One of the most beautiful islands near Bali is Nusa Ceningan. With stunning beaches, amazing beach bars and beautiful viewpoints, this island has a lot to offer.
Most of the time, tourists skip Nusa Ceningan in favor of Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida but let me tell you, Nusa Ceningan is definitely worth a visit! I spent a few days exploring this island and I fell in love with its natural beauty.
In this guide, I’ll share the top things to do in Nusa Ceningan. I’ve included activities for all types of travelers. Let’s get to it!
1. Top things to do in Nusa Ceningan
1.1 Relax at Secret Beach
Away from tourists’ eyes, Secret Beach Nusa Ceningan is one of my favorite places on the island. Right near the beach there is a beautiful hotel with a restaurant and an incredible infinity pool. You can enjoy the pool if you order something from the bar (minimum spending – IDR 100 K).
You can also pass by the bar and head to the beach. There are a few palm trees keeping shade and you can lay your towel directly on the beach.
The beach is a bit rocky, which makes swimming a bit difficult. That’s why I chose to swim in Villa Trevally’s infinity pool. If you’re looking for a hidden place in Nusa Ceningan, without too many tourists, I recommend heading to the Secret Beach.
You can read more about this beach, in my travel guide.
1.2 Try zip-lining at Driftwood Bar
Driftwood Bar is one of the best tourist attractions in Nusa Ceningan. It’s the perfect choice for those who want to relax and for adventurous tourists alike.
The bar serves delicious local food and it has a stunning infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Order a Bintang from the bar and something to eat and relax while admiring the views.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try zip-lining. The zip line crosses the nearby bay and even though the ride is relatively short, it’s a unique activity in Nusa Ceningan.
1.3 Admire the Blue Lagoon
One of the most beautiful places to see in Nusa Ceningang is the Blue Lagoon. This small bay located in the southern part of the island is the perfect place to relax and take a few stunning photos.
Make sure to explore the right and left sides of the lagoon since they offer unique views. What impressed me the most about this place was the milky-blue water. I’ve traveled to most Southeast Asia, but I’ve never seen such water.
Even though there’s not much to do at the Blue Lagoon apart from admiring its beauty, I fell in love with this place. It’s easy to reach and one of the most beautiful places in Nusa Ceningang.
1.4 Try Cliff Jumping at the Blue Lagoon
Are you ready for a bit of adventure? On the left side of Blue Lagoon, you’ll find a few jumping spots. Even though cliff jumping might sound like a thrilling experience, keep in mind that there is no lifeguard.
I recommend bringing a friend with you if you want to cliff jump at the Blue Lagoon. Also, make sure to check the tide and observe the currents.
1.5 Relax or cliff jump at Mahana Point
Mahana Point is one of the must-see places in Nusa Ceningan. It’s actually a beautiful warung with a huge terrace and a few jumping platforms. From the terrace, you can see the Secret Point Beach.
If you’re hungry, you can stop here and have something to eat. Try their Nasi Gorneg, it’s tasty and affordable. I liked Mahana Point for the views it offers.
When we visited, the jumping platforms were closed; maybe due to the currents or tide, but when the conditions are good, you can cliff jump right from the terrace of Mahana Point. Before deciding whether or not to take the plunge into the sea, talk to the staff and see if the water is deep enough.
Price – IDR 25 K for 2 jumps per person
1.6 Stop by one of the best beach bars in Nusa Ceningan
One of the places to visit in Nusa Ceningan is the beautiful Sea Breeze Beach Bar. This beach bar is quite big and it serves delicious food and drinks. I’ve been here at least three times, that’s how much I liked it.
It also has a beautiful infinity pool, a swing, bean bags, plenty of tables and a suspended hammock. If you’re visiting Nusa Ceningan, you have to stop here for a few hours and enjoy the view towards Nusa Lembongan.
1.7 Admire the Secret Point Beach
Nusa Ceningan is a small island with just a few beaches and the Secret Point Beach is one of them. Compared to Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida or Dream Beach in Nusa Lembongan, Secret Point Beach is not very spectacular.
However, it’s one of the best beaches in Nusa Ceningan and a must-visit when exploring the island. Many people come here to paddle board or surf. Also, Secret Point Beach is one of the best places in Nusa Ceningan for snorkeling. Grab your goggles, head into the water and discover huge coral and colorful fish.
1.8 Discover the Secret Viewpoint
When we explored Nusa Ceningan, we wanted to go a bit off-the-beaten-path, so we followed the road passing through the centre of the island. Not knowing what to expect, we came across some abandoned villas.
One of them caught our attention. It was a huge villa, with a large pool and a viewing deck. Since the gates were open and there was nobody on the grounds, we went to the viewing deck.
The view was simply stunning. We could see Nusa Lembongan and part of Ceningan. I don’t have the exact location for this villa, but if you follow the road that passes through the center of the island from south to north, you’ll see the villa I’m talking about on your left side.
1.9 Take some photos at Song Tepo Beach
One of the top things to do in Nusa Ceningan is to stop by Song Tepo Beach and admire its beauty. A good thing to know is that the tide varies a lot during the day.
Sometimes, the small portion of land between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan is entirely covered by water. Other times, you can cross from one island to the other on foot.
At Song Tepo Beach you’ll find a few swings, perfect for photos, but I recommend checking the tide and visiting this beach when the tide is high.
When the tide is high, the beach is simply stunning. The water is not very deep (1-2 meters), but it’s perfect to refresh yourself.
1.10 Stop by the Old Tree Viewpoint
Located in the southern part of the island, the Old Tree Viewpoint is one of those places that not many people know about. It’s a beautiful viewpoint, where you can relax and admire Nusa Ceningan’s beauty.
Watch the waves hit the cliffs and take a moment to breathe in the fresh air. The road to the Old Tree Viewpoint is accessible by car and motorbike alike.
2. How to get to Nusa Ceningan
To get to Nusa Ceningan, you’ll have to take a boat from Bali to Nusa Lembongan. Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are connected through a bridge, making access from one island to another easy.
If you plan to visit these islands as a day trip from Bali, I recommend booking a guided tour. Below are two day-trip options, each with excellent reviews.
- Nusa Ceningan & Lembongan day trip Option 1 – click here
- Nusa Ceningan & Lembongan day trip Option 2 – click here
The good part about these tours is that they include transfers from Bali, an English-speaking guide and transport on Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan. If you’re looking for a DIY approach, read below.
3. How to get around Nusa Ceningan
If you plan to spend a few nights on either Nusa Ceningan or Nusa Lembongan, I recommend renting a motorbike to explore these islands. There will be locals renting motorbikes in the port, but you can also rent one from your accommodation.
When we arrived at our guesthouse, we asked the owner if he has motorbikes for rent. We rented ours for IDR 80 K per day. Gas is pretty cheap (IDR 10 K per litre) and you can find it at local shops across the islands.
4. Where to stay in Nusa Ceningan or Nusa Lembongan
Since you can easily travel between Ceningan and Lembongan, you choose a guesthouse or a hotel on either of these islands. I searched for the best accommodation on both these islands and here are my recommendations.
- Budget – Sunset Garden – beautiful and spacious rooms, awesome pool, friendly staff, good amenities
- Mid-Range – The Acala Shri Sedana – incredible infinity pool with a view, spacious and modern rooms, good amenities
- Luxury – Blue Lagoon Avia Villas – excellent location, incredible pool with a view, modern and luxurious villas, private pool
5. Final thoughts
If you were wondering “What to do in Nusa Ceningan”, I hope that you’ve found the answer in this article. Even though it’s a small island, Nusa Ceningan has a lot to offer to tourists. From beautiful beaches to stunning viewpoints, this island deserves at least one day to be explored.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below. May the travel bug bite you!
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Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!