Nusa Penida is an exotic island located south-east of Bali, Indonesia. It is Bali’s best kept secret ❤ for now but is on the road of commercialization due to the increasing influx of tourists. We recommend visiting this island before it becomes more touristy and developed. Currently, it holds its natural pristine beauty with white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and amazing views. You will love the culture and tradition, villages and friendly locals on this small island.

You can experience Nusa Penida’s untouched beauty through day tours which cover one part of the island (East or West) or you can stay overnight and take a 2 day trip from Bali. We chose the one-day Nusa Penida West Tour.

How to get there: 

Bali is a popular tourist destination and has numerous international flights throughout the day. Nusa Penida can be reached via ferries from one of the harbors in Bali. We took the ferry from Sanur harbor to Dermaga Br.Nyuh, Nusa Penida.

What you must know while visiting Nusa Penida:

1. Book in advance: 

There are multiple tour agencies offering competitive prices for tours to Nusa Penida. It is advisable to book in advance as many people prefer to visit this exotic island from Bali. We booked out tour online for 50 USD per pax including pick up from the hotel in Sanur, return tickets for ferry to Nusa Penida, private car with a driver who is also the guide, lunch and mineral water.

2. Getting around Nusa Penida: 

Do note that the roads are very underdeveloped, broken and narrow in some parts of the island leading to jams once in a while at peak touristic hours. It is advisable to hire a private car with local driver for sightseeing around this island. You can just sit back, relax and enjoy what the island has to offer without the unnecessary stress!

3. What to wear: 

You may not be able to resist from diving or snorkelling in the sparkling crystal clear waters so you must carry an extra pair of clothes with you. Some spots do require a bit of trekking if you wish to go down the cliffs to some less explored beaches, so carry comfortable footwear with proper grip! Wear light clothes, take a hat and put on some sunscreen as the afternoon tropical sun can be very hot and direct. 

4. Be careful while getting on/off the ferry: 

The waters at Sanur harbor are very dirty (literally dark brown 😦 ) and all the ferries are tied by ropes at the bay. Since you are unable to see the ropes in the dirty water, while getting on the ferry, be very careful as you can easily get bruised when the ropes rub against your feet and the force of water moving the ropes is so high it is impossible to control it. While getting off/on the ferry at Nusa Penida, the beaches are full of shells and broken dead corals and may hurt your feel as you need to take off your footwear while you walk.

5. Bring your drone along:

Yes! If you are a drone pilot, you would absolutely love the breathtakingly beautiful nature you can capture. So remember to fully charge your drone, carry all the battery packs you have and get ready to see some amazing bird’s eye views!

Accomodation near Sanur Beach, Bali:

There are a lot of options for accommodation available in the Sanur area. We stayed at Asana Puri Maharani Hotel, Sanur and booked airport transfer from the hotel. The facilities were just fine and since we stayed in Sanur only for a night , less than 8 hours, we did not mind the basic amenities. It is 45 minutes drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar and 15 minutes from Sanur Beach harbor.

We spent a full day in Nusa Penida West and here are our picks for top things to do:

1. Broken Beach: 

Imagine a naturally carved hole in the cliffs with ocean water running into a bay making a natural pool! Broken beach is a popular tourist spot in Nusa Penida, with ocean water gushing into a natural pool. There is walkway all around the cliff. The entrance fees will be included in the tour package.

2. Angels Billabong:

Cliffs, archs and crystal clear waters, all in a single frame! Right next to Broken beach, Angel’s Billabong makes a perfect photo spot. Immerse yourself in a picturesque surrounding. Do note that swimming is now prohibited in Angel’s Billabong.

3. Kelinking Beach:

The most iconic spot of Nusa Penida is definitely this T-Rex shaped cliff and the pristine Kelinking beach. This place offers one of the most beautiful sights ever with tones of blue and green making it a perfect landscape! It may take 30-45 minutes to go down the cliff to the beach. Some of the parts of the trek are broken so you will need to be careful. Since its difficult to access this beach, it is usually less crowded than Crystal Bay.

4. Crystal Bay:

Cool off at Crystal Bay, after a long day as you reach the end of your tour. The waters are clearer than beaches at Bali and you can discover varieties of fish and other marine life a little off the coast 🙂 . This place is full of small beach shacks and you can munch on some snacks and enjoy a drink or two while looking over the sea.

Once you visit all the spots on the tour, your local driver will drop you off at the pick up point for the ferry. Nusa Penida has lots more to offer. You can only cover one side of the island in one day. If you do wish to explore the whole island we recommend staying for a night at one of the hotels on the island camouflaged with nature and continue your adventure the next day 🙂 ! Happy exploring!