Mushroom Bay Beach or Mushroom Beach is one of Bali’s least explored beaches on the island of Nusa Lembongan. It’s the perfect location to get away from it all and enjoy a week at a hotel with an infinity pool or restaurant hopping among the local warungs.
Our guide to Mushroom Bay Beach shares everything you need to know about visiting the area and having a great time in the peaceful atmosphere of Nusa Lembongan.
Where Is Mushroom Bay Beach?
Mushroom Bay Beach is not far from the Jungut Batu Beach Port on Nusa Lembongan island (one of the three Nusa Islands, the other two are Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan) off the coast of Bali, Indonesia).
How To Get To Mushroom Bay Beach?
If you want to get to Mushroom Bay, you’ll need to start by taking a fast boat from Sanur or Padang Bai to the Jungut Batu Port.
It’s not expensive to travel out to Nusa Lembongan in this way, though if you want to take a bike with you, you’ll need to opt for the slow ferry, which is cheaper still but takes much longer to get there.
There aren’t that many boats leaving each day, particularly in the rainy season, and we’d recommend that you get to your departure port early in the morning if you want to be certain of getting to Nusa Lembongan.
While a lot of people go out to the islands for a day trip as part of a tour, we’d recommend that you stay a few nights in this area and go out and really explore this little slice of paradise.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Mushroom Bay?
You can travel to the Nusa Islands at any time of year and have an amazing time in Nusa Lembongan at any time of year, this is because even in the rainy season, Bali sees about 8 hours of sunshine a day!
However, if you want calm waters for the boat journey, then, we’d recommend that you opt for a trip in the dry season.
The boats are perfectly safe most of the time, but if they get caught in a storm, then the waves can get very rough and seasickness can be a real issue (and occasionally, luggage might be lost from the secure area as it gets soaked or swept overboard).
Is There An Entrance Fee At Mushroom Bay Beach?
No, there’s no entrance fee at Mushroom Bay Beach and you can wander the entire length of the shore without being hassled to pay.
What To Expect At Mushroom Bay Beach
Mushroom Bay Beach is the ideal place to relax by the ocean. It’s a top spot for swimming and though there are boats going in and out of the nearby dock (it serves as a local ferry service for the Nusa Islands), it’s not that busy.
There’s a nice beach bar area at the left-hand end of the beach and you can rent sun loungers, etc. from there. It also has a gorgeous pool that it’s happy for you to use if you buy a drink.
What To Do At Mushroom Bay Beach
This beach is a great place for:
Snorkeling – the waves are generally quite calm at this island location, though you do need to be careful if a boat comes in as the wake can affect the current. You’ll find that snorkeling here offers access to an attractive reef and plenty of marine life.
Diving – you can’t go diving at the beach itself, but there are plenty of diving schools around the beach where you can arrange PADI training and PADI-certified divers can arrange to explore the waters of Nusa Lembongan.
Sunbathing – this is the perfect place to kick back and relax and just chill in the sun. We love sunbathing here but would remind you that it’s very important to use sunscreen as it’s all too easy to get burned in the Bali sun.
Where To Stay Near Mushroom Bay
There are some pleasant hotels and resorts in the area, though they are mainly 2-4 star hotels rather than the 5-star hotels that you find on the main Bali island. Our favourites include:
This long white sand beach is one of the reasons that Nusa Dua became so popular as a holiday location. The water is shallow and ideal for playing in as a family as the shore is protected from severe waves.
Pura Geger Dalem Pemutih
This is a beautiful temple with amazing views over the ocean and definitely one of the cultural highlights of Nusa Dua. It overlooks Geger Beach and you can easily walk from the sand to this historically and culturally significant site.
Nusa Dua Beach
Hai Tide Beach Resort – this is an upscale resort for Nusa Lembongan and it has fabulous views of the beach. The rooms have AC and refrigerators too.
Mushroom Beach Bungalows – pleasant beachside bungalows that could use a lick of paint. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the sunset view is excellent.
Lotus Garden Huts – a wonderful family-run operation where nothing is ever too much trouble for their guests. It’s a little basic but the pool is lovely.
Villa Tanjung – the in-house catering is reason enough to stay here, but the incredible views and hospitality are the icing on the cake.
D’Yuki Huts Lembongan – a pleasant and simple place to stay that is always clean and provides an excellent cup of coffee for all guests.
Where To Eat Near Mushroom Bay
There are some lovely restaurants and cafes within walking distance of this location and they include:
Hai Ri Zen – is as close to fine dining as it gets on this island and the food is excellent, we recommend that you go for sunset cocktails as a warm-up to the main event.
Mushroom Espresso – if you need a great cup of coffee and a quick snack then there’s no better place on the island than Mushroom Espresso.
Lgood Bar And Grill Lembongan – a pleasant family-friendly restaurant that does a great international menu for reasonable prices, but with smaller than average portions.
The We House Warung – this tiny local warung does just one thing and it does it very well, indeed, Nasi Campur. Don’t miss out on it. It’s awesome.
Why Not Mushroom – think bar snacks and cold beers and you won’t be far wrong. It’s a lovely spot for sunset watching and live music later on in the evening.
What Else Is There To Do Around Mushroom Bay Beach?
There are quite a few beaches in the area including:
Dream Beach, Nusa Lembongan
Dream Beach is a perfect location for families to relax on white sands and watch the day roll away under the Balinese sun. However, it’s not a good place for swimming and the rip current here is obvious and very strong. So, enjoy the island sun but stay out of the water for safety’s sake.
Secret Beach, Nusa Lembongan
Yes, it’s really called Secret Beach and you get there by sliding under the rock formation at Mushroom Bay Beach. However, it’s a very popular location and doesn’t feel particularly “secret”, but it is quieter and more relaxed than the beach at Mushroom Bay all the same.
Song Lambung Beach, Nusa Lembongan
This gorgeous beach sees very few visitors due to the steep path that you have to navigate to get down to the sands in the first place. It’s not a great place for swimming as the riptide can be quite vicious here. However, the Beach Cafe at Lago is worth visiting for a great cup of coffee.
Tamarind Beach, Nusa Lembongan
This is a very quiet and almost secret beach not far from Mushroom Bay Beach. You can see the seaweed farm offshore from this beach. However, there’s not much sand and it’s very rocky, you wouldn’t want to spend much time on the shore here.
Jungut Batu Beach, Nusa Lembongan
This is a nice white sand beach that’s ideal for a romantic stroll later in the day. However, for the main part of the day, this is right next to Jungut Batu Port and thus, it’s very busy with people landing on Nusa Lembongan and it’s not ideal for swimming.
FAQs
Can You Swim In Mushroom Bay, Nusa Lembongan?
Yes, you can swim at Mushroom Bay and the water is calm and clear. It’s one of the best locations in Nusa Lembongan to swim, in fact.
However, if there’s a boat coming in, you should make sure to stay out of its wake as this can make swimming much less pleasant and increase the size of the waves.
Can You Snorkel At Mushroom Bay Beach, Nusa Lembongan?
Yes! In fact, thanks to the clear waters here, it’s a great place to go for snorkeling. However, as with when you swim here, you need to watch out and make room if a boat comes into the dock.
Is It Worth Staying On Nusa Lembongan?
Yes! In fact, we think it’s the best way to enjoy Nusa Lembongan. Most people come to the Nusa Islands on an organized day trip. They run around the shops, beaches, spa destinations, etc. and then they get back on a boat before sunset and go back to Bali.
If you want a relaxing time, it’s much better to book some accommodation, explore the destination at your own pace and head over to the other Nusa Islands too, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan are both worth seeing.
Why Is It Called Mushroom Beach?
Nobody knows. It’s been called Mushroom Beach for so long that no one in Bali or Nusa Lembongan remembers how it got its name. One thing’s for certain though – it’s got nothing to do with fungi.
How Do I Book A Holiday In Bali Including Mushroom Bay Beach, Nusa Lembongan?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the Bali Res Centre. They’re a locally owned and operated travel service.
Final Thoughts On Mushroom Bay Beach, Nusa Lembongan
Mushroom Bay Beach in Bali is a great place to stay and enjoy a side of island life that most visitors to Bali will never experience.
With plenty of local accommodation, restaurants, cafes, etc. around this area, why not plan for your next trip to Bali to include Mushroom Bay and the island of Nusa Lembongan?
