How to Get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali: Fast Boats, Prices & Complete Cost Guide (2026)
Your complete guide to getting from Bali to Nusa Lembongan, including every cost you will encounter along the way.
There is one boat, one strait, and about 40 minutes of open water between you and one of the most underrated islands in Indonesia. Getting to Nusa Lembongan from Bali is genuinely one of the easier island crossings you will make in Southeast Asia. But how much the whole trip costs, where you leave from, and which fast boat operator actually gets you there comfortably depend on where you are staying in Bali: these are questions worth answering properly.
We have helped thousands of visitors plan this exact journey over the past decade, and this guide covers every step: the crossing itself, how to get from your Bali accommodation to the right port, a complete cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali breakdown, and what to expect the moment you step off the boat and onto the island.
The Quick Answer
For those who just need the essentials right now:
| Crossing distance | 15 km across the Badung Strait |
| Main departure port | Sanur Harbour, Bali |
| Crossing time | 30 to 45 minutes |
| One-way fast boat fare | IDR 175,000 to 450,000 (approx. AUD 14 to 36) |
| First departure from Sanur | Around 7 am |
| Last departure from Sanur | 5 pm |
| Total time door to door from DPS Airport | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Can you drive there? | No: boat only, no bridge or road crossing from mainland Bali |
Keep reading for the full cost breakdown by trip length, the drive-time guide from different parts of Bali, and a proper operator comparison.
There Is Only One Way to Get There, and That Is a Good Thing
Before anything else: you cannot drive to Nusa Lembongan. There is no bridge, no causeway, and no car ferry from mainland Bali. The island sits 15 km across the Badung Strait, and the only way to reach it is by fast boat. For more than 95% of visitors, that means boarding at Sanur Harbour on the east coast of Bali, which handles the overwhelming majority of the estimated 500,000 or more annual crossings between mainland Bali and the Nusa Islands.
This might sound complicated if you have never done it before, but in practice it is one of the most straightforward parts of the trip. Most fast boat operators handle the entire process: they pick you up from your hotel in Bali, drive you to Sanur, load your bags, sail you across, and arrange transport to your accommodation on the other side. You simply show up where they say and follow the signs. Our team arranges this exact package for guests booking accommodation through us, matching your arrival time and location to the right boat and departure. More on that later.
Step One: Getting from Your Bali Accommodation to the Boat
Here is where most guides let you down. Every article will tell you to get to Sanur. Almost none of them tell you how long it takes or how much it costs depending on where you are actually staying in Bali.
The cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali does not begin at the boat terminal. It begins at your hotel door. Here is what you need to know by area:
| Bali Area | Distance to Sanur |
Drive Time (off-peak) |
Drive Time (peak traffic) | Estimated Transfer Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuta / Legian | 11 km | 25 min | 50 min | IDR 80,000–120,000 |
| Seminyak | 14 km | 30 min | 60 min | IDR 100,000–150,000 |
| Canggu | 22 km | 45 min | 90 min | IDR 150,000–200,000 |
| Ubud | 38 km | 60 min | 90 min | IDR 200,000–300,000 |
| Uluwatu / Bukit Peninsula | 28 km | 50 min | 80 min | IDR 180,000–250,000 |
| Nusa Dua | 16 km | 30 min | 55 min | IDR 100,000–150,000 |
| DPS Airport (Ngurah Rai) | 13 km | 35 min | 60 min | IDR 180,000–250,000 |
Peak traffic on Bali’s roads typically hits between 7 am and 9 am and again between 4 pm and 6 pm. If your fast boat departs at 8 am and you are staying in Canggu, that means leaving your hotel by 6 am at the very latest. It sounds early, but morning crossings are genuinely worth it: the sea is calmer, the skies are clearer, and the whole island feels easier to reach before Bali’s roads wake up.
Your Options for Getting to Sanur
We recommend a private transfer, and it is what most of our guests use. You book it as part of your fast boat package, a driver collects you from your hotel at the agreed time, loads your luggage, and drops you at the terminal with time to spare. No negotiating, no surprises.
Grab or Gojek works well from South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua) and is often the cheapest option if you are travelling light, with fares to Sanur typically running IDR 60,000 to 100,000. It is less reliable from Ubud (38 km from Sanur) or the Bukit Peninsula, where driver availability before 7 am can be thin and surge pricing at peak hours can push fares 30 to 50% above the base rate.
Airport taxi counters are straightforward if you are heading to Lembongan on the same day as your arrival. Fixed-price taxis from the terminal to Sanur cost around IDR 180,000 to 250,000 depending on which zone your hotel is in.
All-in-one fast boat packages are the simplest choice for most people. Your hotel pickup from anywhere in the agreed service zone is bundled into your ticket price, which we arrange as part of a combined transfer and accommodation booking. You can read more about the full journey experience in our guide to getting to Nusa Lembongan.
One important note on timing: fast boat operators ask passengers to arrive at Sanur at least 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Missing your boat means waiting for the next sailing or forfeiting your fare. Build the buffer in.
Step Two: Choosing Your Fast Boat
This is where most guides give you a list of operators and leave you to figure out the rest. We want to give you something more useful: a proper comparison of what each operator offers, where they land, and what is genuinely included in the ticket price.
Fast Boat Operator Comparison
| Operator | One-Way Fare | Key Departures (Sanur) | Landing Point (Lembongan) | Bali Hotel Pickup | Island Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Fast Cruise | Rp 430,000 (shared) – Rp 560,000 (private) |
10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 5 pm |
Rocky Beach Club, Telatak Harbour (jetty-to-jetty) | Yes | Yes |
| D’Stars Fast Ferry | Rp 430,000 (shared) – Rp 560,000 (private) |
9:15 am, 1 pm, 5 pm | Jungutbatu Beach | Yes | Yes |
| Setia Fast Ferry |
Return only: ~Rp 745,000–930,000 (one-way on enquiry) |
9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5 pm | Jungutbatu Beach | Yes | Yes |
| D'Camel Fast Ferry | IDR 175,000–275,000 |
8 am, 11 am, 3 pm | Jungutbatu Beach | Yes | Yes |
| Bali Hai Cruise |
Rp 700,000 (adult) Rp 500,000 (child 4–14) |
9 am only (1 sailing/day) |
Mushroom Bay (Hai Tide Beach Resort) | Limited zones | Limited |
Prices and schedules are indicative for 2026 and may vary by season. Always verify directly with your operator before booking.
What “Hotel Pickup” Actually Means
Not all pickups cover the same geography. D’Stars and Rocky cover the widest service areas, including Ubud and parts of the Bukit Peninsula, but often at an additional cost above the base fare. Arthamas and smaller operators typically limit free pickup to South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur itself). If you are staying further afield, check the fine print, or we can advise on the most efficient combination for your location.
What “Hotel Pickup” Actually Means
Not all pickups cover the same geography. D’Stars and Rocky cover the widest service areas, including Ubud and parts of the Bukit Peninsula, but often at an additional cost above the base fare. Arthamas and smaller operators typically limit free pickup to South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur itself). If you are staying further afield, check the fine print, or we can advise on the most efficient combination for your location.
Wet vs Dry: The Boarding Experience Nobody Warns You About
Here is something almost every guide forgets to mention. At most operators’ Sanur boarding points, passengers walk through ankle-to-knee-deep water to board the boat. The same applies on arrival at Jungutbatu: you step off the boat into the shallows and wade to shore. For most people this is part of the fun. If you are wearing a maxi dress, carrying delicate camera gear, or travelling with children and the elderly, it is worth knowing in advance.
Rocky Fast Cruise is the notable exception. Their service uses Telatak Harbour on Nusa Lembongan, which offers a proper jetty-to-jetty experience: you board from a pier in Sanur and step off onto a pier on the island. Shoes stay dry, boarding is more orderly, and luggage handling is easier. For families or anyone who would rather skip the wade, it is worth factoring this into your operator choice.
Return Tickets vs Two One-Way Fares
Nearly every operator prices return tickets at a saving of 10 to 20% compared to buying two singles. Beyond the saving, a return ticket locks in your operator for both crossings, which simplifies the logistics. Unless you have a specific reason to use different operators each way, a return ticket is the cleaner choice.
For the full step-by-step on what happens from the moment you arrive at Sanur Port through to boarding and landing, we have covered it in detail in how to get to Nusa Lembongan from Sanur.
The Full Nusa Lembongan Cost Breakdown
This is the section that most travel guides skip entirely and the one that we hear the most questions about. Searching “cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali” should give you real numbers to plan with, not vague ranges that leave you none the wiser. Here they are.
How Much Does a Day Trip to Nusa Lembongan Cost?
| Item | Mid-Range DIY | Guided Tour |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to Sanur (from South Bali) |
IDR 100,000–150,000 (AUD 8–12) | Included |
| Return fast boat fare |
IDR 400,000–750,000 (AUD 32–60) | Included |
| Scooter hire (one day) |
IDR 100,000–150,000 (AUD 8–12) | (Scooter hire- self drive) |
| Lunch |
IDR 100,000–200,000 (AUD 8–16) | Often included |
| 2 to 3 activities (snorkelling, mangrove, entry fees) |
IDR 200,000–400,000 (AUD 16–32) | Included |
| Total per person (approx.) | IDR 880,000–1,600,000 | AUD 70–128 |
Our take: day trips work well if you are genuinely short on time, but the return boat fare alone typically accounts for 40 to 50% of a budget day trip’s total spend. Staying even one extra night spreads that fixed cost across more days and makes the whole trip significantly better value.
How Much Does a 2-Night Stay Cost?
Two nights is the sweet spot that we recommend to almost every first-time visitor. It gives you enough time to explore properly, see both the south coast and the mangroves, and still feel relaxed rather than rushed.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return fast boat | IDR 300,000–500,000 | IDR 400,000–750,000 | IDR 600,000–750,000 |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | IDR 1,000,000–2,000,000/night | IDR 2,000,000–7,000,000/night | IDR 7,000,000–10,000,000/night |
| Food per day | IDR 100,000–200,000 | IDR 200,000–400,000 | IDR 400,000–800,000 |
| Scooter hire (2 days) | IDR 200,000–300,000 | IDR 200,000–300,000 | IDR 200,000–300,000 |
| Activities over 2 days | IDR 300,000–600,000 | IDR 500,000–1,000,000 | IDR 1,000,000–3,000,000 |
| Total per person (approx.) | AUD 94–144 | AUD 166–288 | AUD 317–577 |
How Much Does a 4 to 5 Night Stay Cost?
The longer you stay, the better value the fixed boat cost becomes. Four to five nights also gives you time to cross to Nusa Ceningan, join a dive or snorkel trip to Nusa Penida, and do absolutely nothing for at least one of those days, which is arguably the point.
For a 4-night stay, take the 2-night mid-range estimate and roughly double the accommodation and food costs while keeping the boat and scooter figures similar. Budget travellers can expect to spend around AUD 120 to 180 for four nights. Mid-range travellers typically budget AUD 200 to 350. Those who book accommodation through us also receive a 20% discount on their fast boat transfer, which meaningfully reduces the fixed cost component of any trip.
Browse our villa collection and resort listings to find accommodation that fits your budget.
Is Nusa Lembongan Cheaper Than Bali?
This comes up constantly, and the honest answer is: not entirely. While some local experiences can be more affordable than in Bali, many goods and services are similarly priced or even more expensive because most supplies have to be transported from Bali to Nusa Lembongan.
Day-to-day food costs are comparable to mid-range Bali. A warung meal on the island runs IDR 30,000 to 70,000, similar to a local restaurant in Seminyak or Sanur. Scooter hire costs IDR 100,000 to 150,000 (AUD 8–12) per day, which is about the same as rates in other areas of Bali, including Seminyak and Canggu. Accommodation ranges from budget bungalows under AUD 28 per night to private villas above AUD 288 per night, with less saturation at the very top end compared to Ubud or Canggu.
The biggest difference is what you are not spending money on. Nusa Lembongan has no shopping malls, no major nightlife precinct, no hawker-filled tourist markets pulling at your wallet every 50 metres. Most visitors find that their daily spend on the island is noticeably lower than an equivalent day in South Bali, even if individual prices look similar on paper.
What Will Cost More Than You Expect
We heard these surprises from visitors often enough to be worth flagging directly:
Peak season surcharges. In July to August and mid-December to mid-January, some fast boat operators charge 20 to 30% above their standard rates. Book early and factor this in.
ATM fees. There are fewer than ten ATMs on the island; most of them are in the Jungutbatu area, and they charge withdrawal fees of IDR 25,000 to 50,000 per transaction on top of any foreign exchange fees from your home bank. They also run out of cash on busy weekends. Withdraw a generous amount in Sanur or at DPS Airport before boarding.
Beach club and resort drink prices. Sunset cocktails at Sandy Bay Beach Club or Ohana’s can be Seminyak-level in pricing. Budget accordingly if sundowners are on your agenda.
Read our notes on travel insurance before you go, particularly if you plan to rent a scooter or join water activities.
Day Trip vs 2 Nights vs 4 Nights: Which Makes Sense for You?
| Day Trip | 2 Nights | 4+ Nights | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Time-pressed, short Bali itinerary | First-timers wanting a proper island experience | Surfers, divers, slow travellers, families |
| Main sights covered | Yes, if you plan well | Yes, comfortably | Yes, plus Ceningan and Penida day trips |
| Cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali (boat) as % of total spend | High (30 to 40%) | Moderate (15 to 25%) | Low (under 15%) |
| The honest verdict | Good, but you will wish you had stayed longer | The sweet spot | The real Lembongan experience |
We genuinely recommend at minimum two nights for anyone who has made it this far in their planning. The cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali is the same whether you stay one day or five, and spending just one night means that fixed boat cost is working twice as hard against your overall budget.
For what a single day looks like, our day trip guide walks you through a realistic itinerary. For first-timers planning their first overnight visit, first trip to Nusa Lembongan is the right starting point.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Arrival gets glossed over in most guides, but if it is your first time making this crossing, knowing what to expect makes it far less chaotic.
At Sanur, you’ll check in at your operator’s counter (usually near the harbour entrance), leave your main luggage with the crew, and board the boat via the jetty. Keep your day bag, phone, and other essentials within easy reach, while the crew stores your main luggage safely in the hold. When you arrive in Nusa Lembongan, you’ll either disembark at a jetty (Rocky Fast Cruise) or step into shallow water to reach the shore (most other operators).
The crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes. In the dry season (April to October) it is typically smooth and scenic, with the Badung Strait averaging less than half a metre of swell on most mornings. In the wet season (November to March), particularly in January and February, swells of 1 to 2 metres are not uncommon and crossings can be cancelled or delayed on the roughest days. Sit toward the back of the boat if you are prone to motion sickness, and take seasickness tablets an hour before boarding if the swell is looking rough. We always advise wet-season guests to book morning departures and to have a flexible plan for the return crossing.
On arrival at Lembongan, if you have booked through us or a full-service operator, someone will be waiting on the beach or pier to meet you and take you to your accommodation. If you have not arranged a pickup, taxi trucks (converted pickups with bench seats) wait at the harbour for IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per person to anywhere on the island. As we always say: the first five minutes after landing set the tone for the whole trip, and a familiar face holding a sign with your name on it is a very good start.
One more thing: Bali’s tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately AUD 12) per person is payable on your first visit to Bali, not the island. If you are heading straight from DPS to Lembongan, make sure you have completed the e-VOA process and the levy payment online in advance so your arrival is smooth.
For everything you need to know before you get on that boat, our island travel tips page is one of the most thorough resources on the site.
Can You Go Straight from Bali Airport to Nusa Lembongan?
Yes, and we organize this route regularly for guests flying into Denpasar. Here is how it works in practice.
The key variable is your flight arrival time. Clearing immigration, collecting luggage, and clearing customs at DPS typically takes 45 to 60 minutes on a quiet morning and up to 90 to 120 minutes during peak arrivals between 8am and 11am, when multiple wide-body international flights land within a short window. We recommend building at least 90 minutes from wheels-down to departure from DPS as a safe planning figure during peak season. Add 35 to 60 minutes to drive to Sanur, and you need to arrive at Sanur at least 30 minutes before your boat departs.
For a smooth same-day transfer, we recommend flights landing before 10am to catch a midday or early afternoon boat. Guests booking accommodation with us can have us match their flight ETA to the most suitable departure, with one driver handling the airport pickup and Sanur handover.
D’Stars, Rocky, and Setia accommodate airport pickups as part of their return transfer packages. We completed the DPS airport-to-Nusa Lembongan guide, which has step-by-step details if you want to plan the airport leg carefully.
Best Time to Make the Crossing
Nusa Lembongan’s fast boat runs year-round, but the experience and the cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali both shift across the seasons.
Dry season (April to October) is peak. The sea is at its calmest, underwater visibility for snorkelling and diving reaches 15 to 25 metres on a good day, and the island is at its most photogenic. It is also when prices are highest and boats fill up fastest. Book at least two to three weeks ahead for peak sailings and do not assume you can walk up in the morning.
Wet season (November to March) brings lower prices (sometimes 15 to 20% below peak), far fewer crowds, and a lusher, greener island. The crossing can be rougher in January and February, but most mornings are still perfectly manageable. We consider February to early April and September to October the best windows for value, combining good weather with reasonable fares and accommodation rates that can sit 20 to 30% below July and August peaks.
One date to know: Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence) and Nyepi Laut (Sea Silence Day) fall on a different date each year (usually March and September) and result in all boats being cancelled for 24 hours. If your travel dates coincide, plan a night either side or embrace the extraordinary quiet of being on the island with no crossings in either direction. Our Nyepi Day guide explains what it is like on the island during the silence.
For the full case for travelling in the quieter months, our article on why you should visit Nusa Lembongan during off-peak season lays it out clearly.
Nusa Lembongan vs Nusa Penida: Which Should You Choose?
If you are trying to decide between the two islands, or wondering whether you can do both, here is our honest take.
Nusa Lembongan (8 km²) is compact, calm, and easy to get around. The cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali is lower than to Nusa Penida (shorter crossing, more operators, more competitive pricing), the roads are manageable, and it has a genuinely walkable area in Jungutbatu with cafes, dive shops, surf hire, and beach restaurants.
Nusa Penida (204 km²) is dramatically larger and considerably more rugged. Roughly 40% of Nusa Penida’s road network remains unsealed or heavily potholed, and Google Maps travel times on the island are frequently accurate despite looking implausibly long, because speeds averaging 20 to 30 km/h are normal on the interior roads. The cliff scenery (Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong) is simply more spectacular than anything on Lembongan. It also tends to cost more per day for activities and tours, with most Penida day packages running IDR 500,000 to 900,000 per person. As we often tell guests: Lembongan is the better base, Penida is the better day trip.
Can you do both? Absolutely. Local boats run from the Yellow Bridge on Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida for around IDR 75,000 to 100,000 one-way, making it a very viable day trip from your Lembongan base. Our honest comparison guide to Nusa Lembongan vs Nusa Penida helps you decide what suits your trip.
Practical Tips Before You Book
A few things we always tell first-time visitors before they confirm their travel:
Book your boat in advance. July to August and mid-December to mid-January boats do sell out, sometimes a week or more ahead. Do not leave it until the night before.
Confirm exactly what your ticket includes. Hotel pickup zone, luggage limits, and which landing point on Lembongan all vary by operator. Knowing before you book prevents surprises on the day.
Carry IDR cash before leaving Bali. There are less than ten ATMs on Nusa Lembongan, all in Jungutbatu, and our team on the ground reports that at least one machine runs dry on most peak-season weekends between July and August. Sanur has a better spread of ATMs within 500 metres of the harbour. Withdraw generously before boarding, and assume the island ATMs will charge IDR 25,000 to 50,000 per withdrawal on top of your bank’s fees.
Go offline with Google Maps. Download the Nusa Lembongan map offline before leaving Bali. Signal is functional across most of the island but drops in some quieter areas.
Check your travel insurance for water activities and scooter riding. Many standard policies have exclusions. The travel insurance notes are worth reading before you finalise anything.
For the full pre-trip checklist, our mindful travel tips to Nusa Lembongan and island travel tips are both worth bookmarking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali?
By fast boat from Sanur Harbour. The crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes and runs multiple times daily, with the first boats leaving around 8am and the last around 4 to 5 pm.
How much does the fast boat to Nusa Lembongan cost?
One-way fares run from IDR 150,000 to 375,000 (approximately AUD 12 to 30) depending on the operator, season, and whether hotel pickup is included. Return tickets are discounted compared to buying two one-way fares.
How long is the boat ride from Bali to Nusa Lembongan?
30 to 45 minutes from Sanur, depending on sea conditions and which landing point on the island your operator uses.
How much does a day trip to Nusa Lembongan cost?
A budget DIY day trip (transfer, boat, scooter, food, two or three activities) typically runs IDR 610,000 to 1,000,000 per person (AUD 55 to 90). A guided all-inclusive day tour runs AUD 115 to 217 per person from South Bali.
What is the total cost to Nusa Lembongan from Bali for a 2-night stay?
Budget travellers typically spend around AUD 94 to 144 per person for two nights, including the boat, accommodation, food, scooter, and activities. Mid-range budgets run around AUD 166 to 288 per person. Comfortable villa stays typically cost around AUD 317 to 577 per person.
Is Nusa Lembongan cheaper than Bali?
Not necessarily. While some local experiences can be more affordable, many goods and tourist services cost the same or even more than in Bali because most supplies are transported from Bali. Overall, your daily expenses depend on your travel style and where you choose to spend.
What is the best fast boat company to Nusa Lembongan?
Rocky Fast Cruise is consistently well-reviewed and offers the only dry jetty-to-jetty experience. D’Stars Fast Ferry offers the widest hotel pickup coverage. Bali Hai Cruise is a solid option for onboard entertainment and F&B. We work with verified operators and can match you to the right one based on your location in Bali and arrival point on the island.
Do I need to book the boat in advance?
During peak season (July to August and mid-December to mid-January) yes, and ideally at least one to two weeks ahead. In shoulder and off-peak season, a few days notice is usually fine, though booking ahead is always the safer option.
Do boats run on Nyepi?
No. All boat crossings are cancelled on Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence) and Nyepi Laut (Sea Silence Day). Check your travel dates against the Balinese Hindu calendar if travelling between March and September. The Nyepi Day guide explains what to expect if you are already on the island when silence falls.
Can I fly directly to Nusa Lembongan from Bali?
No scheduled flights operate to the island. The fast boat from Sanur is the only practical route, and with crossings as short as 30 minutes, a flight would barely make sense even if one existed.
For more of the most frequently asked island questions, the full Nusa Lembongan FAQ covers everything from ATMs to Wi-Fi to what to pack.
Ready to Start Planning?
The crossing to Nusa Lembongan is about 40 minutes. The planning for that crossing should not take nearly as long. We are here to make both as straightforward as possible.
Book your accommodation through us and you will receive a 20% discount on your fast boat transfer, plus support from a team that has made this crossing hundreds of times and knows every operator, every timing, and every shortcut. Whether you are planning a day trip, a first two-night stay, or a longer surf and dive trip, our full Nusa Lembongan guide is the best next step.
For accommodation, our guide to the best areas to stay on Nusa Lembongan matches each part of the island to a different type of traveller, and why book with us explains what you get that no booking platform can offer.
Email: holiday@thelembongantraveller.com
WhatsApp: +61 478 928 925
