10 Best Things to Do in The Nusa Islands in Bali

Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan form The Nusa Islands in Bali and they are located in a different regency but often wrongly thought of as being part of Bali, but can be easily visited from Padang Bai in Bali via a short ferry ride.

The Nusa Islands have rapidly started to overtake Bali In recent years as it is a true island paradise and is known for its spectacular sandy beaches. The most visited of the islands is Nusa Lembongan followed by Nusa Penida and then Nusa Ceningan which is the smallest island and sits between the two.

Activities like surfing, diving, and snorkelling can be done on the Nusa Islands, you can also experience trekking in the forests or exploring the mangroves in boat. The Nusa Islands also make the perfect place to relax, enjoy the peace and quietness of the island as it is away from the crowds and you can easily spend a week here sunbathing on the beautiful beaches. Read on further for the list of best things to do in the Nusa Islands.

10 Best Things to Do in The Nusa Islands

• Visit Crystal Bay
• Explore the seaweed farms
• Fly through the air on the Abyss Zipline
• Take a Beach Club Cruise
• Hike through Tembeling Forest
• Sunbathe on Mushroom Beach
• Visit Friends of the National Park Foundation Bird Sanctuary
• Cycle around Nusa Lembongan
• Discover Pura Penataran
• Explore Dream Beach

1. Visit Crystal Bay

One of the most stunning areas of Nusa Penida is Crystal Bay, made up of a long strip of sandy beach on the north coast which faces across to idyllic Nusa Ceningan. The waters here are crystal clear and people flock here for diving as well as snorkelling. There is a good chance of seeing sharks. It is one of the more visited parts of the island and also one of the best things to do in the Nusa Islands. Amenities like small cafes and shops selling cold drinks are available to treat its visitors in the most amazing way. It is one of the best places to visit in Nusa Penida.

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2. Explore the seaweed farms

Nusa Lembongan is famous for its seaweed farms, to find the farms make your way to the shoreline in the southeast of the island. The best way to know if you are close to a seaweed farm is to look out for the poles in the water. The seaweed is used to make Asian cosmetics and a great chance to see a homegrown industry at work on Nusa Lembongan.

3. Fly through the air on the Abyss Zipline

If you want a thrilling experience, head to Nusa Ceningan and try your hands on the newest attraction – the Abyss Zipline. Nusa Ceningan is known for its amazing cliffs, hence you can speed along a line that will take you skirting over the crashing waves. This is absolutely the best way to take in the views over the water. There will be instructors who will explain all the safety procedures so that you can fly from cliff to cliff safely.

4. Take a Beach Club Cruise

Nusa Lembongan is known for its beach club and the best way to experience this is to take a Beach Club Cruise. Once you cruise to Nusa Lembongan, you can sunbathe on the golden strip of sand in front of the crystal clear turquoise waters of Nusa Lembongan Bay. Also you get private use of the beach club as well as food and drink provided, it is one of the best things to do in the Nusa Islands and also one of the most luxurious ways to experience the beauty of the Nusa islands.

5. Hike through Tembeling Forest

Tembeling Forest on Nusa Penida is a great swathe of virgin rainforest that cuts across the pretty island. The forest is the home of an amazing array of flora and fauna. Nature-lovers should be sure not to miss it off the itinerary. It also makes a nice change from the beachfront vistas of Nusa Penida. A range of trails through the forest, scenic waterfalls with limpid pools will add up to your itinerary. 

6. Sunbathe on Mushroom Beach

When you arrive on Nusa Lembongan, Mushroom Beach is the first place you will see as this is also where most of the boats dock. One of the best things to do in the Nusa islands, Mushroom Beach has a long expanse of white sand and is the perfect spot if you want to go swimming, snorkelling, or diving. One of the big draws here is the traditional wooden huts called a lumbung, from where you can take in the seaside vistas.

7. Visit Friends of the National Park Foundation Bird Sanctuary

The Friends of the National Park Foundation Bird Sanctuary is located on Nusa Penida, a place to come if you love birds and want to know more about their welfare and protection in Indonesia. The Friends of the National Park Foundation Bird Sanctuary is also responsible for the amazing starling introduction program here as well as taking care of the natural environment on Nusa Penida.

8. Cycle around Nusa Lembongan

One of the best ways to take in the beauty of Nusa Lembongan is to rent a bicycle on the island and then cycle around. It is far more difficult to cycle on other islands like Nusa Ceningan so make the most of the easier terrain on Lembongan as well as the well-marked paths. The best way to see the island is to cycle along the coastline.

9. Discover Pura Penataran

Pura Penataran on Nusa Penida is one of the most important Hindu temples on the island and is a pilgrimage spot for many who visit. The deities of this temple are said to guard against illness, death, and disease and devotees come here to pray to ward off any bad luck or evil spirits. The temple is one of the most lavishly built in this area which makes it stand out against the rest of the island and if you happen to be on Nusa Penida then this is one cultural site not to be missed and definitely is one of the best things to do in the Nusa Islands.

10. Explore Dream Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in Bali is Dream Beach, as the name suggests, something like a dream with a long strip of white sand with splendid views across the water. The beach also has a small resort if you want to stay and a cafe where you can grab a cold beer and spend the day relaxing in this stunning environment. One thing to note, the water has strong currents. If you want to paddle in the shallows however then the visibility is excellent and you will be able to take in a range of underwater creatures without having to venture too far.

The Nusa islands in Bali are exactly what you’re looking for if you want the beauty of Balinese culture but wish it came without the crowds. With this list of the best things to do in the Nusa Islands, excited to plan your own Bali vacation? Kick-start your bookings to the vibrant place, plan for the best travel experience to Bali with Pickyourtrail packaged with lots of excitement. Or check out some of the best Bali tour packages or Bali packages for couple and book your holiday now! 

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