Getting around Bali’s islands: Nusa Penida, the Gilis & Lembongan

When it comes to beautiful Indonesia, Bali gets most of the attention.

But the islands near Bali are where many-a-traveler’s favorite days happen. Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan sit about 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat from Bali’s east coast. The Gili Islands, a little farther away off Lombok, take about 2 hours from Bali. All three are easy to add to a Bali trip, as long as you know which ports to use and how to link them up.

The short answer:

• Nusa Penida is the biggest and most rugged of the Nusa islands. Go for the cliff-top viewpoints, like Kelingking Beach, and for snorkeling with manta rays.
• Nusa Lembongan is smaller, calmer and easier to get around. It’s a good base for snorkeling, surfing and relaxed beach days, with Nusa Penida a 15-minute boat ride away.
• The Gili Islands are three tiny islands with no cars or motorbikes. Gili Trawangan is the most social, Gili Air is a middle ground, and Gili Meno is the quietest.

Fast boats link all of them, so you can visit two or three on the same trip without going back to Bali in between. You can compare and book every crossing in this guide on Ferryscanner, at the same price as booking direct.

Bali is big, but the islands next door make a good case for leaving it for a few days. Source: iStock

What are the best islands near Bali?

The most popular islands near Bali are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and its small neighbor Nusa Ceningan, and the three Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air). They’re popular for good reason: they’re close, boats run every day, and each one feels quite different from Bali itself.

Here’s how they compare:

Nusa Penida

• Distance from Bali: about 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur
• Vibe: dramatic and rugged, with big cliffs and some steep, narrow roads
• Best for: viewpoints, day trips, manta ray snorkeling
• Getting around: hire a driver or take a tour, as some roads are tricky for inexperienced scooter riders

Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan

• Distance from Bali: about 30 minutes by fast boat from Sanur
• Vibe: laid-back and compact, with beach clubs, surf breaks and mangroves
• Best for: a relaxed base, snorkeling, surfing, families
• Getting around: scooter, bicycle or walking. A yellow suspension bridge links Lembongan to Ceningan

The Gili Islands

• Distance from Bali: about 1.5 to 3 hours by fast boat, depending on the departure port
• Vibe: car-free and easygoing, with white-sand beaches all around
• Best for: snorkeling with turtles, diving, sunset bars, several nights of slow days
• Getting around: on foot or by bicycle

No cars, no rush. Just bikes, sand paths and a long afternoons in Nusa Penida. Source: iStock

Are the Gili Islands part of Bali?

No, the Gili Islands aren’t part of Bali. They sit off the northwest coast of Lombok, Bali’s eastern neighbor, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Most visitors still reach them from Bali, because fast boats run straight from Bali’s ports to the Gilis every day.

Which Bali port should you leave from?

Which Bali port you leave from depends on where you’re going. Sanur, on the southeast coast, is the main port for the Nusa islands and also has boats to the Gilis. Padang Bai, on the east coast, has the shortest crossings to the Gilis. Sanur is about 45 minutes to an hour or more by car from the airport, depending on traffic. Padang Bai is about 1.5 to 2 hours away.

For Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

Most boats leave from Sanur, and they run often throughout the day.

• To Nusa Penida: boats run often throughout the day from Sanur to Nusa Penida, and the crossing takes about 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re staying in east Bali, boats also leave from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida.
• To Nusa Lembongan: fast boats from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan take about 30 minutes. They stop at Jungutbatu, Mushroom Bay or the Yellow Bridge, depending on the boat.
• Between the two islands: the hop from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida takes about 15 minutes. That makes it easy to stay on one and day-trip to the other.

At many piers on these islands, boats pull up to the beach and you step off into shallow water. Wear sandals or shoes you don’t mind getting wet, and keep your bag off the floor of the boat.

Nusa Lembongan is an adventurer’s dream. Source: iStock

For the Gili Islands

Direct fast boats leave Bali every morning, mostly from Padang Bai or Sanur. They stop at Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, and sometimes at Gili Meno.

• From Padang Bai: the shortest crossing, at about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Boats run to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.
• From Sanur: a longer trip of about 2 to 3 hours, but handy if you’re staying in the south. Boats run from Sanur to Gili Air, among others.
• From Lombok: if you fly into Lombok, take the short public boat from Bangsal harbor. The crossing from Bangsal to Gili Air takes about 20 minutes.

The Lombok Strait, between Bali and Lombok, is open water and can be choppy at any time of year. It tends to be roughest during big swells in the wet season (especially January and February) and when strong winds pick up in July and August. Seas are usually calmest in the morning, so an early departure is the best bet. If you get seasick, sit near the back of the boat and bring motion-sickness tablets.

Can you hop between the Nusa islands and the Gilis?

Yes. Fast boats run directly from Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands, so you don’t need to go back to Bali in between. The trip takes about 2 to 3 hours, and some boats stop at Nusa Lembongan to pick up passengers. Routes include Nusa Penida to Gili Trawangan and Nusa Penida to Gili Air.

Once you’re on the Gilis, a public boat links the three islands a few times a day, and private boats are easy to arrange. The hop from Gili Trawangan to Gili Air takes about 15 minutes.

Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan: which should you choose?

Choose Nusa Penida if you want big views and don’t mind long drives between sights. Choose Nusa Lembongan if you’d rather stay somewhere small and easygoing, with beaches, cafes and snorkeling close by.

You don’t have to pick one. The islands are only 15 minutes apart by boat, so a lot of travelers stay on Lembongan and spend a day touring Penida with a driver. If you’d rather see Penida’s west coast (Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong) and east coast (Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach) without rushing, spend a night or two on Penida itself.

A word on Kelingking Beach: the path from the viewpoint down to the sand is steep, uneven and slippery, and it takes most people 30 to 45 minutes each way. Plenty of visitors stop at the viewpoint. If you do go down, wear proper shoes, go early before the heat and crowds, and don’t swim, as the currents there are strong.

Swing into a Gili Island sunset. Source: iStock

Which Gili Island should you stay on?

Stay on Gili Trawangan for the most choice of restaurants, bars and nightlife. Pick Gili Air for a relaxed island with good cafes and enough going on. Choose Gili Meno for the quietest stay, with fewer people and the best chance of having a beach almost to yourself.

All three have good snorkeling, and sea turtles are a common sight around the islands. Many dive schools are based on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, and courses are popular with beginners.

When is the best time to visit the islands near Bali?

The best time to visit the islands near Bali is the dry season, from about April to October. Expect sunny days and lower humidity. The wet season, from about November to March, brings heavy afternoon showers. Boats run most days all year, but the crossing to the Gilis can be rough in both seasons: big swells are most common in January and February, and strong winds often pick up in July and August. Take a morning boat where you can, and leave a spare day before any flight.

The busiest times are July and August, when UK and European travelers visit, and the Australian school vacations, including late December to January. Book boats and accommodation early for those dates. If you’re flexible, May, June and September usually have good weather with fewer crowds.

Are there any fees to visit the islands near Bali?

Yes, there are a couple of small fees to budget for:

• Bali tourist levy: foreign visitors pay a one-time levy of IDR 150,000 per trip, usually online through the official Love Bali website or app before you arrive. It stays valid until you leave Indonesia, so a side trip to the Gilis doesn’t mean paying again.
• Nusa Penida levy: foreign visitors pay a local levy when they arrive on Nusa Penida, set at IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child in 2026. Some of the island’s main viewpoints, including Kelingking Beach, also charge their own entry fee. Payment is by card, so don’t rely on cash.

Local fees in the Nusa islands changed in 2026 and may change again, so check the latest rules shortly before you travel.

Sample route: Bali, the Nusa islands and the Gilis in 10 days

This one-way route links all three without doubling back:

1. Nusa Lembongan (2–3 nights): take the fast boat from Sanur and settle in. Spend a day snorkeling and a day crossing the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan.
2. Nusa Penida (2 nights): take the short hop across and spend your time on the island’s viewpoints and beaches. Book a driver for at least one full day.
3. The Gili Islands (3–4 nights): take a direct fast boat from Nusa Penida to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, then island-hop between the three.
4. Back to Bali: return by fast boat, for example from Gili Air to Sanur. You can also fly home from Lombok.

Leave at least a day between your last boat and an international flight, in case the weather holds up a crossing. For more on boat travel across the country, see our guide to ferry travel in Indonesia.

FAQs

What are the best islands near Bali?

The most popular islands near Bali are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, and the three Gili Islands: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The Nusa islands are about 30 to 45 minutes from Bali by fast boat, and the Gilis are about 1.5 to 3 hours away.

Are the Gili Islands part of Bali?

No. The Gili Islands sit off the northwest coast of Lombok, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Most visitors still travel there from Bali, as direct fast boats run from Padang Bai and Sanur every day.

Which port in Bali do boats to the Nusa islands leave from?

Most boats to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan leave from Sanur, on Bali’s southeast coast. Some boats to Nusa Penida also leave from Padang Bai in east Bali.

Can you visit Nusa Penida as a day trip from Bali?

Yes. Boats from Sanur take about 30 to 45 minutes, so you can leave in the morning, tour the island with a driver and be back in Bali by evening. A day trip usually covers one coast, most often the west side with Kelingking Beach. To see more without rushing, stay a night on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan.

Do you need cash on the islands near Bali?

Bring some. Cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and for some local fees, but small cafes, local boats and drivers often take cash only. Gili Trawangan has plenty of ATMs, while the smaller islands have fewer, so it’s worth getting cash in Bali before you go.

When is the best time to visit Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands?

The best time to visit is the dry season, from about April to October, when the weather is sunniest. The crossing to the Gilis can be rough in any season, especially in January, February, July and August, so a morning boat is the best bet.

Why book your Bali island boats with Ferryscanner?

Once you’ve picked your islands, the next step is booking the boats between them. It’s worth booking early for July, August and the Christmas–New Year period, when popular departures fill up. On Ferryscanner, you can compare times, prices and boat companies for crossings from Bali, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the Gilis in one place, then book your tickets online.

Here’s what you get when you book with us:

• The same price as booking direct: you don’t pay extra to compare and book on Ferryscanner.
• Ferryscanner Miles on every booking: you earn miles each time you book, and you can use them to save on future trips.
• Real people when you need them: our customer service team responds in about 40 seconds, 7 days a week, if you need help changing or canceling a booking.
• One account for every trip: we cover more than 6,000 routes from over 350 ferry companies worldwide, so you can book your next island trip in the same place.

When you’re ready, search your first route on Ferryscanner to see what’s running on your dates.