Essential things to know before visiting Nusa Penida
Located southeast of Bali, Nusa Penida is one of three small islands in the region (alongside Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan). It belongs to the province of Bali and is a popular destination for day trips or short stays.
Unlike Bali, Nusa Penida has fewer temples, yet Balinese Hinduism is still practised here. You will see Canang Sari – daily offerings of gratitude – are placed in doorways, entrances, and on altars, just like in Bali.
With its wild beaches, dramatic cliffs, and untamed beauty, Nusa Penida offers a feeling of being on the edge of the world. It’s a slower-paced, more rugged escape from the busy Bali.
What transportation to choose in Nusa Penida
Unlike in Bali, ride-hailing apps like Grab or Gojek are not available in Nusa Penida. This leaves many travelers wondering: how can I move around Nusa Penida?
Renting a scooter
Renting a scooter remains the most popular option for tourists exploring the island independently. Road conditions have improved in recent years, but many routes are still steep, narrow, and partially unpaved. We strongly recommend renting a scooter only if you are confident in your driving skills and comfortable navigating rough terrain.
Scooter rental is usually affordable and cheaper than renting a private driver.
Hiring a private driver
The second most popular and arguably more comfortable option is to hire a private driver in Nusa Penida. This is a convenient and time-saving choice, especially if you are visiting the island on a tight schedule and want to see as many highlights as possible in one day.
During our stay in Nusa Penida, we also arranged a private full-day tour with a local driver, which tremendously helped us save time when traveling through the island.
How to get to Nusa Penida from Bali
The most common and fastest way to reach Nusa Penida is by speed boat. Depending on your departure and arrival points, it takes around 30 to 45 minutes to cross the Badung Strait, which divides Bali and Penida islands. Alternatively, ferries are available but take longer due to multiple stops along the way.
Should you choose a fast boat or a ferry to reach Nusa Penida? There is no simple answer. The Badung Strait is known for unpredictable weather and rough waves. While fast boats are quicker and save you a lot of time, they can be riskier during bad conditions. We strongly advise to always book with a reputable operator, and choose based on what makes you feel most comfortable. Also, an AirTag can be very handy.
We traveled from Kusamba to Sampalan port on the Angkal Fast Cruise. On the way back, we departed from Nusa Penida port to Sanur with Semabu Hills Fast Boat. Larger and more popular ports tend to be busy, so we recommend arranging tickets in advance and arriving well on time.
What to see and do in 24 hours
Even with just one day on the island, you can still visit the most iconic spots. It all goes down to planning it well. So if you had only one day to spend in Nusa Penida, what would it look like?
6:30AM - Diamond beach
Limestone cliffs tower over soft golden sand. At sunrise, the beach is still quiet. The sun begins to touch the tops of the cliffs while rich-blue waves crash below. A steep stairway leads all the way down, where only a few footprints are left in the sand before the ocean washes them away.
Diamond Beach is one of the most iconic and famous places in Nusa Penida, representing the rugged beauty of the island.
8:00AM - Rumah Pohon "Tree house"
A short walk from the parking lot leads to a viewpoint overlooking the ocean and rugged cliffs. Although the Tree House is no longer available for overnight stays, it is still a picturesque and Instagrammable spot in Nusa Penida.
10:00AM - Angel's Billabong
Moving to a completely different side of the island from where we have started.
Angel’s Billabong is famous for its natural infinity pool carved into the rock. It is best seen during low tide. Here, the loudness of waves crashing against rocky cliffs fills the air. While this place is breathtaking, it is also a dangerous one. Due to rogue waves, which are incredibly strong and unpredictable, it is strongly advised to avoid staying at the edge of the cliff or entering the infinity pool at any point of time, even when the tide is low.
11:00AM - Broken beach
Just a few minutes walk from Angel’s Billabong lies Broken Beach, so when you visit one of these places, you almost automatically visit the other. Here, the ocean has carved a perfect circle through the cliff. It looks like a giant ocean-blue eye staring at the sky.
12:00PM - Relax and lunch break
While Nusa Penida doesn’t have heavy traffic in comparison to neighboring Bali, getting around takes time. The roads often require backtracking, and the heat can be exhausting. After a morning full of adventure, take time to rest and enjoy a peaceful lunch.
Recommended Lunch Spots in Nusa Penida
Secret Penida Restaurant & Bar – located by the water, perfect for a swim break and to grab a bite
Amok Sunset Restaurant & Bar – great for relaxing with a view
Kelingking Bar and Restaurant – serves local cuisine and is near your sunset stop
Kima Bay Restaurant & Bar – aesthetic and minimalistic with serene views
Optional Afternoon Add-Ons if You Still Have Energy and Time
Crystal Bay – great for swimming and relaxing time on a beach
Pandan Beach – close to Crystal Bay with turquoise waters
Tembeling Beach and Forest – further away to the southeast of the island but a magical hidden pool deep in nature
5:00PM - Kelingking beach
Kelingking Beach is undeniably the most iconic and admired destination in Nusa Penida. One side of the lush green cliff is battered by waves; the other side curls into soft untouched sand. The view is breathtaking, and it’s easily the most stunning beach we’ve ever seen.
Kelingking Beach is a place where you want to stand still, observe the power and serenity of nature, and feel like nothing else matters at the moment.
We were lucky to stay within walking distance of Kelingking and visited it three times during our trip to Nusa Penida: once at sunrise, twice at sunset.
- Morning offers fewer crowds and cooler temperatures – perfect if you want to hike down to the beach. But note: the cliff is still mostly in shadow early on, and the view isn’t as vibrant.
- Sunset is when this place truly glows. The golden light hits the cliff from the perfect angle, making the greens more vivid and the water below sparkle. If you plan to go down, make sure you have enough time to climb back up safely – the trail is steep and demanding.
Regardless of the time of the day you choose to go to Kelingking Beach, it’s worth it. This place is stunning in any light. Our final tip here: watch out for monkeys near the viewpoint. They may try to steal from you.
How many days do you need in Nusa Penida?
Nusa Penida gives a different feeling in comparison to Bali, even though it is so close by. Here, nature is more raw and wild while life is slower than in Bali. Nusa Penida truly makes you feel like you’re at the edge of the world.
It’s entirely possible to see the highlights of Nusa Penida in one day, especially with a private driver or well-planned itinerary. With more complex infrastructure, it takes slightly more time to reach places. If you want to go deeper and explore less popular parts of the island or have more time to relax, then we highly recommend staying one to two nights.
Where we stayed
We chose d’Kelingking Secret Villas for our two-night stay. It’s ideally located in the middle of the highlights we’ve mentioned, just a 15-20 minutes walk to Kelingking Beach, and on the way you will pass the Kelingking Bar and Restaurant.
More to explore: Nusa Lemongan and Nusa Ceningan
If you are already visiting Nusa Penida, consider adding a day or two for Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan. These islands are smaller, more developed, and perfect for snorkeling, slow travel, and sunset lounging. They are just a short boat ride away.
Itinerary summary
Time | Stop |
6-6:30 am | Diamond Beach |
8:00 am | Rumah Pohon Tree House |
10:00 am | Angel’s Billabong |
11:00 am | Broken Beach |
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Lunch and optional additional sightseeing |
5:00 pm | Kelingking Beach |
