If you’re planning a trip to Bali, chances are you’ve already seen photos of Nusa Penida without even realizing where they were taken. This is where you’ll find Kelingking Beach, the famous T-Rex-shaped cliff and one of the most recognizable landscapes in Indonesia.
And yes, this is also the famous beach where the controversial glass elevator was planned. From what locals told me when I visited, the project had been stopped.
But Nusa Penida is so much more than that one famous view.
Technically, Nusa Penida is a separate island from mainland Bali, although it’s still part of Bali province. Located just southeast of Bali, it’s close enough that many travelers visit on a day trip, taking a fast boat over in the morning and returning in the afternoon.
And if you ask me, that’s the first mistake.
Nusa Penida is much bigger than it looks on a map, and there’s simply too much to see in just a few hours. During the day, the island fills with tour buses and groups rushing between the main attractions. Then, sometime around 3:00–5:00 pm, most day-trippers start heading back to the harbor.
And the island completely changes. There’s less traffic, fewer crowds, and suddenly you get to experience a much quieter side of Nusa Penida. That’s why I recommend staying at least two nights in Nusa Penida. You’ll have more time to explore without rushing and, more importantly, experience a version of the island most day visitors never get to see.
So if you’re planning your first trip, here’s my Nusa Penida travel guide, including how to get there from Bali, where I stayed, the best things to do and a few things I wish I knew before going.
How to Get to Nusa Penida from Bali
Nusa Penida doesn’t have an airport, so the easiest way to get from Bali to Nusa Penida is by fast boat or ferry.
The most popular route departs from Sanur Harbour, with boats arriving at different ports in Nusa Penida depending on the company you choose. Banjar Nyuh and Sampalan/Buyuk are some of the main arrival points on the island.
There are also boats departing from Padang Bai, so check which route makes the most sense depending on where you’re staying in Bali and where your hotel is located in Nusa Penida.
You can buy your ferry tickets online or directly at the harbor, but this really depends on the season. During busier months, certain departure times can sell out, so personally, I prefer booking in advance rather than getting stuck with a really early or really late boat.
Choosing the Right Ferry to Nusa Penida
Now, this is something I think is important: don’t automatically book the cheapest ferry you find.
Before my trip, I had heard all kinds of horror stories: people getting seasick for the entire journey, tiny boats bouncing around in rough water, luggage getting soaked and even stories of bags ending up in the ocean.
And yes, the crossing can get pretty rough. My advice is to choose a reputable ferry company with good reviews and, if possible, a larger boat. The smaller the boat, the more you’re likely to feel the movement of the ocean. I traveled with Eka Jaya Fast Ferry, and my experience was really good. I had absolutely no complaints. The boat had an air-conditioned indoor area as well as outdoor seating, which for me was a must.
TIP: If you get seasick easily, bring motion sickness medication and try to sit toward the middle of the boat, where you’ll usually feel less movement.
Once you arrive in Nusa Penida, you’ll find plenty of drivers and taxis waiting around the harbor. The price will depend on how far your hotel is, so always confirm the fare before leaving.
How Many Days Do You Need in Nusa Penida?
For me, 3 days and 2 nights is a great starting point.
It gives you enough time to explore both sides of the island, spend some time in the ocean and actually enjoy your hotel without feeling like you’re constantly rushing to the next stop. If you can stay an extra night, even better.
The point is to give yourself enough time that Nusa Penida doesn’t turn into a checklist of viewpoints you’re racing to photograph before catching the ferry back to Bali.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida?
Choosing where to stay in Nusa Penida is more important than you might think.
The island is fairly large, the main attractions are spread out, and getting from one side to another can take much longer than expected.
I visited Nusa Penida in November to celebrate my birthday and stayed for two nights. Weather-wise, we got a little bit of everything. One day was cloudy and rainy, while the other was absolutely perfect which is pretty normal for Indonesia during rainy season.
When I started looking for a hotel, I knew one thing: I didn’t want to stay right next to the main tourist attractions.
I knew those areas would be packed with buses and tours during the day, and I wanted somewhere quieter. At the same time, I wanted to be relatively close to Diamond Beach and East Nusa Penida.
That’s how I found Seven Dreams , A Pranayama Experience, a boutique resort located in Desa Suana on the east side of Nusa Penida.
My Stay at Seven Dreams Nusa Penida
Seven Dreams is surrounded by nature and designed around individual villas, which gives the entire property a really private and peaceful feeling.
I traveled with a few friends, so we stayed in a three-bedroom Presidential Villa, and it was incredible. Our private pool was ENORMOUS. Honestly, when I first saw it, I thought it had to be one of the hotel’s main pools. But surprise for me it was entirely ours.
But one of my favorite things about staying here was the view. The property sits right by the ocean, and on clear mornings you can see Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano, rising across the water. If the sky is clear around sunrise, it’s such a beautiful sight to wake up to.
There’s something very different about arriving with hundreds of people on a day tour versus waking up slowly on the island with Mount Agung sitting across the ocean from your villa.
Seven Dreams also has its own restaurant, AYKA Restaurant & Lounge, which was incredibly convenient because we didn’t have to leave the property for every meal. The menu combines local flavors with international dishes, and after spending an entire day exploring Nusa Penida, being able to come back, shower and walk straight to dinner was exactly what I needed.
Because here’s something nobody really tells you: exploring Nusa Penida can be exhausting. Between the driving, heat, hikes and endless stairs, having everything you need back at the hotel makes a difference.
There’s also a spa, gym and several wellness experiences, including yoga, kayaking, private sunset dinners and spa treatments. And yes, there’s a gym because apparently even while celebrating my birthday on a tropical island in Indonesia, I still need to know if my hotel has one.
If you have enough time, I recommend balancing your sightseeing with some time to actually enjoy the hotel. Nusa Penida is beautiful, but there’s no reason to spend your entire trip sitting in a car going from one attraction to another.
Best Things to Do?
One of the most important things to know when planning your Nusa Penida itinerary is that the island is much bigger than it looks.
The easiest way to explore is to divide your days between West Nusa Penida and East Nusa Penida rather than constantly driving back and forth across the island.
West Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach — The famous T-Rex-shaped cliff and probably the most iconic view in Nusa Penida. Yes, it gets crowded, but it’s absolutely worth seeing in person.
Angel’s Billabong — A beautiful natural rock pool overlooking the ocean.
Broken Beach — Famous for its huge natural stone arch and circular cove. It’s right next to Angel’s Billabong, so visit both together.
Crystal Bay — A popular beach for swimming, snorkeling and diving, and a great place to finish the day around sunset.
East Nusa Penida
Personally, East Nusa Penida was one of my favorite parts of the island. The landscapes are incredible, and staying on this side meant we could start exploring before many of the day tours arrived.
Diamond Beach: White sand, turquoise water and some of the most dramatic cliffs in Nusa Penida. One of my favorite views on the island.
Atuh Beach: Located very close to Diamond Beach, making it easy to combine both in the same morning.
Thousand Islands Viewpoint: One of the best panoramic views on the east coast, overlooking the cliffs and small islands scattered across the ocean.
Rumah Pohon Molenteng (Nusa Penida Tree House): The famous wooden tree house you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. It’s located near Thousand Islands Viewpoint, so visit both at the same time.
Goa Giri Putri Temple : A Hindu temple hidden inside a massive cave and something completely different from Penida’s beaches and viewpoints.
Snorkeling & Diving
Some of the best things to do in Nusa Penida actually happen underwater.
The island is famous for its manta rays, making snorkeling and diving one of the most popular experiences here.
Manta Point: One of the best-known locations around Nusa Penida for encountering manta rays while snorkeling or diving. Of course, they’re wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed.
Crystal Bay : Another popular spot for snorkeling and diving around the island.
If you have enough time, I would dedicate at least half a day to exploring the ocean rather than trying to squeeze it into one of your sightseeing days.
A Few Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Nusa Penida
A few practical things that will make exploring Nusa Penida a little easier:
- Start early. The earlier you head out, the better chance you have of experiencing some of the main attractions before the day tours arrive.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There are a lot of stairs, steep paths and uneven terrain, especially if you plan on walking down to some of the beaches.
- Don’t underestimate the heat. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and something to protect yourself from the sun.
- Driving takes longer than you think. Distances can look short on a map, but the roads and traffic mean getting around Nusa Penida often takes longer than expected.
- Bring some cash. It comes in handy for small entrance fees, parking, local vendors and drivers.
- Don’t try to see everything. Leave some empty space in your itinerary. Part of the reason to stay overnight is to slow down and actually enjoy being on the island.
Nusa Penida is one of those places where trying to see everything can actually take away from the experience. Stay a couple of nights, choose the places you really want to see, leave some time to enjoy the island, and don’t treat it like a checklist.
Hopefully this guide helps you plan your trip and experience a little more of Nusa Penida than just the places you’ve already seen all over Instagram🤍
Love
Marcy
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