Nusa Ceningan Offers Tourists A Peaceful Island Retreat All Year Round 

Share The Article

Nusa Ceningan is perhaps one of the most overlooked destinations in all of Indonesia, not just in Bali.

This tiny island offers tourists a glimpse at authentic small island life and plenty of opportunities for adventure. For those seeking a peaceful island retreat, this island is an absolute must.

Nusa Ceningan is the smallest of the three Nusa Islands, which sit off the coast of the main island. Bali. For generations, Nusa Ceningan has been home to local families, many of whom were seaweed farmers and salt producers.

This paradise island is connected to neighboring Nusa Lembongan via the famous Yellow Bridge. What makes Nusa Ceningan feel like a secret island getaway is that there are no cars on the island.

In fact, there is a limited number of vehicle periods. Most local people and, therefore, tourists prefer to navigate the island on foot, as the roads and pathways are wide enough to navigate on a small motorcycle or moped. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nusa Ceningan (@explorenusaceningan)

For many tourists, Nusa Ceningan is a destination visited only as part of a day trip from Nusa Penida, or even from a longer stay on Nusa Lembongan.

However, there is something to be said for opting to stay on Nusa Ceningan for a full island retreat vacation, or for a few days as part of a long Bali-wide itinerary.

With affordable, locally owned and simply gorgeous accommodations, a great selection of oceanfront eateries, easy connectivity to Nusa Lembongan, and plenty of action-packed day trips for those who want to explore, it really makes a lot of sense to enjoy more than a few nights on Nusa Ceningan. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nusa Ceningan (@explorenusaceningan)

Sea Bridge Villas Ceningan is an ideal 3-star stay on the island, with rooms available year-round for as little as USD 30, and sometimes less in the low season.

Guests have been known to extend their stay time and time again. This locally run hotel offers traditional Bali-style wooden chalets, many of which overlook the resort’s private pool.

Boasting a 4.8/5 ranking on Google, this villa complex is famed for its warm welcome, reliably cool A/C, and easy beach access. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pramana Nusa Ceningan (@pramananusaceninganresort)

For a more upmarket stay, Nusa Ceningan’s top 4-star stay can be found at Blue Lagoon Avia Villa. These light and airy clifftop bungalows offer unparalleled views of their namesake Blue Lagoon.

Many rooms offer guests a private swimming pool and are ideally located for those who want to get out and about and explore the island.

For those wishing to kick back and soak in all those island vibes, Blue Lagoon Avia Villa’s staff are all too happy to go the extra mile to ensure that guests have all they need to fully switch off and relax. 

Beach hopping is a top activity in Nusa Ceningan, and it is not uncommon for explorers to be able to enjoy coves and bays all to themselves.

The aptly named Secret Beach is a must-visit for those seeking a truly picturesque beachfront vista. Song Tepo Beach offers tourists a glimpse at the real Nusa Ceningan.

From this beachfront, tourists can observe the vast seaweed farms and the local community at work. Many small shops in Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan sell locally made seaweed and salt products, the sale of which directly supports local community members. 

One not to be missed sunset spot to add to the Nusa Ceningan itinerary is Kelebutan Cliff, also known as Flipcliff.

From this southwesterly tip of the island, tourists can enjoy stunning sunset views without the crowds and even enjoy views of Nusa Penida in the distance. 

It is not possible to travel directly from the main island of Bali to Nusa Ceningan by boat. Rather, tourists must book fast boat tickets from Sanur or Padangbai with providers like GoBoat, and travel to Nusa Lembongan before crossing the Yellow Bridge and onwards to their accommodation. Most accommodation providers in Nusa Lembongan can provide pick-up and drop-off services for guests from Nusa Lembongan Harbour.