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One of the most common questions we get asked seems to be variations along the line of "is Nusa Lembongan a family friendly destination"? In short yes, Nusa Lembongan is a wonderful destination for a family holiday with children of all ages, whether it be babies, toddlers, young kids or teenagers, there is plenty to do for the whole family. In this blog we discuss information particularly useful for families with children and we try to answer some of the more common questions. "Children" and "families" are quite broad topics and with us having guests from all over the world with different proficiencies and familiarities (particularly around water). We discuss topics relevant to a range of ages from babies to infants, to young children right the way through to adolescents and older teenagers, so as you read through, you will need to pick out the snippets of information relevant to your family.
Why Nusa Lembongan is a great family friendly destination?
Nusa Lembongan stands out as an exceptional family-friendly destination, blending unique features to create an unforgettable experience for all.
Convenient Accessibility:
The island is easily reachable, requiring just a 30-minute fast boat ride from Bali. Children often find the journey itself exciting, adding a special touch to the adventure.
Compact and (comparatively) Traffic-Free:
With its small size, there are no lengthy car trips for sightseeing. The island's minimal traffic compared with Bali allows convenient transportation through taxis or popular golf buggies, particularly favored by families.
Abundance of Activities:
Nusa Lembongan is brimming with diverse activities suitable for all ages, ensuring a wide range of options for families to explore and enjoy.
Community Vibe and Safety:
The island exudes a close-knit, almost country-town atmosphere. Crime is virtually non-existent, and locals are exceptionally friendly, providing a secure environment for families, whether with young or older children.
Access to Medical Services:
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the island offers decent access to medical facilities, providing reassurance to families.
Diverse Accommodation Options:
Nusa Lembongan caters to families of all sizes and preferences, offering a variety of accommodation choices, from beachfront resorts to intimate villas, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Stunning Beaches and Safe Waters:
The island boasts pristine beaches with calm, clear waters, creating a safe haven for families to partake in water activities, offering peace of mind to parents.
Adventure Opportunities:
For families with an adventurous spirit, Nusa Lembongan provides opportunities to explore the underwater world through snorkeling or guided boat tours. Older kids and teens can engage in thrilling activities like surfing or paddleboarding.
Culinary Exploration:
The island's culinary scene offers a diverse range, from local Balinese dishes to international cuisine, accommodating various tastes within the family.
Educational Experiences:
Nusa Lembongan presents chances for educational experiences, such as visiting seaweed farms or participating in cultural workshops, providing insights into local life and marine ecosystems.
Scenic Landscape and Sunsets:
The picturesque landscapes, including dramatic cliffs and breathtaking viewpoints, offer ideal settings for family photos and unforgettable sunset views.
Relaxed Atmosphere:
The laid-back ambiance allows families to unwind and bond without the hustle and bustle of more crowded destinations, contributing to a stress-free environment for families of all ages.
All in all, Nusa Lembongan's diverse offerings, safe environment, adventure possibilities, culinary richness, educational opportunities, scenic beauty, and relaxed atmosphere collectively make it an ideal destination for families seeking a well-rounded and enjoyable vacation experience.
The island provides an excellent opportunity for children to embrace new concepts, cultures, languages, and activities not readily accessible in their home environment.
We've split this topic up into three sections: 1. Our properties with children 2. Activities for children on Nusa Lembongan
3. Getting around Nusa Lembongan with children 4. Safety precautions with children on Nusa Lembongan
This discussion is not supposed to be an exhaustive of every possible activity for children, or safety precaution (common sense always prevails), though a helpful reference point for your next family holiday.
Ohana's beachfront resort & beach club for families
Ohana is a Hawaiian word that means family. Naturally, our resort caters to families. The owners of the resort created Ohana's really as an extension of what they enjoy in life and as a place for them, and others, to share wonderful times with their families. The resort (whilst obviously very beautiful), has been purposefully designed to have an informal, casual and homely feel to it. Families of all ages, from the newborn to the grandparents can all feel comfortable, and there are areas and amenities for everyone. The location Being situated on the absolute beachfront in the heart of the main town, means you'll be hard pressed to find a better location on the island of Nusa Lembongan. For families this means we have a beautiful ocean and beach out the front, and within walking distance are dozens of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, spas and local stores. You pretty much never need to get transport unless exploring the island, and even then the longest ride is about 15-minutes to the opposite side of the island.
The amenity The property caters for children of all ages. We have high chairs in the restaurant and cribs available for the accommodation. There is a kids specific menu at the restaurant, though the main menu also is very accessible to children. The wood-fired pizzas are often a hit too with the kids. Youngsters also love that we light the bonfire each night and cook marshmallows at sunset. We have two pools at the resort. Both pools have shallow ends. Not to mention the world's biggest pool at our doorstep (the ocean and beach)! For younger children we have a wonderful playground with slides, cargo nets, play kitchen and more!
For teenagers, they will love exploring up and down the beach and the local shops, paddle boarding and swimming out the front in the ocean, we also have the best surf breaks on the island at the outer reefs directly out the front of the resort. Our team can help you in organising all activities, for example go snorkelling (get picked up by boat right from our beach), or hire a golf buggy to explore the island.
The rooms We have great options for families, and our rooms have flexible bedding configurations to accommodate families with different numbers of children, and children of different ages. The Suites and Junior Suites are very popular for families with children. In this set up, the parents are typically in the main bedroom, and the living room of the Suites or Junior Suites is converted with bedding for the children. The beds in the living room are proper sprung mattresses for the children. The floorplans on the individual room type section of the website have images to better illustrate this.
Sometimes parents will choose to put older teenage kids in one of their own rooms, and that is also fine. Often parents will stay in one of the Suites or Junior Suites (as they are a bit more luxurious), and older teenage children stay in the Deluxe Garden Rooms. The rooms are close by (within 20m of each other), though also give everyone a little bit more space if that is what they are after.
The 3-bedroom villa with private plunge pool is a great option for larger families or those again wanting more space.
Activities for children on Nusa Lembongan
We offer a general age range for activities, though of course this also depends on your children's interests, and abilities (for example comfort with being in the water).
We talk about Lembongan specific activities for kids and mostly "outdoors" style activities and experiences that are a bit more unique to the island that your children might not be able to do back at home, though also have a look at the "activities. Click the arrows below for more information on each activity:
Snorkelling (all ages)
Beach days and beach club hangs at Ohana's (all ages)
Buying knick knacks (ages 6+)
Scuba diving (ages 10+, subject to comfort in the water)
Mangrove tour (all ages)
Golf buggy island tour (all ages)
Mini golf (all ages)
Water park (all ages)
Stand up paddle boarding (depends on level of comfort in the water)
Banana boat and donut rides (depends on level of comfort in the water)
Zipline (flying fox)
Cliff jumping (depends on level of comfort in the water)
Sightseeing and day trips (all ages)
Exploring the beach at low tide (all ages)
Playing with the local children
Fishing charter
Getting around Nusa Lembongan with children
The main ways to get around Nusa Lembongan are either on a truck transport, in a golf buggy or on a scooter when on the land, or boats for water activities. Click the arrows below for more information on each transport type:
Truck - taxi
Golf buggy - self drive
Scooter - self drive
Remember, take it slow on the roads, there is no need to get anywhere in a rush and part of the adventure of getting from point A to point b is enjoying the scenery and things there are to see.
Safety precautions with children on Nusa Lembongan
Navigating Child Safety: Practical Tips for a Worry-Free Experience
Approaching the topic of child safety requires a nuanced perspective. While we acknowledge that creating an exhaustive list is challenging, common sense serves as a crucial guide. Especially for international guests, there are noteworthy aspects to consider that might differ from safety norms in your home country.
1. Water Everywhere:
Nusa Lembongan's abundant water bodies demand extra vigilance. Keep a close eye on children near beaches, pools, or any water source.
2. Respect for Street Animals:
Encountering street animals is common, and while they can be charming, maintaining a safe distance is advisable to prevent any unforeseen interactions.
3. Unpredictable Traffic:
The local traffic may not follow the patterns you're accustomed to. Exercise caution when crossing streets and always prioritize safety, even in seemingly quiet areas.
4. Helmet Awareness:
If you find yourself on a motorbike, ensure everyone, including passengers, wears a helmet. Safety first, regardless of your role on the bike.
5. Electrical Safety:
Keep a watchful eye on children around power points and electrical outlets. While exploring, educate them about potential hazards.
6. Sun Safety:
The tropical sun in Nusa Lembongan can be intense. Apply sunscreen regularly, provide adequate shade, and ensure children wear protective clothing and hats to prevent sunburn and heat-related issues.
7. Less Regulation, More Common Sense is required:
Unlike some home countries, Nusa Lembongan may have fewer warning signs and regulations. In such instances, relying on common sense becomes paramount for a secure experience.
While our list isn't exhaustive, these practical tips can go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable stay for families. Always prioritize safety and use your instincts to navigate new environments with children. In Indonesia in general, you will find less "nannying" regulation than other parts of the world; rather more of an approach that people are responsible for their own safety.
Don't expect there to be a warning sign saying "do not swim here" or "check for traffic" or "don't pat the dogs" or "parental supervision required", what this means is that everyone needs to have a heightened sense of responsibility for making safety judgements for themselves and their families.
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