Month: May 2019

Did you know that just 30 minutes away from Sanur lies an island paradise?
That island is Nusa Lembongan and it is one of the three islands that make up the Nusa Penida Archipelago. Nusa Penida is the largest of the three. Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan Island are the other two and connected by a famous yellow bridge.

Nusa Lembongan will seem like a world away from Bali. It has beautiful golden beaches, phenomenal sunrises, and sunset viewpoints. And world-renowned scuba diving sites and magical marine life.

So now you know this paradise island exists you may be asking yourself, “How do I get there? And what should I do with my time on the island?”

We have answered all the essential questions below for you.

nusa lembongan

HOW DO I GET TO NUSA LEMBONGAN?

The island of Nusa Lembongan is around a 12-mile journey from mainland Bali. The only way to reach the island is via boat. Most boats depart from Sanur, which is just east of Denpasar as it takes only a short 30-minute journey from this harbor.

There are several different areas on the island where boats arrive to drop and pick up visitors from. Scuba Center Asia is located in the Mushroom Beach area. We tend to use and recommend Marlin Fast Cruise, as they drop off and pick up from Mushroom Beach and have a fast boat.

lembongan bridge

Three important things to remember:

  1. If you book scuba diving in Lembongan with us here at Scuba Center Asia, we can make your boat reservation for you, so all you have to do is show up and pay for your ticket!
  2. Anywhere you stay in Bali should be able to organize your boat for you as well as your transport to the port.
  3. If you happen to make a mistake and get dropped off on the wrong part of the island, do not worry. Transfers are usually included in your hotel/homestay in the price of the boat ticket or a very small extra charge. Always double check when booking.

Okay, so you made it to island. Now what!?

SCUBA DIVING COURSES WITH SCUBA CENTER ASIA

Nusa Lembongan has a lot to offer, and one of the things that we recommend as a must-do experience is scuba diving!

Scuba Center Asia caters to all experience levels. From newbie to experienced to wanting to take on an instructor course and turn scuba diving into a career, we have got you!

The waters around Nusa Penida contain world-famous scuba diving sites, like Crystal Bay and Manta Point. These locations can have crystal clear waters and a huge diversity of marine life. They are also one of the few spots in the world where you can see the mysterious mola-mola fish or manta rays socialize around a cleaning station. There are also more adventurous dive sites to the north where you can drift dive with currents.

Here is a list of the different scuba programs we offer at Scuba Center Asia:

  • PADI Discover Scuba Diving
  • PADI Open Water
  • PADI Advanced Open Water
  • Emergency First Response
  • PADI Rescue Diver
IDC Lembongan courses

If you are already a certified diver and interested in developing further, Scuba Center Asia also provide Go Pro courses:

  • PADI Divemaster
  • PADI IDC
  • PADI Speciality Instructor
  • MSDT Internship
  • PADI Staff IDC Instructor
  • PADI Master Instructor

Here at Scuba Center Asia, we are proud to have Kim, the only female PADI Course Director and dive resort owner on the island. #IDCwithKim

Get in touch with us for more information on any of the above.

ACTIVITIES IN NUSA LEMBONGAN

Okay so scuba diving might not be your thing, so what else is there to do with your time spent on the island? The answer is, a lot ?

Here is a list of 12 alternative activities in Nusa Lembongan to spend your days:

Divemaster candidates and the team from Scuba Center Asia gather together for a sunset BBQ, sharing fun and new friendship
  • Wake up early to catch the sunrise
  • Rent a moped or bicycle and explore the island
  • Drive across the famous yellow bridge into Ceningan Island to explore
  • Take a surfing lesson and catch some waves
  • Relax at one of the many beach clubs around the island and enjoy beautiful pools and views
  • Take a tour of the mangrove forest (yes, the island has a mangrove forest)
  • Go Scuba diving!
  • Visit the famous Devils Tear to watch the waves crash against the rocks or to enjoy a stunning sunset
  • Relax on the beach with a book and a drink
  • Swim in the ocean
  • Take a yoga class
  • Explore all the beautiful beaches the island has to offer

It is important to know the island of Nusa Lembongan has two main villages, Lembongan village, and Janu Batu village. It takes roughly 15 minutes to get from Mushroom Beach (Lembongan village) to the other side of the Jangut Batu village. So make sure you plan your activities so you have enough time to spend at the things you want to see.

RESTAURANTS IN NUSA LEMBONGAN

There are a good variety of restaurants in Nusa Lembongan. On the island, you will find options ranging from local ‘warungs’ to burgers, Italian restaurants, resorts that cater to all taste buds. Some you have to drive to, others will arrange pickups and drop-offs from your accommodation.

If you are looking for local ‘warung food’, for ease we recommend two places. One near Mushroom Beach, the other in Jangut Batu.

Warungs:

  • Warung Kevin is located about a 5-minute walk from Mushroom Beach. You can ask for directions from us, or most locals should be able to point you in the right direction.
  • Warung Nyoman is a warung located just outside of Jangut Batu towards the mangroves.

Restaurants that pick up and drop off:

  • Le Nusa Beach Club
  • Hai Tide Restaurant
  • Cafe Pandan @ Dream Beach
  • Oishi Japanese Restaurant
  • Mama Mia Bar and Grill
  • Lemon Grass Restaurant
  • Mahagiri Restaurant and Resort – one of the biggest resorts on the island.
  • Sandy Bay Beach Club
  • Suka Nusa
  • Ohanas
  • The Sampan
  • D’Paon

Finally, what would a list of places to eat be if we didn’t let you know where the best pizza on the island is! This can be found at the Hai Tide resort. Only a minute walk from Mushroom Beach / Scuba Center Asia in the Lembongan area.

We hope this complete beginner’s guide to Nusa Lembongan has helped shed some light on this magical little island. If you already know about the islands and want to come and experience some of the world-renowned scuba diving the island has to offer, get in touch with us today for more information.

1. The PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia: It's FUN!

One thing we can honestly say is that the IDC at Scuba Center Asia is a lot of fun! It wasn't your ordinary classroom snoozefest. It was all about getting hands-on with our Dive Instructors, who brought the passion and made learning a blast. No dull lectures here—just practical, interactive sessions that kept us stoked and ready for action.

For example in the pool and in open water where we learned to teach with members of the Scuba Center Asia team as our students, often resulting in situations that made us giggle in our regulators. Of course, becoming an instructor includes learning about serious topics in the classroom, but if things tend to get too serious, rest assured that Yayan pops in with his happy face and a joke or two.

2. The PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia: Too cool for school!

Yes, your Dive Instructor course will consist of theory and study, no doubt about that. Yet how all this is presented is accessible.  The Pro team of Scuba Center Asia will include a ton of anecdotes that make information more interesting and easier to remember.
The Course Directors, have the best knowledge there is and besides that a lot of experience in the field. Together with the IDC staff like Pimpin or Yayan we now know all there is to learn about the functioning of our own body and the amazing environments we dive in every day. It is way too cool to learn about these things to call it school!

3. The PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia: Foodie Heaven

Let's talk about the grub. Scuba Center Asia hooked us up with some seriously tasty treats throughout our IDC journey. From midday snacks to the best Indonesian homemade dishes you can find anywhere on the island. The kitchen staff made sure we were well-fed and ready to tackle anything that came our way.

Your IDC is an intense period full of study and practice, and it is easy to forget to take good care of yourself. Luckily this is not something you have to worry about. In fact, you don’t need to worry about anything because the Pro Team together with the kitchen staff and logistical boys will take care of each side issue that might occur. Most importantly, the kitchen ladies and restaurant staff, take care of the food and drinks. Every day a delicious and fresh lunch is provided to sustain you for a full day of practice and fun.

4. The PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia: Practice, practice, practice!

Practice makes perfect, right? Well, we got plenty of it during our IDC. From teaching simulations to real-world scenarios, the team gave us the hands-on experience we needed to become confident dive instructors. With each dive, we grew more skilled and more pumped for what lay ahead.

The general theme of each IDC day is practice. We practiced our demonstration skills in the pool, problem-solving skills in the open water, presentation skills in the classroom, skills during mock exams, and this list can continue for a little while.

Oh yeah and did we mention that we did some more practice after that? The team goes above and beyond to make sure you’re ready!

5. The PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia: That’s a 5!

Crushing It at the IE! And then you wake up on the morning of your Instructor Exam… A very special person made us a lovely breakfast (see point 3) but we were almost too nervous to eat. Trembling we entered the exam room, but as soon as the procedures started we knew we were going to ace it.  The realization we were so well prepared sunk in. In fact, in such a way that we could fully enjoy our exam. It is a truly thrilling experience when your examiner nods, smiles, and tells you ‘Well done, that’s a 5!’

Thanks to the top-notch training and support from Scuba Center Asia, we nailed it with flying colors. Our scores? Off the charts compared to other candidates. Boom!

Our journey through the PADI IDC at Scuba Center Asia was the stuff of dreams. From the thrill of learning new skills to the satisfaction of achieving our goals, it was an adventure we’ll cherish forever. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge into the world of dive instruction, Scuba Center Asia is the place to be. Dive in and make your dreams a reality!