South Bali - Bali and Lombok - page 63

NUSA LEMBONGAN &
ISLANDS
One of three islands just off the southern coast
of East Bali, Nusa Lembongan is overshadowed
by its much larger sibling Nusa Penida, but
it is foremost in terms of traveller popular-
ity thanks to its enjoyable beach scene and
great diving, and because it's the destination
of choice for aquatic sports day trips.
Glimpsed from across south and east Bali,
the islands beckon many a traveller - as well
they should. Lembongan is the main desti-
nation and, even though other parts of Bali
are begging for visitors, an increasing crowd
just keeps making the voyage. Certainly they
are well rewarded. Lembongan has a mellow
travellers vibe and great surfing and diving
and is made for casual exploration.
Nusa Penida, the giant of the trio, is seldom
visited and that's a shame. It's got dramatic
vistas right the way around, a wild and unpopu-
lated interior and delightful residents who are
very interested that you've decided to drop by.
It's the closest place to Bali where you can fall
right off the beaten path and be glad you did.
Tiny Nusa Ceningan is very sparsely pop-
ulated and makes a good little jaunt from
Lembongan.
The islands have been a poor region for
many years. Thin soils and a lack of fresh water
do not permit the cultivation of rice, but other
crops such as maize, cassava and beans are sta-
ples grown here. The main cash crop, however,
is seaweed (see Seaweed Sundae p150).
NUSA LEMBONGAN
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Lembongan is a wonderful place. Low-budget
bungalows are ideal for extended stays by the
seaside, while more upmarket hotels offer
comfort and quiet. It's free of cars, motorcycle
noise and hassles. It has a local population of
about 7000 people, mostly living in two small
villages, Jungutbatu and Lembongan.
For a short visit, take a convenient cruise
boat, stopping to snorkel or bask on a beach,
or do a more specialised diving or surf trip.

modation is further south towards Mush-
room Bay, where many of the day-trip cruise
boats stop.
About 4km southwest along the sealed road
from Jungutbatu is Lembongan village, the
island's other town. Leaving Jungutbatu you
climb up a steep knoll that offers a wonderful
view back over the beach. You can go right
around the island, following the rough track
that eventually comes back to Jungutbatu,
but the roads are challenging for cyclists and
walkers.
There's no jetty at Jungutbatu - the boats
usually beach in the shallows by the village.
The Perama boat stops outside Mandara Beach
Bungalows, while the public shuttle boat and
Scoot boat stops further south. This part of the
beach is the only bit that's truly dirty.

NUSA LEMBONGAN

0 1 km

0 0.5 miles

A B C D

INFORMATION Morin Lembongan..................... 17 B3 EATING

Bank BPD..................................... 1 C3 Mushroom Bay Bungalows......... 18 B3 Bar & Cafe Bali........................... 29 A3

Medical Clinic.............................. 2 C2 Mutiara Villa............................... 19 B3 Kainalu.....................................(see 13)

1 Nusa Lembongan Bungalows..... 20 C2 Saka Nusa.................................. 30 C3

SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES Nusa Lembongan Resort............ 21 A3 Scooby Doo Bar & Cafe.............. 31 B3

Blue Corner.................................. 3 C2 Oka Bungalow Number 7........... 22 B3 Two Thousand Cafe................... 32 B3

Bounty & Bali Hai Pontoons......... 4 A3 Playgrounds............................... 23 B3

Ceningan Point............................ 5 D4 Pondok Baruna........................... 24 B3 TRANSPORT

Jackfish Point............................... 6 D2 Puri Nusa Bungalows................. 25 C2 Nusa Penida Boat.....................(see 33)

Pura Sakenan............................... 7 C2 Villa Wayan Cottages................. 26 B3 Perama Tourist Boat.................(see 33)

Pura Segara.................................. 8 B3 Waka Nusa Resort..................... 27 A4 Public Boats................................ 33 B3

Snorkelling Area........................... 9 C2 Ware-Ware................................ 28 B3 Scoot.......................................(see 33)

Underground House................... 10 B4

Selat 3

World Diving...........................(see 24)

Badung

To Toyapakeh

SLEEPING

(7km)

Agung's Lembongan Lodge....... 11 B2

2

9

Bungalow Number 7.................. 12 B3 Shipwreck

7

Bungalow Tarci.......................... 13 C2

Surf Break 6

25

Coconuts Beach Resort............... 14 B3

13

Linda Bungalows......................(see 13)

Mainski Inn................................ 15 B2 20

11

Mandara Beach Bungalows........ 16 B3

2

15

Information
It's vital that you bring sufficient cash for
your stay as there's no ATM. Bank BPD (

32

30

16

Lacerations
Surf Break 8am-

3pm Mon-Thu, 8am-1pm Fri) can exchange travellers
cheques and cash but rates are bad and hours
short. Mainski Inn (

h

31

24

1

Playground

3

Surf Break

Jungutbatu

12

Pantai

) can
process Visa and Mastercard cash advances.
Sometimes there's a line.
Mainski Inn also has a wartel (public telephone
office; per min 1000Rp) and it offers fast broadband
and wi-fi, as does Pondok Baruna.
Small markets can be found on the main
street with the bank, but unless you're on a
diet of bottled water and Ritz crackers, selec-
tion is small.
Offerings of thanks are still being given
for 24-hour electricity, which was introduced
in 2005.
The medical clinic in the village is well
versed in minor surfing injuries and ear
ailments.
Boats from Bali are met by men offering
to carry your luggage or lead you to a hotel.
If your hotel is far you may wish to carefully
negotiate for their luggage services. But there's
no need for the latter.

Selegimpak

24481r from 70,000Rp;

% i

33

To Sanur

22

4

(18km) 8

14

18

Mushroom

23 28

Bay

26

29

17 19

Pura Dalem

21

27

5

4

Lembongan

Dream
Beach

Nusa 10

Nusa

Ceningan

Ceningan Reef

Penida

Surf Break

At the north end of town is a somewhat
rickety metal lighthouse . Follow the path
around east to Pura Sakenan .

Lembongan' p151). Alternatively, get a boat
from Jungutbatu.

DREAM BEACH
Down a little track, on the south side of the
island, this 150m crescent of white sand has
pounding surf and a cute little café.

MUSHROOM BAY
This gorgeous little bay, unofficially named
for the mushroom corals offshore, has a per-
fect crescent of white-sand beach. During
the day, the tranquillity may be disturbed by
banana-boat rides or parasailing. In the morn-
ing and the evening, it's always a delightful
place to spend some time.
The most pleasant way to get here from

Sights
JUNGUTBATU
The beach here, a mostly lovely arc of white
sand with clear blue water, has superb views
across to Gunung Agung on Bali. The village

LEMBONGAN
The other main town on the island looks
across the seaweed farm-filled channel to
Nusa Ceningan. It's a beautiful scene of clear
water and green hills. You may get some