Plan a 2-night Bali to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan sailing trip around three anchorages, not a race between sights. Depart Benoa or Serangan by mid-morning, spend night one off Nusa Lembongan, day two diving Manta Point and Crystal Bay around Nusa Penida with a Broken Beach stop, and hold night two in calm water before your return crossing. A crewed catamaran suits this route best.
Why does a catamaran suit this exact route?
Two nights on the Nusa islands is a short window with two open-water crossings and a lot of anchor-time in between. That combination rewards stability over speed. A sailing catamaran sits flat at anchor, carries wide deck space for a small group, and draws shallow enough to tuck into the bays off Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida where a deep-keeled monohull would sit further out.
WI Yachts runs an 8-day sailing itinerary out of Bali that threads exactly this water — Benoa to Sanur Beach, then Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands, west Lombok and back down through Nusa Penida — which tells you the sailing corridor is well established and catamaran-friendly. For a 2-night version you are compressing the front and back of that same route into a tight, focused loop.
If you want the vessel and crew arranged as a package rather than assembled piecemeal, the Nusa Penida catamaran trip is built around this stretch of water with skipper, hostess and route already programmed, so you spend planning energy on the parts that matter to you.
What does the 2-night itinerary look like day by day?
Here is the shape most crews and guests settle into. Times are indicative and shift with weather, tide and how much you want to swim versus sail.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Board at Benoa or Serangan, safety brief, cast off mid-morning; short sail across to Nusa Lembongan | Swim and snorkel off Lembongan, paddleboard the mangrove channel, sundowner on deck | Anchored in the lee of Nusa Lembongan |
| Day 2 | Early hop to Manta Point off Nusa Penida for a snorkel or dive with manta rays | Crystal Bay for clear-water swimming, then a look at Broken Beach and the southwest cliffs from the water | Sheltered anchorage near Nusa Penida or back toward Lembongan |
| Day 3 | Slow breakfast, final swim, weigh anchor for the return crossing | Sail back to Benoa or Serangan, disembark early-to-mid afternoon | — |
Boatcrowd’s Bali itinerary gives you a useful benchmark for the crossing itself: depart Benoa Harbour by 07:30 and cruise south-east to Nusa Penida in roughly 40 minutes by motor yacht, with a morning snorkel or dive at Manta Point. A sailing catamaran runs slower than a motor yacht, so budget more crossing time and lean into the sail rather than treating it as transit. World Yacht Charter puts Benoa Harbour to Nusa Lembongan at 18 nautical miles, which frames how far you are actually travelling on day one.
Which stops should anchor the trip?
Four names do the heavy lifting on this route. Each is safe to build your days around.
- Manta Point — the reason many guests come. A cleaning station off Nusa Penida where manta rays gather; a snorkel or dive stop best hit early before other boats arrive.
- Crystal Bay — clear, protected water for swimming and easy snorkelling, and a natural lunch anchorage.
- Broken Beach — a natural arch in the southwest of Nusa Penida, dramatic from the water and a signature photo of the trip.
- Nusa Lembongan — your night-one base, calm on the leeward side, with mangrove channels and shallow reef within tender range.
Goa Giri Putri, a cave on Nusa Penida, is another citable point of interest if a shore excursion appeals, though it pulls you off the water and eats into anchor-time. On a 2-night trip, most people keep the itinerary marine and save land sightseeing for a longer program.
How should you choose between Benoa and Serangan for departure?
Both work, and the right pick depends on your vessel and where you are staying.
| Departure hub | Character | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Benoa Harbour | Described as Bali’s main yachting gateway; the embarkation point for established multi-day Bali cruise itineraries and larger vessels | You want the main marina, larger catamarans, or are combining with a longer program |
| Serangan Harbour | An explicit alternative departure point; charters from here visit Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, the Gili Islands and Lombok | Your crew is based there or you want a quieter embarkation |
Fraser Yachts’ Bali itinerary, for reference, begins by joining the yacht in Serangan and heading into the Lombok Straits with Mount Agung as the backdrop — a reminder that Serangan is a genuine luxury departure point, not a fallback. Confirm your exact embarkation harbour when you book, since it can depend on the specific vessel.
What does a crewed 2-night catamaran cost?
Treat any multi-day figure you see online as an indicative band, not a quote. There is no single published Bali–Nusa Penida multi-day catamaran price we can cite as fact, so anyone stating a firm all-in number for your dates is guessing. What is verifiable is that crewed luxury charters with hospitality-style service do depart Benoa — LuxuryPhinisi, for example, markets a 4-hour private phinisi sunset cruise from Benoa Harbour with sunset cocktails, a light dinner and full crew for up to 12 guests, offered year-round, which confirms the crewed, catered model exists on this water.
For budgeting a 2-night trip, expect the all-inclusive rate to fold in these elements:
- Vessel and crew (captain, hostess or chef, deckhand)
- Fuel for the crossings and repositioning
- Meals, soft drinks and typically a selected beverage list
- Snorkel gear, paddleboards and tender transfers
Diving with tanks, premium spirits, park and conservation fees, and land excursions are usually extras. All rates should be read as of 2026 and subject to change; get a written, dated quote for your specific vessel, guest count and dates before you commit.
When is the best window to sail this route?
The most reliable statement here is general, not a pricing rule: the Benoa phinisi cruise runs year-round, so the water is chartered across the calendar. Beyond that, treat seasonality as sailing-window guidance rather than a fixed high-and-low season. Sea state in the Lombok Strait varies day to day; a flexible day-one departure time and a captain who reads the tide matter more to comfort than the month on the calendar. Ask your operator for a current read on conditions for your travel dates rather than relying on a generic season chart.
What should be on your pre-departure checklist?
- Confirm the embarkation harbour — Benoa or Serangan — and the exact meeting time.
- Get a dated written quote listing what the all-inclusive rate covers and what sits outside it.
- Flag diving needs early so tanks, weights and a certified guide are aboard for Manta Point.
- Confirm park and conservation fees at booking — these apply in principle around the Nusa islands; ask for the figure in writing.
- Share dietary and celebration details — anniversaries, birthdays or honeymoons — so the crew can plan.
- Pack light and soft-sided; cabin space on a catamaran is efficient rather than generous.
The short version
A 2-night Bali to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan sailing plan works best as three unhurried acts: a first-day crossing to a calm Lembongan anchorage, a full second day around Nusa Penida hitting Manta Point, Crystal Bay and Broken Beach, and a relaxed return on day three. A crewed catamaran gives you the flat, shallow-draft platform this route rewards. Nail the departure hub, get a dated quote, and let the crew handle the tides.
Bookings for this itinerary are handled directly by the reservations team at Bali Premium Trip, who arrange the vessel and crew via vetted licensed partners. Reach the concierge on WhatsApp at 6281128590000 or email sales@balipremiumtrip.com to check availability and confirm a dated, itemised quote for your dates.