Yes there is a ‘high and low season’ in Lembongan. The high season runs from June – October and this is normally the dry (cooler) season. The low season runs from November – May and this is the so-called wet (hotter) season.

There is a large rise in tourists during the high season. If you are looking to come to Lembongan during this time, it is best to book your diving, accommodation and transfers in advance.

There is no monsoon during the wet season in Lembongan, but February and March tend to have more rain fall. Normally during this time it rains for a few hours each day.

The manta rays can been seen all year round. There is no set time of the year where you have a higher chance to see them. You have about a 70% chance to see the manta rays at the manta dive sites.

The manta dive sites are located on the south coast of Nusa Penida, this side of the island is more exposed to the open sea conditions. During the low season, the wind is a little stronger, which can make the waves bigger. This can restrict our ability to get to the manta dive sites.

The mola is a seasonal creature that can only be seen during certain parts of the year. You are more likely to see the mola when the water temperature drops. The colder the water, the better the mola season is.

Molas spend most of their time in deeper, cooler waters. When the top water column cools, the molas are able to come up into shallower water, allowing divers to see them.

The water temperature normally drops during the high season (around July), so the ‘mola season’ is from July – October.

The water temperature can change quite a bit through the year.

During the low season (November – May), the water is normally warm; averaging around 28° Celsius (82.4° Fahrenheit).

During the high season (June – October), the currents pull cooler water up from the deep, causing the temperature to drop. The temperature can reach as low as 16° Celsius (60.8° Fahrenheit) at some sites.

These cooler currents create thermoclines which can result in large temperature changes during a dive.

The average water temperature during the high season is around 24° Celsius (75.2° Fahrenheit).

A full set of rental diving equipment is included in our diving prices.

• Regulators: Apeks AT20. This is a high end recreational scuba diving regulator. Our regulators are serviced annually.
• BCD: Aqualung wave BCD. This is a simple and easy to use, robust BCD.
• Masks: A range of different ScubaPro and Aqualung masks to fit different faces.
• Wetsuits: Full Aqualung wetsuits in both 5mm or 3mm
• Fins: Open heel Aqualung Stratos fins with 3mm shoe-type booties.

All our tanks have universal tank values. This means that we are able to remove the insert from the tank valve, allowing you to use your DIN regulators on our tanks.

For all courses with Twin Island Dive, you will need to complete a short medical form on site to show that you are fit for diving.

You are able to download a copy of the medical form, from here to check to make sure you are fit for diving.

If you were to answer ‘yes’ to any questions on the medical form, you will need to see a doctor before going in the ocean. This doctors check can be done on Lembongan or before you arrive.

It is possible to get some currents around some of the Penida / Lembongan dive sites.

It is these currents that keep the flow of nutrient rich waters high, which help support the coral and fish life.

Dive sites are picked the afternoon before diving, based on the conditions; wind, waves, currents, tides, who is on the boat and what people are hoping to see. This way, we are able to pick the best sites for the day. We also adjust our departure time, so that we are diving at the best tide.

The dive sites that are known for strong currents are only for experienced divers.

There are several ATMs on the island.

• Mandiri ATM, approx. 100m from Twin Island Dive
• One in Jungut Batu village (Indonesian bank cards only)
• Four in Mushroom Bay

There are money changers on the island, but they are unofficial and not associated with a bank or Western Union.

The conversion rate is usually more favourable in Bali and it is better to change money before arriving on the island, or use the ATMs to withdraw funds in Indonesian Rupiah

Unfortunately, the best spots for snorkelling are only accessible by boat. Twin Island Dive is able to help organise snorkelling trips for you, if you are accompanying a friend/family member that is scuba diving, but otherwise we recommend Captain Pinky, you can WhatsApp him here.

If you choose to snorkel from the beaches, please note that most beaches have either strong currents or a lot of boat traffic, so it is best to check the conditions before swimming too far out and be aware of your surroundings.

Visa On Arrival (VOA) is currently available for 90+ countries. (check here for a full list of countries), the price is Rp500,000 per person.

At the Airport:

If you are from one of the named countries, you can purchase a VOA from an official desk, before passing through immigration at the airport.

Online:

If you wish to avoid the airport queues, you may apply for your VOA online, before travelling, from https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/. Be sure to select ‘Tourism’ as your purpose for visiting). Once theVOA is issued online, you have 90 days to enter the country before it is no longer valid, so do not process your application more than 90 days in advance. On entry to Indonesia, your 30 day visa commences. Further information can be found here.

Extension:

If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, the easiest option is to apply for a 60 day visa with the Indonesian Embassy in your home country (if available) or process your VOA at the airport and purchase an extension option there, for an additional Rp500,000. You can then visit a local immigration office in Bali and process a 30 day extension (note that VOA may not be extended unless you purchased the extension option at the airport, in addition to the VOA fee).

East Medical Care Center in Lembongan Village is the recommended, 24-hour medical facility on the island. The doctors speak a reasonable amount of English and can arrange emergency medical evacuation to Bali, if needed.

There is also a small hospital based in Jungut Batu Village that is open 24 hours and a few small pharmacies around the island that stock medical supplies and medicines.

Healthcare in Indonesia is not free to visitors and bills can be substantial if medical evacuation or surgery is needed, so please ensure you travel with insurance and abide by the terms of your policy.

Most restaurants and hotels now have free wi-fi available for their guests. You may find that the internet is not as fast as your home country or in Bali but is typically good enough for making calls, checking emails and updating social media. You may also consider purchasing a tourist SIM at the airport or from a local convenience store.

Western resorts and restaurants will accept Visa and Mastercard, but the smaller local ‘Warungs’ will most likely require payment in cash. Credit Card payments usually carry an additional 3% bank charge.

Nusa Lembongan is 35 minute public speedboat ride away from Bali Mainland. It is also possible to transfer by boat from, Lombok, Penida and the Gili Islands. Check out our Getting to Lembongan page for more information.

The easiest way to explore the island is via scooter. It is possible to see most of the main sites around Lembongan and Ceningan in an afternoon. Twin Island Villas is able to help you organise a scooter.

There are taxis on the island. Although they are not official taxis, there are some locals drivers that you are able to rent for a pick up / drop off / island tour.

There are also golf buggies available for daily rental, which you can drive yourself.

Please note, that you are not able to cross the yellow bridge in a car or golf buggy, only by scooter.

For island tours check Komang Tours

By the Yellow Bridge, on the Lembongan side, there are two public boat offices that run boats from Lembongan / Ceningan to Penida.

There are no set boat times, but the boats do run from sunrise to sunset. The boat will leave once there is enough people for the trip. Waiting times can be up to 1 hour during the low season or just a few minutes during high season.

It is possible to get a ‘private’ boat over. This option is more expensive but the boat will leave when you want.

It is important while you are on land, that you are being respectful of the local people. Men should be wearing a top, when visiting sites and interacting with locals. Woman should keep their bikinis / swimsuits covered while away from the beach. Sunbathing topless is coincided disrespectful. When entering a local’s home or temple, it is respectful to remove footwear.