Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are two small islands southeast of Bali, joined by the narrow Yellow Bridge. Expect clear water, quiet lanes, mangrove channels and dramatic coastal cliffs.

History

Nusa Lembongan covers about 8 square kilometres and lies roughly 12 km from Bali across the Badung Strait. Seaweed farming long supported the island, declined as tourism grew, and was revived in 2020 and 2021 when locals returned to it.

The Yellow Bridge, a suspension bridge for walkers and motorbikes, opened in 2017. It replaced an older wooden bridge that collapsed in 2016 during a religious procession, an event the islands still remember.

Meaning and culture

The northeastern mangrove forest covers about 212 hectares. It protects the coast, shelters marine life, and can be explored with a local guide by boat or kayak.

Life on the islands is slow and community-based, with few cars and scooters or walking as the main transport. Devil’s Tear, where waves hit the limestone cliffs and throw up high spray, shows the raw side of the coastline.

What to see

• The Yellow Bridge between the two islands
• The mangrove forest in the northeast of Lembongan
• Devil’s Tear at the cliffs, especially near sunset
• Seaweed farms and quiet beaches

Good to know

• Book speedboat tickets in advance during high season
• Pack light, as luggage is carried by hand at the beach landings
• Take care on the cliffs near Devil’s Tear, where waves are unpredictable
• Wear sturdy sandals; some paths are rough