Îles Nusa (Penida & Lembongan)

Where to stay in Nusa Islands (Penida & Lembongan) : complete guide

Far from South Bali's bustle, the Nusa Islands offer a striking tableau where sheer cliffs plunge into turquoise waters. Penida reveals its wild contours while Lembongan cradles visitors among coconut palms and peaceful lagoons. The scent of salt mingles with frangipani aromas. Each sunrise bathes the coral reefs in golden light, promising suspended moments between sky and sea. Here, time slows to the rhythm of waves caressing secret coves.

Safety score: 8/10midNature loversDivers and snorkellersHoneymoon couplesAdventurous hikers

Pros

  • Crystal-clear turquoise waters
  • Spectacular and wild cliffs
  • Snorkelling with manta rays
  • Authentic and preserved atmosphere
  • Exceptional sunsets

Cons

  • Very rugged roads
  • Constant strong wind
  • Access only by boat

The 5 best hotels in Îles Nusa (Penida & Lembongan)

The Sweat Villa Warung and Spa - Vue d'ensemble
1

The Sweat Villa Warung and Spa

3-star hotel
9.912 reviews
Top pick

Located in the Nusa Islands, The Sweat Villa Warung and Spa offers villa accommodation with private pool. The property features an on-site restaurant and spa. The airport shuttle and room service ensure a practical stay. Wi-Fi is available throughout all areas.

1 piscineNavette aéroportConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteService d'étageRestaurantWi-Fi disponible partout
From ~83EUR / night
Book on Booking
De Vindra Resort - Vue d'ensemble
2

De Vindra Resort

3-star hotel
9.4241 reviews
Excellent

Set in the Nusa Islands, De Vindra Resort offers spacious rooms around a pool. A spa and restaurant complete the facilities. Free parking and room service are available. Free Wi-Fi covers the entire property.

1 piscineConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteService d'étageRestaurantSpa et centre de bien-êtreParking gratuit
From ~137EUR / night
Book on Booking
Boujee Boutique Hotel - Vue d'ensemble
3

Boujee Boutique Hotel

4-star hotel
9.7111 reviews
Recommended

Located in the Nusa Islands, Boujee Boutique Hotel stands out for its superior standing and refined spaces. The pool and private parking offer comfort and tranquillity. Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. This four-star property offers a contemporary experience.

1 piscineConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteWi-Fi disponible partoutParking privéParking gratuit
From ~390EUR / night
Book on Booking
Khamara Beach Resort - Vue d'ensemble
4

Khamara Beach Resort

4-star hotel
9.5325 reviews

Beachfront in the Nusa Islands, Khamara Beach Resort allows direct sea access. The pool and restaurant complete the amenities. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas. Free parking facilitates guest travel.

1 piscineEn bord de plageConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteRestaurantWi-Fi disponible partoutParking gratuit
From ~234EUR / night
Book on Booking
Seven Dreams A Pramana Experience - Vue d'ensemble
5

Seven Dreams A Pramana Experience

5-star hotel
9.6312 reviews

Located beachfront in the Nusa Islands, Seven Dreams A Pramana Experience offers five-star accommodation. The pool and beachfront restaurant form its main assets. The airport shuttle and room service enhance comfort. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property.

1 piscineEn bord de plageNavette aéroportConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteService d'étageRestaurant
From ~378EUR / night
Book on Booking

Complete guide

Ambiance & landscapes

The Nusa Islands compose a contrasting setting. Penida impresses with vertiginous cliffs and rock formations sculpted by the ocean. Intense-blue waters border white-sand or pebble beaches. Lembongan seduces with peaceful mangroves and shallow lagoons. Constant wind brings welcome freshness while tropical vegetation carpets the hills. At dusk, the sky takes on pink and orange hues, creating magical reflections on the sea. This wild setting remains preserved despite growing tourism.

Things to see and do

Do not miss Kelingking Beach with its dinosaur-shaped cliff, Broken Beach with its natural arch, and Devil's Tears where waves explode against rocks. Snorkelling enthusiasts head to Crystal Bay or manta-ray spots near Penida. In Lembongan, explore mangroves by kayak or relax on Dream Beach. The hike to Pura Paluang temple offers breathtaking panoramas. Boat excursions allow dolphin and sea-turtle viewing at dawn.

Where to eat and drink

Seaside warungs offer local specialities such as grilled fish in sambal sauce, seafood nasi goreng and chicken satay. Also try lawar, a spicy mix of vegetables and coconut. Lembongan cafés serve excellent smoothies made with fresh mango and young coconuts. For a more refined experience, some restaurants offer seafood tastings paired with chilled white wine facing the ocean.

Transport & access

The islands are accessible only by fast boat from Sanur port. Crossings last between 30 and 50 minutes depending on destination. On site, scooters are the most practical means of travel, although roads are often narrow and winding. Private taxis or organised shuttles reach main sites. Note there is no bus network and car rentals remain limited due to rugged terrain.

Who is it for?

These islands particularly appeal to travellers seeking raw nature and authentic adventures. Honeymoon couples appreciate romantic sunsets and sea-view villas. Divers and snorkellers find exceptional spots. Hiking enthusiasts enjoy coastal trails while families with older children enjoy Lembongan's calm beaches for relaxing days.

Other neighborhoods in Bali

Sud (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu & Legian)

Experienced surfersHoneymoon couplesFamilies with children

Dive into the effervescence of south Bali where Kuta unfurls its legendary waves against flamboyant sunsets. Seminyak reveals its bohemian chic dotted with luxurious villas while Canggu attracts free spirits with its rice terraces and surf spots. Legian, the perfect link, blends animation with marine tranquillity. This dynamic territory combines Balinese culture, five-star resorts and gastronomic tables. Warm air laden with sea spray envelops you while the incessant rhythm of the rollers marks your days between relaxation and discovery.

Péninsule de Bukit (Uluwatu, Jimbaran & Nusa Dua)

Honeymoon couplesExperienced surfersDiscerning families

On Bali's southern tip, the Bukit Peninsula unfolds its vertiginous cliffs facing the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua form a triangle of striking contrasts where perched temples overlook powerful waves and turquoise lagoons border confidential resorts. Sunsets set the cliffs ablaze while sea breezes caress infinity-pool villas. Between secret coves and palm-fringed golf courses, this exclusive territory marries village authenticity with extreme refinement, offering discerning travellers a distillation of Balinese elegance.

Sanur & Denpasar

Honeymoon couplesCulture enthusiastsFamilies with children

Nestled between Sanur's peaceful shoreline and Denpasar's bustle, this area of Bali unfolds a contrasting tableau where turquoise waters caress coconut-fringed beaches. Ancient temples stand beside colourful markets and luxurious villas, creating a visual symphony between seaside serenity and urban vitality. Marine air mingles with incense and spice aromas while the setting sun sets the horizon ablaze. This authentic crossroads reveals Bali in all its richness, between ancestral traditions and modern comfort, for an unforgettable sensory immersion in the heart of the island of the gods.

Ubud & Intérieur

Honeymoon couplesCulture and art enthusiastsHikers and nature lovers

Nestled in the heart of Bali, the Ubud region and its interior immerse you in a world where terraced rice paddies ripple in the tropical breeze and ancient temples stand proudly amid sacred forests. The atmosphere is infused with incense, traditional chants and the murmur of rivers. Artists and artisans share their passion in picturesque villages while monkeys roam freely in the verdant sanctuaries. Far from the coastal bustle, this inland territory reveals the island's authentic soul, between ancestral spirituality and lush nature, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Est (Sidemen, Amed, Candidasa & Tulamben)

Divers and snorkellersHoneymoon couplesNature hike enthusiasts

East Bali reveals an authentic and preserved face, far from the crowds. Between Sidemen's terraced rice paddies, Amed's black-sand beaches and Tulamben's crystal-clear waters, this region marries majestic volcanoes with peaceful shores. Traditional villages breathe tranquillity while Mount Agung watches over the landscapes. Ideal for travellers seeking serenity, it offers orange sunsets over the Indian Ocean and deep cultural immersion in still-intact Balinese traditions.

Nord (Lovina, Pemuteran, Munduk & Bedugul)

Honeymoon couplesHikers and nature enthusiastsEco-responsible divers and snorkellers

In north Bali, Lovina, Pemuteran, Munduk and Bedugul offer an authentic and preserved face of the island. Between the calm waters of the Java Sea where dolphins dance, Munduk's terraced rice paddies and Lake Bratan dominated by dormant volcanoes, this region invites tranquillity. Orange sunsets over Pemuteran's coral reefs contrast with the freshness of tropical forests and coffee plantations around Bedugul. Far from southern crowds, the north reveals a wilder, more spiritual and greener Bali, ideal for reconnecting with lush nature and still-intact local traditions.