanur. Its main bases are Jungut Batu, a long beach strip with restaurants and the island's best hotels, and Mushroom Bay, where many boats land. Dream Beach and Devil's Tear are on the west coast, and the Yellow Bridge links Lembongan to tiny Nusa Ceningan. Snorkelling trips from Lembongan visit Manta Point, where manta rays gather, and the coral gardens off the north coast.
Nusa Penida is much larger and hillier, with rougher roads. Kelingking Beach, the T-Rex cliff on the southwest coast, is its most famous viewpoint, and the hike down to the beach is steep and demanding. Angel's Billabong, a natural rock pool, and Broken Beach, a collapsed sea arch, sit nearby on the west coast. Crystal Bay is the best swimming beach. On landing at Penida you pay Klungkung's island levy of IDR 25,000 per person, in cash.
Getting around and when to visit
Fast boats leave Sanur Harbour at Matahari Terbit, at the north end of Sanur beach, where a new terminal opened in November 2022. The crossing to Lembongan takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly IDR 150,000 to 250,000 one way. The crossing to Penida takes 30 to 45 minutes and costs roughly IDR 170,000 to 250,000 one way. Departures run from about 7:30 AM to 5 PM. Boats between Penida and Lembongan take 10 to 15 minutes and cost about IDR 60,000. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure to check in, and book the return in advance, as the last boats back fill up first. On the islands, get around by scooter or hired car and driver. Penida's roads are hilly and rocky in places, so a driver is the safer choice if you are not confident on a scooter.
The dry season runs April to October, with the calmest seas and most reliable boat schedules. The strait gets rough from December to March, and crossings are sometimes delayed or cancelled. There are no boats on Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence.
Honest downside: the crossing can be rough, and wet-season cancellations can strand you an extra night, so do not plan a tight flight connection the same day you return. On Penida, the Kelingking descent is steep and dangerous, and swimming at Kelingking Beach has been prohibited since 2023 because of the currents. Facilities on both islands are thinner than on the mainland, with fewer ATMs and basic medical care.
Where to stay on the Nusa islands
The Tamarind Resort Nusa Lembongan
A 5-star boutique resort on the hill above Jungut Batu, a 2 minute walk to the beachfront restaurants. It has 3 villas, 12 suites, two infinity pools, a kids pool, a restaurant, a gym, and a day spa. Suites are named for the elements, Candrika, Atapa, and Pavana, and all have private balconies, with sea-view rooms looking across to Mount Agung. It is the most polished resort on the island, and everything in Jungut Batu is walkable from it.
Best for: couples, honeymooners, and families who want the best resort on Lembongan.
Read reviews on Google →Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Spa
A 4-star resort of 39 rooms and villas on a hillside above Jungut Batu, with three outdoor pools, a spa, and beach access. The Muntigs Bar and Restaurant serves international food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the resort arranges snorkelling day trips and Penida tours. It sits about 1.6 km from Paradise Beach and 1.7 km from Tamarind Beach, with restaurants and the beach a short walk downhill.
Best for: couples and families who want a proper resort with a spa at a mid-range price.
Read reviews on Google →Adiwana Warnakali Resort
A 4-star resort of 23 rooms in Sakti village, opened in 2019, a 3 minute drive from the Toyapakeh ferry dock and 6 minutes from Gamat Bay. Rooms have mountain or sea views, and the Warnakali Restaurant serves the resort. It is about 11 km from Kelingking Beach and 4 km from Banana Beach, which makes it a practical base for the west coast sights without the long drive from the east of the island.
Best for: couples and small groups who want a comfortable Penida base near the harbour.
Read reviews on Google →Semabu Hills Hotel Nusa Penida
An all-suite hotel on a hillside above Sakti, with a pool and ocean-view suites, pool-access suites, and two-bedroom villas with private pools. It sits close to the Toyapakeh harbour and the west coast sights, and its own fast-boat service runs the Sanur route. Rooms are good value for Penida, and the villas suit families or groups who want a private pool without a luxury price.
Best for: budget-conscious travelers, couples, and families who want a pool and a view on Penida.
Read reviews on Google →Boats leave from Sanur, so many travelers spend a night there first. See the Sanur guide, the best time to visit Bali for sea conditions, and the hotel prices by area. Still deciding between the islands? Take the area quiz, or compare the mainland beach areas in Uluwatu and Nusa Dua.
Prices are approximate nightly rates found on booking sites and guides, and vary by season, room type, and availability. Many Bali rates add about 21 percent tax and service. The Bali tourist levy (IDR 150,000, about $10 per person, once per trip) applies to all visitors. Always confirm the current rate before you book.