NUSA PENIDA: BALI’S UNTAMED ISLAND ESCAPE
For the adventure seekers, Nusa Penida is rugged and wildly beautiful, defined by its winding coastal roads, dramatic limestone cliffs, and secret beaches. Just a short boat ride from Bali, days unfold between chasing waterfalls, swimming in turquoise lagoons, and snorkelling with manta rays. Remote yet magnetic, the island’s untamed beauty leaves a lasting imprint on your soul.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fast boats to Nusa Penida depart daily from Sanur Port, taking around 30–45 minutes depending on sea conditions. Tickets can be booked online or purchased directly at the harbour for 150K–250K IDR one way. Most boats arrive at Toyapakeh or Banjar Nyuh Harbour on the island’s northwest coast. For the smoothest crossing, catch an early morning boat before 9am, when the water is calmer.
GETTING AROUND
Exploring the island by scooter is half the adventure. Roads wind past palm-fringed villages and along sea cliffs where every turn reveals another breathtaking view. While infrastructure has improved with the increasing popularity of the island, ride-sharing apps like Gojek and Grab don’t operate here. If you’re confident to scoot, rent a scooter for around 100K IDR per day and explore the island at your own pace. Otherwise, hiring a private driver for 700K–900K IDR per day is the safest and most comfortable option, especially for longer routes and rugged terrain.
HOW LONG TO SPEND ON NUSA PENIDA
While it’s possible to see the island’s highlights on a day trip from Bali, you’ll be rushing through a place that is best savoured slowly. Staying two to three nights allows you to slow down, discover hidden corners of the island and catch sunrise or sunset without the crowds. Every stay supports local guesthouses and family-run warungs — the heart of Nusa Penida’s community and the true spirit of the island.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
The island is best explored in two parts: West Penida and East Penida. The west is home to dramatic cliffs, natural pools and famous viewpoints, while the east feels calmer with sunrise views, hidden beaches, and rolling hills. Be prepared for some serious hiking, bumpy rides and a lot of sweating. Every climb rewards you with views that truly live up to the photos.
WEST SIDE ATTRACTIONS
KELINGKING BEACH
The iconic T-Rex shaped cliff is even more surreal in person, dropping dramatically into a secluded cove with turquoise waves and golden sand. The hike is the steepest you will encounter on the island, an intense 45 minutes of gripping bamboo railings under the blazing sun, with sweat escaping from every pore. Those who make it to the bottom are rewarded with an untouched bay framed by cliffs, leafy trees and wild waves crashing. If you skip the hike to the bottom, the viewpoint at the top alone is unforgettable, especially at sunset when the cliffs glow gold and the day-trippers have returned to Bali.
Tip: If you stay at the bottom for golden hour, leave enough time to hike back up before it becomes dark, as the path is narrow and tricky to navigate once the light fades.
BROKEN BEACH & ANGEL’S BILLABONG
Just 30 minutes from Kelingking Beach are Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, two of the island’s beauties that sit side by side. Broken Beach is a natural arch carved by the sea, creating a circular cove, while Angel’s Billabong is a shimmering infinity rock pool that meets the ocean. Visit during low tide when the water is calmest and the sunlight turns the pools into liquid crystal.
CRYSTAL BAY
An idyllic cove surrounded by palm-covered hills, Crystal Bay is where calm waters meet vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish. Beachside warungs serve local dishes and fresh coconuts, making it the perfect laid-back lunch or sunset spot. It’s also the main departure point for the island’s snorkelling and manta tours, ranging from 300-500K IDR depending on group size and itinerary.
MANTA POINT
Located off the island’s southwest coast, Manta Point is one of Nusa Penida’s most famous dive and snorkel spots. A natural gathering point for reef and oceanic manta rays that glide effortlessly through the sea with wingspans reaching up to five metres. While manta ray sightings aren’t guaranteed, they’re most commonly seen in the dry season (May–October) and on calm morning tours.
PEGUYANGAN WATERFALL
Also known as the Blue Stairs or the Goddess Temple, Peguyangan is one of the island’s most spiritual and scenic spots. It’s a place where locals and visitors come to perform purification rituals in its sacred waters. The hike down takes 20 minutes, following 750 bright blue steps that cling to the cliffsides, revealing panoramic ocean views at every turn. At the base, natural cascading pools and a cliffside temple await, where it’s said to hold some of the purest waters on the island.
EAST SIDE ATTRACTIONS
DIAMOND BEACH
On the island’s east coast, Diamond Beach feels like stepping into a postcard. Jaggad limestone cliffs, powdery white sand, and turquoise water create one of the most photographed views in Indonesia. The stairs are carved directly into the cliff face, guided by a rope banister that turns the 15-minute descent into an arm workout, part climb, part abseiling from rock to rock. At the bottom, dramatic rock formations, soft-white sand and shaded coves make it an idyllic spot to unwind and take in the island’s surreal beauty.
ATUH BEACH
Just next door, Atuh Beach offers a softer side of Nusa Penida. Calm waters meet a long stretch of sand lined with umbrellas, daybeds and small cafés serving smoothies and coconuts. It’s the perfect spot for swimming and a slow morning by the sea.
THOUSAND ISLANDS VIEWPOINT, RUMAH POHON TREEHOUSE & RAJA LIMA
Follow the path up from Diamond Beach to reach the Thousand Islands Viewpoint, where jagged cliffs meet moody turquoise waters crashing below. Just beside it lies the famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse, a charming spot best experienced in the soft, early morning light. A short walk further is Raja Lima & Spa, a boutique hotel built on the cliff’s edge, where hay umbrellas and sun loungers overlook the island’s eastern coastline and serenity lingers in the air.
TELETUBBIES HILL
Away from the coastline, the island softens into a landscape of rolling green hills, known as Bukit Teletubbies (“Bukit” means hill). In the early morning light, the terrain glows golden and in the wet season, the slopes turn lush and emerald, a peaceful contrast to Penida’s sheer cliffs and coastlines.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON NUSA PENIDA
Nusa Penida is a reminder that the best places aren’t always the easiest to reach, and that’s exactly what makes them unforgettable. From winding coastal drives and untouched beaches to moments of stillness above the cliffs. Its energy is grounding, and its beauty raw and humbling, capturing both your heart and your sense of adventure. Nusa Penida reminds you what it means to truly explore and experience a place in its most natural form, leaving a piece of your heart in this secluded paradise.
