Lembongan With Small Children
Lembongan can work well with young children if the day is built around the sheltered side of the island and keeps away from the open south-west coast. The beaches in the north and east are gentle, the roads are short, and nothing here needs a long drive. The cliffs, the surf and a few boat habits need a firm set of rules. This page follows a day in order, then lists the rules in one place.
Before you land
The fast boat from Sanur takes about 30 minutes. Most boats pull up on the beach, so everyone wades ashore through water that is ankle to knee deep. Carry small children and keep bags in a dry bag. Ask for lifejackets before leaving the dock. Child sizes may not be on board, and the UK government advises bringing your own. Morning crossings are the calmer ones, and from December to March swell cancels many sailings. The last boat back to Sanur leaves around 17:00.
Morning: Mushroom Bay
Mushroom Bay is the most sheltered beach on the island and is described as largely safe for swimming, with care. Tour boats and speedboats move through the bay, so keep children in shallow water close to the sand and well away from any engine. It is quieter early in the day. Kayaks and paddleboards can be hired on the beach. One local guide mentions a rip here, so stay within arm’s reach of small swimmers.
Late morning: shore snorkelling and the mangroves
Mushroom Bay and the northern mangroves are both listed as good places to snorkel from the shore, which is far gentler than a boat trip. Coconut Beach and the mangrove area in the north are also described as largely safe for swimming. A mangrove boat trip runs at mid to high tide and costs about IDR 187,500 per person with a minimum of two. Ask whether the operator carries lifejackets in children’s sizes before you book.
Afternoon: wheels instead of scooters
An open-sided buggy seats up to five and is easier than a scooter for parents with small children. Charges run from about IDR 800,000 for five hours to IDR 1,500,000 for 24 hours. A scooter means narrow, hilly roads and a home licence plus an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement, which is a poor mix with a child on board.
The Gala-Gala Underground House in Lembongan Village is a hand-dug home with dark, tight passages where adults must crouch. It is easy to lose track of people inside. It is a poor fit for toddlers, anyone who dislikes confined spaces, or anyone with limited mobility.
Rules for the whole day
- Dream Beach: a pounding shorebreak and rip currents. Look from the sand and stay out of the water.
- Devil’s Tear: a lookout where several people have died since 2015. Stay behind the rope barriers, keep off wet rock and hold small children by the hand.
- Cliff jumps on Nusa Ceningan: Mahana Point and the Blue Lagoon are for confident adults only.
- Manta Point: a boat snorkel with current and surge, too rough for young children.
Read more: activities on Lembongan for the wider list, and the Bali 4 day itinerary for mainland days that suit children.
The UK government sea safety advice is worth a read before you book boats, and Wikivoyage describes each beach. Family-friendly outings are listed on Viator .