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INDONESIAN ISLAND PARADISE
Imagine Bali, then roll the clock back by thirty years. White sand beaches fringe a translucent blue lagoon where world class waves break with the majestic volcanoes of Bali as a backdrop. Welcome to our bodyboarding island retreat for a week of chilling, re-focusing and of course 7 days of immersion into some of the best bodyboarding waves of your life!
For us the real draw to this trip is waking up to the chorus of cockerels, then walking your way to the coffee urn before stepping on a boat moored just metres from your room and sailing out to one of the many perfect waves the island has to offer. Jumping from the boat into the warm turquoise waters at the time you’d be normally commuting to work is an experience you’ll never forget!
Out of the water, this small island has so much to offer; mangrove walks, world class snorkelling & diving, excellent restaurants, Penida Island to visit Angel’s billabong and more!
This is for the bodyboarder looking for bodyboarding and chill time with delicious food options and breath-taking views. Nusa Lembongan is ideal for all levels of rider. A novice can learn the basics at the aptly named playgrounds with qualified, safety conscious instructors who will build your confidence to a structured coaching programme, while for the more experienced rider the island has the technical waves of Shipwrecks and Lacerations to free surf your brains out.
Bali accommodation
Nusa Lembongan accommodation
Throughout the week we will deliver several bodyboarding related workshops that are optional to attend.
We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to explore the island and all it has to offer on foot, bicycle or moped. We can direct you to the best areas of local interest and excursions.
As the sun dips down over Bali there is only one place in the world that you would want to be. That’s slouched in a bean bag, on the beach in front of our accommodation, cold drink in hand, ready to enjoy the awesome sunset light show. As the pink hues refract across the lagoon that stretches out in front of our lodgings it creates one of the most memorable sunsets that you’ll ever see. Add to this the empty line up of perfect waves as the final surfers paddle in and it’s a site to behold. It’s the perfect spot to reflect on a day of epic bodyboarding and is an unofficial meeting point for all the visiting surfers and divers that have found themselves on this beautiful island. You will remember these moments for the rest of your days. As darkness falls, it’s time for a stroll into the village or stay nearby for a well-earned supper. Evenings are super chill in Lembo’ and the perfect way to relax, refuel and recharge after a day in the waves.
Put on your sunglasses, grab a cold drink and settle yourself in the shaded end of our infinity pool. Then look across the blue water expanse of the lagoon in front of you.
To the south end of the bay you will see the fun, deep water peaks of Playgrounds. Still a world class wave on its day, it is generally a mechanical, playful peak that makes improving your bodyboarding easy.
To the right is ‘Lassos’. This is a longer right and shorter left. The intensity of this wave can be high on the right swell and tide. The expert bodyboarders that have joined our trips have revelled in the long blue funnels that this wave supplies as it hits the reef. It also works well as an excellent coaching wave when the swell is smaller.
To the southern end of the lagoon are the fast-breaking left handers of Razors and the running right hand walls of Shipwrecks.
From the breaks that you can see from the pool alone there is plenty to keep the stoke levels high for day after day of bodyboarding, however we have explored further to other areas of the island where we have named numerous waves and have never seen other surfers. You will benefit from our exploration.
A new experience for many will be being picked up from the white sand beach by our boatman before each session. He will drop us to our line up of choice. The boat then waits for us in the channel allowing you to return to the boat to grab a drink, apply sunscreen, take photos or chill out. It’s a fantastic system that you will soon learn to love.
Our Nusa Lembongan accommodation is, quite simply, island life at its finest. Surrounded by white sands, traditional thatched beach umbrellas and crystal-clear waters; prepare to unwind and manage your movements around the tides. Our hotel, with its stunning infinity pool, overlooks its very own blue lagoon to boast impressive views that you’ll never tire of. The open air restaurant is perfect for refuelling after a day’s bodyboarding; soak in the surrounding views as you sample the delights of the local cuisine.
Nusa Lembongan, much like the rest of Southeast Asia, is quite unique when it comes to food and home cooking. Many young people choose instead to eat from street vendors and local restaurants, this brings a real communal feel into the area and a fantastic atmosphere after dusk.
With blue lagoon waters lapping on the shores of white-sand beaches, you can expect to find plenty of open-air restaurants taking full advantage of the views. You will of course find many warungs (local family-owned restaurants), cafes and bars offering local dishes, but you can also expect to enjoy lots of modern westernised eateries too
Also, to ignore the price of food in Nusa Lembongan would be almost as criminal as the price of food itself. Indonesia is a place where you can pick up delicious local meals for a couple of quid and the general price of beer is as cheap as water. The cost will of course increase if you decide to eat in the more westernised restaurants, but you’ll still find your money stretching much further into the evening.
The geography of Nusa Lembongan serves its cuisine just as well as it serves its beach breaks. Being a small remote island, restaurants and locals rely heavily on what the ocean has to offer, and the chefs really know how to serve up a delicious evening worth remembering. If you like seafood, you won’t want to miss out on this part of the trip!
There are heaps of small local restaurants dotted around the island as well. If you’re after a cheap bite, following the appetite of the residents could introduce you to some amazing meals and new culinary delights. Who knows, you might take home more than a new set of bodyboarding skills.
We have some particular favourites among the team here at Bodyboard Holidays. With so many epic spots for lunch, brunch, dinner and coffee, we asked our team to recommend some of the tried and tested spots they’ve grown to know and love. Here are some of their favourites:
The variety of Indonesia’s surf breaks means we’ll always be able to find quiet peaks offering mellower, long walling waves – perfect if you’re a beginner learning the basics or an intermediate rider looking to reach the next stage. Then there are more challenging reefs for the advanced rider. We split the group by abilities to cater for all levels of bodyboarding experience. It’s an amazing location with a veritable fun park of waves to suit all skill sets.
Foundation level Instruction
Indonesia caters for bodyboarders of all abilities, and you’ll often find gentler, mellower waves breaking at one end of the beach or reef, when at the other there are waves offering barrels and steeper sections for more advanced riders. This is great if you’re looking to test yourself without jumping in at the deep end. A great mix of waves for all abilities.
Whatever your level, our coaching team is on hand to offer daily guiding and tuition should you want it. This is tailored to your ability, with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured, and includes beach, water and classroom-based tuition.
Our team comprises experienced lifeguards, some of whom have 20 years of surfing and worldwide travel behind them, all trained by multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Don’t stress if you’re only now giving it a go – on this trip there’s something for everyone, and we all have to start somewhere.
In fact, you’ll be amazed how quickly you master paddling out to catch good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
Foundation level tuition includes
Our instructors are on hand with groups in the water, able to give extra tips on the beach, and give detailed feedback during our informal classroom analysis.
As well as coaching, we’re also keen to develop your learning and understanding of the sport in general. This is why we offer a separate Q&A sessions, answering all things bodyboarding: equipment, travel, safety, surf prediction, understanding pressure charts and bodyboarding fitness.
Intermediate and Advanced Instruction
There is good reason why there are so many amazing bodyboarders making an annual pilgrimage to Indonesia. The waves lend themselves to high level bodyboarding and we can help you perfect specific moves from carving reverse spins to airs. Ben Player would regularly use Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Canngu as his pre-season training ground when he competed on the world tour, and for good reason too. The variety of the waves in this area is huge and as a result we can focus on every aspect of your riding. Or put more of a focus on guiding you to the best waves each day and letting you enjoy them while being videoed by our team.
Photography and video analysis will be available throughout all sessions to help improve your riding. There is simply no better way to see your riding sky rocket than to benefit from slow-motion analysis of your biggest moves. By the end of your trip we guarantee that you will feel that you have up’d your game. If coaching isn’t your thing, then you can benefit from our guiding, to know that you’re in the best spot for the waves each day.
You will need to arrange your own flights to Denpasar International Airport (DPS) in Bali.
We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog post to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
FLIGHTS
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times to make use of our free airport transfer:
Many of our guests choose to arrive a day early in order to acclimatise and get over jet lag.
FLIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Bali if possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
We arrange airport pickups for those arriving on the first day of the trip between 13:00 and 16:00. If you do not arrive in time to meet our pickup, we can organise a taxi for you but you will be responsible for the transport cost. Please let us know if you would like this option. We have our welcome meeting at 18:00 on the first day of the trip so please try to arrive in good time.
Our airport drop off is between 16:00 and 18:00 on the final day of the trip. You will be taken to the airport straight from the ferry which returns you to Bali.
ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
Our Indonesian transport driver will meet you on arrival at the airport in Denpasar and take you to our accommodation. We track your flight, it’s always a very smooth operation.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a group welcome meeting to discuss the trip and start getting excited for the waves ahead.
Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Bali lies the idyllic island of Nusa Lembongan. This piece of paradise covers just 8km square and has a population of around 5000 people. In stark contrast to its larger sister, Bali, the roads of Nusa Lembongan are much quieter. Scooters and trucks make up the bulk of the traffic with cars being seen only very rarely, though due to its remote location the state of the road network leaves a lot to be desired.
Recent years have seen construction work begin around the island as the rest of the world slowly discovers its beauty and potential. The next five or ten years could see a boom in the tourism of Nusa Lembongan as a larger infrastructure is created and the accessibility of the island improves.
One huge draw for locals and tourists alike in this part of Indonesia is the opportunity to see and swim with manta rays. The plankton-rich waters around the small island of Nusa Lembongan make it a perfect feeding ground for these majestic ocean dwellers. Watch them elegantly glide through the crystal-clear waters towards you while you snorkel patiently at the surface.
As these great rays come to say hello, you will be amazed at how graceful they are for their size. Often reaching spans of up to 7 metres, you can’t help but be impressed by these gentle giants. These docile yet sometimes inquisitive mantas will have no problem sharing the ocean with you while they look for their lunch. An incredible experience you won’t forget in a hurry.
We first started visiting Nusa Lembongan over 20 years ago and to this day we are still in awe of its natural beauty. The clarity of the surrounding ocean is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The orange glow of the setting sun dances light across the Indian Ocean before disappearing for the evening. It’s nights like these that you can really embrace everything that Indonesia is about. A cold beer in front of a sunset after a fun day enjoying the ocean; you might even get slightly addicted.
THINGS TO DO:
FOOD
Daily food budget – £25 per day
VISA
Visa on arrival at the airport in Bali – $35 USD.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Snorkelling with manta rays and other ocean creatures £15-£20
Tour of the neighbouring island Nusa Penida £25-£30
Mangrove tour £5-£10
Underground house tour £5
Rent a motorbike £5 per day
EQUIPMENT HIRE
If you decide not to bring your own kit (or you don’t own it) to hire equipment for the week the prices are as follows;
Swim fins – £45 per week
Board – £60 per week
The typical early and late season weather is a nightly downpour and daily sun with the odd days of scattered clouds. Expect tropical island temperatures. The heat can be searing when you are spending hours in the water so the cloud can be very welcome. Due to the fortunate shape of the island, we can generally find clean waves each day. The benefit of visiting at this time of year is the low crowds and quieter line-ups – perfect for practicing those new moves!
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all of the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday in Nusa Lembongan.
What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss, with Grant the trip leader, the required kit and equipment, on the pre-trip video call.
