Situated off the coast of Bali, the Offshore Islands consist of three picturesque tropical islands: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembong and Nusa Penida.
The Offshore Islands are particularly popular with those with enjoy scuba diving as there are a number of great dive sites located in the water around and in between the islands. Other water sports such as snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and sailing are also popular.
Of course, the area is blessed with some magnificent stretches of sand to sprawl on. The most popular beaches can be found on the island of Nusa Ceningan, where visitors can choose between Mushroom Bay Beach and the poetically named Dream Beach.
Explore the Offshore Islands is simple as there is a regular ferry service that runs from the mainland at Kuta, stopping at each island in turn before making the return journey. It takes around an hour to travel between islands and the fare is relatively low. Another great way to explore is by taking a boat trip around the region, perhaps taking a daytrip that combines sailing with snorkeling or scuba diving.
There is plenty of accommodation to choose from in the Offshore Islands, ranging from quaint beach shakes to more luxurious resorts featuring all the usual modern conveniences. With beach bars and restaurants to relax in during the evening, many people are content simply to sit on the sand and watch the sun set or walk hand in hand along the shore.
Getting There & Away
Getting to the Offshore Islands is easy. Simply fly into Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport and take a bus or taxi to Kuta (20 minutes). There are regular ferries from Kuta to the Offshore Islands (90 minutes). From the airport at Bali, it is possible to connect to Jakarta.