The Lembongan Diairies: The Boat Transfer

Part of the experience of enjoying the island life is simply getting there! Depending on which way you look at it, and your personal tolerance for the sea, the boat transfer can be a relaxing, adventurous, or daunting experience. Being an expat now permanently based on Nusa Lembongan, I get to travel to the mainland Bali at least every couple of weeks when “Island Fever” starts to kick in, so I have become quite accustomed to the trials & tribulations of the boat transfer, and have pretty much seen it all. But I also witness the reactions of the other guests when the transfer is either a little rockier, or flat calm beautiful! Having been a real-life salty sailor on luxury superyachts before settling into island life, I have had the luck of experiencing quite a bit at sea. So while Island paradise awaits you on the other side, I am going to share a story and some advice to help get you through those rough and calm days to make the most of the experience getting here getting you to your relaxation heaven.

The first ride I took to Nusa Lembongan 8 years ago, I was a little out of my boating element to say the least (please bear in mind the current boat transfers have subsequently incrementally evolved with their safety standards!). It seemed to be a game of “how many locals and tourists can we squeeze into this one small boat without tipping it?”! And coming fresh off a spacious super yacht to having people standing over you and unsure of the ballast weight and list tipping point, my travel partner and I probably had the look of our eyes popping out of our heads (evidenced by the finger mark bruises on my partner’s legs after!). My local expat friend was laughing at us for most of the ride as this had become her “norm!” But it was ok, we got there in the end, and was well worth the adventure.

Fast forward to today, and what can you expect? When staying at Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Day Spa, if you will be using Rocky Fast Cruise (one of our recommended transfer companies), you can expect a very friendly and helpful Guest Service representative to greet you at the Serangan departure, and get you acquainted! The Guest Service agent will take your bags and ensure that they get delivered to your room at the Resort so you don’t have to worry about them until it is time for you to unpack and relax. They will then start your check-in process to help the arrival time at Batu Karang as seamless as possible. You will then have hopefully only a short wait for your boat, with the ride only being a 45-minute transfer, with a Batu Karang staff member to greet you with a smile and a sign on the Nusa Lembongan mangrove side! They will then escort you by truck across the island to the Resort, where you will be greeted at the parking lot by another staff member who will escort you up the beautiful boardwalk to the welcome area and get you settled in.

Some tips for the boat ride… It is always best, whether you are prone to sea sickness or not, to have some food in your stomach, as this will help any unexpected (or known) sea sicknesses should it be rough (note – avoid a holiday hangover if you can and expected any sea sensitivities). The large majority of the time, the sea is calm and beautiful, with guests often able to sit outside and enjoy the sun (again, depending on which boat transfer company you choose)! But do be prepared that there could be some swell, that is totally normal and with your insured boat transfer company, you will be in good hands (they do this all day every day!). If you are prone to sea sickness, the best place to sit is as far towards the aft (back) as possible, or even upstairs outside (if possible on the boat) to get some of the breeze. You may also get a little wet getting in and out of the boat, so it is best to keep some flip flops handy and wear something above your knees or a dress that you can bundle up above your knees to not get wet. Particularly in the humidity, the boat ride can get a little hot at times until the breeze is flowing, so it is always a good idea to keep an extra bottle of water in your bag to keep hydrated.

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Day Spa is happy to recommend our preferred boat transfer companies to our guests, and assist with the bookings. Please always make sure you choose an insured company if you are making your own reservations and travel plans.

All this being said, the boat ride can be a great, and quick experience with many friendly and playful staff. So please sit back, relax, enjoy the stunning view and breeze, and get prepared to begin the ultimate relaxation comfort upon your Nusa Lembongan and Batu Karang arrival!