Islands Near Bali: Top Destinations to Visit

Where should you start the island-hopping adventure? Thanks to the short distance to Bali mainland, the Nusa Islands are everyone’s favorite day trip destination. But once you step into Gili Islands or Lombok, expect a different vibe. Don’t let the size of these islands fool you because you can definitely compare them to Bali!

The middle child of the Nusa Islands, Nusa Lembongan, is bigger than Nusa Ceningan but smaller than Nusa Penida. If you are searching for the best island in Bali for a honeymoon, the only right answer is Nusa Lembongan.

Nusa Lembongan presents the same stunning turquoise water the Nusa islands share. Explore the island, and you’ll find seaweed farming in most corners, which most people in Nusa Lembongan do for a living. Cross the narrow — yet famous — Yellow Bridge for a short trip to Nusa Ceningan, but only if you take a motorbike.

• Surfing. Head to Mushroom Bay for mellower breaks or Playgrounds for consistent right-hand breaks.

• Snorkeling & diving. See the underwater paradise by snorkeling or diving at Dream Beach & Blue Corner.

• Mangrove Forest. Rent a wooden boat with the local fisherman to explore the mangrove forest.

• Devil’s Tear. Watch the waves crash the cliff, shooting the ocean water high into the air. Watch your position, as the waves can drag you to the sea.

• Harbors. Most people leave Sanur ports to Mushroom Bay or Jungut Batu Harbors in Nusa Lembongan.

• Ticket price. The ticket price from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan varies but is between US $10 – US $20.

• Traveling time. The travel time between the Bali mainland and Nusa Lembongan Island takes 30-40 minutes.

• Schedule. Most fast boats leave three times daily: morning, mid-afternoon, and afternoon.

Thankfully, Nusa Lembongan is not a go-big or go-home island. You can stay at a budget hotel for US $30 per night. But feel free to splurge at a fancy and luxurious resort, which ranges from US $100 to US $400 per night. What’s the perk? These places often come with beach access.

The most famous and the biggest among the three Nusa Islands is everyone’s favorite day-trip destination. The terrain of dramatic and towering cliffs, the crystal-clear water, and the Kelingking and Diamond Beaches as two icons give enough reason for you to book the boat ticket right away.

Nusa Penida still has plenty of unexplored and underrated corners beyond the ones everyone visits. You shouldn’t miss hidden gems like Tembeling Beach and Forest and Banah Cliff Point from your itinerary when visiting Nusa Penida.

• Kelingking Beach. The iconic T-Rex-shaped cliff is why people flock to take the photo you see everywhere on social media.

• Angel’s Billabong. You can only swim at the natural pool during the low tide. We advise to stay a bit far from the cliff’s edge when the high tide occurs.

• Broken Beach. The broken cliff resembling an arch with a narrow passageway looks striking against the ocean.

• Crystal Bay. Looking for things to do in Nusa Penida? Snorkeling and diving, of course! Crystal Bay also has a temple atop the cliff in the middle of the ocean.

• Harbors. Toyapakeh, Sampalan, and Buyuk are for fast boats, while Sampalan is for ferry. Most fast boats leave from Sanur Harbor. But if you wish to take your motorbike to Nusa Penida, you must depart from Padangbai Harbor.

• Ticket price. The ferry ticket costs US $8, while the fast boat costs US $25.

• Traveling time. The trip from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes approximately 45 minutes. 

• Schedule. The schedule varies for each operator. But most fast boats leave every 30 or 60 minutes, so you have plenty of options to book the tickets.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay at the best hotels in Nusa Penida. Even if you stay at a US $50 accommodation, chances are you still have a sea view. While you can stay at a whooping US $500 resort per night, giving you the best sea view, try renting a villa overlooking the hills for a change from coastal scenery.

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to Nusa Ceningan. The smallest of the Nusa islands, Nusa Ceningan, is all about locking in the peace. If you need some adrenaline rush, head to Mahana Point, where the five or ten-meter platforms dare you to jump. Not challenging enough? Try the Zipline Ceningan, where the 100-meter-long thrill ride runs above the blue waters of the island.

The island is only 3 square kilometers, which you can explore by walking, and it will take you around a few hours. Don’t skip the Ceningan Cliffs on the eastern part to see Nusa Penida on full display.

• Blue Lagoon. Stand at the viewpoint to watch the sunset, but mind the steep rocks. We don’t recommend swimming due to strong currents.

• Secret Beach. It is a great spot to relax with your book and enjoy the breeze. Lather extra sunscreen as the sun can burn your skin!

• The Yellow Bridge. The bridge connects Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan, and the contrast of the yellow color with the blue ocean can produce a great shot.

Nusa Ceningan doesn’t have harbors. The only way to reach the smallest Nusa Island is via Nusa Lembongan. Then, you need to cross the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan. If you stay in Nusa Penida, you can take the local boat service, which only takes 15 minutes to Nusa Ceningan.

The party in Gili sounds like fun, right? Rows of beach bars, pubs, and cafes along the coastline have made Gili Trawangan a heaven for partygoers, young travelers, and backpackers. And even though Gili T becomes the center of all the fun, you can do so much more than bar-hopping.

The smallest Gili is also the quietest among the three islands. While Gili T takes care of the fun and partying, Gili Meno is ideal for post-wedding escapades or couples looking to chill out. If you love snorkeling, the Nest Underwater Statues, with the sculptures of 48 figures by Jason deCaires, will take your breath away.

The smallest Gili is also the quietest among the three islands. While Gili T takes care of the fun and partying, Gili Meno is ideal for post-wedding escapades or couples looking to chill out. If you love snorkeling, the Nest Underwater Statues, with the sculptures of 48 figures by Jason deCaires, will take your breath away.

The pristine beaches make Gili Meno the perfect spot for turtles to lay eggs and hatch. Go to turtle conservation, where you can participate in a releasing program after a day of sunbathing and relaxing by the beach.

Gili Air is the cross between Gili T and Gili Meno. The second largest island still has nightlife for a quick post-dinner drink, but Gili Air also has the peaceful vibe of Gili Meno. With the strong Sasak cultural influence, we can say Gili Air is the most charming of the three.

Staying at Gili Air feels like you’re in the Maldives, just less expensive. The southwest part has the nicest beaches in Gili Air, while the north brings the restaurants and bars to sip your cocktail. Head to Air Wall for diving, where you will see colorful sea fans, corals, and nudibranchs.

• Transportation. The most popular and common way to get to the Gili Islands from Bali is by booking a fast boat. You can fly to Lombok, but you also need to reach the port and then cross to the Gili Islands.

• Travel times. The fast boat from Padang Bai takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The flight is only 30 minutes, but you need an additional 90 minutes to reach the port and another 15 minutes to Gili Islands.

• Insider’s tips. Take the fast boat from Padang Bai and choose the operators offering pick-up service from your hotel.

Like Bali, you will love the Gili Islands because finding the right places to stay is easy regardless of the budget. A hostel with a US $25 price tag in the three Gilis is aplenty, especially in Gili T. If you want to bask in a luxurious resort, hotels and villas across the Gilis offer accommodation from US $100 to more than US $500 per night.

Live your Jurassic Park fantasy by visiting Komodo Island. The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard, and here’s the only place you can find them in the wild. See them up close—but not too close—and you will feel like you are in an adventure movie setting.

However, the Komodo dragon is not the only amazing thing about the island. The island also boasts the stunning Pink Beach, thanks to the crushed red corals mixing with white sands. If exploring the underwater world is your thing, Komodo has some of the world’s best diving spots, where you can encounter dolphins, whales, sharks, manta rays, and turtles.

• Flights. The flight from Bali to the closest entry point to Komodo Island, Labuan Bajo, takes an hour. Then, you need to hop on a boat to Komodo Island for two hours.

• Liveaboard. For diving enthusiasts, the liveaboard makes the best option on how to get to Komodo island from Bali because you will be traveling for days/weeks on the sea, with a daily diving schedule included.

• Ferry. For a hardcore adventurer plus a budget-conscious traveler, the ferry to Labuan Bajo takes about 36 hours. The ferry only leaves from Benoa harbor, costing US $18, including three-time meals.

• Trekking with Komodo dragons. The sole reason you travel here is the Komodo dragon. You will have a guide with you throughout the trekking. Always follow the guide’s instructions because the Komodo dragon’s behavior can be unpredictable.

• Diving and snorkeling. Boasting more than 50 dive sites, dive at Castle Rock for shark sightings or snorkel at Coral Garden, which has stunning and colorful coral reefs.

• Padar Island. Take the iconic photo by hiking to the top of Padar Island, where the hills, Pink Beach, and the ocean create a stunning background.

When you check on the map of Bali, you will see Serangan Island, just below Sanur — known as Turtle Island, a small island in the southeast part of Bali. The Turtle Conservation and Education Center aims to protect and monitor turtle size and numbers. They also collect turtle eggs, breed them at the conservation, and raise the hatchlings for a month before releasing them back into the ocean.

Come between April and September, when the turtle season begins. Feel free to donate as a way to support turtle conservation.

Two islands in the West Nusa Tenggara province, Sumba and Sumbawa, show you a rugged landscape in contrast to Bali. Once you know how to get to Sumba Island from Bali, plan your visit when the Pasola Festival happens. It’s the local ritual where people throw wooden spears at opponents while horse riding to celebrate the rice-planting season.

While the sprawling savannah in Sumbawa makes for a great trip, diving will make you discover more about the island’s beauty. It’s the only place in the Lesser Sunda Islands where you can dive alongside whale sharks! The white sand beach of Moyo Island without the Bali crowd is a paradise you need to see.

Lombok feels like Bali without the overcrowding and traffic. The main island next to the three Gilis has a similar terrain to Bali, with white sand beaches like Kuta Beach in the south and black sand Senggigi Beach in the west. What’s the difference? Lombok is predominantly Muslim, unlike Bali, where the majority is Hindu.

Challenge your endurance by booking the three-day hike to Mount Rinjani, the second-tallest volcano in Indonesia. Come here during the Moto GP season in September/October, as the Mandalika Circuit in south Lombok is part of the MotoGP World Championship circuits.

Best Time to Visit the Islands Around Bali

You know the best time to visit Bali is during the dry season. The same applies if you plan to go island hopping. April to October creates perfect weather to explore the mentioned islands.

Avoid the June-July period because it’s the peak school holiday season. Also, consider postponing your plan from December to February because the rainy season roughs the sea surfaces with high rain intensity. However, if you want to dive and see manta rays, the rainy season is the best time to visit.

How to Plan Your Island-Hopping Itinerary

Let’s say you want to go all the way from Bali to Sumba or Sumbawa. How should you plan the trip?

Start with the Nusa Islands first, and then you can continue the journey to Gili Islands/Lombok. Once you finish exploring the Gilis and Lombok, head to Komodo Island, followed by Sumbawa and Sumba as the final destination.

Liveaboard makes perfect sense if you love adventure and diving. Otherwise, take the fast boat to Nusa and Gili Islands. As for Lombok, Sumbawa, and Sumba, booking a flight will save you time.

Essential Travel Tips for Island Adventures

Discovering the islands outside of Bali allows you to explore a few of the 17.000 islands in Indonesia. Who doesn’t want to see the savannah in Sumba, the Komodo dragon and Pink Beach on Komodo Island, and the rich marine life in Gili Islands?

Traveling to remote areas like Sumba also exposes you to the different cultures of Indonesia. While you can wear anything in Bali, you need to be mindful of Lombok or Sumbawa due to the large Muslim populations.