Gili Trawangan Island to Nusa Lembongan tickets

About the ride from Gili Trawangan Island to Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is the perfect destination to visit once you've finished partying and snorkeling on Gili Trawangan.

The largest of the three Nusa Islands, Lembongan, is off the southeast coast of Bali. It is famous worldwide for its diving and snorkeling spots and spectacular viewpoints.

Nusa Lembongan is not to be missed. It is blessed with a relaxed atmosphere and is still relatively quiet compared to other Indonesian tourist hotspots.

People come from all over the world to see manta rays and swim alongside dolphins and turtles. You'll fall in love with its untouched beauty, rolling hills, quaint towns, and stunning beaches within minutes of arriving on Nusa Lembongan's shores.

The three to five-hour ferry journey will fly by as you sunbathe on the speedboat's roof or lie back and relax on a larger ship.

What is Nusa Lembongan like?

The idyllic Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia, is an island with surreal beauty and a host of destinations to explore.

Numerous beaches line its shores, and it's easy to pop over to Nusa Ceningan or Nusa Penida to extend the adventure.

Most tourists only touch Nusa Lembongan's shores for day trips, making it a great place to enjoy the island's more peaceful side in the mornings and evenings.

You can circumnavigate the entire island in less than an hour by motorbike, as long as you feel comfortable driving on the narrow roads. New drivers should hire taxis or walk around the island because the streets are daunting for newbies.

Unmissable things to do in Nusa Lembongan

Despite its small size, Nusa Lembongan is home to dozens of gems. 

Don't neglect these treasures when planning your island adventure:

1. Take a beach day (or two). Nusa Lembongan has many gorgeous beaches, so set aside a couple of days to explore them all and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this remote island. Start with Dream Beach in the south, then work north toward Jungutbatu Beach.

2. Learn to surf. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, Nusa Lembongan is an incredible destination for surfing. Book yourself a lesson to start from scratch, or tour the beaches to find the best spots suitable for expert surfers.

3. Marvel at the views. You can't beat the views on Nusa Lembongan, so make time to visit iconic spots like the picturesque Devil's Tears or Sunset Point.

4. Sail through the mangrove forests. Book a guided tour to sail through the tranquil mangrove dotted around the island's northern part. Floating along the river is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

5. Go snorkeling. Nusa Lembongan has rich marine life, with a wide range of colorful fish, corals, and, if you're lucky, manta rays.
   
   Book a guided tour or snorkel directly from the shores of Dream Beach or Secret Beach. Access the latter by sliding under a rock at Mushroom Beach, which has a more serene environment than some of its sister beaches.

6. Find a hidden gem. An unusual attraction on the island is The Garden of Abundance, a small permaculture garden project on the island's east side. Spend time wandering through the garden and chatting with the founders.

Pro tip: Wear shoes suitable for climbing when hiking to and from the beaches. Some have incredibly steep hills that feel impossible to summit safely in flip-flops.

The best way to get from Gili Trawangan to Nusa Lembongan

The only way to get from Gili T to Nusa Lembongan is by boat crossing the Badung Strait in the Bali Sea. There are no airports on the islands. 

You can take a standard, high-speed, or speedboat ferry to cover the 75.3 kilometers (47 miles). But don't be fooled by their names. Sometimes, a high-speed ferry is slower than a standard ferry, so be sure to read over the details. 

All the ferries take between three and five hours. The boat usually stops at other islands, like Gili Air or Gili Meno, prolonging the journey.

Boats leave multiple times daily, starting in the early morning and stretching until late evening. 

Each island has various pick-up and drop-off points, including your accommodation, for an additional fee. 

Larger ferries will have toilets, but the smaller ones won't.

All ferries have:

Plentiful luggage allowance

Air conditioning

English-speaking service

Pro tip: Ask the drivers if you can sit on the top deck for part of the journey on smaller boats. The wind is intense, but the views are epic! Pack on the sunscreen, too.

What is the journey from Gili Trawangan to Nusa Lembongan like?

You'll have to pay a Gili Trawangan Harbor Retribution Fee of IDR 10,000 ($0.65) per passenger upon arrival and departure. So, have cash handy.

This journey is an unforgettable one. On a clear, sunny day, you'll watch the Gili Islands slowly disappear behind you and marvel at the incoming views of the trio of Nusa Islands up ahead.

Where the Gili Islands are flat, the Nusa Islands are full of rolling hills and cliffside views. Eagle-eyed sailors will see fishing and leisure boats roaming the waters along the way.

Claim a window seat or climb onto the top deck to enjoy the view to the fullest.

Pro tip: If you're prone to seasickness, bring preventative medicine because the journey might get bumpy, especially on poor weather days or during monsoon season.

When is the best time to visit Nusa Lembongan?

It's best to visit Nusa Lembongan during the dry season between May and September.

The island experiences significantly less rainfall, lower humidity, and beautiful sunshine during this period. The sunniest weather occurs between June and October.

The weather is typically less humid than in Bali, making it ideal for long beach days.

Surfing enthusiasts should avoid the monsoon season between November and March, as it makes catching the best waves almost impossible.

Where should I go after Nusa Lembongan?

The natural choice is to hop over to another of the Nusa Islands, which are equally breathtaking. Nusa Ceningan is a smaller island best explored on a day trip, but it's worth staying overnight on Nusa Penida to see all of its magic.

Or, head to Lombok to explore a bigger island and swim in its magnificent waterfalls.