Bali is the Island of the Gods and the home of so many wonderful holiday destinations that it can be very hard to choose between them.
But how do you weigh up your options between one of the best beach towns on the island and a small island off the coast of mainland Bali? Particularly, when there may be a long boat trip involved?
Well, we thought we’d help you out and put Canggu and Nusa Lembongan head-to-head for you. That means you can weigh up the pros and cons in the categories that really matter to you and make an informed decision on where to book.
About Canggu
It’s not so long ago that Canggu was a sleepy backwater with a few guesthouses, beach access and not much else going on but the area has been utterly transformed in recent years.
Today, it’s the absolute pinnacle of Bali’s tourism trade and the most popular destination on the island bar none.
It’s got everything you could possibly want from a holiday destination, there are amazing resorts and villas, guesthouses and hostels, and many other accommodation options to suit every budget.
The digital nomad crowd loves the coworking, the coliving and the meetups. The surfers are all inspired by some of the best surf breaks you can find anywhere. The buzzing streets are packed with Gram-worthy cafes, bars and pubs.
It’s a foodie’s paradise with some of the finest restaurants and warungs on the island. It’s great for shopping too and there’s a ton of stuff to do. It’s also ideally situated if you want to explore the rest of Bali.
Canngu has come a long way in a short time and while it’s no longer all about the backpacker, backpackers are still welcome as Canggu embraces a cosmopolitan appeal for almost every traveller.
About Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is a short boat ride from mainland Bali and it has been growing in popularity over the last few years, too.
However, it’s fair to say that the transformation of the Nusa Islands has not been anywhere near as dramatic as that of Canggu.
The island is a place to relax by the sea on a pristine beach and let the world go by, for you to explore the landscape without getting lost and just relax. It’s not boring, but it’s not got the high energy buzz of a place like Canggu, either.
It’s a great place for backpackers looking to get a feel for island life and for those seeking a break from the hectic pace of their own lives.
Canggu Or Nusa Lembongan? A Breakdown Of Each Area
We try to approach our head-to-head comparisons fairly and so, we break down the areas by a list of criteria that we feel are important to travellers coming to Bali.
Then we pit each area against the other in each category, so we can declare a winner. The overall area that comes out on top is the one with the most category wins.
We like to assure you at this point that there are no bad holiday destinations in Bali and you will have a great time whichever area you choose, but a head-to-head wouldn’t be much fun without a winner, would it?
What Are The Hotels, Resorts, Etc. Like?
Canggu has something for everyone when it comes to accommodation. The area has seen a huge amount of development and there’s a very broad range of places to choose from.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can look at the guest houses and hostels in the area. If you want something a bit more than that, there are mid-range options galore and they tend to be very fairly priced.
And yes, there are high-end luxury hotels and private villas (some including a full team of on-call staff) depending on where your budgetary limits are.
We should note that when the FINNS Bali Resort opens, it will be the best place to stay in Canggu, but for now, there are plenty of options until it does.
Nusa Lembongan simply isn’t on the same scale as Canggu. There are plenty of guest houses, hostels and mid-range places but there aren’t very many at the luxury scale.
That’s because being harder to get to, many of the more well-heeled visitors to Bali won’t make the effort to get out to the Nusa Islands.
It may be their loss, but in this category it’s also Nusa Lembongan’s loss, Canggu wins this category.
Where Is The Best Place For A Party?
Well, there’s no contest on this. While there are some small islands near Bali that are set up for partying, the Nusa Islands are not among them. You don’t go to Nusa Lembongan to rage, it’s not what the place is about.
Sure, you can find a few bars that are buzzing in the evening and the occasional beach club where you can enjoy some live music after the sun goes down, but the overall vibe is one of chilled out relaxation.
Canggu is the island’s number one party spot. It’s where FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, welcomes thousands of revellers every day to party hard.
There are pubs, clubs and bars throughout the area and they cater to almost every taste and budget. There might not be a lot of live music in Canggu, but if that’s what you’re in the mood for, you’re on the doorstep of Seminyak and Kuta which have plenty of additional choices.
So, this is a very easy category win for Canggu. Nusa Lembongan’s not even in the running.
Which One Is Best For Shopaholics?
Nusa Lembongan is an island removed from the mainland. That means everything that they have on the island has to be shipped out from Bali excluding the local products which are mainly agricultural.
That means any stores operating on the island would be at a price disadvantage compared to those on the mainland. So, while you can buy souvenirs and essentials in Nusa Lembongan, you can’t buy much else. It’s not economical to do so.
Canggu along with neighboring Seminyak is the best shopping destination in Bali and the roads have loads of boutique stores where you can pick up the latest beachwear or home furnishing products.
There are markets, art galleries and much more for you to enjoy and if you really need a shopping mall, it’s only a short drive to Kuta where you can enjoy some of the biggest malls on the island.
So, again, Canggu wins this category and it’s not even close.
Where Will I Get The Best Food?
There are some very nice restaurants in Nusa Lembongan and if you’re in the mood for a local warung or seaside BBQ, you’re going to be very happy.
However, because much of the food that you eat will need to be imported to Nusa Lembongan there’s less variety than on the mainland and prices tend to be higher.
Canggu is a foodie’s paradise. With cafes, bars, restaurants, etc. on nearly every street corner. You can enjoy breakfast at a humble warung serving up some Balinese treats and then finish your day in a fine dining establishment.
The prices are very reasonable for the kind of food they serve too, you won’t need to go bankrupt to enjoy an amazing meal in Canggu.
So, Canggu wins this category and really, it’s not a surprise, once again, location on the mainland is simply a huge advantage.
Comparing Beaches
We love Canggu’s black sand beaches. You simply can’t beat the sunset view from the infinity pool at FINNS Beach Club watching the light reflect in the water trapped in the volcanic sands, a white sand beach simply can’t compete.
Canggu’s beaches are also excellent surfing spots and the breaks are among the best you’ll find anywhere. You can also find something suited to every level of surfer. It’s a poor area for swimming though due to unpredictable currents.
But we confess, the white sand beaches of Nusa Lembongan are more aesthetically pleasing during the day and the beaches are very pretty, indeed.
They’re not all easy to access, but the ones you can reach are great. There are also some great places to swim and snorkel on the island.
Overall, this is tight but as much as we love Canggu’s beaches, we think Nusa Lembongan squeaks this one.
Water Sports Opportunities
Canggu is really all about surfing and while it’s not impossible to enjoy other water sports in the area, you won’t find the ideal conditions for them.
Surfers will absolutely love the area and there are equipment hire and surf schools all over Canggu, to ensure you get the most out of the breaks.
Nusa Lembongan is a great place for water sports and, in particular, diving and snorkeling nad there’s no doubt in our minds that it’s also great value for money. We think this is a win for Nusa Lembongan too.
Which Is The Prettiest Place?
We always stress that beauty isn’t the easiest thing to judge and thus, we find ourselves here with our most subjective category.
Nusa Penida is a small island that’s been relatively undeveloped, there’s more country and shoreline to enjoy on your own.
Canggu, on the other hand, has amazing beaches, lush green rice fields, and some of the most attractive resorts, restaurants and developments on the island.
So, we find ourselves simply unable to pick a winner and thus in this category, the two destinations are tied.
Where Will I Have The Most Things To Do?
Nusa Lembongan is home to some pleasant sights and great beaches, but there’s not a whole lot to this undeveloped island.
Canggu, on the other hand, is a tourist hotspot and that’s because there’s so much to see and do in the area, from yoga studios to dance workshops, from horseback riding to cookery classes, and once you add in the fact it’s on the doorstep of the other beach towns and Ubud?
Canggu is a winner in this category by a barnyard mile.
Which Area Do The Expats Prefer?
There are some expats living on the Nusa Islands but they tend to be part of the hospitality trade, retirees and other expats are few and far between.
That’s because it’s an undeveloped location where there really aren’t enough amenities to make long-term living easily sustainable for most folks.
Canggu, on the other hand, is one of the most desirable places to live for expats in Bali. That’s because it has everything they need, right on their doorstep.
If it’s not the most popular place to live in Bali for expats, it’s certainly in the top 3 and that’s why Canggu wins this category.
Which Area Is Most Popular With Digital Nomads?
We’re sure that the occasional digital nomad sets off for Nusa Lembongan but as the island has no coworking or coliving spaces, it’s not really a big draw for nomads.
There’s also the potential for lost power or internet causing real problems for nomads out on these islands.
Canggu is the number one destination in Bali for nomads and the second most popular in all of Southeast Asia.
It’s got nomad friendly cafes, meetups, coworking and coliving out the ying-yang and that’s why Canggu wins this category too.
Canggu Vs Nusa Lembongan – Which Place Comes Out On Top?
So, while Nusa Lembongan has the best beaches and watersports and ties for its aesthetic appeal, Canggu is the best for things to do, nightlife, places to eat, places to stay, shopping and as a place for expats and digital nomads.
That means Canggu is our winner by a fair margin and that the majority of visitors to Bali would probably prefer to spend their holiday time in Canggu than in Nusa Lembongan if they can only choose one destination.
FAQs
Is Nusa Lembongan A Nice Part Of Bali?
Yes, Nusa Lembongan is a nice part of the province of Bali. That’s an important distinction to make because Nusa Lembongan is an island in its own right and not part of mainland Bali.
It’s one of a trio of islands, the Nusa Islands (the other two are Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan) that you will need to reach by taking a boat from mainland Bali.
There are no airports on the Nusa Islands and that means that a boat is your only option if you want to visit Nusa Lembongan (or the other islands).
While that boat ride is actually quite nice in calm waters, we do need to stress that if the waves get rocky, it can be a very rough experience. You must ensure that if you visit these islands everything you pack is in a water-tight container or it risks being damaged.
Of course, once you get there, you’ll find that Nusa Lembongan is full of charm and it’s got that old-school island life appeal that everyone dreams of at some point in their lives.
Is Nusa Lembongan or Canggu Better For Shopping?
There’s no real competition here. Because Nusa Lembongan is in the middle of the sea and not easily served by boat, there’s no real shopping industry to speak of on the island.
Anything that they export from the mainland to see on Nusa Lembongan would be reimported and then dragged onto a plane by its purchaser.
So, while there are a few souvenir shops and places to buy essentials on Nusa Lembongan, there’s not very much else for the committed shopper to see.
Canggu, on the other hand, is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Bali and it’s right next door to Seminyak, the other big shopper’s paradise here.
If you want boutique stores, markets, and more, then Canggu is the place to take your spending money and go wild in the shops.
Are The Beaches In Nusa Lembongan Clean?
Yes, in the main, the beaches on Nusa Lembongan are fairly clean and they’re quite well kept. However, we should point out that garbage can wash up from the sea on the shoreline and there’s not much that can be done about that.
This is because the trash isn’t generated in Nusa Lembongan but all over the archipelago and even comes from other countries in Southeast Asia. So, no local policy can help to reduce this waste.
The good news is that there are clean up crews on the island who work very hard to tidy things up, but sometimes, they can be overwhelmed.
However, it’s fair to say that you’re most likely to find pristine beaches in Nusa Lembongan once those crews have had a chance to work their magic. So, get there a little later in the day than sunrise and all should be good.
Should I Stay In Canggu Or Nusa Lembongan?
If you have to choose between the two destinations, we think you ought to choose Canggu. There’s simply more to see and do in the area and it gives you a better place to explore the rest of Bali from.
However, if you have the chance to visit both destinations, then that’s a great idea. Nusa Lembongan offers a very different pace of life than the mainland and it’s very much worth exploring for a few days.
We would note that day trips out to these islands can be a bit hectic, the crossing takes up much of the time and then they tend to be tightly organized to try and cram in as much as possible.
If you can get out there for more than a day, you’ll have a better time of things.
Final Thoughts On Canggu Or Nusa Lembongan
As you can see from our head-to-head comparisons, there’s no doubt that Nusa Lembongan is a nice place but that Canggu simply has more to offer in nearly every category.
We’d recommend visiting both places if you can, but if you have to choose between them, then most people would have a better time in Canggu than in Nusa Lembongan.