As Nusa Penida Soars In Popularity Bali Tourists Can Skip Crowds In Lembongan 

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Nusa Penida is a seriously in-demand travel destination right now.

Best known for iconic sites like Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Manta Bay, Nusa Penida quite rightly sits high on all Bali lover’s must-visit lists. 

With Nusa Penida soaring in popularity, Bali lovers seeking to avoid the crowds have to start looking elsewhere.

That is not to say that Nusa Penida is to be avoided, but it is far from it.

There is plenty of space for everyone. But for those who reeeeally don’t like the crowds, perhaps it’s best to visit Nusa Penida for two days before moving on to Nusa Lembongan for some seriously chilled island vibes, free from crowds and with a stunning array of accommodation options. 

@montanadarby If you want white sands, crystal clear waters and a place to fully RELAX then you have to add this island to your bucket list. Only 30 mins on a boat from Bali. Beautiful island and a much more chilled island vibe. 100% recommend staying for at least a couple of nights here #travel #backpacking #solotravel #travelling #bali #nusalembongan #nusaislands ♬ COLLIDE X HOLD YUH BY ALTÉGO – ALTÉGO

Over the Hari Raya Idul Fitri national holiday in Indonesia, Nusa Penida welcomed over 4,000 people per day. An increase of 30% in the daily average arrivals in the low season.

In the high season and over the Christmas holiday, it’s not uncommon for upward of 7,000 people to be arriving on the island every day.

As the high season approaches, tourists planning their trips to the Nusa Islands should take some strategic consideration when designing their itineraries. 

@montana_criddle Pretty sure the last clip is what heaven looks like #nusalembongan #nusalembonganisland #whenthewaterissoblue #travelinspo #baliindonesia #waterssoblue #beyonce ♬ original sound – Linda wakwa Mema

While many tourists visit the Nusa Islands as part of a single-day trip or a one-night excursion, there’s much more to these islands than can be experienced in such a short time.

Whether you choose to stay on Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Nusa Ceningan, extending your stay in Bali’s outlying islands is highly recommended.

This way, you can naturally avoid the crowds and immerse yourself in the beauty of these stunning islands in a deeper and more meaningful way.

@lifeisshortgotravelling When your breakfast views are a vibe 😍 #bali #balitravel #balivolg #baliitinerary #balivilla #nusalembongan #nusalembonganisland #baliholiday #traveltiktok #balifoodies ♬ son original – ѕнéнérαzαde тrαvelѕ 🌴🥥

The Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, spoke with reporters about the increase in tourist numbers over the Eid holidays last week.

She noted that there was a collective effort to prioritize safety and security on the islands, and everything went on without a hitch.

She confirmed that Nusa Penida Police work in collaboration with the TNI, Transportation Service, Satpol PP, and others to create a safe, comfortable, and peaceful holiday atmosphere for the community and visitors during peak holiday periods.

Where are the crowds in Nusa Penida, and how can you avoid them? It would seem a shame to visit Nusa Penida for the first time and not visit the world-famous Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Manta Bay, but these sites attract large crowds and can be easily ticked off the bucket list in an overnight trip. 

Swimming, snorkeling, or free diving with the manta rays at Manta Bay is a life-changing experience, but it’s recommended to pick your tour provider wisely. There is a healthy population of manta rays who are residents off the coast of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.

If you can, try to book tours with a provider who takes only small groups out at a time. This helps avoid the crowds in the water, too; yes, it’s a thing! This is a better tourist experience and causes less disturbance to the manta rays.

Once the iconic sites of Nusa Penida are ticked off, the real adventure can begin. Hop over to Nusa Lembongan and ease into those crowd-free, laid-back island vibes. Nusa Lembongan boasts one of the most impressive views of Mount Agung.

Whereas on main island Bali Mount Agung is most popularity views from Kintamani and the Gates of Heaven Temple, on Nusa Lembongan, tourists can gaze across the ocean to Mount Agung and Bali in the distance for hours on end. It’s really quiet meditative and humbling and makes for incredible sunset views too. 

Must-visit spots in Nusa Lembongan include Devil’s Tears, the picture-perfect Jugutbatu Beach, mangrove kayaking, and the mind-glowingly cool Gala-Gala Underground House. 

Top hotels in Nusa Lembongan right now include the 5-star The Tamarind Resort Nusa Lembongan which receives nothing but exceptional feedback from guests.

Wonderful 4-star hotel options include Mahagiri Resort Nusa Lembongan and Batu Karang Lembongan Resort and Spa.