Easy Shuttle Service Connects Bali Tourists With Two Idyllic Nusa Islands

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Island hopping is an unforgettable way to see as much of Bali Province as possible on vacation.

Bali, as a province, is actually comprised of four main islands and two further islands that are often overlooked. There is Bali, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Serangan Island is often seen as simply part of Bali as it is connected via a road bridge, and uninhabited Menjangan Island can be found in West Bali National Park. 

Whether hopping from Bali to Nusa Penida or Nusa Ceningan to Nusa Lembongan, the idyllic views more than makeup for what can sometimes be a bit of a logistical nightmare.

Thankfully, over the last couple of years, more fast boat and ferry providers have come on the scene, making it easier for tourists to navigate their way from the main island of Bali to the paradise isles off the Bukit Peninsula.

Operators like GoBoat have supercharged the fast boat system, offering tourists sea-shuttles from Sanur to the Nusa Islands, as well as from Serangan Port and, of course, Padang Bai. 

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One of the tricker transfers that tourists can arrange has always been between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Connected by the famous Yellow Bridge, these two tiny islands are an absolute must-visit for tourists dreaming of a tropical island getaway.

Over the last couple of months, the Yellow Bridge has been closed intermittently for maintenance work, and taxi options are limited on these tiny islands. 

A new shuttle service is now on offer between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan, dropping inter-island adventures to the shores of the next step of their itinerary.

With little to no other public transport options available in the area, the new open-sided taxi shuttles are a great option for tourists who want to hop and go between the two islands. 

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The new shuttle buses are very similar to the Songthaew and are available in cities like Chiang Mai in Thailand.

Songthaew refers to the two benches that are attached to the flatbed of a pickup truck. This kind of shuttle is perfect for ferrying tourists between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan since the journey is just a matter of minutes. 

Tourists can hop in the shuttle at the port areas located on either side of the Yellow Bridge. Didik Abbas, from the Tanis Fast Cruise company, told reporters that the pick-up truck taxis are able to drive easily across both islands.

He confirmed that village tours are also available for booking with the shuttle trucks too. 

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As Nusa Penida becomes busier with tourists and more tourism development work gets underway, including the construction of the highly contentious Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator, tourists are looking to emerging destinations like Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan for the crowd-free, desert island vibes.

Nusa Penida sees thousands of day trippers visit every day of the year, but for tourists seeking to experience the Nusa Islands in a more authentic way, it is imperative to spend a night or two on each of the islands.

It is super easy to hop between each of the islands, whether by boat or by shuttle bus.

Remember that transfers and transportation services may claim to operate on a timed schedule, but ultimately, it is island time that rules the day around these parts!

The Yellow Bridge is perhaps the most famous man-made landmark in Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan and serves as the tip of the iceberg for tourists on their island adventures.

Nusa Lembongan’s must-visit destinations include Devil’s Tears, Jungutbatu Beach, and Mangrove Point.

Mushroom Bay Beach offers pristine expanses of white sand and crystal clear shallow shores, along with stunning views of the main island of Bali in the distance. 

Nusa Ceningan, the smallest of the islands, offers a unique charm all of its own. Blue Lagoon is an itinerary essential along with Secret Point.

Tourists looking to indulge in the island vibes for as long as possible should book a stay at Blue Lagoon Avia Villas Ceningan or, for a social feel, a few nights at Le Pirate Nusa Ceningan.