Island Hopping from Bali: Day Trips to Nusa Lembongan, Penida, and the Gilis
Island hopping from Bali to Nusa Penida, Lembongan, and the Gilis: boat prices, crossing times, what to see, and which trip to do first.
The first time I took a fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida, I spent most of the crossing gripping the seat in front of me and wondering whether the life jacket under my seat actually worked. Forty-five minutes of slamming over open water, a slightly chaotic beach landing, and then Kelingking Beach from the clifftop, looking exactly like every photo I’d ever saved on Instagram, except somehow more absurd in real life. If you’re thinking about island hopping from Bali, that’s roughly the emotional arc: mild terror, followed by scenery that makes you forget all of it.
Bali’s offshore islands are close enough for a day trip but feel like a different world. I’ve done these crossings enough times now to know what’s worth the early start and what isn’t, so here’s the honest version.
Why the Islands Are Worth Leaving Bali For
Bali is stunning, obviously. But spend a week in Canggu or Seminyak and the traffic, the construction, and the sheer number of people start to weigh on you. The Nusa islands and the Gilis strip all of that away. No cars on Lembongan. No motorbike horns on the Gilis. Just water so clear you can see the bottom from the boat.
It helps that the logistics are easy. Nusa Penida is 45 minutes from Sanur by fast boat. Nusa Lembongan is even closer, about 30 minutes. You can leave after breakfast and be back for dinner. The Gili Islands take longer (1.5 to 4 hours depending on the route), so they’re better as an overnight, but people do them as ambitious day trips too.
Each island has its own personality, which is what makes island hopping from Bali worth doing properly. Penida is wild and dramatic, still rough around the edges. Lembongan is small and calm: you can cover it in a day without rushing. And the Gilis are their own thing entirely: no motorised vehicles, reggae bars on the beach, some of the best shallow-water snorkelling I’ve done anywhere.
Nusa Penida: The Big One
This is the one everyone wants to do, and honestly, it earns it. Nusa Penida has the cliffs, the viewpoints, the kind of coastline that makes you understand why people fly halfway around the world to see it.
Fast boats run from Sanur harbour, costing IDR 170,000–215,000 return if you book online. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. You can also go from Kusamba port in east Bali: IDR 150,000–212,000, and only 25–30 minutes on the water. If you’re staying in Ubud or further east, Kusamba saves you the drive to Sanur.
On arrival you’ll pay an island entrance fee of IDR 25,000 per person, plus a Marine Protected Area permit of IDR 100,000 per day. Both are collected at the port.
Kelingking Beach is the headliner. You’ve seen the T-Rex-shaped cliff in photos, and yes, it really does look like that. The hike down takes about 20 minutes and the climb back up around 30. It’s steep, the steps are uneven, and you’ll be sweating. But the view from the top alone is worth the trip. Worth knowing: swimming at Kelingking Beach has been forbidden since February 2023 due to dangerous currents. The glass skywalk that was being built there is also not operational: construction was suspended and there’s an ongoing court case. So go for the view and the hike, not the swim.
Beyond Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong is a natural infinity pool carved into the rock (only safe to swim in during calm conditions; check with locals). Broken Beach is a striking natural rock arch over turquoise water. Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach on the east coast are quieter and less crowded. Crystal Bay on the west side is where the snorkelling is best: manta rays are regularly spotted here.
A day trip to Penida is doable but tiring. The roads are narrow and bumpy, and the island is bigger than most people expect. Pick two or three spots rather than trying to see everything. West coast (Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach) or east coast (Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach), not both in one day unless you want to spend most of it in a car.
Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan: The Quieter Pair
If Penida is the dramatic older sibling, Lembongan is the easygoing one. It’s small enough to scooter around in a couple of hours, the pace is genuinely slow, and it has a charm that Penida’s scale doesn’t allow.
Fast boats from Sanur take about 30 minutes and cost roughly the same as Penida crossings. Some operators run combined Lembongan-Penida routes.
Dream Beach is the main swimming beach: white sand with reasonable surf and a cliff-top bar looking over it. Devil’s Tear is a blowhole on the south coast where waves crash into a rock formation and send spray thirty feet into the air. It’s one of those places that photographs well but is actually more impressive in person, which is rare.
The Yellow Bridge connects Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan, its tiny neighbour. Walk or scooter across. Ceningan has the Blue Lagoon (a deep channel of electric-blue water between the cliffs) and Mahana Point, a clifftop infinity pool overlooking the ocean (IDR 50,000 entry, includes a drink). Manta Point, between Lembongan and Penida, is one of the best spots in Bali for swimming with manta rays. Snorkelling and diving trips run daily from the Lembongan side.
Lembongan works brilliantly as a day trip but it’s also worth an overnight. The sunsets from the west coast are extraordinary, and staying the night means you get the island to yourself once the day-trippers leave on the afternoon boats.
The Gili Islands: When You Have a Bit More Time
The three Gilis (Trawangan, Air, and Meno) sit off the northwest coast of Lombok, not Bali. But fast boats from Bali run there daily, and plenty of people visit them as part of a Bali trip.
Fast boats from Serangan or Padang Bai cost IDR 300,000–650,000 one-way, depending on the operator and which Gili you’re heading to. The crossing takes 1.5 to 4 hours depending on conditions and stops. It’s a longer, rougher ride than the Nusa crossings: if you’re prone to seasickness, take something before you board.
Gili Trawangan is the biggest and the liveliest: bars and night markets, diving schools everywhere. Gili Air is smaller and quieter, popular with couples and people who want good food and yoga without the party scene. Gili Meno is the smallest and the most stripped-back, with a famous underwater sculpture garden you can snorkel over.
None of the Gilis have motorised vehicles. You walk, cycle, or take a horse cart. That absence of engines changes the whole feel of the place. The snorkelling is excellent: turtles are almost guaranteed off the east coast of all three islands.
A day trip to the Gilis from Bali is technically possible but I wouldn’t recommend it. The crossing eats too much of the day. Two nights is about right for one island, or three if you want to hop between them.
Boats, Costs, and the Practical Stuff
Here’s a quick comparison of what each island trip costs and how long it takes.
| Destination | Departure Point | Boat Cost (IDR, return) | Crossing Time | Best As |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nusa Penida | Sanur | 170,000–215,000 | ~45 min | Day trip |
| Nusa Penida | Kusamba | 150,000–212,000 | 25–30 min | Day trip (from east Bali) |
| Nusa Lembongan | Sanur | ~170,000–215,000 | ~30 min | Day trip or overnight |
| Gili Islands | Serangan/Padang Bai | 300,000–650,000 (one-way) | 1.5–4 hours | Overnight (2+ nights) |
Book boats online where you can: it’s almost always cheaper than buying at the port. Operators like MarlinFastBoats and IdolFastCruise are reliable. Read recent reviews before booking anyone new.
Bring cash. ATMs on the Nusas and Gilis exist but they’re unreliable: they run out, they break down, they charge withdrawal fees. Bring enough Rupiah for the day plus a buffer.
Seasickness is real. The crossing to Penida can get rough, especially in the afternoon or during rainy season (November to March). Morning boats on calm days are the best bet. Sit in the middle of the boat, near the waterline.
And sun protection matters more than you’d think. You’re on open water with no shade, then on clifftops with no shade, then on beaches with no shade. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
My Honest Take: Which Island Trip to Do First
If you only have time for one trip, go to Nusa Penida. Nothing else in the area competes with that coastline. It’s tiring, the roads are rough, and you’ll be sunburnt by the end, but Kelingking from the top and Crystal Bay in the afternoon is one of the best days I’ve had in Bali.
If you want something relaxed, Lembongan. Scooter around, swim at Dream Beach, cross the Yellow Bridge to Ceningan, watch the sunset. Done. None of the stress or the bumpy three-hour drives you get on Penida.
And the Gilis are for when you’re ready to leave Bali for a few days and want something different. The snorkelling alone is worth it, but the no-vehicles, no-traffic quietness is what stays with you.
I’d love to know which island you’d hit first: drop me a reply or find me on Instagram @destinedforBali. And if you’re budgeting for your trip, my Bali cost of living guide has all the numbers.
FAQs
How long is the boat ride from Bali to Nusa Penida?
About 45 minutes from Sanur harbour by fast boat. If you go from Kusamba port in east Bali, it’s only 25–30 minutes. Morning departures tend to be calmer.
How much does island hopping from Bali cost?
Return fast boats to Nusa Penida or Lembongan run IDR 170,000–215,000 from Sanur. The Gili Islands cost IDR 300,000–650,000 one-way from Bali. On top of boat costs, Nusa Penida charges an IDR 25,000 entrance fee and IDR 100,000 Marine Protected Area permit per day.
Can I do a day trip to Nusa Penida from Bali?
Yes, and most people do. Take an early morning boat from Sanur (first boats leave around 7–8 a.m.), pick two or three spots on the island, and catch an afternoon boat back. It’s a full day but very doable.
Is it safe to swim at Kelingking Beach?
No: swimming at Kelingking Beach has been forbidden since February 2023 due to dangerous currents. You can hike down to the beach and back, but the water is off-limits. The view from the clifftop is the real draw anyway.
Do I need to book boats in advance?
Booking online is cheaper and guarantees your seat, especially in peak season (July–August). Operators like MarlinFastBoats and IdolFastCruise let you book on their websites. You can buy at the port, but you’ll pay more and risk full boats.
Which Gili island is best for first-timers?
Gili Air strikes the best balance: quieter than Trawangan but with good restaurants, yoga, and snorkelling. Trawangan suits party-goers. Meno is very quiet and best for couples or people who want to switch off completely.
Can I visit multiple islands in one day?
You can combine Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan easily: they’re connected by the Yellow Bridge. Combining Lembongan and Penida in one day is possible with some tour operators but rushed. The Gilis are too far from the Nusas for a same-day hop.
What should I bring on an island hopping trip from Bali?
Cash in Rupiah (ATMs on the islands are unreliable), reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a water bottle, a dry bag for your phone and valuables, and a light rain jacket if travelling in rainy season (November to March). Wear shoes you can get wet for beach boat landings.
Are there manta rays at Nusa Penida?
Yes: Crystal Bay and Manta Point (between Nusa Penida and Lembongan) are two of the best spots in Bali for manta ray sightings. Snorkelling and diving trips run daily. Sightings are common but never guaranteed: manta season runs roughly April to November.
Is the Kelingking Beach glass skywalk open?
No. Construction on the glass skywalk was suspended and there is an ongoing court case about the project. As of 2026, it is not operational. The hiking trail down to the beach remains open.
