5 Incredible Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali

5 Incredible Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali - Travel Lush

I’ve said this many times before, but Nusa Penida might just be my favorite travel destination in Bali. I’ve written about it before, but in case you haven’t heard of it, Nusa Penida is an island located just off the southern coast of Bali. Although it’s only a short 30-minute boat ride from Sanur and a 10-minute ride from neighboring Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida is still impressively untouristy. It still boggles my mind that this little slice of paradise has managed to (largely) elude the tourist radar, because there are a ton of amazing things to do on Nusa Penida. Seriously.

UPDATE (May 2019): I knew it wouldn’t take long but tourism is booming in Nusa Penida. To be candid, the “undiscovered part of Bali” described in this post is no longer true. I’m not saying don’t visit, but I just want to be upfront that the Nusa Penida I experienced has likely changed a lot!

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Most travelers who do visit Nusa Penida do so on day trips to dive and snorkel the pristine coral reefs that fringe the island – but more often than not they never actually step foot on the island.

Those who do allot a few days to exploring the island will be rewarded in spades. There are quite a few breathtaking natural attractions scattered around Nusa Penida – think azure beaches, natural pools and hidden waterfalls.

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush
So many seaweed crops!

Nusa Penida really is what I imagine Bali was like back in the ‘70s. If you’re up for a little adventure and down to stray from the Kuta-Seminyak-Ubud circuit of Bali, then I highly suggest a visit to Nusa Penida.

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida:

1. Spend a day at Atuh Beach

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Thank god for Instagram because I would have had no clue this beach existed on Nusa Penida if I hadn’t seen it on Instagram. It might be a bumpy, and slightly treacherous, scooter ride to get there from the port town of Ped, but man is it worth all the effort.

The drive along the coast offers stunning views of the ocean, small villages and windy mountain roads. Because Atuh Beach is so isolated and difficult to reach, not many people go there. Even during the high season, there were only six other tourists on the beach and a handful of Indonesian children playing in the water.

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush
This beauty is located right off shore.

It’s necessary to traverse down a steep, crude path to reach the beach. Looking down from above, I was amazed to see a sliver of a white sand being lapped by picture-perfect turquoise water. And the stunning rock formation located right offshore was just icing on the cake. It was as close as I’ve come to my ‘The Beach’ moment. This is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in a long time, and it’s a great place to spend an entire day.

Traveler’s Tips: The roads leading from Ped to Atuh Beach are surprisingly well marked. The road does, however, get very rough, sandy and basically non-existent towards the end so be extra cautious when driving there.  Once you get down to the beach, a man will ask for a Rp 5000 fee to enter. It’s possible to rent lounge chairs and buy coconuts, drinks and nasi goreng for just a few dollars from the few vendors on the beach. Tides are strange on Nusa Penida, so it’s best to know what the tides are going to be like when you visit Atuh Beach. At low tide the water pretty much disappears. So make sure you visit when the tide is on the higher side. Also, the beach bottom is rocky so tread lightly.

2. Explore Crystal Bay

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Crystal Bay is a popular spot for tour boats shuttling tourists around on snorkeling and diving trips. Despite being a renowned spot for spotting sea life, there are still very few people here.

When I traveled here in the off-season (during March) I had the beach virtually all to myself. During my most recent trip, in the high season in August, there was a smattering of tourists lounging on the beach and snorkeling off shore. Not too bad. Crystal Bay is a pretty special beach and a great place to slap on a mask and fins and explore sea life.

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Traveler’s Tips: The roads to Crystal Bay are very well marked and relatively smooth from Ped. While drinks do appear to be served at a beach shack, it might be best to bring your own food if you plan on staying here all day.

3. Gawk at Broken Beach

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Broken Beach is a stunning natural formation on the coast of Nusa Penida. Despite its name it’s not actually a beach. It’s a natural bridge that makes for an unreal setting.  I set out to find Broken Beach during my first visit to Nusa Penida – and I failed miserably. Nusa Penida is big and the roads are confusing. Getting lost is inevitable. During my recent visit, it took me forever to find Broken Beach and for a while, I thought it was a lost cause, yet again.

Luckily I eventually found it. I might have crashed my bike and then driven into a ditch (I was unscathed!) on the way, but it was worth it.

Traveler’s Tips: The drive to Broken Beach from Ped will likely take two hours. There are two roads pointing to Broken Beach. One is very steep and shouldn’t be attempted if you’re not super comfortable riding a scooter. The other is incredibly bumpy but at least it’s not a full-on death trap. If you’re lost, and you will get lost, then just keep asking locals the way to either Billabong or Broken Beach, they’ll help you find your way. There is an entrance fee of Rp 5,000 (I think).

4. Enjoy the view at Billabong

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Billabong is the stuff Instagram dreams are made of. It’s basically a little lagoon, set in the middle of the black and craggy volcanic rock. It’s located on a cliff right down the path from Broken Beach (see above). Nusa Penida’s massive waves crash into the cliff and splash water into the lagoon. It is possible to swim in the lagoon (something that’s super popular with the selfie crowd) but be warned that people have been swept out to sea by the powerful waves.

5 Amazing Things to do on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Traveler’s tips: Billabong is literally right down the pathway from Broken Beach, maybe a two-minute walk.

5. Cool off at Temeling’s natural pools

5 Amazing Places to Visit on Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

I visited Temeling during the dry season (in April) and the waterfall was pretty much non-existent, but the natural pools were beautiful, cold and refreshing.  And the setting could not have been more amazing.  Bless Nusa Penida for being so tourist-free because the best part was, I had the place all to myself.  Well there were monkeys there, so technically I did have company.

Temeling is surrounded by limestone cliffs and a lush jungle canopy.  There are a couple of crystal clear swimming holes overlooking this stunning cove and the sound of waves crashing against the craggy rocks.  It’s kind of like being in a lost world.

Traveler’s Tips: There are separate pools for men and women. And ladies, you’re not allowed to enter if you’re menstruating. The road getting here is steep and can get very slippery after it rains. Drive safely and slowly. Do not attempt to drive all the way down the road because it gets really steep toward the end.


There are so many other things to do on Nusa Penida, including diving and snorkeling excursions, seeking out hidden waterfalls, hiking to temples and spotting manta rays right offshore. The things I listed in this post are just the things I personally did during my two trips to the island.

Practical Info:

Getting to Nusa Penida: We took a ferry from the main pier in Sanur.  There aren’t as many daily boats that go to Nusa Penida as go to Nusa Lembongan, so it’s best to arrange a ferry one day before you leave.  We took Maruti Express. It should cost 150,000 each way, although you will be charged 250,000 if you want a hotel pickup. For a more detailed guide on how to get to Nusa Penida from around Bali, check out this post.

Where to stay on Nusa Penida: We stayed at the Ring Sameton Inn and paid around $35 USD for a double room through Agoda.com.  Because there are very few hotels on Nusa Penida, lodging tends to be pricier than in other parts of Indonesia.  This place was a steal for $35.  The rooms were enormous and clean, the grounds were beautiful and tranquil, there was a huge pool, great restaurant and 5-star service.  I can honestly say that I highly recommend it. That being said, I’m sure some amazing hotels have popped up since my visit!

Renting a motorbike on Nusa Penida: We arranged one scooter through our hotel for 50,000 rupiah (a great deal for Nusa Penida).  If you’re renting a scooter through Ring Sameton Inn, make sure to arrange your motorbike rental ahead of time because they have a limited supply.  To get a second scooter we had to inquire at the pier.  It was easy but we were charged a bit more, 80,000 rupiah. If you don’t have too much luggage it’s better to rent a motorbike from the pier rather than overpaying for a hotel transfer or paying someone to drive you to your hotel. We were quoted a whopping 200,000 rupiah just to get a ride to our hotel.

Driving on Nusa Penida: Note that the island is big and you will need to either book a tour, hire a driver or rent a motorbike to get around. The roads can get really bad – think dirt, gravel, sand – so this is not a good place for inexperienced drivers. I crashed my bike twice during my recent trip,  my boyfriend crashed during our first trip, Chantae from Chantae Was Here crashed during her visit… basically, no one I know hasn’t had at least a minor accident on Nusa Penida. So be extra careful riding around the island. If you want some tips on how to motorbike safely, check out this post.

Getting to Nusa Lembongan from Nusa Penida: There are lots of public boats running from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan all day long. Simply go to the public pier and ask for a “public boat” to Nusa Lembongan. If you’re the only person on the boat, you’re getting a private boat and it’s going to cost you. The price should be 50,000 rupiah for a spot on a small public boat.

PIN ME FOR LATER!

A Traveler's Guide to Nusa Penida - Travel Lush

Have you ever been to Nusa Penida? What else would you add to this list?

About Justine

Justine Lopez is a California native who always seems to take the unconventional route in life. She also suffers from a serious case of wanderlust. In 2013, she set out on a yearlong round-the-world journey and never looked back. Since then she's lived the expat life in Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City. She's now living and working as a freelance writer in Dubai. As she meanders her way through Asia she's always seeking out great vegetarian food, pretty beaches, and amazing new travel destinations.

29 thoughts on “5 Incredible Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali

  1. Hi Justine!

    Thank you for your really helpful guide here 🙂
    Can i know how far from the jetty in nusa penida tu broken beach.
    Is taxi is accessible because I cant ride motorcycle.

    Tq in advance Justine

    1. There aren’t really taxis on Nusa Penida. You might be able to pay a driver to take you in their motorbike, but I have no idea if this is actually possible. It’s about an hour or more drive because the roads are really bad. I also got really lost! Good luck!!

  2. I have 3 days to explore the Nusa Islands. Would you advise staying all three days at Nusa Penida instead of island hoping the other two Nusa islands?

  3. If it wasnt for this blog I wouldnt have witnessed this beautiful island of Penida. I went exactly to the same places you mentioned and the views are breathtaking! Thank you for putting it up here! I’m forever grateful. 😊

  4. Awesome post! Thanks for posting. I am planning a trip to the islands and I really can’t decide between the Nusa islands (Penida) and Gili’s (T or Air). I am in Ubud currently, vegetarian, prefer to see people around me although not a party goer. I want to chill, snorkel (not alone) and watch awesome sunsets and stay in a place with no bugs and crawlies. Do you have a recommendation on which island would be better?

    1. Oh, that’s hard. You really can’t go wrong with either. But judging by your description maybe Gili T or Air would be perfect for you. You don’t have to party to love it there. I’m obsessed with those islands!

  5. I agree that nusa penida really nice place and the tourist says,”hidden paradise.I from nusa penida but stay in denpasar,so when I felt stress I just go home for 1 or 2 days.so I recomended this island.

  6. I’m in Indonesia now and your guide is so helpful! I’m definitely going to nusa penida. Thank you so much for writing up your experience.

  7. Hey! Any advice on getting from Lembongan to Penida and back?? It’s very hard to find information on this.
    I can’t find a boat that goes from Senggigi, Lombok to Penida directly, so it looks like we will have to island hop from Lembongan to Penida, which sounds like it’s going to take some time and doesn’t appear all that simple to navigate from afar. Hopefully it all falls together perfectly when we are physically there to work it out! We only have 2 nights, 1 full day to explore. Want to make the most of it and not get stuck waiting hours for boats and transfers between islands, etc 🙂
    Thanks ahead of time!

    1. Hey! I think it’ll be easier than you think. There are small public boats that run between Lembongan and Penida all the time. They start early though I highly doubt they run after dark. Once you arrive on Lembongan, you’ll just want to head over to the base of the yellow bridge that leads to Nusa Ceningan. (Seriously, just ask around with locals and they’ll point you in the right direction. People are absurdly friendly.) That’s where public boats will take you to Penida. I did the reverse trip and we paid 50,000 rupiah per person for the public boat. I have heard that foreigners are coerced into chartering the whole fishing boat and told to pay much more. So just make sure to say you want a spot on the public boat and that you’ll pay 50,000 (or a little more is fine). If you’re the only one in the boat, assume you’re chartering it! I thought it was going to be a big ordeal but it was so easy. I basically just had a 50,000 note in my hand and that seemed to send the message that I didn’t want a charter. The whole thing took about 20 minutes. Though it could take longer if it’s crowded and you have to wait for boats. Good luck. Don’t stress. It’s going to be great! Oh, and getting back to Lembongan from Penida just go to the second pier (again ask someone where to go and they’ll point you in the right direction).

  8. Hey Justine!
    May I just ask if you know whether there is another mode of transportation in Nusa Penida? I will be going with my brother and mother and both of them do not know how to drive a motorbike. We plan to visit the broken beach as well as kelingking.

    1. You can hire motorbike with a driver on the island they will be happy to take you to those places! Another option is by renting a car, really convenient way to get around but can be a little expensive.

      1. That’s great to know! Thanks for mentioning this Rocky. I imagine you must be able to easily get someone to take you around on a motorbike. I did see a few people being taken around by cars last time I was there but didn’t know how people were arranging that service. Plus, I imagine they charge quite a bit. Things seem to be changing really quickly there so I’m guessing there are a lot more transport opportunities now versus a few years ago.

        1. Thank you rocky and justine!
          I actually did some research and going by car would be the best option.
          I saw that hotels and bungalows in nusa penida can arrange the ride for us, i just hope its not that much of a cash out though.

          1. Yes there are many hotels in Penida which offer this service. If you’re travelling as a group then renting a car is your best option! Have fun and enjoy Penida! 🙂

    2. I have read that some people are hiring drivers to take them to all the tourist hot spots. This wasn’t an option when I was there but it looks like things are changing quickly. I’m sure with bit of google research you’ll be able to find a driver (I think?). I definitely don’t recommend riding scooters there if you’re not experienced. Enjoy! It’s an amazing place!!

  9. Hi Justine. I am planning to visit Bali in may and had Lembogan and nusa penida in my itenary. However my son is just 11 months old and the cruise people are suggesting to drop going to nusa penida as its risky for an infant. And if i still choose to go, then they will send us through a speedboat as cruise boat wont go there. Is it really risky and bumpy and not safe for infants

    1. As far as I know you can now do private tours of Penida and cars will take you around to the sights. Roads were super bumpy when I was there but that was a couple years ago and I have a feeling things have changed dramatically. I had no idea there were cruises so I’m not sure what that itinerary would be or how kid-friendly it is. I’m not a mom so I’m not sure!! It might be a bit much for an 11 month old. It’s definitely more of an adventurous destination. That being said I just went on a three-day cruise with a couple who had three kids, including a 15-month old and they kayaked with her and everything. Just use your judgement. I guess I’m just unsure of what you’re planning to do there, how long you’ll be going, etc.

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