Nusa Penida is the largest of a cluster of three islands to the southeast of Bali. While it’s not the most popular or visited of the three islands – Nusa Lembongan wins that title – it’s a destination not to be missed. I’m here to give you the ultimate Nusa Penida guide you didn’t know you needed!
Once off the beaten path, Nusa Penida’s local charm, dramatic coastal views and epic lush hikes actually impressed me more than the overcrowded gems of Bali. Don’t get me wrong, I still absolutely loved Bali – but I’m an outdoor and hiking enthusiast who enjoys a bit of quiet. So Nusa Penida proved to be the perfect place!
I recommend taking a least 2-3 days to really enjoy what this island paradise has to offer and that you do everything in your power to make your way there. Before you leave, check out out my 20 Travel Tips for Indonesia for a smooth journey!
How to get to Nusa Penida.
Getting to Nusa Penida from Bali is relatively easy. You’ll need to purchase a ticket with one of the few speed boat companies that operate out of offices on the shores of Sanur Beach.
Most companies only offer 3-4 departure times a day from Bali and Nusa Penida – typically two in the morning and two in the early afternoon. The cost of the speed boat should run you about 200,000 – 250,000 rupiah or $15 – $19 USD one way.
Most of the companies offer the flexibility of purchasing a return ticket from Bali without a set day or time, which came in handy when I spontaneously decided to extend my stay. When you’re ready to leave the island, you show up at the port, sign in and shouldn’t have a problem getting back to Bali at the time of your choosing. During peak travel season, you may want to call ahead the morning of!
The speed boat takes about an hour, but anticipate another hour for loading and unloading. When you arrive at Pelabuhan Toyapakeh port in Nusa Penida, you’ll actually need to get off of the main boat into a smaller boat to be taken to shore.
I personally booked my ticket with Angel Billabong Cruises, but there were a few other options to choose from at the beach. I also recommend purchasing your ticket in person rather than online – I think you may be able to find cheaper prices at the office directly.
Things to do in Nusa Penida.
Much to my dismay, I didn’t have enough time to see everything I wanted to see. If I had, I would’ve happily visited each and every one of these spectacularly stunning sights below. At least now I have an excuse to go back one day (hopefully) soon!
I hope you have the time I didn’t to enjoy these 10 amazing things to do in Nusa Penida!
Visit Kelingking Beach.
Probably the most iconic place to visit on the island, Kelingking Beach may legit be one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen! After enjoying your first stunning glimpse of the view, begin a steep and challenging hike to the beach below.
See Derek Hills View and Saren Cliff Point.
Only a 15 minute drive from Tembeling forest, we were unsure what to expect of Saren Cliff Point. We were greeted with views of lush rolling cliffs, bright blue waters, and even packs of manta rays below!
Wander through Tembeling Forest.
The road to reach Tembeling Beach turns into a tiny concrete path through the forest, which was scary but fun to drive along! Tembeling is a peaceful escape to the seaside and even has a naturally occurring pool to cool off in.
Admire Broken Beach.
Located near Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach offers a view of a rock archway over crystal water. No swimming here, just beautiful views!
Swim in Angel’s Billabong.
Angel’s Billabong is another of Nusa Penida’s most popular stops. Come to swim in the shallow and emerald-green natural pool – just be careful of the large crashing waves!
I didn’t have time to personally visit Broken Beach or Angel’s Billabong, but you can read about it from blogger Backcountry Cow here!
Soak up the sun at Atuh Beach.
Another stunning beach, we made it after a difficult pot-hole riddled scooter ride. Walk along a coastal ridge before venturing to the white sand beach below. While you’re there, enjoy a $2 coconut, a lunch of fried rice and a nice lie in the sun. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Descend to Peguyangan Waterfall.
The path to Peguyangan Waterfall is known as the “Blue Stairway to Heaven”. Step down the bright blue staircase set against the mountainside to get to the waterfall and temple below. Ladies – remember to respect the local culture and avoid the temple if you’re menstruating!
Go underground to see Goa Giri Putri Temple.
This temple is something special! To enter, you must crawl through a very small hole that opens into a wide underground temple. Carved shrines, colorful offerings and holy men await you in the cavern below.
Go snorkeling or diving at the countless dive sites.
Nusa Penida is known for having some of the best snorkeling and diving in the area! Visit Crystal Bay, Manta Point or Toyapakeh for beautiful underwater scenery.
The blog Wonderful Bali offers great insight into snorkeling and diving on the island.
Trek to Seganing Falls.
Seganing Falls is known for its steep and questionable trails. The hike though the epic landscape may be more interesting than the falls themselves, but Seganing is a must for any hiking or adrenaline junkie.
For an in-depth description of each place and how to get there, check out my 10 Amazing Things to Do in Nusa Penida!
How to get around Nusa Penida.
Renting a scooter is hands down the best way to get around the island. I was able to find one for rent right at the port – although I’m not sure how legitimate it was, I didn’t even give them my name! But many hostels and hotels should have scooters available as well.
I recommend downloading an offline map to your phone either through Google Maps or Maps.me before venturing around Nusa Penida. Data service and WiFi is essentially nonexistent when away from the hostel. Finding these attractions on Google Maps wasn’t too terribly difficult, and when we were in doubt, we asked the friendly locals to point us in the right direction.
A word of caution about the roads of Nusa Penida, they can be quite challenging and unruly! The main roads were smooth and easy, but the closer the route got to the attraction we were headed to, the rougher and more broken up the roads became. At some points it was just straight up chunks of rocks and potholes.
If you don’t have much experience driving scooters or even driving ‘off-road’, then it could be quite a terrifying task. Make sure you’re prepared and always, always, always wear a helmet and good shoes when driving a scooter! I actually met a few people (myself included) who got into scooter accidents. Better safe than sorry!
Where to stay in Nusa Penida.
As Nusa Penida is relatively out of the common tourist trail, there aren’t as many options for accommodation as Bali or Nusa Lembongan. However, booking.com and agoda.com had many hostels and bungalows to choose from.
I stayed at Full Moon Bungalows which I found to be quite convenient. It was a 10-minute drive from the port and offered a good launching point for my explorations. The hostel was cute and comfortable and included a hot breakfast + coffee or juice each morning. For 150,000 rupiah or $11 USD a night, I was quite happy with my stay!
Prices in Nusa Penida are just a little bit more expensive than what may be found in Bali. As a remote island with few accommodation options, 150,000 rupiah proved to be a great budget price for the island!
Solo travel in Nusa Penida.
Solo travel in Nusa Penida was a breeze! As a woman traveling alone in Asia, I never once felt frightened or concerned for my safety. The only recommendation I have is trying to find a travel companion to drive around the island with. Given the questionable conditions of the roads, if you happen to have a scooter accident or your scooter breaks down, you have someone there to ensure your safety.
As it was in Bali, it was easy to meet other people in my hostel to explore Nusa Penida with. Indonesia is full to the brim with other solo travelers looking to have the same adventure as you, so finding a new friend to travel with should be a piece of cake!
Found my way to this post 🙂 I was looking at Full Moon Bungalow but they have really bad reviews on Tripadvisor… so now I’m looking at elsewhere!
And thank you for the great list – I’m really excited for my trip (providing Mt Agung doesn’t erupt)
Hi Nam! I’m glad this was helpful! I did see that Full Moon had a few bad reviews but I ended up having an OK experience! I hope you’re able to find better accommodation that suits your needs 🙂 And I hope that you stay safe while in Indo!!! What a crazy time to be visiting! I can’t wait to read about your experiences 🙂
I’m glad to find this blog as I’m out of wit on how to go to Nusa Penida on my own. Thanks Brit! 🙂
Awe good I’m glad! If you have any other questions, please let me know! Enjoy your trip to Nusa Penida my dear!!