In 2018, our family of four took a trip from Bali to Nusa Lembongan. We had been staying on Bali for two weeks, and we wanted to make a trip to Nusa Lembongan. Our children were small then, and everyone was excited about the journey. The sea was rough that day, and even though we chose a well-known company, the life jackets provided were too big for our children. As the boat rocked on the high waves, I felt quite nervous. An Australian man beside me, who was used to the boattrip, noticed and said, “It’s alright” to me. His words helped a little, but I wished we had brought smaller, child-sized life jackets for more peace of mind.
We chose Rocky Fast Cruise for our trip, and we were very happy with their service. We booked the trip in advance, which I can highly recommend. We just booked it online. This was back in 2018, so it’s possible that they now provide smaller life jackets for children. Either way, having your own child-sized life jackets is always a good idea—not just for crossings to Nusa Lembongan, but also for boat trips on smaller vessels in Indonesia and Thailand.
The weather that day was so bad that the boat couldn’t dock at the usual side of Nusa Lembongan. Rocky Fast Cruise took care of everything: they arranged small tuk-tuk style vehicles to transport us and our luggage to our hotel, making sure we still arrived safely despite ending up in the “wrong” place.
Looking back, I really recommend booking your boat in advance with a reliable company. Rocky Fast Cruise has good reviews and a “dock-to-dock” service for a smoother ride. Bringing small life jackets for children is a smart idea—they don’t take up much space and make the crossing much less stressful.
Nusa Lembongan is definitely worth visiting. The beaches are beautiful, the water is clear, and the island has a relaxed vibe. Even though the boat ride can be a bit rough, the island itself makes it completely worthwhile. We stayed at the beautiful Bersantai villas, which we can highly recommend!
That summer, the weather was particularly extreme, with volcanic eruptions and earthquakes affecting Bali. These conditions made the sea even rougher than usual. Unfortunately, there have been several incidents on the Bali–Lembongan route in recent years. For instance, in June 2025, a boat carrying 89 passengers capsized at Tanjung Sanghyang Port due to a large wave. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the event served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sea travel in this region.
While such incidents are rare and safety standards have improved, it’s essential to choose a reputable operator and take necessary precautions. Ensuring your children have properly fitted life jackets can provide added peace of mind during the crossing. Always check the reviews for your chosen boat company on trustpilot and Google reviews before you book.
There are lots of life jackets on the market, we have tried two kinds, that I can highly recommend.
This one from Secumar to a very good price