The best option in all respects

The Gili Islands (Indonesia) are familiar to all beach lovers. Three tiny pieces of land, surrounded on all sides by the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, look very attractive from a bird's eye view. Well, having met Trawangan, Meno and Air, you want to stay here forever. Many people call Bali Yes, in many ways it is good and even wonderful. Bali is rich in historical and natural attractions. But if you are interested in beaches and transparent water, then better than the islands Gili, part of the Western Lesser Sunda Archipelago, you won't find it. They are located just thirty-five kilometers from the eastern cape of Bali. But you can’t get to Gili from the air. There is no room for an airport on the tiny islands. The only way- by sea. This article will tell you about the specifics of Trawangan, Air and Meno. We will also tell you how to get to the islands and where to rent accommodation.

Bounty advertising brought to life

Our ideas of “heavenly pleasure” are often based on the video we saw about a chocolate bar. Warm white sand, fine as powdered sugar; a calm, gentle sea, its purity and color reminiscent of turquoise, and on the horizon - sapphire; slender palm trees leaning towards the water... This is what many tourists come to Bali for. And they are surprised to learn that on the volcanic island everything is a little different. And to actually get into the advertising of the Bounty coconut bar, you need to go a little east - to the Gili Islands. Photos of Trawangan, Air and Meno don't lie. All three islands are different and have their own specifics. But they all have gorgeous beaches. Exactly the same as in the Bounty advertisement. For inquisitive tourists who cannot imagine a vacation without educational excursions, Gili is not suitable. But for those who crave passive relaxation on the beach, they are just right. Active divers and snorkeling enthusiasts will not be disappointed either.

Specifics of the Gili Islands

Trawangan is the largest of the trio. The islands of Gili Air and Meno are much smaller. Accordingly, if you want to alternate beach holiday during the day with a fun time in the evening, you are welcome to Trawangan. This island cannot be called large, except perhaps in comparison with two neighboring tiny pieces of land. But Trawangan has a sufficient selection of hotels to suit every taste and occupancy. bank card, cafes, restaurants and even nightclubs. There is even a food market. And if you want to get away from civilization and feel like a kind of Robinson Crusoe on the edge of the earth, then you can go to the islands of Gili Meno and Air. Fortunately, they are only a kilometer from Trawangan. From this island you can see mountainous Lombok. And from the opposite shore you can admire Bali. Or rather, the island itself is hidden behind the horizon, but the towering peak of the Batur volcano is visible in the sky. There are few hotels on Ayr, and even fewer on Meno, so you need to book a hotel there in advance.

Gili (islands): how to get there. The fastest and most expensive option

In fact, the Gili Islands are not very far from the island of Lombok. And that one, accordingly, is located very close to Bali. You can only get to the “Bounty Islands” by sea. But there are options here too. The ticket price directly affects the time spent on the road. The more you pay, the faster and with better comfort you will get to the Gili Island you need. The most expensive option is private transfer. You are picked up from Bali, from the point you specify, taken by car to the Padang Bay pier, put on a high-speed glider and delivered to the desired island. The price is one hundred or more US dollars per passenger. But you will be there an hour or eighty minutes after leaving your hotel in Bali.

The best option in all respects

For just thirty-five dollars round trip per person, you can visit the Gili Islands. How to get from Bali to Trawangan? To do this, you need to drive yourself to the Padang Bay pier. There are other options. You can pay at Bali tour bureaus for a trip to Gili. It will cost a little more, but then you will be picked up from your hotel (if you are vacationing in Nusa Dua) or from McDonald's in Jimbaran. Tickets can be purchased in Kuta or directly at the pier ticket office. Speedboats depart from Bali at nine in the morning, at noon and at three in the afternoon. What's gratifying - return ticket give with open date. This will allow you to leave Gili at any time: earlier than planned, if you are unlucky with the weather; later - if you really enjoy your stay on the “paradise island”. The speedboat covers a distance of thirty-five kilometers in just over an hour. First the boat calls at Trawangan, then at Meno (a kilometer from larger island) and last but not least on Air.

Cheapest option

There are also public ferries to the Gili Islands. "Bali - Lombok" departs from the same Padang Bay pier. This ferry runs regularly, but slowly. It must be taken into account that public transport for locals it does not provide air conditioning and any amenities (except a toilet). In Lombok you should change to another ferry to Gili Trawangan. Boats to the smaller islands - Meno and Air - go very rarely. They are ordinary wooden motorboats with additional boards on the sides for stability. But this whole day trip will leave a lot of impressions. The advantage of this option is the opportunity to see Lombok. Many tourists traveling to Indonesia even recommend staying on this island for a night or two. Another advantage is low price. Two tickets on the Bali-Lombok-Gili public ferry will cost one passenger thirty thousand rupees (or twenty US dollars).

How to get around

To ensure that the Gili Islands continue to remain environmentally friendly, local authorities have banned all motorized modes of transport. So if you are traveling with a scooter, you will have to leave it at a paid parking lot in Bali or Lombok. They definitely won’t put you on a ferry or boat to Gili with him. But don't be upset. Even the largest of the Gili Islands, Trawangan, is two and a half kilometers long and one and a half kilometers wide. You can walk around its perimeter in just over an hour. IN good hotel You can always rent bicycles, since the flat terrain of the islands does not turn pedaling into hard labor. Another type of local transport is pony-drawn tuk-tuks. Rather, this is another entertainment for tourists than a method of transportation. Moreover, tuk-tuks are quite expensive pleasure. A carriage ride will cost eighty thousand rupees. Boats are the most popular view transport on Gili. You can ride on a regular wooden junk. For those who are terrified of diving, there are glass bottom boats. And between the three islands of Gili, carriers scurry from morning to evening.

Where to stay

All Gili Islands have their own specific characteristics. Trawangan is considered the most expensive. But this is only at first glance. Luxury hotels, where a night costs from one hundred dollars, are located on the first line of the northern and east coast. But just across the road (especially in the area of the local school) there are a lot of simpler hotels. Even backpackers can rent accommodation here. A room in a guesthouse will cost ten dollars per night. Housing on Gili Air is cheaper. But there are also luxury hotels there, although many tourists prefer to stay in apartments with a kitchen. Prices for a room in a guesthouse start from five dollars per night. In the center of the island there are only a mosque and government agencies. All hotels, even the cheapest ones, are located on the first line. Gili Meno is also called the island of newlyweds. There are few hotels here; they need to be booked in advance. Also, you can’t compare Meno with party town Trawangan. To feel happy in this tropical Eden, you need to have Eve (or Adam) nearby.

Things to do on Gili

According to reviews, the main pastime of tourists is lying languidly on the beach. And when the sun goes down to the horizon, the public goes to West Coast, sits down comfortably on sun loungers or right on the cooling sand with a bottle of some drink and indulges in contemplating the sunsets. The sunset is a truly enchanting sight. The sunsets alone are worth visiting the Gili Islands. Reviews also compare the local waters with the Egyptian Ras Mohammed. The inhabitants of coral reefs are not only colorful fish, but also stingrays, giant manta rays, turtles and sharks. Few people know, but Trawangan and Air have good bays for surfers. They are located at the southern ends of these islets. In the diving areas there are schools where they teach scuba diving. Trawangan even issues diplomas.

Gili Islands (Bali): reviews

All tourists say that several categories of vacationers feel great here:

newlyweds or lovers,
very lazy people for whom relaxation means lying languidly on the beach,
divers and surfers,
very young children, for whom the main entertainment is building sand castles.

The Gili Islands do not indulge tourists with excursions. The only thing that tour operators can offer you is a trip on a glass-bottomed boat. The tour lasts about three hours and costs one thousand rupees per person. Along the way, the boat makes several stops among the reefs, and those who want to dive, and not just watch, can plunge into the gentle waters of the Indian Ocean.

Basically, Hinduism is preached, despite the fact that the rest of Indonesia located nearby is a purely Islamic country. Bali has magnificent and varied Hindu temples where many gods and deities are worshiped.

The exact number of local temples is not known even to the Balinese themselves. After all, even in the smallest village, according to tradition, there should be at least three of them. In the local language they are called pura. Today, many are ruined, the rest are operational.

Here we will tell you about the most famous Balinese temples, which we definitely recommend visiting while vacationing on this wonderful island. You will have real fun and learn a lot about Hinduism and real Hindus.

Famous temples of Bali

Pura Besakih

Located in the northeastern part of the island, next to the Agung volcano. You can get here with a tour or on your own by taxi or rented car. Entrance to Besakih is free.

The main building material from which the complex is built is lava from the crater of the volcano. The Balinese consider Besakih to be the mother of all local temples. In fact, these are several dozen buildings and structures.

Pura Uluwatu

This is no less famous temple, located in the south of Bali. Uluwatu is the high cliff on which it stands. This is where surfers from all over the world gather to do their favorite thing.

In addition, this place is famous for the hordes of monkeys that live around. They not only ask tourists for food, but also steal from them everything that is in bad shape. So the party here is great.

Pura Tanah Lot

This temple is located in the west of Bali and it is best to get to it with a guide. You will not be able to visit Tanah Lot, because... it is separated from tourists by the tide. But from afar it looks very beautiful and sublime.

All three listed puras are considered the most visited by tourists. They protect the island on three sides, creating a single fortress. To visit them, it is best to rent a car and drive around the sights from the beginning of your vacation.

Pura Ulun Danu Bro

This temple was built in the local mountains; you have to take a serpentine road to get to it. It’s best to go here for a couple of days, taking with you Russian speaking guide, because this is very interesting places.

Bro - Mountain Lake with clear water and waterfalls, near which stands the incredibly beautiful Ulun Danu. Getting there is not easy; after the serpentine road you still need to climb the mountains on foot. But the beauty seen is worth it.

Pura Lempuyang

This temple is located in the east of Bali. The most convenient way to arrive here is with a tour. And then walk for quite a while high mountain through the primeval jungle. And a few hours later in front of you is a magnificent temple complex.

Very close to Mount Agung and Indian Ocean. And Lempuyang has its own stairway to the sky, climbing which you will see magnificent views surrounding nature. Here you can immerse yourself deeper into the culture of Bali.

Pura Goa Lavah

This temple is located in the southeastern part of the island. Excursions to Goa Lawah are carried out by a single guide who speaks Russian. Here you will see something extraordinary: a cave in which a huge number of bats live.

The impression is specific, but very Balinese and extraordinary. At the same time, mice hang upside down here on all temple decorations without exception. You won't find this anywhere else.

Pura Luhur Batukaru

Tourists are very rarely brought to this temple, and you can only get here by scooter. It is located in the center of the island in the thick of the jungle. Batukaru is the name of the mountain or extinct volcano where Luhur stands.

According to local legend, Luhur is dedicated to the earth goddess and protects Bali and its people from earthquakes. Near it there is a clear mountain lake in which carps live, and an excellent swimming pool.

Pura Kehen

This temple is located next to small town Bangli. You can get there by rented car. Before us is a copy of Besakih, but in a smaller form. Kehen is famous for the fact that there are more than 40 different altars inside it.

Kehen is a large temple complex consisting of many buildings. The most interesting thing is to walk among them and enjoy the uniqueness of the local architecture.

Pura Goa Gajah

This temple is located in the vicinity of Ubud, so you can come here on foot. The city is simply full of attractions, you can stay there for a week to take a good look at everything.

Goa Gajah - Elephant Cave. The entire complex with many ancient temple buildings, ruins, bridges, fountains, etc. is named after her. All this beauty is buried in the wild jungle.

Sacred Monkey Forest

This wonderful Forest in Ubud can also be reached on foot. It is located inside the city. You can take a guide with you who will show you all of Ubud and will definitely take you to its most interesting places, like the Monkey Forest.

This is not a Hindu temple, but mystical place, but in its center there is a pura, where religious rituals and ceremonies are performed daily, and Balinese music is played. This place will be one of the most unusual discoveries in Bali.

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15.10.2016

Gili Air Island is the closest island to the largest island. Lombok, it is located 50 kilometers, in the east, from the island. Bali.

You can walk around the island of Gili Air in 2.5 hours - it is so small. This is the smallest of all three islands Gili.

As on neighboring island Gili Meno, the pace of life happens here honey lazy and suitable for thosewho really wantsescape the noise and bustle of the outside world. The weather here is always warm - on average +30.

You do not need a visa to visit this island.

You can fly into Indonesia without a visa for 30 days free of charge through the airports of Denpasar Bali and Lombok Mataram, which are located closest to the island of Gili Air.

Cheap flights

There is no airport on the island. The most profitable and closest way would be to get to Gili Air by sea from the island of Lombok or Bali.

The cheapest place to search for tickets is on this website (form below).

Search and buy air tickets in incognito browser mode.
Do not travel with items over 10 kg so as not to overpay several thousand rubles for luggage when flying with low-cost airlines - within Asian countries.
Air tickets from low-cost airlines(low cost airlines, short haul) it is always cheaper to buy from their official website.
If you are planning to buy air tickets on Tuesday, be sure to check the IATA rate for Wednesday. If the IATA rate decreases on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, then the price of air tickets for international flights will also decrease from Wednesday and then it is better to buy air tickets not on Tuesday, but on Wednesday and vice versa.
After research largest company Expedia prices for air tickets, it was concluded that better days for purchasing air tickets - Sunday evening and Tuesday. Therefore, I recommend taking a closer look at these days of the week.
Long-haul flights are cheaper to purchase in both directions at once from one airline. For example: Moscow - Denpasar Bali - Moscow.
Any air tickets should be purchased at least 2 months before departure, or better yet, for 2.5 or on an airline promotion or sale.

Island Feature

The uniqueness of the island can be guessed from its name – “Air”, which translates as air. Have you already guessed?

Answer: There is no usual transport on the island, such as motorbikes, cars, etc.

The only types of transportation on the island are:

Bicycle for rent (from $2 per day);
Order a horse taxi (but it is very expensive).

The air on the island is perfectly clean, which is why you don’t want to leave here.

ATMs and cash

There are many ATMs on the island of Gili Air and you can certainly withdraw money from a bank card, as we did.

The Cimb ATM dispenses 3 million in cash. This is the maximum for the island. I recommend withdrawing money from him. Coordinates: -8.364092 116.08487

When traveling, it is advisable to have 2 cards (in case one of the cards is unexpectedly blocked) and euros or dollars in cash.

What sights to see?

The main attraction on Gili Air is undersea world and the island itself, which can be walked around in a couple of hours or cycled around in an hour with short stops.

Snorkeling tour and diving

You can go snorkeling. Half a day, with three to four stops for snorkeling (including at turtle point), on a boat with a transparent bottom will last for 1 person on average 700 – 1000 rub. .

From 10 people we have already been offered a price 400 rub. per person.

It's worth it: you can swim with turtles, with dozens of species of fish, and even take pictures underwater on a bicycle, in favorite place snorkelers.

Just don't forget to buy or bring an underwater camera to capture unforgettable memories on camera or video.

Diving on Gili Air will cost more from 5000 rub for 2-3 dives.

Great chance to see manta rays, safe sharks, turtles in more than when snorkeling. And the diver doesn’t need to say anything about it.

A real diver would never take a snorkeling tour.

A trip to the neighboring islands - Gili Meno and Gili Travagan

If you don’t know yet, then I want to say that all the islands and even parts of the island are very different in energy and atmosphere. For example, an island Gili Meno is the quietest, least crowded and calmest.

Gili Meno

In the evening, in many places the lights are completely turned off. There is a lake on this island. There are no ATMs. This is probably my favorite island.

Gili Travagan is party, youthful, noisy.

If such a vacation is in your interests - active, young and always with music, then this island is for you.

Just be careful, according to reviews on the islands there are frequent cases of poisoning from local bottled alcoholic beverages. It is best to buy alcohol in sealed bottles, such as beer, martinis, etc.

Get to neighboring islands from the island. Gili Air on a local boat costs mere pennies - about 60-100 rubles. with a return to the island.

Excursions to the island Lombok

Types of excursions to the neighboring largest island Lombok can be many things, starting with learning to surf, because Lombok is very popular island from Australian surfers, locals and Europeans.

Finishing with an excursion to numerous waterfalls and a climb to the top active volcano Rinjani (3726 m.)

I will list the most striking excursions to Lombok for your benefit:

waterfalls: Tiu Kelep, Sendang Gile, Benang Stokel
Lombok beaches:Selong Belanak and Mavi
Climbing Mount Rinjani

Of course it makes sense to stay on the island of Lombok for a few days to explore it.

Selong Belanak in Lombok

This is a completely different world, different from Fr. Bali and Gili Islands. Lombok has a lot of interesting things and natural attractions. There are monkeys everywhere.

It’s great to ride around the island by transport, exploring the wide, deserted, beautiful beaches and settlements. When looking for a sightseeing tour, I recommend visiting several companies to compare prices and feel free to bargain.

How to get to Gili Air Island?

The only way to get to Gili Air today is by sea boat or boat. Directions from Bangsal Lombok Port By boat to the Gili Islands it will take 20 minutes and cost 1 dollar (one way) or 10,000 rupees.

Just buy tickets at the box office, and not from hands or from intermediaries!

From Bali to the Gili Islands we sailed on a boat for 400,000 rupees per person or 2,000 rubles round trip.

From Russia it will be cheapest to fly to the island. Bali or Lombok, and from there by sea.

How to book accommodation?

The island has a huge number of bungalows, guesthouses, hotels and houses that are for rent.

On average, you will come across options: from 800 rubles. up to 2000 rub. for two per night.

Personally, I chose the option to book accommodation in advance online because I didn’t know the island and hundreds of Russians from the sunsurfers travel community were supposed to sail to it by that time.

http://www.agoda.com
http://www.asiahotels.com
http://www.asiarooms.com
http://www.airbnb.com

Remember: the longer the period for which you rent a house, the cheaper it will cost you.

Personally, I found a discount offer on one of the sites above and also called the owner of the property personally to negotiate a discount if I stayed with him for a long time - 10 days.

As a result, not only was there a discount on the site itself, but the owner also knocked off about 150-200 rubles. per night. ;)

By the way, a partial daily breakfast, which was included in the check-in fee.

Therefore, do not hesitate to bargain in Indonesia.

On the island of Gili Air, tourists often do not stay for long, and if your case is different, then feel free to subtract 25-30% from the usual price for housing.

Food prices

Prices are both low (in warungs for locals) and medium and high for tourists. For every taste!

For example, to have lunch with vegetable soup, salad and freshly squeezed juice in an average cafe you will need from 350 to 500 rubles per person.

Prices for fruits and vegetables on Gili Air:

watermelon – 50 rubles per 1 kg;
bananas – 8 rub. a piece;
tomatoes – 70 rub. for 1 kg;
mangosteen – 300 rub. for 1 kg;
coconut water – 80 rub. for 1 piece (coconut).

Favorite cafe on Gili Air – Mowies

There are no problems with bottled water on the island and it is very inexpensive.

For example, in Inashop on o. Gili Air at the address: -8.359507 116.083956 sells water in 6-liter bottles for 25,000 rupees or 125 rubles.

An excellent solution between 19 liter jars (fragile girls can’t drag them away) and 1.5 liter jars (not environmentally friendly).This place also has sweet and inexpensive fruits and you can bargain.

If you are interested in the durian fruit, like me, then the best way to eat them is to get to Lombok or Bali. There they will cost 3-4 times cheaper.

Bali is known as the Island of the Gods and is a top tourist tours in Indonesia. Combining incredible story With an exotic, spiritual culture, Bali offers something special for every tourist. Best of all, the island is truly beautiful, with lush green forests, mountains and white sandy beaches. However, don't forget about the many islands near Bali that are just as exciting and picturesque.

Moyo Island

At a distance of about 280 km from Bali is Moyo Island, which is located in the north of the island of Sumbawa. Moyo Island is relatively remote from the main resorts. As a result, Moyo Island is the epitome of luxury holiday for those who want to see less people and a more natural side of Indonesia. Most of the island is covered by a hunting park, where there are no buildings and plenty of wild animals. All coastline The island is a protected marine area, making the island ideal for those who love diving or snorkeling.

Nusa Ceningan

One of the islands south of Bali is called Nusa Ceningan. Many of local residents Here they grow algae.

The large island west of Bali is called Java, and there are quite a few big cities, like Jakarta. Here you can meet the rich cultural history and the heritage of Indonesia. Tourists here love to visit ancient Hindu temples such as Borobudur or the Sultan's Palace, volcanoes, temples, and beaches.

Komodo Island

To the west of Bali is Komodo Island. As you might expect from its name, Komodo Island is home to many Komodo dragons, the largest lizard in the world. Most of the island is part National Park Komodo, which also includes the islands of Rinca and Padar. Although the animals on the islands are very popular, the surrounding sea is also wild popular place for diving.

Nusa Penida

The largest of the islands is Nusa. south coast Bali is Nusa Penida. Daily ferries and private speedboats bring tourists here and most visitors relax on the secluded beaches. Crystal Bay Beach boasts pristine white sand, clear waters and excellent snorkeling opportunities. You can also trek to Goa's Giri Putri limestone caves or bird watch in the lush Tembeling forest.

Nusa Lembongan

The third island of Nusa, near Bali, is called Nusa Lembongan. It quickly gained a good reputation for its breathtaking scenery. There are many public beaches in Jungut Batu. This is a paradise for vacationers and people who work remotely. Working as an online editor will allow them to enjoy the beach here and be able to work at the same time.

Gili Air

Off the coast of Lombok are several islands known as the Gili Islands. One of them is Gili Air, which has a reputation for being the calmest of the Gili's and is a Mecca for active rest. Scuba diving, snorkeling and freediving are popular among tourists, and the rich underwater life and beautiful coral reefs provide many opportunities for divers.

Gili Meno

Gili Meno is the middle of the islands in the Gilis and is largely known as the most romantic place in Indonesia. Besides sunset cocktails and romantic walks on the beach, Gili Meno is great for animal lovers. At the Gili Meno Turtle Sanctuary, tourists can see turtles and their babies.

Gili Trawangan

If Gili Meno is a place for romantics, and Gili Air is for intrepid travelers, then Gili Trawangan is a place for lovers nightlife. Trawangan is the largest and most popular of the Gili Islands and is always crowded and fun, day or night! During the day, tourists can practice yoga or diving, surfing and walking. At sunset, however, the island truly comes to life. Many bars and clubs, parties, will not let anyone get bored until dawn.

Lombok, an island near Bali

Lombok is big Island east of Bali and it is diverse and beautiful place for dating on vacation. On the southern part of the island you can see the beach of the city of Kuta, where surfers gather. North of Lombok is a less visited part of the island where you can hike to the top of Mount Rinjani, admire the many waterfalls or take a ferry to the Gili Islands.

What to do if you have purchased tickets to the island and still want to be in paradise? Go to neighboring islands! Complete absence Chinese tourists we don't guarantee, but paradisaic delight it will be easier to get.

We're talking about three islands near Bali where you can restore faith in resort holiday and save your holidays from disappointment.

Nusa Penida

Ten kilometers southeast of Bali there is a group of islands. The largest of them is Nusa Penida, next to which there are younger brothers Lembongan and Ceningan. They can only be reached by water, so fewer tourists come here.

Among local residents, Penida has a reputation as an island of black magic. According to Balinese beliefs, the terrible demon Mecaling lives on Penida. Once he flew to Bali and brought a lot of evil - floods, epidemics and crop failure. All the shamans and priests of the island gathered their courage and drove the demon to Penida. Since then, in order to be sure of their own safety, the Balinese have held rituals to banish Mechaling every year. To do this, they celebrate the famous Balinese " New Year» Nyepi, during which all the inhabitants of the island, even the “bule” (whites), do not leave their houses, do not make noise and do not turn on the lights. According to legend, on this day the demon flies to the island, finds no one and returns back to Penida.

Balinese Hinduism is a non-binary system of thinking, so Mechaling even has its own temple on Penida - Pura Dalem Ped. Here shamans specializing in black magic and pilgrims who want to protect themselves from diseases and troubles make offerings to the demon. The Balinese believe that the balance of evil and good, darkness and light is important in life, so the flow of pilgrims does not end.

This whole story about black magic doesn’t fit well with the real impressions of the island. From the first minute, Penida seems to be a calm and bright place where you are happy to see you - and not at all because you brought a lot of money to the island. Here the islanders come out of their houses and take their children out to wave to their white guests with a smile. From such a warm welcome and the beauty around you, your heart quickly softens, and by the evening your cheeks ache with happiness.

Offerings in the temple

Penida is the Bali we lost. Here, in the villages, the old way of life has been preserved: residents cook on fire, grow bananas, raise cows and pigs (you can’t imagine the delight a brown boar parked under a palm tree causes in a city dweller). On the island you can meet locals who wear traditional clothes - sarongs - in everyday life, and not just during temple ceremonies, and older women go topless (no, they are not shy about you, you don’t have to turn away).

Children in the temple

Penida is a fairly large island. It will take about six hours to travel around its coast. But this trip is worth it: there are many deserted and fantastic beautiful beaches.

The large port is located in the city of Sampalan in the north of the city. Transport barges and passenger boats come here with Mainland. In the surrounding areas of the city you can find restaurants and hostels and rent transport.

You can explore the island in any direction: roads run along the ocean and cross the island in several places in the middle. The road along the coast passes through lulling green hills and coastal villages engaged in seaweed farming.

An hour's drive east of Sampalan is picturesque beach Atuh Beach. To get to it you have to go down some steep stairs, but the view is worth it. Coconuts are sold on the beach local food. Guidebooks say that dolphins can be seen in the vicinity of the beach.

Atuh Beach

Most of the attractions are located not in the eastern, but in the western part of Penida.

If you return to Sampalan and start moving west, in half an hour you will reach the second port - the town of Toya Pakeh. This is the second place on the island where there are hotels and restaurants for tourists. Near Toyapaka there is the same temple to the dark demon Mechaling. You will definitely recognize it by its snow-white stone walls and crowds of beaming Indonesians in white clothes and with boxes of offerings.

Located 20 minutes from Toyapaka. It overlooks neighboring island Cheningan and a small stone arch. Snow-white sand and a bay where you can swim - you’ll want to stay longer on this beach.

Crystal Bay

If you continue moving down north, the next tourist spot after Crystal Bay will be Broken Beach. This is a beautiful beach “with a hole in the floor” - a round bay into which water pours through a small arch. sea water. Sounds ridiculous, looks amazing.

150 meters from Broken Beach is Angel’s Billabong, a nature-created seawater infinity pool with stunning views of the ocean.

Continue to the south of the island - to Klingking Beach. This business card Penida: from the cliff there is a magnificent view of the ocean and a small peninsula. You can go down the steep stairs to the beach - and it is better to do this not in flip-flops, but in normal shoes. Note to divers: large stingrays often swim into the bay near the beach.

Once back in Toyapaka, you can head to nearby Lembongan. Boats ply between the islands constantly, and to save money, you can wait for the “city” boat (public boat) - it will depart as soon as ten people have gathered.

Nusa Lembongan

Lembongan is a smaller (and improved) version of Bali. Just six kilometers long, the island has everything you could want in a tropical resort: infinity pools overlooking the ocean, creamy sandy beaches with shells, yoga at dawn, surfing, snorkeling, diving and even thickets of mangrove trees that replace the jungle here.

Lembongan has many beautiful beaches with azure water - this is exactly what you imagined Bali to be like before you saw the gray sand of Canggu. There are beaches under the rocks, to which you need to go down the stairs.

The coastline is lined with hotels and beach clubs with swimming pools and sun loungers, and most of them can be used even if you are not staying at that particular hotel - just buy a cocktail or snacks. Some resorts set a minimum price before you are allowed to stay, but these are few and far between.

There are three surf spots on the northwestern coast of Lembongan: Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks. They are all reef breaks: the wave forms where the ocean meets the reef. The spots are located far from the shore (you will have to row for a long time), surrounded by boats and boats - so sometimes surfers trip over the ship’s ropes or get caught in them. The wave is sharp and in combination with the reef becomes quite dangerous, especially when big waves. I wouldn't recommend these spots for beginners, but more advanced surfers will be happy clean water and perfect wave shape.

The waves located far from the shore allow you to use the first 50 meters of the ocean for simple pleasures: swimming and paddleboarding. For a couple of hours you are given a large thick board on which you can row standing upright (although at first it’s more likely to squat), sunbathe and take selfies.

Another meditative activity is a trip through the mangrove forest. Large green bushes grow right in the water, and for 100 thousand rupees per person you can ride around for about 20 minutes. river channels between the trees. You won’t have to row: you will be offered either a larger motor boat or the help of an Indonesian with a pole.

The underwater world of the island is no less colorful. Beginners can snorkel and see the life of the reef, while more advanced divers can meet stingrays and mola mola fish at depth.

Compared to Bali, Lembongan loses only in the rice fields and nightlife, which are completely absent here. In the evenings, there is live music in the coastal restaurants, and films are shown in one of the cafes, but there will be no Oldman's or parties for every day of the week here. Decide for yourself whether this is a plus or a minus.

All products to Lembongan are brought from the mainland. Therefore, prices on the island are higher than in Bali, on average 10-30 thousand rupees. Housing will be significantly more expensive, but if you wish, you can find a guest house for 175 thousand rupees per night (without pool and hot water).

Nusa Ceningan

Lembongan and Ceningan are separated by a small strait through which the Yellow Bridge was built. You can move between islands so quickly and easily that they are perceived as one island.

On Ceningan you will find picturesque cliffs with secret beaches below. Most of them can be reached by stairs that start from the nearest hotel.

From extreme entertainment Ceningan has a surf spot called Ceningan, which is located in the Blue Lagoon. This is a beach break and, perhaps, the most beautiful wave I have seen, especially since it can be observed directly from the Mahana Point restaurant in incredible proximity for a non-surfer.

The same restaurant has diving areas. If you've always dreamed of jumping off a cliff into the ocean, now is your chance. Just choose a moment when the waves are smaller.

Hidden on the opposite, south-eastern side of the island is another Secret Beach - with cocktails, a swimming pool and views of Nusa Penida.

How to get there

With your scooter:
Penida can be reached by ferry. It operates from Padang Bay daily at unspecified times between 10:00 and 13:00. It's better to arrive in advance and buy a ticket.

From Penida you can take your bike to Lembongan. To do this, in Toyapaka you need to pay the loaders and load the bike onto a boat to Lembongan. Keep "change" with you - if you pay the porters and boat more, you are unlikely to get change.

Transit cost:
Padang Bay - Penida - 31 thousand rupees per passenger + 50 thousand rupees per bike;
Penida - Lembongan - 50 thousand rupees per passenger or bike + 30 thousand rupees *2 - put and remove the scooter from the boat.

Light:
Boats regularly go to Lembongan and Penida from Sanur. In the first half of the day they leave every half hour, after 12 - less often.
The cost per person is 125–175 thousand rupees one way. It is better to check the schedule on site.

When to come:

The high season, like in Bali, is from May to September. At this time there is almost no rain, and the nights are pleasant and cool. At the same time, the cost of housing is rising, so it is better to book hotels in advance.

From October to April the island will be greener, but you may experience some rain.

What to take:

Cash in rupees. In Penida and Lembongan, only in a few places you can pay by card, and then with a large markup, so purchases will have to be paid in cash. At the same time, there are only a few ATMs on the island, which sometimes run out of money, and you never know how your bank will treat them.
Therefore, it is better to withdraw money from the card in Bali with a reserve.

First aid kit. There are no large pharmacies on the islands that offer anything beyond painkillers and bandages. Therefore, it is better to bring a first aid kit with you, especially if you need any special medications or lens fluid.

Sport equipment. It’s better to buy a normal snorkeling mask at home than to overpay for Chinese consumer goods on the island.

Sunscreen. It will be cheaper this way.

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