Imagine an island where cliffs tower over the ocean, where beaches with snow-white sand are hidden, and where time flows at a different pace than anywhere else. Nusa Penida is not just another stop on your trip to Bali; it’s a place that will take your breath away and stay in your heart forever.
Nusa Penida is just a thirty-minute ferry ride from the main island of Bali, yet it offers a completely different experience. In this guide, Nusa Penida, Indonesia: 15 Best Things to Do and See, we’ll cover the top spots and activities. Let’s look at 15 tips on what to see and do here.
TL;DR
- Transport: You can get to Nusa Penida by fast boat from Sanur (30 minutes) or Padang Bai (45 minutes). Use 12GOAsia. On the island, you can rent a scooter or hire a local driver.
- Accommodation: We recommend Penida Secret Villa or Namaste Bungalows.
- Must-sees: Kelingking Beach with its iconic T-Rex cliff, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, and snorkeling with giant manta rays.
- When to go: The best period is April to October (dry season), avoiding rains and waves. The ideal length of stay is 3-4 nights.
Nusa Penida: how to get There
The journey to Nusa Penida is an adventure in itself, especially if news just broke that a certain ferry to Bali sank and passengers jumped into the sea.😄 Anyway, you have two ports to choose from:
From Sanur
Sanur is the most popular starting point for a trip to Nusa Penida, especially if you’re staying in the southern part of Bali. Fast boats depart from here daily from 7 AM until 4 PM, the journey takes approximately thirty minutes, and a round-trip ticket costs around 150,000 Rupiah (roughly 200 Czech Koruna) per person. You can purchase tickets online via 12GOAsia or directly at the harbor.
The advantage of fast boats from Sanur is their regularity and relative comfort. Most boats are equipped with air conditioning or fans and comfortable seats. If you have a weak stomach, I recommend sitting in the middle of the boat, where it sways the least, and bringing motion sickness medication.
From Padang Bai
Padang Bai is a traditional fishing port on the east coast of Bali. The fast boat journey takes around forty-five minutes and costs similarly to Sanur. However, fast boats depart less frequently from here, usually three to four times a day.
From Padang Bai, you’ll arrive at Sampalan Port on Nusa Penida, which is closer to the island’s eastern attractions. If you primarily plan to visit Diamond Beach or Atuh Beach, this route will save you time.
How to get around the Island
After disembarking on Nusa Penida, you have several options for getting around. Unfortunately, Grab or Gojek don’t operate here, but the most popular option is renting a scooter, which you can do right at the port. However, remember that the roads on the island are often steep, dusty, and require some experience with scooter riding.
Alternatively, you can hire a local driver with a car, which costs around 600,000 Rupiah (1,000 Czech Koruna) for the whole day. The driver will take you to the main attractions and often acts as a guide, telling you interesting facts about each place.
Nusa Penida: where to Stay
The choice of accommodation on Nusa Penida primarily depends on the type of holiday you prefer and which parts of the island you want to explore first. However, the location of your accommodation isn’t that crucial; the island is small, and you can get everywhere easily. We recommend these accommodations:
Nusa Penida, Indonesia: 15 Best Things to Do and See
Nusa Penida hides so many natural beauties and unique experiences that you could easily spend a whole week here and still discover something new. Every corner of the island has its charm. So, let’s look at 15 tips on what to see and do.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is undoubtedly the island’s crown jewel and the reason Nusa Penida got on every traveler’s map. The view from the cliff top resembles a giant T-Rex leaning towards the ocean, becoming an icon of the entire island and probably all of Bali. This formation also gave the beach its nickname “T-Rex Beach”.
The path down to the beach is challenging and almost involves rock climbing. The descent takes approximately an hour each way along a narrow and steep path, which in places is just a worn-out trail in the rock. In the hottest weather, this path is exhausting, and you’ll encounter many tourists at their limit. But if you don’t give up, a reward awaits you in the form of a practically private beach with white sand and turquoise water.
I recommend heading here as early as possible in the morning, ideally before 8 AM, to enjoy relative peace before the first organized tours arrive. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear. However, be careful when swimming due to strong currents.
Angel’s Billabong
Just a ten-minute walk from Kelingking Beach, you’ll find one of the island’s most beautiful natural phenomena. Angel’s Billabong is a natural pool carved by waves into limestone rocks, creating an infinity pool with crystal-clear water at low tide.
The best time to visit is during low tide, when the water in the pool is calmest and clearest. Locals can advise you on the exact time of low tide, or you can download an app with tide information. However, be careful when entering the water – rocks can be slippery and sharp edges dangerous.
Broken Beach
Right next to Angel’s Billabong, you’ll discover another geological marvel: Broken Beach, or Pasih Uug in the local language. The ocean has carved its way through the limestone rocks here, creating a circular cove with a natural bridge under which seawater flows.
A safe path runs around the cove, offering various viewpoints of this natural bridge. The most beautiful light here is during the golden hour before sunset, when the limestone rocks turn warm golden tones. Sometimes you can even spot manta rays coming here to feed in the calm waters of the cove.
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach on the east coast is perhaps the most beautiful beach on the entire island, named for its dazzling white sand that sparkles like diamonds in the sun. The path down to the beach was extremely dangerous until recently, but the local community built wooden stairs carved into the rock, which significantly eased the journey, although the descent is still challenging.
The beach is surrounded by cliffs and offers perfect conditions for swimming and sunbathing. The water here is calmer than on the west coast. However, be aware that the beach is not accessible at high tide, and the road to the parking lot is not in the best condition.
Atuh Beach
Near Diamond Beach lies another pearl of the east coast – Atuh Beach. This beach is less visited and has thus retained a calmer atmosphere. It is surrounded by rock formations that protrude from the ocean like natural sculptures. The most famous one resembles a giant finger pointing to the sky.
The descent to Atuh Beach is more for fitter tourists; it’s half walking, half climbing along a narrow path. On the beach, you’ll find sun loungers for rent. If there are larger waves and high tide simultaneously, the entire beach can be flooded with water. There’s also a small temple near the beach that macaques enjoy visiting.
From the Atuh Raja Lima viewpoint on the right side of the beach, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the entire coastline. You can even book stylish treehouse accommodation here with cliff views.
Snorkeling with Giant Manta Rays
Around Nusa Penida, there are several spots where you can snorkel with giant manta rays, an experience you won’t easily find elsewhere. Manta Point, off the island’s southern shores, offers a truly high chance of spotting this magnificent ray with a wingspan of up to six meters.
A snorkeling trip usually starts at one of the southern ports and continues via Crystal Bay to Manta Bay, which is right next to Broken Beach. If you’re lucky and the water is warm, you can also snorkel with giant manta rays or turtles. You cannot swim to these spots from the beach; you must go on an organized boat trip.
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay is a beautiful beach in the south of the island, mainly suitable for snorkeling and swimming. The beach has white sand and crystal-clear water, although it’s not as pristine as it once was. Today, it’s half-blocked by an almost impassable fringe of sun loungers and umbrellas and adjacent warungs (local restaurants).
Nevertheless, Crystal Bay remains one of the few places on the island where you can comfortably swim. The water here is calmer than at most other beaches, and snorkeling conditions are excellent. You can observe rich underwater life, including colorful tropical fish.
Suwehan Beach
Suwehan Beach is a hidden gem of Nusa Penida. It has everything other beaches on the island have – steep cliffs, clear water, soft and silky sand – but one thing it lacks is a rush of tourists. You can even be alone on this beach for several hours before other visitors arrive.
Like other beaches, a steep and somewhat dangerous path leads here. You can leave your scooter at the parking lot at the top and also have lunch at a rather pleasant restaurant there.
Teletubbies Hills
In the middle of the island lies a peculiar place: fluffy, regular hills that resemble the landscape from a popular children’s TV series. Teletubbies Hills offers a viewpoint behind a secluded village, showcasing green hills that look exactly like those from Teletubbies.
If you’re passing through, be sure to stop here and take some photos. Part of Teletubbies Hills is also visible from the road to Diamond Beach.
Peguyangan Waterfall
Peguyangan is not a classic waterfall, but rather a series of natural pools fed by a freshwater spring that flows directly from the rock above the ocean. A steep path of blue stairs carved into the rock leads to this spot; there are over a thousand of them in total.
The path down is challenging, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the wild coastline and the opportunity to swim in sacred pools. While you won’t reach the ocean here, that’s perfectly fine. Just be careful; if there’s one place on Nusa Penida people with vertigo shouldn’t go, it’s here.
Goa Giri Putri Temple
On the way to Atuh Beach, you cannot miss this large cave temple complex. Goa Giri Putri Temple is one of the most sacred places on the island. You can only enter through a small crevice in the cave, which is just wide enough for one slender person to squeeze through, but the spaces inside will then amaze you.
The cave is over 260 meters long, and during weekend ceremonies, it is filled to the point of breathlessness with chanting, the sound of bells, and the scent of incense sticks.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan Islands
These two small islands are Nusa Penida’s smaller siblings and are connected by a yellow bridge, so you can travel between them without needing to board a boat. Boats from Nusa Penida will take you directly under the yellow bridge that connects both islands.
On the islands, you’ll find several beautiful beaches and cliff formations. On Nusa Ceningan, I especially recommend Blue Lagoon, a magnificent shallow bay with incredibly azure water, and Mahana Point, where you can try cliff jumping into the turbulent ocean. On Nusa Lembongan, visit Devil’s Tears, a natural attraction with high-splashing water that then cascades back into the ocean.
Along the way between the islands, you can also see mangrove forests, which are on the northern side of Lembongan. Just be aware when planning your visit to these islands that the last boat back to Nusa Penida departs at 5:00 PM.
Pura Dalem Penataran Ped
The most significant temple on the island is the Temple of Death, where believers go to pray for protection from diseases and demons. Every Balinese person is expected to visit here at least once in their lifetime. The temple is beautifully and distinctly decorated with glowing red fabric strips and intricate ornaments made of bamboo and palm leaves.
Pura Paluang
Pura Paluang Temple, also known as Pura Mechanic or Car Temple, is unique for its two concrete hollow shrines in the shape of a famous Volkswagen Beetle and a Jeep. According to locals, the gods like having their cars here. It’s one of the most peculiar things on the island and definitely worth a visit for its originality.
FAQ
How Long to Spend on Nusa Penida?
The ideal length of stay is 3-4 nights. This will allow you to calmly explore all the main attractions of the island, as well as the neighboring islands of Lembongan and Ceningan.
Is it safe to rent a scooter on Nusa Penida?
If you have experience riding a scooter, it’s the best way to get around the island. However, the roads are steep and sometimes in poor condition, so ride carefully. Always wear a helmet and pay attention to traffic.
When is the best time to visit Nusa Penida?
The best period is from April to October (dry season), when rainfall is minimal and the sea is calmer. You’ll avoid monsoon rains and have better conditions for all activities.
Is it worth going to Nusa Penida for just one day?
Even a one-day trip has its purpose, but it’s a shame. The island has so many beauties that you should allow yourself more time. If you only have one day, focus on the west coast (Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach) or book an organized tour from Bali.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
