Nusa Lembongan Mangrove Tour by Kayak, Paddleboard or Boat

Nusa Lembongan island

Nusa Lembongan is a small island off the south-east coast of Bali, a short fast-boat ride from Sanur. Together with its neighbours Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida, it forms a group of islands known for clear water, white-sand coves, seaweed farms and a relaxed village pace far from the traffic of mainland Bali. Visitors come for snorkelling, surf breaks, cliff-top viewpoints and quiet evenings by the sea.

The island is easy to get around by scooter, buggy or car, and most hotels are found along the west and north coasts near Jungutbatu and Mushroom Bay. This mangrove tour picks you up from hotels on the main streets and drives you about 30 minutes to the starting point. It fits easily into a day on Nusa Lembongan, leaving time for the beach or a snorkelling trip afterwards.

The Lembongan mangrove forest

The north-eastern corner of Nusa Lembongan is covered by a protected mangrove forest, one of the most peaceful places on the island. Mangrove trees grow in salty tidal water, standing on arching roots that trap sediment, shelter young fish and protect the coast from waves and erosion. Inside the forest, narrow channels open into wider lagoons where the water is still and the only sounds are birds and the splash of paddles.

Is the Nusa Lembongan mangrove forest worth visiting? It offers a completely different side of the island from the busy beaches: shade, silence and nature at eye level. Your guide explains how the mangroves grow and why local communities protect them. Because the depth of the channels changes with the tide, departure times may be adjusted on the day to give you the best route.

Kayak, paddleboard or transparent boat

In the default option you paddle a regular sit-on-top kayak, shared by two people of the same booking, which is stable and easy for beginners. If you prefer a challenge, a stand-up paddleboard lets you glide between the trees with a wider view. For the best look below the surface, the transparent kayak has a clear hull, so roots, sand and marine life appear right under your seat.

The transparent boat is the most relaxed choice: up to four people from the same booking sit back while the guide steers through the mangroves, ideal for those who do not want to paddle. Every option lasts one hour on the water with a guide, and a life jacket is provided. No previous experience is needed, and the guide gives a short briefing before you set off.

The sea at the edge of the mangroves

Where the mangroves meet the open sea, the water becomes shallow and remarkably clear. Your guide takes you towards this area when conditions allow, and from a transparent kayak or boat you may spot small corals, starfish, crabs and darting tropical fish over the sandy bottom. On a sunny day the contrast between the green forest and the turquoise water is perfect for photos.

The best time for a mangrove tour on Nusa Lembongan is in the morning, when the light is soft, the water is calm and it is not yet too hot. The dry season from April to October brings the clearest water, though the tour runs all year. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, as one is not included, along with sunscreen, a hat and water.