TIPS FOR GETTING TO NUSA LEMBONGAN ON FAST BOAT

Nusa Lembongan is one of the three "Nusa Islands", located approximately 15 kilometres off the east coast of Bali. The most common way for people to get between Nusa Lembongan and Bali is by fast boat.

A typical fast boat to Nusa Lembongan

FACTS ABOUT THE FAST BOAT TRIP

1. The distance is about 15 kilometres between Bali and Nusa Lembongan across a passage of water known as the Badung Strait.

2. The fast boats typically take 30-40 minutes to do the crossing, depending on the prevailing conditions.

3. You can see land the entire time during the crossing.

4. The boats are large and safe, with qualified captains, and modern communication and safety equipment.

5. The fast boats carry hundreds of thousands of people between Bali and the Nusa Islands each year.

TIPS FOR THE FAST BOAT TRIP

Only some boats have toilets

Be mindful that only some fast boats have toilets on them. Going to the toilet on a boat travelling approximately 50km/h is not the easiest experience.

Seat selection

You cannot pre-select your seat on the boat, so it is first on board gets to choose where they sit.

Sitting towards back of the boat will reduce the up-and-down bouncing motion experienced during transit.

The smoothest and fastest rides are often in the morning

The mornings departures are often the smoothest trips before the wind picks up. This also means the fast boats can go faster as there is less chop on the water.

Snacks and drinks

There is no food and beverage service on the fast boats. It is a good idea to take water and some snacks for the trip.

Travel at high-tide has the quickest boarding and un-boarding times

The fast boats can get closer to the beach at high tides (especially on Nusa Lembongan), so if you travel at high tide then the fast boat will reverse right up to the beach.

If the tide is too low for the fast boats to get to the beach, then a smaller shuttle boat will meet the large fast boat, and guests need to transfer onto the smaller shuttle boat which takes guests to the beach

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear

To board the boats, you will often need to wade through a few metres of ankle-to-knee deep water. You will also need to take off your shoes before boarding the boat. Wearing shorts or shoes that are easy to take on and off (thongs or sandals) are generally the best idea.

Pre-book your trip

In low season it is often possible to turn up to the harbour and jump on the next boat. In high season however, the fast boats can be booked out many days in advance. Our reservations team can help you with booking your fast boat to and from the Nusa Islands.

Take a separate travel bag

Similar to an aeroplane, the boat staff will put your large luggage in the main storage area on the boat, so you will not be able to access your large suitcase during transit. Take a small backpack or similar with your entertainment and snacks for the boat ride.

GETTING TO THE FAST BOAT HARBOURS AND TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION

The fast boats leave from different locations, depending on their home port, and also depending on the weather and the tides.

Most fast boat operators will have a service to pick you up from your location in Bali (hotel or airport for example) and take you to the harbour that the boat is departing from on that particular day. This takes the stress out of you needing to know which location the boat will be going from.

Similarly on Nusa Lembongan, the boat operators will have a shuttle service to deliver you to your hotel or villa.