Dream Beach is one of the finest beaches in Bali and the white sands and clear waters are truly amazing.
It’s one of the beaches that you definitely don’t want to miss and our guide will explain how to get there, what to expect, where to stay and much more!
Where Is Dream Beach?
Dream Beach is on the coast of Nusa Lembongan Island. This is a small island off the south coast of mainland Bali.
How To Get To Dream Beach
The best way to get to Dream Beach is to get a boat from Bali to Nusa Lembongan. You can either get a ferry from Padang Bai (this is essential if you want to bring a bike) or catch a fast boat from Sanur (which is a nicer trip but can’t accommodate a scooter).
Then, you can get to Dream Beach by either renting a scooter or a private car and driver or hop on a pick up truck at the harbour when you arrive at Nusa Lembongan.
There’s no best time of year to visit Dream Beach itself as there are roughly 8 hours of sunshine a day even in the wet season in Bali!
However, the boat journey out to Lembongan can be a bit rough in stormy seas, and for that reason, you might prefer to time your visit for the dry season.
What’s The Entrance Fee For Dream Beach?
There is no entrance fee at Dream Beach. You can walk onto the sands at any point along the coast and just enjoy yourself.
What To Expect At Dream Beach
This beach is super popular but oddly, the crowds never seem to visit the sand here, they line up on the cliff top take some photos and then shuffle on to the next destination of their tour.
This means it’s actually one of the best beaches to enjoy on this coast, and it’s surrounded with facilities such as cafes and bars to make your time enjoyable.
The sands are white and soft beneath your feet and the water is clear and inviting.This beach is super popular but oddly, the crowds never seem to visit the sand here, they line up on the cliff top take some photos and then shuffle on to the next destination of their tour.
This means it’s actually one of the best beaches to enjoy on this coast, and it’s surrounded with facilities such as cafes and bars to make your time enjoyable.
The sands are white and soft beneath your feet and the water is clear and inviting.
Dream Beach Huts
The huts are quite famous for their Instagram worthiness. It’s actually a resort on this Nusa Lembongan beach and you can rent the huts for the day or for the night as well.
We didn’t stay here as they’re quite pricey for Nusa Lembongan and we’d heard that the food wasn’t great. You can go and eat without having to rent a hut, though, if you’re curious.
Cliff Jumping
We don’t recommend cliff jumping at all anywhere in Nusa Lembongan as can be extremely dangerous. However, you will see people cliff jump from the cliffs at Dream Beach all the same.
The jump is about 5 meters and the exit is dangerous. If you do jump, please wear shoes as otherwise, you will cut your feet on the sharp rocks here.
What To Do At Dream Beach
The best things to do at Dream Beach are eat, drink and sunbathe. While you can go snorkelling, the waves here just aren’t very safe and even experienced swimmers might get into trouble.
There are some interesting caves along the shore which you’re free to venture into, however, we’d recommend keeping an eye on the tides if you do.
Where To Stay Near Dream Beach
There are some lovely places to relax and sleep in terms of accommodation near Dream Beach. Some of our favourite spots are not much of a walk from the white sand beach including:
BONG Hostel Lembongan – hostels are a bit of a rarity in Nusa Lembongan, so it’s a bit of a surprise that this accommodation is as good as it is. Not only does it have a nice garden but the rooms are compact and secure.
Water Blow Huts – these huts are on Dream Beach itself and you can see the white sand and crystal clear water as you enjoy the facilities at this awesome place. Make sure to get some photos of the attractive beach huts before you explore the local area.
The Point Resort – one of the more upmarket hotels in this area located a short walk from Dream Beach and a great place for early morning or evening drinks by the coast. The swimming pool area is gorgeous and the sunsets here are awesome.
Dini D’nusa – a lovely rustic bungalow complex where you can enjoy a taste of real island life. This is the side of Nusa Lembongan and Indonesia that most tourists never see. The family who run the place are very friendly and will help ensure you have the best time on the island.
Ombak Bay Lembongan – you can hear the waves caress the shore at this place located right on the coast and it has a wonderful view of the dramatic cliffs nearby. Sit out under the Bali sky with a drink by the pool here and you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.
Where To Eat Near Dream Beach
Tropical Juice Corner & Foods – they bill themselves as a health food restaurant and their Thai Green Curry is outstanding. We appreciate how cheap it is and the free Wi-Fi. Their freshly squeezed juice is great too.
Warung Ten Poh Lembongan – don’t bring your credit card to this place, they won’t accept it, it’s cash only at this lovely Balinese restaurant. The good news is that it’s super cheap and very tasty, go with the chicken curry and follow it with banana fritters, yum.
Soka Warung – this place brings in crowds from the islands and visitors will be very happy to enjoy amazing local food for a great price. They even have vegan options at this popular spot.
Mama Mia Bar & Grill – This place wows its guests with terrific smoothies to drink and some of the best seafood you can get while enjoying the sun and the sounds of the ocean. Their red seafood curry was absolutely spectacular on our visit. It’s a bit more expensive than other Nusa Lembongan restaurants but it’s still very good value for the cost.
Alponte Ristorante – this very pleasant Italian restaurant on Nusa Lembongan has all the pizza and pasta you can handle and some lovely music as a backdrop for your meal. The view out over the sea is great and this peaceful place is rarely crowded.
Other Things To Do Near Dream Beach
There are plenty of other spots within walking distance or a short drive from Dream Beach including:
Mushroom Beach – Mushroom Beach is another great place for stunning sunsets and crystal-clear waters in Bali. It’s one of the least visited parts of Lembongan Island and a great spot to relax and enjoy a happy hour beer or two.
Sandy Bay Beach – a pleasant white sand beach but with some of the roughest seas around the island, it’s a bad idea to go swimming or snorkeling here. Stick to the pool in your hotel if it’s the only beach on Nusa Lembongan that you can get to.
Secret Beach – yes, it’s really called “Secret Beach” which is a bit of a shame as this is one of the few spots on Nusa Lembongan that don’t feel like a secret at all, in fact, it’s a very popular spot and is surrounded by warungs and packed with tourists.
Devil’s Tears – if you want to know how much of a punch the ocean can pack, it’s time to visit The Devil’s Tears. This unique collection of blow holes a short walk from Dream Beach is an amazing place for photography, but please don’t try cliff jumping here, it’s one of the most dangerous spots around the beaches of Bali.
Tamarind Beach – this is a very quiet beach with a few restaurants within walking distance, you can see the seaweed farm offshore from here, but the beach tends to disappear at high tide so make sure to visit at low tide to enjoy the sand.
FAQs
Can You Swim At Dream Beach, Nusa Lembongan Island
You can swim at Dream Beach but we don’t really recommend swimming on most of Nusa Lembongan. Unfortunately, while the island is very peaceful (just like its neighbours Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan) the waves are not.
It’s all too easy to get caught in a riptide on the beaches of Nusa Lembongan and end up being dragged out to sea.
In addition, you might want to wear shoes in the water at Dream Beach as there are some sharp rocks that can hurt your feet as you wade out to snorkel or swim here.
How Do I Get From Bali To Dream Beach
First, you need to get a boat to Nusa Lembongan. Once you arrive in the Nusa islands, you can get transport easily from the harbour in Nusa Lembongan to any part of the island including Dream Beach.
Is Nusa Lembongan Worth Visiting?
Yes! Nusa Lembongan and the other Nusa Islands (Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan) are lovely and their beaches and crystal clear water are not the only attractions.
We recommend staying on Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida for a few days so you can relax, avoid the crowds and enjoy the attractions and beaches at your leisure.
Is Nusa Lembongan Dream Beach Worth Visiting?
Yes! Dream Beach is lovely and while it is occasionally a crowded destination, visitors come because it’s such an attractive beach (hence the name, Dream Beach).
Can You Walk Around Nusa Lembongan?
In theory, it’s just a 3-hour walk to do a lap of Nusa Lembongan. In reality, it’s hot and humid and it would take most people much longer.
That doesn’t mean you can’t walk in Nusa Lembongan, just that you’re not likely to do a lap of the entire island.
Is Mushroom Bay Nice?
Yes! Mushroom Bay is lovely but swimming can be a challenge there due to the non-stop shuttle boats taking people to and from Nusa Penida.
Is Nusa Lembongan Safe?
Yes! Nusa Lembongan is very safe. You’re much less likely to have trouble in this part of Indonesia than you are at home.
Just be sensible, particularly if you have a drink, and you will find that the worst that happens here is usually a bit of petty crime.
How To Book A Holiday In Bali Including Nusa Lembongan Dream Beach
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali or Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida through the Bali Res Centre. They can get you a great deal on a hotel room, a flight, a tour and much more!
Final Thoughts On Nusa Lembongan Dream Beach
Dream Beach is a lovely spot and very much worth visiting if you’re heading out to Nusa Lembongan Island.
This is the kind of beach that Bali became famous for and it’s a little slice of paradise in the tropics.
