Tour of Nusa Lembongan

From the sandy beach in the town of Sanur in southern Bali, fast boats depart, which reach Lembongan in about 50 minutes. With wind and waves, a refreshing salt bath should be expected.

We start our tour of the island at a place called Devil's Tear. It is a rocky coast in the southwest, where the waves of the ocean crash into the cliffs with a wild crash and create geysers of exploding water. It's a beautiful sight.

This beach is considered one of the most beautiful not only in Lembongan, but also compared to Bali. But swimming is not the safest here. There are usually big waves and especially very strong and dangerous currents. It is possible to stay right above the beach. Dream Beach Inn offers cozy cottages in a traditional style.

In the local Hindu environment, the moods of gods and demons affect the daily lives of the inhabitants. Most days are dedicated to something, and this is reflected in the large number of different religious rituals.

This is the largest Hindu temple in this southeastern settlement of the island. Many religious festivities and rituals take place here. This is preceded by the preparation of people and the necessary artifacts.

To get to know the island, renting a bike proved successful. Another alternative is a scooter, but it is more suitable for a larger area of Bali than for Lembongan, which has about 8 square kilometers. Its roughly 8,000 inhabitants and their rural life are worth discovering.

Locals most often use scooters for transportation. The loan costs between 50,000 and 100,000 Rp for one day, ie about 75 to 150 CZK. However, we cycle better through narrow paths, alleys and interaction with local life is easier.

The natural beauty of the island's coastline and sandy beaches sometimes contrast sharply with the inland reality. The simple living of the locals is surrounded by fruit trees and wild landfills, including five bottles, which are sometimes disposed of by burning.

From Lembongan Village we continue along the south coast to the yellow suspension bridge that connects Lembongan with another island of Ceningan. The bridge is not only for pedestrians, but scooters also use it a lot.

After the bridge, we turn right and ride our bikes along the coast of this tiny island. There are several varungs, offering a pleasant sitting with refreshing fresh juices made from local ingredients. The narrow canal between the two islands can be used for swimming or relaxation, as well as a walk depending on whether there is a tide.

After about half a kilometer along the coast we turn right and by a quite steep climb we reach the top parts of the island. Along the way are the buildings and farms of the locals.

Roughly in the middle of the island we turn right from the top road and after about 200 meters we are on a beautiful lookout with a small restaurant. From here there is a wonderful view of another neighboring island Nusa Penida. According to local sources, it has 16 villages, 100 active fishermen and is visited by about 200,000 tourists a year. The return trip to the coast is by bike an adrenaline experience.

From Jungutbatu Village, fast boats of various companies depart back to Bali. Due to occasional larger waves, some connections are delayed or even merged. This causes frequent delays. It is therefore not a good idea to leave your return from Nusa Lembongan on the day we also have a departure from Bali (a specific experience of a Frenchman and his partner who traveled with us). But the joy of a happy landing is great.