Are you a traveller? Your next destination is bali? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Indonesia is a country located in south asia. It has many island provinces in its control and one of them is bali.
Bali is romanticized in many books and TV shows for their dreamy temples and buddhist monasteries portraying it as the best place for tourists to relax and enjoy. But, these days Bali has become overrated and lost its charm because every tourist wants to visit Bali and hence, it has become a really common destination.
But, many people have recently started exploring other places in Indonesia as well, and for that matter we’re here to help you all to explore those options.
Today, in this blog segment, we’ll tell you about Nusa Ceningan, an Indonesian province. People consider it part of the Bali islands, but many say it’s Bali from 30 years ago. I visited this place just 2 years ago and it was beautiful.
Let’s start our today’s segment without any delay.
Before we go ahead, let’s talk about this indonesian province which is becoming more famous than bali. Nusa island is a great option to experience Bali without any crowd and traffic.
The culture is almost the same as Bali, their beaches and surf breaks have far fewer people, especially the nusa ceningan. The nusa ceningan is often considered as the Bali of 30 years ago.
There are mainly three Nusa islands, ceningan, penida and lambogdan. Out of these three, lambogdan is the most popular and most visited island, whereas ceningdan is an underrated small island, therefore it is quieter, beautiful and has less traffic. You can reach the islands with a short ferry ride.
Let’s Talk About Some Things To Do in Nusa Ceningan:
1. The Sand:
When you cross over the bridge to Ceningan you will find the water to be so amazingly blue and clear. I never did in my life see a shade of baby blue as that. Veer right and one of the first things you are likely to bring upon yourself is The Sand that is a funky, open air bar and restaurant.
I adored the light colors of Driftwood bar, swings, and most of all the hammocks hanging over the water! They also have a happy hour everyday with starting time at 4pm and at the time i was there, three puppies (but they can grow). i also adore that they also use paper straws in their beverages. Guy, Good on you, caring about the environment!
2. Blue lagoon:
Side Notes: Just about 3 minutes drive away, to The Sand there is a sign on your left showing The Blue Lagoon and believe me you will not see this baby blue water pattern ever in your life. i scoured the tropics from top to toe and this hue does not exist anywhere!
It even features a cliff jump, directly across from me in the photo above, but word has it this is now closed due to safety risks. However, the walk itself isn’t too difficult; you just need to be determined. If you choose to do it, watch the waves to stay safe.
3. Mahana Cliffs Jump:
Nusa Ceningan
The leap off the Sunset Huts out there, which is a beach access in case you wish to go swimming and do not wish to spend money
To experience a smaller and more manageable cliff jump head over to Mahana Point which is opposite the Blue Lagoon. It is kind of irritating because the small jump is 25,000 iDR and the big 50,000 iDR to a jump and there are not many people jumping and as a result not many people do it because “why pay 25,000 iDR and be able to jump small or pay 50,000 iDR to jump big?”
But this cafe in the Point offers a pleasant unadorned lunch and the surrounding scenery of surfers and Mt. Agung in Bali are quite beautiful indeed.
4. Secret Beach:
Nusa Ceningan
Trevally Snapper on the Secret beach
Secret Beach is another social stop on Nusa Ceningan and though beautiful, this is likely to be suitable only after at least a few hours of relaxing and eating and not as a quick swim. Those individuals who utilise the beach must be prepared to spend at least 35k at the restaurant or 100k to utilise the Beach and the pool through the hotel on the beach; Villa Trevally. The road leading to the destination also needs much improvement.
5. The Driftwood Bar has a zipline:
I would say the Zipline at Driftwood Bar is probably one of the most scenic ziplines in the world as it zooms past that baby blue water. It is a short zipline, which costs 80k. Then relax on the infinity pool and view.
Surf
The other good place in Nusa islands that one can go surfing to is Ceningan. As said above, the main spot is in the vicinity of Mahana Point. I had an opportunity to spot 5 surfers in the water when I was there. Not bad and there will be a wave nearly just to you!
Diving and Snorkeling trips
Diving and snorkeling shops are everywhere in the country especially in the island, but Ceningan Divers got the highest ratings. Head out in the mangroves, hire a SUP and go on a snorkelling trip over to Penida to swim with the Manta Rays.
Yoga
So, you enjoy yoga, but you do not want to travel all the way to Nusa Lembongan to connect with it? Well, now you can! Ceningan yoga shala has classes of all abilities. I did yoga just once in Yoga Shack at Nusa Lembongan and I cannot say much about the quality of the classes, but according to Tripadvisor it is rated high. Click here to find the schedule.
Nusa Ceningan appears to me as a paradise in case you want a relaxed island that has a sufficient number of comfortable places to stay. I would like to see that some of the activities such as beaches and cliff jumping are free. Enough said however: other cool things that included the bridge crossing, the Blue Lagoon and surfing all were, so it all depends on balance!
When you have to choose between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan i hope this is a little bit closer towards Ceningan. It is so casual and beautiful!
