Nusa Lembongan with Kids: Family Travel Guide

Yes. Nusa Lembongan is a great choice for families with young children. There is plenty to do without needing a busy itinerary, from swimming and beach days to snorkeling, mangrove trips, and exploring the island. The main things to consider are the boat crossing from Bali, getting around once you arrive, and choosing your trips and tours carefully, especially when traveling with toddlers.

Nusa Lembongan is a particularly good fit if you:

• want a relaxed island atmosphere rather than a busy Bali itinerary
• are happy to use a baby carrier instead of a stroller, since many paths are sandy or unpaved
• are happy to explore at a slower pace with young children

It may be less suitable if you:

• want a large all-inclusive resort with extensive kids’ club facilities
• need everything to be easily accessible with a stroller
• get seasick easily or want to avoid boat crossings

If you’re deciding between Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida, our Nusa Islands with Kids guide compares all three islands and explains which one may suit your family best.

The most common way to get to Nusa Lembongan is by fast boat from Sanur. The crossing takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the boat and sea conditions. You can compare schedules and book your tickets through 12Go Asia, which is worth doing in high season when popular departures can sell out.

We’ve taken the boat to Nusa Lembongan many times, including some very rough crossings with really high waves. Our oldest daughter got seasick during the crossing, so we recommend being prepared with seasickness medication if appropriate for your child (ask your pediatrician about age-appropriate options for young children), as well as a few plastic bags just in case. With kids, we recommend choosing a reputable operator with a larger boat, such as Rocky Fast Cruise.

Rocky has its own private pier in both Sanur and Nusa Lembongan, so you can board and get off without walking through the water. Hotel transfers are also available on both sides.

You may need to walk through shallow water with other operators. The crew usually handles your larger checked luggage, but a baby carrier is much more useful than a stroller when traveling with toddlers. Many boat operators also offer transfers to your hotel, so check what is included when booking.

You can also reach Nusa Lembongan from other parts of Bali and the nearby islands:

• Nusa Dua: Eka Jaya operates a direct service to Lembongan, which can be convenient if you are staying in South Bali.
• Padang Bai: Eka Jaya also runs a direct service, making this a useful option if you are staying in East Bali.
• Nusa Penida: Regular fast boats connect the two islands.
• Gili Islands: Direct services are available on some routes, depending on the season.

Nusa Lembongan is small enough to explore easily, but getting around with young kids takes a little planning. The roads can be narrow and uneven, and many paths around the beaches are sandy or unpaved.

Here are the main options for getting around Nusa Lembongan with kids:

• Buggy: One of the most fun ways to explore the island with kids. Our girls absolutely loved it, and having your own buggy means you can explore at your own pace without relying on taxis or hotel transfers. You can also rent a buggy on Nusa Lembongan. Parking can be a little tricky in busy areas such as Jungut Batu, but overall, we found it a very convenient way to get around.
• Hotel transfers and local taxis: Your hotel can usually arrange a local pickup or taxi when you need to go somewhere. Many restaurants also offer pickup and drop-off, so it is worth asking when making a reservation.
• Scooters: Scooters are a common way to get around Nusa Lembongan, but the roads can be narrow and uneven, with traffic and tight corners in places. When our girls were 2 and 3, we chose not to ride with them. If you do, make sure you have the correct motorcycle license and insurance coverage for riding in Indonesia.
• Stroller or baby carrier? A stroller is not very practical on Nusa Lembongan, especially around beaches and on sandy or uneven paths. A baby carrier is a much easier option for getting around with babies and toddlers.

Jungut Batu is our favorite area to stay with kids, but the right hotel may matter more than the exact location. Nusa Lembongan is small, so if you are happy to use a buggy, taxi, or hotel transfer, you can stay a little farther from the main areas without making life too difficult.

Best Area to Stay with Kids

Jungut Batu is our favorite area, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops, and accommodation within easy reach. The beach is beautiful, although swimming conditions depend on the tide and location.

Mushroom Bay is a good alternative if you prefer somewhere a little quieter. It has a sheltered bay, restaurants, and a good selection of accommodation. If you plan to use transport, both areas work well for families.

Best Family Hotels in Nusa Lembongan

We have stayed in different parts of Nusa Lembongan over several visits, so these recommendations include places we have actually stayed at or spent time at.

Kakiang Guesthouse is a simple, affordable option that we have stayed at ourselves. It is not a luxury resort, but we found it perfectly fine and would happily recommend it if you are looking for a good-value place to stay.

For something more special, Ohana’s Beachfront Resort & Beach Club is a lovely option in Jungut Batu. We have been here for an evening with our kids and really enjoyed the beachfront setting, kids’ menu, playground, and relaxed atmosphere. Our girls absolutely loved it, especially the campfire on the beach, which made it a particularly memorable evening for them.

Lembongan Island Beach Villas is worth considering if you want more space and a villa-style stay. We have stayed in this area ourselves and loved the views and extra space, which can be particularly useful with toddlers.

What to Look for When Booking with Kids

With toddlers, the room and hotel facilities can make a bigger difference than the exact location. After a morning exploring the island, it is useful to have somewhere comfortable to relax during nap time or before dinner.

When choosing accommodation, we would look for:

• A pool, especially with toddlers
• Enough space, such as a larger room or villa
• A balcony or terrace, so parents have somewhere to sit during naps
• Restaurants nearby, which makes evenings easier

If you are still deciding where to stay in Bali, our guide to the best areas to stay in Bali with kids covers the main family-friendly areas and what each one is best for.

Nusa Lembongan is a great island to explore with kids. You can spend the day exploring by buggy, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, or enjoying one of the island’s family-friendly beach clubs.

Explore Nusa Lembongan

Exploring the island is one of our favorite things to do with kids. With younger children, a buggy is a fun way to get around, while older kids may enjoy exploring by scooter if you are comfortable riding in Indonesia.

If you would rather not drive yourself, you can also book a guided buggy or island tour, which takes care of the driving and lets you focus on enjoying the island.

With your own transport, you can easily combine several stops, such as Dream Beach, Devil’s Tear, Panorama Point, and the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan.

Visit the Beaches

There are several beautiful beaches around Nusa Lembongan, and Dream Beach is probably our favorite. The setting is spectacular, but the sea can also be quite rough, with strong waves at times.

With young children, be especially careful around the water at Dream Beach when conditions are rough. Jungut Batu and Mushroom Bay are good alternatives for a more relaxed beach stop, while Sandy Bay is another lovely place to combine beach time with food.

If you are looking for more family-friendly beaches beyond Nusa Lembongan, check out our guide to the best beaches in Bali for families.

Spend Time at a Beach Club

A beach club can make family beach time particularly easy, since you can combine food, swimming, the beach, and somewhere to relax in one place.

We had a great evening at Ohana’s Beachfront Resort & Beach Club, where our girls especially enjoyed the playground, kids’ menu, and beach campfire. Dream Beach Huts and Sandy Bay Beach Club are two other options worth considering. Sandy Bay also has a kids’ play area, making it a good choice for families with younger children.

Go Snorkeling

Snorkeling around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida is some of our favorite snorkeling in Bali. We have done several trips here and have had some incredible experiences, including seeing manta rays and, with a little luck, dolphins.

A typical trip may include Manta Bay or Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Mangrove Point, although the exact route depends on the sea conditions and the operator.

If you want to go snorkeling with kids, we would absolutely choose a private trip rather than a large group tour. Having your own boat gives you much more flexibility to adjust the route, take breaks, and head back if conditions are not suitable for your children.

We did not take our girls snorkeling when they were 2 and 3, as conditions can change quickly around the islands. We have experienced everything from calm, beautiful water to very high waves, strong currents, and busy conditions.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Only go if your kids are confident swimmers and the conditions are suitable.
• The sea can be rough, with strong currents and high waves on some days.
• The water can be surprisingly cold, especially for young children.
• Small jellyfish can sometimes be present, so a rashguard is useful.
• Popular snorkeling spots can get very busy, especially around the manta sites.

If you are considering a trip with kids, ask the operator about the conditions that morning. Going early can also help avoid some of the crowds. If the swell is too strong, we would simply skip the snorkeling that day.

Manta rays are regularly seen around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, although sightings are never guaranteed.

Diving for Older Kids and Parents

For older kids and parents, diving is another option. The waters around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are known for manta rays, mola mola, and other marine life, although some dive sites can be challenging.

We have had some memorable dives around the islands, including encounters with manta rays, mola mola, and even a hammerhead shark. If you are a diver, Nusa Lembongan is definitely worth considering as a base for diving.

Planning a bigger family trip to Bali? Check out our complete Bali with Kids guide

Nusa Lembongan is a great base for exploring the other Nusa Islands with kids. Nusa Ceningan is an easy little trip, while Nusa Penida is a much bigger and more demanding day out. If you are still deciding which island is best for your family, see our Nusa Islands with Kids guide for a comparison of all three.

Nusa Ceningan with Kids

Nusa Ceningan makes a fun and easy half-day trip from Nusa Lembongan. We really enjoyed exploring the island with our girls and found it was a great little outing for the morning.

The main thing to know with kids is that you cannot take your buggy across the Yellow Bridge. You can cross on foot or by scooter, and you can usually find local transport on the other side, so getting around Ceningan is easy enough.

Blue Lagoon is one of the main stops to visit, and Mahana Point is another popular viewpoint. The island is very small, so you do not need a full day to see the highlights.

Nusa Penida with Kids

Nusa Penida is spectacular, but a day trip from Lembongan is a much bigger undertaking. We have visited Nusa Penida three times, but not with our kids. By the time our girls were old enough to travel with us, we had already seen the island several times, so we did not feel the need to repeat the long day with them.

Nusa Penida is much bigger than it looks, and getting between the main sights can take a long time. With kids, we would not recommend exploring by scooter. A car with a local driver or a guided tour is a much more practical option, but be prepared for a long day in the car.

If you have never been to Nusa Penida, though, it is absolutely worth considering. The scenery is incredible, and whether the long day is worth it with your kids will really depend on their age, patience, and how much they enjoy sightseeing.

The main highlights are spread across the island:

• West: Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong
• East: Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, and the famous Tree House viewpoint

Trying to see both sides in one day makes for an especially long day, so we would start as early as possible if you decide to do it.

You can choose a West Coast, East Coast, or combined tour from Lembongan, depending on how much you want to see.

For more detail, see our Nusa Penida with Kids guide

Nusa Lembongan can work with young children, but we think it gets much easier once they are a little older. When our youngest was still a baby, we were in Bali but deliberately chose not to visit Lembongan for the reasons below.

Nusa Lembongan with a Baby

We would personally wait until the toddler years if you have a choice. Many of the activities that make Lembongan fun with older kids, such as snorkeling, exploring by buggy and day trips to Nusa Penida, are simply less practical with a baby.

If you do visit with a baby, we would keep the trip slow and simple, focusing on your hotel, the pool, the beach and short trips around the island.

• Bring a baby carrier: It is much more practical than a stroller on the island’s sandy and uneven paths.
• Bring enough baby food and formula: Baby essentials are available, but the selection is much more limited than on Bali.
• Choose your accommodation carefully: A pool, some extra space and a restaurant nearby can make things much easier.
• Consider the boat crossing: Rough seas can make the journey uncomfortable with a baby, so choose your boat operator carefully.

Nusa Lembongan with a Toddler

We visited Nusa Lembongan with our daughters when they were 2 and 3 years old, and at that age we found the island much easier to enjoy. They could swim, play at the beach, enjoy the pool and come along while we explored the island.

A baby carrier is still much more practical than a stroller, and a buggy, local taxi or hotel transfer makes getting around easier.

For more tips on traveling around Bali with young children, see our Bali with a Baby or Toddler guide.

A few simple things can make a family trip to Nusa Lembongan much easier.

• Bring enough cash: There are ATMs on Nusa Lembongan, but withdrawal limits can be low and machines can run out of cash. We recommend withdrawing enough Indonesian rupiah before taking the boat from Bali.
• Bring mosquito protection: Mosquitoes can be an issue, especially in the evening. We always travel with mosquito repellent and a mosquito net, especially when traveling with a baby.
• Consider a travel cot: Not every accommodation has a baby cot available. Check before booking or consider bringing your own travel cot.
• Eating with kids: Most restaurants are casual and family-friendly, with plenty of Indonesian and Western options. Many also have simple kids’ meals, so eating out with young children is generally easy.
• Pack a light sweater: Nusa Lembongan can be breezy in the evening, and riding around in a buggy can make it feel even cooler. A light sweater is useful for young kids. For more family packing tips, see our Bali packing list for families.
• Check sea conditions: Conditions can change quickly, especially around beaches and snorkeling spots. Always check the conditions before heading out with young children.
• Think about timing: The dry season (April to October) generally brings drier weather and better snorkeling visibility. May to August can be windier, so boat crossings and snorkeling conditions may be rougher. April, September and October offer a good balance of dry weather, less wind and fewer crowds.
• Book ahead in high season: July and August are the busiest months, so popular hotels, boats, and activities can fill up quickly, especially during school holidays.
• Know where to get medical help: If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, it can be reassuring to know where the nearest medical clinic is. East Medical Care Center on Nusa Lembongan provides 24-hour medical care and emergency services. More complex cases may require transfer to a hospital in Bali.

For us, Nusa Lembongan is a great family destination if you want a mix of beaches, nature, snorkeling, island exploring, and a more relaxed pace. We found it enjoyable with our daughters when they were 2 and 3, but there are even more ways to enjoy the island as kids get older and can take part in more activities.

It is not the easiest island with very young children. The boat crossing, uneven roads, limited stroller access, and changing sea conditions all take a little more planning. But with the right accommodation, flexible transport, and realistic expectations, we found it very manageable as a family.

We would happily visit Nusa Lembongan with kids again. It offers more than just beautiful beaches, with snorkeling, buggy rides, the mangroves, Nusa Ceningan, and the option to explore Nusa Penida. For families who enjoy a mix of adventure and downtime, Lembongan is definitely worth considering.

Continue Planning Your Bali Family Adventure

• Bali Itinerary with Kids
• Bali & Lombok Itinerary with Kids
• Lovina with Kids
• Sanur with Kids
• Gili Islands with Kids
• Uluwatu with Kids

Exploring more of Indonesia? Our Indonesia with Kids guide brings together family-friendly destinations and itinerary ideas across Bali, Lombok, the Gili Islands, Java and beyond.

Putting together a Bali and Lombok route? Our Bali & Lombok Family Itinerary Guide helps you plan the route and decide how long to spend in each destination.

The Little Passport Crew

FAQ: Nusa Lembongan with Kids

Can you take a stroller to Nusa Lembongan?

You can, but we would not recommend relying on one. Many paths are sandy or uneven, and a baby carrier is much easier for getting around the island.

Are there ATMs on Nusa Lembongan?

Yes, there are several ATMs on the island, but withdrawal limits can be low and machines can occasionally run out of cash. It is a good idea to withdraw enough Indonesian rupiah before taking the boat from Bali.

Are baby supplies available on Nusa Lembongan?

Basic baby supplies such as diapers are available, but the selection is more limited than on Bali. If your baby needs a specific formula, food, or other products, it is better to bring enough with you.

Do you need a car or driver on Nusa Lembongan?

No. The island is small and you can get around by buggy, local taxi, scooter, or hotel transfer. With young children, we found a buggy or local transport much easier than relying on scooters.

Is Nusa Lembongan safe for kids?

Yes, Nusa Lembongan is generally a safe and relaxed destination for families. It is a small island with a strong local community and less traffic and bustle than mainland Bali.
The main things to plan around are practical safety issues rather than serious crime or security concerns. The boat crossing can be rough on windy days, some beaches have stronger currents or tide-exposed reef, and buggies do not have proper seatbelts or child seats. With a bit of planning, such as choosing a reputable boat operator, sticking to calmer swimming spots like Mushroom Bay with young kids, and keeping a close hold on little ones at cliffside spots like Devil’s Tears, most families can enjoy the island comfortably.