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Candidasa vs Nusa Lembongan
Choose Candidasa for culture; choose Nusa Lembongan for surfing, sunsets and better beaches.
Candidasa
Laid-back east coast base. Best for: Couples, divers & culture seekers.
Choose Candidasa for culture.
- Beach: Little sand left in town behind the sea walls; white-sand Virgin Beach is 15 minutes away.
- Nightlife: A few quiet bars and restaurants.
- Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate, with good-value seafront hotels.
- To the airport: 65 km · 1½–2 h
- Climate: Hot & humid · coast
- 5 resorts on Balisama, from about $55 a night
Nusa Lembongan
Small island, big ocean. Best for: Divers, surfers & couples.
Choose Nusa Lembongan for surfing, sunsets, better beaches.
- Beach: White-sand coves (Dream Beach, Mushroom Bay); swimming depends on the tide and currents.
- Nightlife: Sunset bars and a few beach bars; mostly early nights.
- Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: a little pricier than mainland Bali, since everything comes by boat.
- To the airport: 1½–2 h. Drive to Sanur, then 30 minutes by fast boat
- Climate: Hot & humid · coast
- 9 resorts on Balisama, from about $80 a night
Candidasa and Nusa Lembongan are about 23 km apart, with a boat trip between them.
Ratings
- Beaches: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Nusa Lembongan Very good (4/5)
- Calm-water swimming: Candidasa Good (3/5), Nusa Lembongan Good (3/5)
- Surfing: Candidasa None (0/5), Nusa Lembongan Very good (4/5)
- Diving & snorkeling: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Nusa Lembongan Excellent (5/5)
- Sunsets: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Nusa Lembongan Very good (4/5)
- Nightlife: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Nusa Lembongan Fair (2/5)
- Restaurants & cafés: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Nusa Lembongan Good (3/5)
- Culture & temples: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Nusa Lembongan Poor (1/5)
- Nature & landscapes: Candidasa Good (3/5), Nusa Lembongan Very good (4/5)
- Yoga & wellness: Candidasa Good (3/5), Nusa Lembongan Good (3/5)
- Family-friendly: Candidasa Good (3/5), Nusa Lembongan Good (3/5)
- Peace & quiet: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Nusa Lembongan Very good (4/5)
- Remote work: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Nusa Lembongan Fair (2/5)
- Walkability: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Nusa Lembongan Fair (2/5)
Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.