What to Do in Nusa Penida? Must-See Attractions
Nusa Penida is an island belonging to the province of Bali. Located just 25 km east of the Balinese coast, it is home to some of the region's most stunning landscapes. Wild beaches, dramatic cliffs, exceptional marine life with abundant manta rays, pristine rainforest, sacred and unique temples...
Nusa Penida is an island belonging to the province of Bali. Located just 25 km east of the Balinese coast, it is home to some of the region's most stunning landscapes. Wild beaches, dramatic cliffs, exceptional marine life with abundant manta rays, pristine rainforest, sacred and unique temples... Discover everything there is to do and see at Nusa Penida.
Visit Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida's Postcard
Kelingking Beach is THE most famous and most visited spot on the island. It's the one you see everywhere when researching Nusa Penida. Nestled on the west coast, this wild beach features turquoise waters surrounded by dramatic cliff faces. The T-Rex-shaped rock formations have earned it the nickname "dinosaur beach."
With enough courage, it's possible to descend to the beach. To do so, equip yourself with sturdy hiking boots, as the stairs leading to the beach are steep and very dangerous. The descent takes about 20-30 minutes, and you'll need roughly 45 minutes to climb back up. Bring plenty of water, as you won't find anything at the bottom.
We advise against descending if you're prone to vertigo, traveling with children, or don't have good physical fitness.
Swimming at Kelingking Beach is strongly discouraged due to strong currents. Drowning incidents are reported here every year.
Discover Broken Beach and Angel Billabong
Broken Beach and Angel Billabong are two creations of Mother Nature that deserve a visit during your time in Nusa Penida
Broken Beach
Broken Beach is a circular cove surrounded by steep cliffs and rock formations. Its defining feature? An arch formed by wave erosion over time (hence its name). With its turquoise waters, waves crashing against the cliffs, and its natural arch, Broken Beach captivates visitors who can't remain unmoved by this spectacular sight.
Be careful not to get too close to the edge to avoid the risk of falling. Furthermore, swimming here is strongly discouraged as you risk being swept away by the waves. Many fatal accidents have already occurred. Caution is essential.
Angel Billabong
Located about 300 m from Broken Beach, Angel Billabong is a natural swimming pool that opens directly to the ocean. While it's possible to swim here at low tide, forget the idea at high tide. Waves crash violently against the walls and could sweep you away in seconds. Stay at a safe distance and enjoy the spectacle, which perfectly demonstrates the raw power of nature!
Explore Nusa Penida's Most Beautiful Beaches
Nusa Penida is home to sublime paradise beaches. Here are the most beautiful ones:
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay is a crescent-shaped beach lined with palm trees and lush vegetation. Just across the water, you'll spot an island with a temple perched on its summit. It's named for its incredibly clear waters and is known as one of the island's best diving and snorkeling spots.
It's also one of the best places to watch the sunset in Nusa Penida. Note that it's easily accessible by road and you'll find a few warungs (local eateries) for lunch.
Pandan Beach
Just next to Crystal Bay lies a beach still relatively unknown to tourists: Pandan Beach. This is the ideal spot if you're seeking a tranquil, unspoiled beach. Here, you'll find no infrastructure, just pristine nature in its purest form.
It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Crystal Bay to reach it. As with many of Nusa Penida's beaches, be cautious when swimming. The currents are strong and the waves can be impressive.
Diamond Beach
Here's another beach that will leave you speechless. Located on the island's east side, Diamond Beach is a stunning stretch of sand framed by towering cliffs and studded with diamond-shaped rock formations (hence the name). The views are absolutely breathtaking!
To reach the beach level, you can use a steep staircase carved into the rock. It only takes 10 minutes to reach the beach, but make sure you wear sturdy hiking shoes. Once again, swimming is strongly discouraged due to strong currents and waves that could pull you out to sea.
Beach access is free, but parking is paid. Bring some cash for the fee.
Atuh Beach
Separated by a cliff, Atuh Beach is the neighbor to Diamond Beach. Considered one of Nusa Penida's most beautiful beaches, this golden sand beach is surrounded by magnificent cliffs. You can reach it after a 10-minute walk. Once at the bottom, you'll find warungs where you can grab food. If conditions permit and when the tide is low, swimming here is possible.
Beach access is free, but parking is paid. It's the same parking as for Diamond Beach, so you can easily enjoy both beaches in one visit!
Suwehan Beach
Relatively undiscovered, Suwehan Beach is considered Nusa Penida's hidden gem. It's the perfect beach for those wanting to escape the crowds. This sublime beach is also tucked between towering cliffs. A recently built staircase allows safe access to the beach.
We recommend visiting in the morning to enjoy the sun (the beach is shaded in the afternoon) and at low tide (there's no beach when the tide is high). Once again, avoid swimming unless conditions are ideal.
Dive with Manta Rays
Nusa Penida is among the best dive spots in Indonésie to see manta rays. Head to Manta Point, a cleaning station where thousands of these incredible creatures gather every year. Watching manta rays perform their graceful ballet in their natural element is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Beyond manta rays, divers will spot numerous tropical fish species. The lucky ones might even glimpse the ocean sunfish (also known as Mola Mola).
The site is accessible to beginner divers (depending on sea conditions). For those who don't want to scuba dive, snorkeling with Nusa Penida's manta rays is also possible.
Explore the Cave Temple of Pura Goa Giri Putri
Located in northern Nusa Penida, Pura Goa Giri Putri temple is one of the most sacred places of worship for Balinese people. It's a cave temple, meaning it's built within a cave system. While the entrance is quite narrow, you'll be amazed by the sheer size of the cavern inside.
Locals come here to make offerings and follow a 2.5-hour spiritual journey that includes numerous purification rituals. With some luck, you might encounter a ceremony during your visit!
Entry to Pura Goa Giri Putri is by donation (minimum 20,000 IDR per person). Like all sacred sites in Bali, wearing a sarong is mandatory. Out of respect for the locals and their culture, also remember to cover your shoulders.
Hike in Temeling Forest and Swim in Natural Pools
Looking for adventure and nature-based hiking away from mass tourism? Head to Temeling Forest, a primary rainforest where you'll find a Hindu temple with a sacred water spring, a beach covered with hundreds of stone cairns (swimming not recommended) and two natural swimming pools (swimming allowed).
Once you arrive, you can hike on foot through the forest before following the trail to the stairs leading to the pools and beach. Alternatively, local guides can arrange scooter rides down (be prepared for a bumpy ride!)
See the Teletubbies Hills
As the name suggests, this place evokes the scenery from the famous children's show Teletubbies. Located in southern Nusa Penida, the Teletubbies Hills are verdant slopes with varying shades of green and dome-shaped summits.
There's no need to plan a full day here; we recommend spending a couple of hours strolling around, climbing one of the hills, and enjoying the views. On clear days, you'll be able to see the island of Lombok and Mount Rinjani, Indonésie's second highest volcano.
It's best to visit at the end of the rainy season or the beginning of the dry season if you want to see the hills at their most vibrant green. The rest of the year, they tend to be more yellow.
Descend to Peguyangan Waterfall
Also known as Guyangan Falls, Peguyangan Waterfall offers some of Nusa Penida's most spectacular views. But beware of first impressions: you won't see an actual waterfall, just a thin stream of water flowing down the cliff face.
So what makes it worth a visit? The site is famous for its stunning blue staircase carved into the cliff face. Throughout your descent, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the cliffs and ocean. At the bottom, you'll discover a Hindu temple and its sacred water pool, along with natural pools carved into the rock where you can cool off.
Respect for religious sites is essential: wearing a sarong is mandatory when visiting the temple.
Visit the Weaving Village of Tanglad
Located in the highlands of central-eastern Nusa Penida, the village of Tanglad remains unknown to many travelers. It's home to numerous artisans who practice traditional weaving, a craft passed down through generations. Primarily women keep these traditions alive by creating two types of weaving:
- Cepuk: traditional sacred cotton weaving, believed to have protective properties,
- Rangrang: more contemporary weaving featuring geometric patterns.
In both cases, the dyes used are natural. Every piece is hand-woven. Some can take several months to complete!
When visiting the village, you can discover this local craft by watching the women work in their studios. You can also chat with them and purchase some woven pieces to support them. It's a wonderful way to take home meaningful travel souvenirs...
Practical Information
What is the Best Time to Visit Nusa Penida?
The best time to visit Nusa Penida is during the dry season, from May to September.
There's a special day called Nyepi Laut (Day of the Silent Sea) celebrated only on the islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Each year, on the 4th full moon of the Balinese calendar, locals pay tribute to the god of the oceans during a day-long celebration. Many ceremonies take place, and all maritime activities are prohibited. This means no boats depart from or arrive at Nusa Penida on this day.
How to Get to Nusa Penida?
The easiest way to reach Nusa Penida is by high-speed boat from Bali. You have two options:
- Take a boat from Sanur: allows for a 40-minute crossing;
- Take a boat from Kusamba: allows for a 20-minute crossing.
Depending on the ferry company, boats arrive at either Toyapakeh or Sampalan ports.
How Much Time Should You Plan for Nusa Penida?
To discover Nusa Penida's main attractions, we recommend planning at least 3 days on the island (not counting travel time). If you'd like to take your time, immerse yourself in island life, and explore hidden gems, you can extend your stay to 5 days or more.
We recommend starting or continuing your journey by exploring the neighboring island: Nusa Lembongan.
How to Get Around?
There are 3 ways to get around Nusa Penida:
- Scooter rental: only recommended if you're experienced with two-wheelers and love adventure, as roads are in poor condition, though authorities have made improvements in recent years;
- Organized day tours: visit multiple major Nusa Penida sites in a single excursion;
- Private driver services: taxi or private chauffeur. This is ideal if you're concerned about road conditions. Feel free to contact us if you're looking for a car with driver.
Need help organizing your stay? Discover our 3-day Nusa Penida itinerary or contact us to plan a custom itinerary tailored to your preferences and budget.
Florine Dergelet
