Where to watch the sunset

Near the equator the sun sets fast, at roughly the same time all year, between about 6 and 6.45 pm. Lembongan's west side faces open water, so on a clear evening the sun drops straight into the sea or behind the hills of Bali. Here are the places to be.

The south-west cliffs: Devil's Tears and Sandy Bay

The classic sunset on the island. The low limestone cliffs around Devil's Tears catch the last light, and the spray from the waves turns gold. A short walk along the coast brings you to Sandy Bay, a small cove below the cliffs. It gets busy, so arrive half an hour early. Stay well back from the edge: the waves here are powerful and unpredictable.

Ceningan's west cliffs

Cross the Yellow Bridge and head for the west coast around the Blue Lagoon. Several cliff-top spots look straight out to open sea, and it's usually quieter than Lembongan. The roads back are steep and dark, so ride carefully, or plan your way home before you go. The Ceningan guide.

Jungutbatu beach

The long beach in the north looks west across the strait to Bali, with fishing boats and surf boats at anchor in front. It's the easiest sunset on the island: walk out onto the sand, or sit at a beachfront table. On clear days Bali's mountains stand out on the skyline. The areas compared.

The hills above Jungutbatu

The road climbing the hill behind Jungutbatu has wide views over the bay, the reef and the strait. It's more of a panorama than a sea-level sunset, and lovely for the colours after the sun has gone.

Mushroom Bay and the west coves

The small sheltered bays on the west coast face roughly west to north-west, depending on the bay. Calm water, boats swinging at anchor, and a gentler, quieter sunset.

Season and direction

The sun sets a little further north in the middle of the year and a little further south around December, so the same spot looks different through the year. The dry season, roughly April to October, usually brings clearer evenings. In the wet season, storms can make for dramatic skies. When to go.