Family Days on Nusa Lembongan

Planning With Children

Nusa Lembongan suits families who like beaches and boats, with a few places to keep away from. The island is small, the roads are narrow and hilly, and the ocean on the south-west side is rough. A good family day sticks to the sheltered beaches in the north and east and treats the cliff coast as a place to look, not to play.

Mushroom Bay

Mushroom Bay is the most sheltered beach on the island and is largely safe for swimming, though it needs care. Speedboats and tour boats use the bay, so keep children close to the shore and well away from moving boats. Mornings are quieter. Paddleboards and kayaks can be hired on the sand. One guide mentions a rip here, so stay within arm’s reach of small children.

Coconut Beach and the Mangroves

Coconut Beach and the mangrove area in the north are also largely safe for swimming. A mangrove boat trip suits children when they wear lifejackets, so ask the operator whether child sizes are carried before you pay. Trips run at mid to high tide, and a traditional boat costs about IDR 187,500 per person with a minimum of two.

Snorkelling From the Shore

Mushroom Bay and the northern mangroves are both good for shore snorkelling, which is calmer than the boat tours. The boat trip to Manta Point is too rough for young children because of current and surge.

Getting Around

A buggy for up to five people is easier than a scooter for a family with small children. Prices go by duration, from about IDR 800,000 for five hours to IDR 1,500,000 for 24 hours. Scooters are a poor choice for parents riding with children on hilly, narrow roads, and riders need a home licence plus an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement.

The Underground House

The Gala-Gala Underground House in Lembongan Village was dug by hand by Made Byasa between 1961 and 1976. It has tight, dark passages that need crouching, and it is easy to lose people inside. Toddlers, anyone who dislikes enclosed spaces and anyone with limited mobility will not enjoy it. The adult fee is about IDR 50,000, and hours run from about 09:00 to 17:00.

Places to Avoid With Children

  • Dream Beach: the shorebreak and rip currents are strong, so enjoy the view from the sand and keep out of the water.
  • Devil’s Tear: the cliff edge is dangerous. Stay behind the barriers and hold small children by the hand.
  • Ceningan cliff jumps: at Mahana Point and the Blue Lagoon these are for confident adults only.

Fast Boats and Lifejackets

Check the lifejackets before the crossing from Sanur. Child sizes may not be available, so the UK government advises bringing your own. Morning crossings are calmer, and the wet season from December to March brings swell and cancelled sailings. Fast boats mostly land on the beach, so children wade ashore through ankle to knee deep water.

Read more: activities on Lembongan lists the beach and water options in one place.

The UK government sea safety advice is worth reading before you book, and the Nusa Lembongan guide on Wikivoyage covers beaches in detail. Family tours appear on GetYourGuide .