Last updated: October 2026
Nusa Ceningan is only a short hop from Bali, but there is no airport on the island and no car ferry to its shores. Getting there is part of the adventure: a drive to the coast, a fast boat across the Badung Strait and a ride over one of the most photographed bridges in Indonesia. This guide walks you through every step, from the arrivals hall at Bali’s airport to your first view of Ceningan’s turquoise shallows.
Quick facts
- Route: Bali mainland → Sanur → fast boat to Nusa Lembongan → Yellow Bridge → Nusa Ceningan.
- Boat crossing: usually around 30 minutes from Sanur, depending on the operator and sea conditions.
- Last leg: the Yellow Bridge, open to people on foot and on two wheels only. No cars.
- Fees: foreign visitors pay the Bali tourist levy, and Klungkung Regency, which governs the Nusa islands, has its own visitor charges. Check current amounts before you travel.
- Pack for: a possible wade ashore on Lembongan. A backpack beats a wheeled suitcase.
Step 1: Get to Sanur
Almost every trip to Nusa Ceningan starts in Sanur, a relaxed beach town on Bali’s south-east coast. Sanur is the main departure point for fast boats to Nusa Lembongan, the larger island that sits right next to Ceningan.
From the airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is a drive away from Sanur. The journey time depends heavily on Bali’s traffic, which can be slow around Kuta and on the bypass at busy times of day. Most travellers take a pre-booked transfer, a ride-hailing car or an official airport taxi. Many fast-boat operators also sell tickets that include a hotel or airport pick-up in the south of Bali, which saves you arranging the drive separately.
From elsewhere in Bali: If you are coming from Ubud, Canggu or Uluwatu, add more time for the drive and leave early. Missing a boat because of traffic is the most common way to lose half a day on this trip.
Tip: If you land late in the day, consider a night in Sanur and an unhurried morning boat. You will arrive on the islands fresh, in good light and with the whole day ahead of you.
Step 2: Take the fast boat to Nusa Lembongan
Several companies run fast boats between Sanur and Nusa Lembongan throughout the day. The crossing usually takes around half an hour, sometimes a little more when the sea is choppy. Tickets can be booked online in advance or through your accommodation, and in the busiest months (July, August and the Christmas holidays) booking ahead is wise.
A few things worth knowing:
- Check in early. Operators ask passengers to arrive well before departure to check in and load luggage. Your ticket will tell you how early.
- Boarding in Sanur: Sanur now has a purpose-built fast-boat harbour with a jetty, so boarding there is generally dry.
- Arriving on Lembongan: boats land at different points on the island, and at some, such as the beach at Jungut Batu, you may step off into shallow water. Wear shorts and sandals, and keep your phone and passport in a dry bag or a zipped pocket.
- Ask where you will land. Some operators drop passengers closer to the south of Lembongan or near the Yellow Bridge, which is handy for Ceningan. Confirm the drop-off point when you book.
- Weather: crossings can be bumpy, and departures are occasionally delayed or cancelled in rough seas. If you get seasick, sit at the back and look at the horizon.
Step 3: Cross the Yellow Bridge to Nusa Ceningan
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are joined by the narrow, bright-yellow suspension bridge that gives the crossing its name. It is the only land link between the two islands and it is open to pedestrians, bicycles and motorbikes only. Cars cannot cross.
From the boat landing you have a few options:
- Your accommodation’s pick-up. Many places to stay on Ceningan will meet you at the harbour and bring you and your bags across. This is the easiest option, especially with luggage.
- Rent a scooter. Scooters are easy to hire on Lembongan. Only ride if you are confident: roads on both islands are narrow, steep in places and slippery after rain. Always wear a helmet.
- Local drivers. Islanders offer rides by scooter or in small open-backed vehicles that can reach the bridge from the Lembongan side. Agree the fare before you set off.
- Walk. If you are travelling light and staying near the bridge, walking across is a lovely way to arrive. Take your time and enjoy the view over the seaweed farms below.
The bridge is busy with scooters in both directions, so ride slowly, keep left and give way to people on foot. Avoid stopping in the middle for photos when traffic is heavy; there are good viewpoints from either end.
Fees and levies to plan for
Foreign visitors to Bali pay the provincial tourist levy, which can be paid online through the official Love Bali website or app before you travel. On top of that, Klungkung Regency, the area that governs Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, has introduced its own visitor charges, and the rules were updated in 2026. The amounts, exemptions and how they are collected can change, so check the current details with your boat operator or accommodation before you go. Keep a little cash in rupiah to hand in case a charge is collected on arrival.
Getting back to Bali
The return trip is the same journey in reverse: cross the bridge, board your boat on Lembongan and land in Sanur. If you are flying home the same day, leave yourself a generous buffer. Boats can run late, seas can delay departures and the drive from Sanur to the airport can be slow. Many travellers prefer to return to the mainland the day before an international flight, or at least catch an early boat.
Practical tips for a smooth journey
- Pack light and soft. A backpack or duffel is far easier than a wheeled case on sand, steps and scooters.
- Use a dry bag. Spray on the crossing and wet landings can soak electronics and documents.
- Bring cash. Card payments are not accepted everywhere on the islands. Arrive with enough rupiah for scooters, drivers and small purchases.
- Book ahead in peak season. July, August and late December are the busiest times on the boats.
- Tell your accommodation your boat. Share your operator and arrival time so they can arrange a pick-up at the right landing point.
- Travel insurance. Make sure your policy covers scooter riding if you plan to rent one, and that you hold the right licence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a boat straight to Nusa Ceningan?
Most boats from Sanur land on Nusa Lembongan, and you then cross the Yellow Bridge to Ceningan. Some operators stop close to the bridge, which shortens the last leg. Ask when you book.
How long does the whole journey take?
The boat crossing itself is usually around 30 minutes. Add the drive to Sanur, check-in time before departure and the short ride over the bridge. In practice, plan for most of a morning or afternoon door to door.
Can I drive a car to Nusa Ceningan?
No. The Yellow Bridge carries pedestrians, bicycles and motorbikes only, and visitors do not bring cars over from Bali. Scooters and local drivers are the way to get around.
Will I get wet getting off the boat?
Possibly. Boarding in Sanur is generally dry, but some landing points on Lembongan are beach landings where you step into shallow water. Dress for it and keep valuables in a dry bag.
Is the crossing safe?
Thousands of visitors make the trip every week. Choose an established operator, check that life jackets are on board and do not travel if the boat looks overloaded or the sea is very rough. If a departure is cancelled for weather, take the advice.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once you have crossed the bridge, the island is yours to explore: the Blue Lagoon, Mahana Point, Secret Beach and the seaweed farms are all close by. Our complete Nusa Ceningan travel guide covers what to see, when to go and how to get around.
Shipwrekd’s private pool villas open on Nusa Ceningan in 2028; register your interest for early access.
Prices, fees, timetables and conditions on the islands change often. Always check current details with your boat operator or accommodation before you travel.
