Getting to Nusa Lembongan sounds simple on paper: a short boat ride from Bali and you’re on a tropical island. And technically, that’s true. But in reality, the journey is very much part of the experience — sandy feet, bouncing waves, wristbands, and all.
Here’s exactly how it works, from Sanur to stepping onto the beach with your suitcase.
Step 1: Booking Your Ticket (Online or in Advance)
You can book your speedboat ticket online in advance, which is recommended — especially in high season.
Well-known operators that run daily services include
Scoot Fast Cruises
Rocky Fast Cruise
D’Camel Fast Ferry
Sugriwa Express
Most boats run multiple times per day, usually between 08:00 and 16:00, depending on the company and sea conditions.
Booking online doesn’t mean you walk straight onto the boat — there are still a few steps first.
Step 2: Heading to Sanur Harbour
All boats to Nusa Lembongan depart from Sanur Harbour, on Bali’s east coast. If you’re staying in Ubud, Canggu, or Seminyak, most boat companies include hotel pickup — which is honestly the easiest option.
Arrive early. Not because things run late, but because things run… island-style.
Step 3: Collecting Your Ticket & Wristband
Once you arrive in Sanur, you’ll need to check in at your boat company’s counter. These are small desks or offices near the beach — not a big terminal like an airport.
You show your booking confirmation, and in return you get:
• A paper ticket
• A coloured wristband (your official boarding pass)
That wristband is important. Without it, you’re not getting on the boat — no matter how confident you look.
Step 4: Walking to the Beach with Your Luggage
After check-in, you’ll be told to wait… and then suddenly told to go. This is where things get very Bali.
You’ll walk a few hundred metres along the beach toward the boats, pulling or carrying your luggage. There’s sand. There are other travellers. There’s no shade. This is not the moment you’ll feel glamorous.
If your suitcase is heavy, you’ll feel it. If you have a backpack, you’ll feel very smart.
Step 5: Boarding the Speedboat
There is a pier in Sanur.
Crew members help you climb onto the boat, luggage is passed along, and then you’re seated — usually quite close together.
The boats are small speedboats, not ferries. Seats are basic. Space is limited.
Step 6: The Boat Ride (Honest Version)
The ride to Nusa Lembongan takes around 30–45 minutes.
If the sea is calm, it’s fine. If there are waves — and there often are — the ride becomes bouncy. Sometimes very bouncy. This is not a luxury cruise. This is more “hold on and hope your breakfast stays put”.
If you get seasick, take something beforehand. Trust us.
Step 7: Arrival… Straight onto the Beach
And then you arrive — but… no pier.
If the sea is calm, the boat stops close to shore and you step into shallow water. If the sea is rough (like when we arrived), docking becomes a bit of a dance. The boat waits for the right moment, waves crash, crew shouts instructions, and you go.
You step off into the water, then onto soft sand.
Your luggage follows — handed off the boat and placed directly on the beach.
Welcome to Nusa Lembongan.
Step 8: Sand, Suitcases & Finding Your Ride
Now comes the final challenge: getting your luggage across the sand.
Suitcases don’t love sand. Wheels definitely don’t. You either drag, lift, or accept that this is your workout for the day.
From the beach, you’ll usually find:
• Hotel drivers holding signs
• Local transport (small trucks or tuk-tuk style vehicles)
• Or staff from your accommodation if you arranged pickup
Within minutes, you’re on your way — sandy feet, salty air, and all.
Final Thoughts: Is the Journey Worth It?
Is the trip to Nusa Lembongan smooth and comfortable?
No.
Is it chaotic, sandy, and occasionally uncomfortable?
Yes.
But that’s also what makes arriving feel real. This island doesn’t ease you in gently — it drops you straight into the experience.
Pack light. Wear shoes you can get wet. Keep your sense of humour ready. And once you’re there, you’ll forget the bumpy ride almost instantly.
Because Nusa Lembongan makes you earn it — and then rewards you for it.
