Nusa Lembongan is a small island off the south-east coast of Bali, around half an hour away by fast boat. It has clear water, a slower pace than the mainland and a row of reef breaks sitting off the main village of Jungut Batu. Every wave here breaks over reef, which makes the island beautiful to surf and also makes it a place where tide and timing really matter.
Surf conditions change daily, and published guides do not always agree with each other. Where they differ we say so. Treat this as a starting point and always check conditions on the day with someone who knows the break.
Nusa Lembongan at a glance
| Where | A small island off south-east Bali, Indonesia |
| Type of waves | Reef breaks only |
| Best for | Confident improvers and intermediates at Playgrounds; advanced surfers at Lacerations and Shipwrecks |
| Best season | April to October, when the south-east trade winds blow offshore |
| Wet season | November to March: more affected by wind, with calm windows |
| What to wear | Boardshorts or swimwear and a rash vest. Reef booties are recommended |
| Getting there | Fast boat from Sanur, about 30 to 45 minutes |
Nusa Lembongan surf spots by level
| Spot | Level | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Playgrounds | Beginner to intermediate | An A-frame peak with lefts and rights, and the closest of the main breaks to shore. The most forgiving wave on the island. Best from mid to high tide. |
| Lacerations | Intermediate-advanced to advanced | A fast, hollow right over shallow, sharp reef. The name is a fair warning. |
| Shipwrecks | Intermediate-advanced to advanced | A right that needs enough water over the reef. It is a long paddle or a boat ride out, and currents can be strong. |
| Ceningan (Mahana Point) | Intermediate to advanced | On the neighbouring island of Nusa Ceningan, with strong currents. |
Is Nusa Lembongan right for a first-timer?
It can be, with an instructor, at Playgrounds, on the right tide. But there is no sandy beach break on the island to fall back on. If you have never stood on a board, a sand-bottom spot such as Red Island or the gentle waves at Canggu is an easier place to start, and Lembongan makes a good next step.
Why tide matters so much here
All of Lembongan’s waves break over reef that sits close to the surface. With enough water over it, a break such as Playgrounds is soft and manageable. As the tide drops, the same reef becomes shallow, the wave gets faster and a fall has consequences. Sessions on the island are planned around the tide chart first and everything else second. Many surfers take a boat out to the breaks, which saves the paddle and avoids walking over reef.
Nusa Lembongan tide times
Surf-Forecast publishes a tide chart for each Lembongan break, including Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks. The times come from its nearest tide station at Ceningan Point, about 3 km away, and are in local Bali time (WITA, UTC+8). Seatemperatu.re has a 14-day Nusa Lembongan tide table with the high and low tide times and heights in metres.
Playgrounds works best from mid to high tide. Lacerations and Shipwrecks need enough water over the shallow reef, so they are usually surfed on a higher tide and get more dangerous as it drops.
Check the tide the night before and again in the morning, and plan your session around when it turns. Surf-Forecast’s page for each break also shows the swell and wind forecast: Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks. If you surf with us, our boat-based lessons are timed around the tides.
Nusa Lembongan surf seasons through the year
| Months | Season | Surf | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| April to June | Early dry season | Swell becomes consistent and the south-east trade winds blow offshore. | Generally quiet in the water. |
| July to August | Peak dry season | The most swell of the year. | The one period when the line-ups get busy. |
| September to October | Late dry season | Still offshore and consistent. | Crowds ease again. |
| November to March | Wet season | More affected by wind. The good sessions come in the calm windows. | Flexible timing helps. The island is quieter. |
Staying safe in the water
- Shallow, sharp reef. Fall flat, never dive, and wear reef booties.
- Currents. They can be strong, especially at Shipwrecks and around Ceningan. Do not paddle out alone at a break you do not know.
- Tide. Know when it turns before you get in.
- Boats. The channel is used by fast boats and local boats. Stay aware when you are paddling.
- Sun. There is no shade on the reef. Cover up.
Getting to Nusa Lembongan
Fast boats leave from Sanur on Bali’s east coast and take about 30 to 45 minutes. Boats land on the beach at Jungut Batu, and you step off into shallow water, so wear shorts and sandals and keep electronics in a dry bag.
Beyond the surf
Lembongan rewards a day out of the water. Devil’s Tear is a rocky cove where swells explode against the cliff. The mangrove forest on the north-east side can be explored by small boat. The Yellow Bridge links the island to Nusa Ceningan. Manta rays are seen around the Nusa islands all year, and the mola-mola, or ocean sunfish, is most often seen from July to October. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Surf Nusa Lembongan with Mojosurf
Our Nusa Lembongan Surf Camp runs boat-based lessons that are timed around the tides. We describe our Lembongan trips as intermediate to advanced, so please read the trip pages before you book.
- 3 Day Surf & Stay Nusa Lembongan: two nights, two breakfasts, two lessons and the return ferry between Sanur and Lembongan.
- 7 Day Nusa Lembongan Surf Trip: six nights, starting on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, with transfers from Canggu and back to Sanur.
- 15 Day Island Hopper: Canggu, Red Island and Nusa Lembongan in one trip.
You need to be able to swim 50 metres unaided to join a lesson.
Keep exploring
- Island hopping from Bali: a surfer’s guide
- Canggu surf guide
- Red Island surf guide
- Kuta Lombok surf guide
Nusa Lembongan surf questions
4 questions
Still have a question?
Ask a surferCan beginners surf Nusa Lembongan?
Playgrounds is the most forgiving break and suits beginners to intermediates at mid to high tide, ideally with an instructor. Every wave on the island breaks over reef, so complete first-timers may find a sand-bottom beach easier.
When is the best time to surf Nusa Lembongan?
April to October, when the trade winds blow offshore. July and August are the busiest months.
Do I need reef booties?
They are recommended. The reef is shallow and sharp.
How long is the boat from Bali?
About 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur.
