If you’re planning on visiting Nusa Lembongan, you might be figuring out how to get around, if apps like gojek and grab work on the island, or if you need to hire a scooter to make travelling around easier. You might already know that Uber does not work in Indonesia, but there are plenty of alternatives to try.
Lembongan is located just a quick fast boat ride from Sanur in Bali and a great island to explore if you want to spend time at the beach and not worry about traffic or busy streets. While the island is small, it’s unfortunately not very walkable, so you’ll have to figure out transport in Lembongan one way or the other.
Luckily, this complete guide will help you plan your trip and make your time in Bali a breeze.
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Why you can trust this article about grab and gojek in Nusa Lembongan
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.
I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.
I use grab and gojek a lot, and after so much time in Indonesia, I can tell you exactly where the apps work and where they don’t. Nusa Lembongan just happens to be one of my favourite islands close to Bali, so I’ll be the first to know if local taxi and transport rules change.
While the boat trip to Nusa Lembongan is nowhere near as bad as the journey to the Gili Islands, you might still want to check out our seasickness guide for fast boats in Bali.
Are grab and gojek available in Nusa Lembongan?
Unfortunately, ridesharing apps like grab and gojek don’t work in Nusa Lembongan (even though they’re not illegal), similar to the neighbouring island of Nusa Penida. This is due to the control of the local taxi mafia, as well as the fact that the apps have not added the island to their list of available destinations.
Nusa Lembongan is a small island, so there aren’t enough drivers available who would be willing to work for grab or gojek, when they could charge a lot more as an independent taxi.
However, the convenience of these apps is difficult to match, and taxis are far more expensive and less user-friendly than simply ordering a ride from your phone. Hopefully, grab and gojek will reach Nusa Lembongan soon, and when they do, we’ll be the first to know.
The Indonesian taxi mafia in Nusa Lembongan
If you’re researching grab and gojek in Indonesia, you’ll come across the term taxi mafia, which sounds a lot worse than it actually is. Local taxi drivers across Bali and other parts of the country are organised into groups, which control the price of taxis for tourists.
They are not very fond of ridesharing services like grab and gojek, which offer very low prices, and take business away from taxis. That’s why the taxi mafia prohibits online drivers from dropping off or picking up passengers in certain parts of Bali and Lombok, making life a little bit more difficult.
Luckily, the taxi mafia is not dangerous for tourists, although drivers may be wary of them and try to avoid altercations at all costs.
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Are taxis easy to access in Nusa Lembongan?
If you’re wondering how to find a taxi in Lembongan, this section will help.
Unfortunately, to be honest, taxis aren’t the most convenient way to get around Lembongan, or Bali in general. They’re expensive, and it’s annoying to haggle every time. But in the absence of grab and gojek you won’t have much choice.
Motorbike taxis (ojeks) in Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is very small, and there are actually few cars on the island. Almost everyone gets around by scooter, which is the most common type of taxi you’ll find.
Motorbike taxis are called ojeks in Indonesia, which is where the app gojek gets its name. These won’t be marked in the bright green jackets you might be used to from Bali. If you’re walking somewhere or standing by the side of the road in Lembongan, bikes will most likely stop for you and ask if you need a ride.
You’ll also find occasional taxi stands at the Lembongan harbour or at tourist attractions where you can find someone to drive you.
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Truck taxis in Nusa Lembongan
If you don’t feel like riding on the back of a scooter, you can also find regular car taxis in Nusa Lembongan, although they’re far less common. Due to the lack of cars on the island, most taxis are actually pickup trucks with benches, similar to what you might find on islands in Thailand.
Hotels commonly use them as shuttles for their guests, but you’ll also find them operating as taxis if you ask for a ride.
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Note that taxi prices in Nusa Lembongan will be significantly higher than you might be used to from grab and gojek. Even a short ride costs around IDR 100,000 (~€3.50). Make sure to haggle, but usually, there isn’t much wiggle room since you don’t have a lot of alternatives.
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How to get from the harbour to your hotel in Nusa Lembongan
If you’re arriving in Nusa Lembongan and have no idea how to get to your hotel, there are a few options. We always recommend speaking to your accommodation on the island first to see if they offer a shuttle service which will save you from having to negotiate with the local taxi drivers.
You’ll be approached by a variety of drivers with pickup trucks or scooters, but be aware that prices will be relatively high. You can reach most places around Lembongan and Cenningan within around 15 minutes, so the ride won’t be very far.
You can also rent a scooter or hire a golf buggy on arrival at the Lembongan harbour, which will make getting around a lot more flexible.
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How to get around Nusa Lembongan
Since there is no grab or gojek on the island, here are some other transport methods for Nusa Lembongan to make getting around with local transport easy.
1. Scooter hire in Nusa Lembongan
Traffic in Nusa Lembongan is very quiet compared to Bali, and we love the ease of road navigation on the island. While other sources online seem to disagree, in my opinion, Lembongan is a good place for beginner drivers to practise driving a scooter, since the island is so small and you can go slowly.
Just avoid the smaller roads as a beginner, which sometimes have a lot of sand and gravel, making it easy to slip.
Even though taxis exist on the island, renting a scooter will be the best way to get around.
The roads are okay for the most part, although Nusa Ceningan can be a bit bumpy. Just make sure to always wear a helmet, drive carefully, and watch out for loose gravel or sand on the road, which often causes accidents.
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Where to hire a scooter in Nusa Lembongan
You can find a great selection of scooter rentals in Lembongan, and you shouldn’t have trouble finding one that’s right for you. Expect to pay between IDR 50,000 to IDR 100,000 per day depending on the type of bike and rental duration.
If you can’t find a place to hire a scooter in Nusa Lembongan, you can ask the staff at your hotel, who will be able to connect you to someone or organise transportation.
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2. Hire a golf buggy in Nusa Lembongan
Recently, renting a golf buggy has been a popular way to get around Nusa Lembongan. These little golf carts are a fun transport method if you want to explore Nusa Lembongan independently but aren’t ready to hire a scooter.
Prices are steep, starting at approximately IDR 900,000 per day and most carts can fit four to six people.
We recommend using Ricky Raja Buggy, they’re the best.
3. Going to Nusa Lembongan by guided tour
If you’re short on time and don’t want to worry about transport, you should consider a day trip to Nusa Lembongan from Bali. You’ll be driven around in a golf buggy and can enjoy exploring the island in comfort and style.
This tour is one of my favourites, and I always recommend it to those who don’t want to ride a scooter on the island.
4. Getting around Nusa Lembongan on foot
Most places around Bali aren’t very walkable, and although Nusa Lembongan doesn’t have heavy traffic, it’s still not great to explore the island on foot. There is a little cliff hike from Dream Beach to Sandy Bay Beach, but that’s about it.
You can also walk along the main beach, but other roads in Lembongan don’t really have sidewalks, and you’ll have to share the road with cars and scooters.
Smaller roads in-land don’t have heavy traffic so it’s possible to walk, but keep in mind that the island has a lot of hills.
If you’re hoping to walk to most places, you should stay around Jungutbatu Beach, which is the most walkable area of Lembongan.
5. Shuttle services around Lembongan
Many hotels have shuttle services in pickup trucks or larger buggies, which can take you around the island. Double-check with your accommodation if they offer this, and what the price and hours are.
Best things to do in Nusa Lembongan
Here are fun things to do in Nusa Lembongan that you can’t miss on your next trip.
1. Visit Devil’s Tears
Devil’s Tears is a rocky bay with strong currents and high waves. The views are great, and although this spot can be touristy, it’s well worth a visit.
2. Go on a mangrove kayak tour
Explore the beauty of Nusa Lembongan’s mangrove forests and join a kayak tour for an unforgettable and unusual experience.
3. Day trip to Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida has many highlights including the famous Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, Angel’s Billabong and much more. If you’re looking for a great tour that will show you the best spots on the island, we highly recommend this day tour from Nusa Lembongan.
4. Drive across the Yellow Bridge
The iconic Yellow Bridge is what makes Nusa Ceningan famous. It’s an experience to drive across the narrow bridge, and the area is also great for taking photos.
5. Explore the unique Gala-Gala Underground House
If you’re looking for something weird and unusual to do in Nusa Lembongan, you should visit the Gala-Gala Underground House. This cave home is unlike anything you’ve seen before and is a unique place to explore.
6. Go coral planting
Do something good during your time in Bali and join a coral restoration organisation in Nusa Lembongan and Penida. There are quite a few to choose from on the islands, and you can combine it with a PADI dive certification.
Tips for using gojek and grab in Bali & Indonesia
One thing a lot of tourists miss when it comes to using grab and gojek in Bali is the hidden discounts. We’ll show you exactly how to use them and provide plenty more tips on how to use grab and gojek in Bali in our complete guide.
Find out what to do if a driver asks you to cancel a ride, how to avoid common scams and much more.
Other no-gojek zones around Bali
Nusa Lembongan isn’t the only place in Indonesia where grab and gojek aren’t allowed to operate. You might find our other transport guides helpful for places in Bali and beyond.
Check out our articles on grab and gojek at Bali’s airport, in Canggu, Sanur, Tanah Lot Temple, Padang Bai, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, Kintamani, Ubud, Uluwatu, Lovina, Amed and Nusa Penida. If you’re going beyond Bali, check out these posts on Kuta in Lombok, and Labuan Bajo the gateway to Komodo National Park.
Grab and gojek in Nusa Lembongan FAQ
No, grab and gojek do not work in Nusa Lembongan, and you’ll have to find other transport methods, such as a taxi or golf buggy, which you can hire on arrival.
If you’re not ready to hire a scooter in Nusa Lembongan, you can use a taxi, golf buggy, or walk to get around.
Get a fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan and book your tickets through 12go.
Nusa Lembongan is not very walkable and it’s better to hire a scooter to get around.
It would take around 3 hours to walk around Nusa Lembongan, although there are no sidewalks in most places.
The best transport methods in Nusa Lembongan are renting a scooter, golf cart or taking a pickup truck.
If you want to walk to most places, you should stay close to Jungutbatu Beach in Lembongan.
Yes, there are cars but not many in Nusa Lembongan, and most vehicles on the island are scooters.
There are no traditional taxis in Nusa Lembongan, just open pickup trucks, golf carts, and motorbikes.
All three islands are worth a visit, and you can stay on one of them and then do day trips to explore the others.
Before you go…
You know how to get around Nusa Lembongan, but have you planned the rest of your Bali trip?
You might find these articles on whether to choose a hotel vs a villa, Gili T vs Gili Air, and how to navigate the tap water helpful. Don’t forget to check out our review of the best group tours in Bali and our day trip guides to Ubud and Uluwatu.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
