Everything You Need to Know about Island Hopping in Bali
Travel Guides
7 November 2025
Everything You Need to Know about Island Hopping in Bali
Bali has long been cherished as the crown jewel of Indonesia, a country of lush jungles, sacred temples, and beaches that glow at sunset. Yet, an archipelago of smaller islands lies just beyond its shores, each offering its own distinct charm. Island hopping around Bali reveals a world that feels both connected and entirely different.
With short ferries to Nusa Lembongan and across to the Gili Islands, island hopping from Bali has never been easier. Before you hop aboard and experience the beauty for yourself, here's everything you need to know:
Why Island Hopping is the Best Way to Explore Bali
Bali is surrounded by a cluster of small islands, each of them only a short distance apart. Fast boats often take 30 to 90 minutes, which makes hopping between the islands not only easy, but incredibly rewarding. Think of it as a tropical buffet: you get a little taste of everything, from the chill surf vibes of Nusa Lembongan to the untamed beauty of the Gili Islands. And the best part is, they’re all on your doorstep.
How long do you need for island hopping in Bali?
- 3–4 days: Pick Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan for easy vibes and snorkelling.
- 5–6 days: Add Nusa Penida for those iconic viewpoints and manta encounters.
- 7–10 days: Fold in the Gili Islands (Trawangan, Air, or Meno) for car-free chill and great reefs.
The Islands of Bali
Nusa Lembongan
A 30-minute fast boat from Sanur brings you to Nusa Lembongan, an island that’s perfect for explorers who want to escape the urban bustle of city life. The turquoise water looks airbrushed, the air smells faintly of salt and frangipani, and the pace instantly slows. Start your adventure at Dream Beach, a white-sand cove backed by cliffs, then wander along to Devil’s Tear, where you can watch giant waves crash against the rocks.
Nusa Lembongan is a gentle introduction to Bali’s offshore islands as everything is within close distance and is very chill. Spend your days snorkelling vibrant coral gardens, cycling through village lanes, or sipping coconuts at a beach café whilst the sky blushes pink at sunset.
Best Things to Do: Mushroom Bay, Devil’s Tear at golden hour, mangrove forest paddle tours.
Nusa Ceningan
Cross over the bright Yellow Bridge on a scooter, not before taking a selfie on this famous landmark, and you’ll reach Nusa Ceningan, the smallest of the three Nusa islands. Don’t be fooled by Ceningan’s size. This island certainly makes up for it in personality - a mix of cliffside drama, hidden coves, and lazy afternoon hangouts.
The Blue Lagoon viewpoint is the showstopper here, an electric-blue cove so vivid it looks like it's been stolen from a fairytale. Beyond the views, you’ll find incredible cliff-jumping spots (always check tide conditions), seafront cafés, and meandering paths that make for peaceful exploration.
Best Things to Do: Blue Lagoon, Secret Beach, coastal walks, long lunches with ocean views.
Nusa Penida
If you thought Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan were impressive, nothing will prepare you for the beauty of Nusa Penida. The largest of the Nusa Islands, Penida is defined by towering limestone cliffs, secluded beaches, and roads that twist through jungle hillsides to reveal cinematic vistas.
You’ve most likely seen its most iconic sight called Kelingking Beach on a postcard, a T-Rex-shaped headland plunging into a flawlessly blue sea. But there are many more sights to see, including Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Diamond Beach, and Atuh Beach. Offshore, manta rays glide gracefully through the water at cleaning stations, offering an unforgettable snorkelling or diving encounter.
Best Things to Do: Kelingking, snorkelling around Crystal Bay, Thousand Islands viewpoint and Goa Giri Putri cave temple.
The Gili Islands
Located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, the Gili Islands, comprised of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno, are the epitome of barefoot paradise. When you set foot on the islands, you'll feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Cars and motorbikes are replaced by bicycles and horse carts, and the peaceful soundtrack of breaking waves is all you'll hear throughout the day.
- Gili Trawangan (Gili T): Energetic and social, with dive centres, beach bars, and lively sunset gatherings.
- Gili Air: The balanced middle ground — tranquil yet sociable, with boutique resorts and gentle nightlife.
- Gili Meno: The quiet romantic — minimal crowds, crystal waters, and serene beaches perfect for long walks and snorkelling sessions.
Whether you’re swimming amongst sea turtles or watching the sun descend behind Mount Agung, the Gili Islands remind you that the best adventures are often the simplest ones.
Best Things to Do: Underwater statue snorkel trail, beach swings and acoustic evenings on the beach.
Bali Island Hopping Itinerary
A smart flow from easygoing lagoons to rugged cliffs and car-free chill. Times are typical in calm conditions and vary by operator, sea state, and season.
| Day | Base & Island | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Transfer | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nusa Lembongan — Mushroom Bay/Jungut Batu | Fast boat from Sanur; check-in; beach stroll at Mushroom Bay | Snorkel intro over coral gardens or mangrove SUP tour | Clifftop sunset near Devil’s Tear 🍹 | Sanur to Lembongan Ferry ~30–40 min | Wear sandals you can wade in for beach landings. |
| 2 | Nusa Lembongan | Scooter coastal loop: Dream Beach & village cafés | Boat out to reef bommies; turtle spotting when calm 🐢 | Seafood barbecue by the sand | — | Reef-safe sun cream only; never stand on coral. |
| 3 | Nusa Ceningan — via Yellow Bridge | Cross the Yellow Bridge; Blue Lagoon viewpoint photos | Coastal path walk; optional cliff jump (check tides!) | Sunset deck with horizon views | Lembongan → Ceningan ~5–10 min | If seas are lively, skip jumps and linger at the lookout. |
| 4 | Nusa Penida (West) — Toya Pakeh/Banjar Nyuh | Boat over; check-in; Kelingking viewpoint circuit | Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong rock pools | Sunset at Crystal Bay | Lembongan to Nusa Penida Ferry ~15–20 min boat | Hire a driver if you’re not confident on steep roads. |
| 5 | Nusa Penida (East) | Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach stair descent | Thousand Islands & Tree House lookout | Quiet dinner near the cliffs | — | Start early to beat heat and crowds on the stairs. |
| 6 | Gili Trawangan (option) — car-free | Fast boat from Bali/Padangbai or via Penida (operator-dependent) | Snorkel the underwater statues; beach cycle loop 🚲 | Sunset bars on the west coast | Penida to Gili T Ferry ~1.5–2.5 hrs | Bring cash; ATMs can be unreliable. |
| 7 | Gili Air (option) — balanced & mellow | Short island-hop boat to Gili Air; check-in by the reef | House-reef snorkel; café crawl beneath palms | Acoustic beach night under the stars ✨ | Gili T to Gili Air Ferry ~10–20 min local boat | Schedule flexibility helps with inter-Gili boat timings. |
| 8 | Gili Meno (option) — quiet & romantic | Morning turtle snorkel; slow beach walk | Lunch at a barefoot warung; hammock time | Sunset swing photos; pack for tomorrow’s boat | Return to Bali (Serangan/Padangbai) ~2–3 hrs | Allow buffer before flights; seas can affect schedules. |
Notes: Choose one Gili (Trawangan for buzz, Air for balance, Meno for quiet) or skip the Gilis and spend longer on Penida if time is tight.
How to customize this plan
- 5 days? Do Days 1–5 only (Lembongan, Ceningan, Penida west/east).
- 3 days? Days 1–3 (Lembongan + Ceningan highlights).
- Romance? Swap Gili T for Gili Air or Meno on Days 6–8.
- Dive-focused? Add an extra Penida day for mantas (conditions permitting).
Practical Tips for Island Hopping in Bali
Boats & Booking
Peak travel seasons from July to September and December to January can get very busy. During these periods, we'd recommend booking ferry tickets in advance. Morning crossings are usually quieter, and it’s wise to give yourself a time buffer between your return and any flights.
Bags & Boarding
Many islands use beach landings so expect to wade a few steps in shallow water before boarding. Pack light, protect electronics in a dry bag, and wear water-friendly footwear.
Getting Around
Scooters are the preferred mode of transport for Lembongan and Ceningan. On Penida, roads can be steep and winding so hire a local driver if you’re not confident. The Gilis are delightfully car-free: bikes, horse carts, and your own two feet will suffice.
Money and Connectivity
Cash is king on smaller islands since ATMs can be unreliable. Bring enough rupiah, download offline maps, and don’t expect consistent Wi-Fi everywhere.
Snorkelling & Diving
Always apply reef-safe sun cream. Conditions can change quickly so please follow local guides’ advice. If you prefer surfing, check out our Lombok Surfing Guide.
Packing Essentials
- Lightweight weekender bag and dry bag
- Reef-safe sun cream, rash guard and a sun hat
- Sarong for temples and beach lounging
- Sturdy sandals or water shoes
- Portable charger and offline maps
- Small first-aid kit and motion-sickness tablets
Book Your Trip to Bali
Island hopping around Bali is truly the best way to explore the region. With numerous fast ferries linking Bali’s most beautiful neighbours—think the Sanur–Nusa Lembongan ferry, quick hops to Nusa Penida, and Padangbai–Gili high-speed ferry routes, each crossing adds a new chapter to your adventure. By the time you return to the mainland, you’ll realise there’s so much more to Bali than what meets the eye. It’s a whole world of ferry-connected coves, reefs, and sunsets begging to be explored. So what are you waiting for? Book your ferry to Bali today!