Nusa Penida Travel Guide – The Prettiest Place in Bali!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from this site, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win. Thanks for supporting me here at Travel Lush!

Post updated April 15, 2025

I first visited Nusa Penida in 2016, when the island was largely off the Bali tourist radar. Back then, I felt like I was the only foreigner around. But times have definitely changed! During my last visit, it was apparent that Nusa Penida is far from a hidden gem. In fact, because of the many incredible things to do in Nusa Penida, this rugged little island is now one of the top places to visit in Bali!

So, with that in mind, is Nusa Penida worth visiting? Without a doubt, it absolutely is!

Nusa Penida is home to some of the most stunning beaches, jaw-dropping viewpoints, and unreal landscapes that I’ve ever laid eyes on. So even though it can get ultra touristy, annoyingly trafficky, and overloaded with people taking selfies, it is absolutely worth spending at least a few days on this magical Balinese island.

But the best advice I can give you is to actually stay on the island for a few days. In my opinion, that’s the only way to truly get a feel for what this incredible destination has to offer! Plus, you’ll be able to see the sights without the day trip crowds.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip and wondering what to expect, here’s my guide. Nusa Penida is one of Bali’s most unique destinations (and one of my favorites!), so I’ll go over how to get there, how to get around, suggestions on where to base yourself, as well as some of the top things to do in Nusa Penida.

How to Get to Nusa Penida

In case you haven’t heard of it, Nusa Penida is an island located just off the southern coast of Bali. There is no airport here, which means the only way to reach the island is via a 30-minute boat ride from Sanur (book tickets for the fast boat here) for around Rp 150,000/$9) or a 10-minute ride from neighboring Nusa Lembongan.

If you’re coming from Nusa Lembongan, there are lots of public boats running between the islands all day long. Simply go to the public pier and ask for a “public boat” to Nusa Penida. The price should be Rp 50,000/$3 for a spot on a small public fishing boat and they typically leave when full.

That being said, you could be tricked into paying for the full boat. If you’d prefer to reserve a spot on a fast boat, you can book tickets here for $5. These tickets are also handy because you can choose which of the three piers on Nusa Penida you’d like to be dropped off at.

How Long Should You Stay?

Most travelers who do visit Nusa Penida do so on day trips from the mainland to either dive and snorkel the pristine coral reefs that fringe the island or to do a whirlwind tour of all of the island’s most Insta-famous places.

While that’s perfectly fine, I highly recommend spending at least three nights here to see as much as possible. If you don’t stay on the island, you won’t gain as much of an appreciation for it!

Those who do allot a few days (or longer!) 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 swimming holes, and hidden temples.

It’s important to note that the island is deceptively large and the top attractions are fairly spread out between the east and west sides. And because many of the roads are in poor condition, getting around can take a while.

If you think you can see everything in one day, you’ll be disappointed. To see all of the attractions on Nusa Penida, you’ll realistically need two full days of exploring, which is why I suggest staying for three nights.

Getting Around Nusa Penida

Getting around Nusa Penida can be a bit tricky. Unless you plan on hanging out at your hotel the whole time, you will need transportation to get around.

Motorbike

During my visits, I’ve always rented a scooter to get around. That being said, I’m the first to admit this isn’t the safest option. I don’t recommend it unless you’re an experienced driver. Everyone I know, including myself and my husband, has gotten into accidents here. You can read about the dangers of motorbiking around Nusa Penida here.

While many of the roads have improved in recent years, motorbiking can still be a bit treacherous. You’ll want to be careful of sand and gravel patches, “broken” (pothole-riddled) roads, narrow roads that can only fit one car, and blind turns where you should always use your horn to alert oncoming traffic.

Another thing to watch out for if you choose to motorbike is that tourist-filled trucks zoom down the roads. Because Nusa Penida is a popular place for day trips, drivers zip from place to place without paying much mind to motorbikes.

I’m not saying not to motorbike around Nusa Penida. I’m just trying to give you a heads up on what to expect! Prices for scooter rentals will vary from place to place, but expect to pay around Rp 70,000-100,000/$4.50-6 per day. You’ll get a discount if you rent for multiple days.

Hire a Driver

If motorbiking is not an option, the easiest, safest, and most efficient way to get around Nusa Penida is to hire a driver for the day. They’re going to know the island like the back of their hand and show you all sorts of hidden gems. Plus, you can customize your itinerary to tick off all of the top attractions you want to visit.

I for one always get lost trying to navigate Nusa Penida myself, so getting a driver comes with a lot of perks. And that’s especially true if you’re short on time and only have one or two full days in Nusa Penida.

Things to Do in Nusa Penida

Spend a Day at Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is the stuff of dreams. The drive here might be slightly bumpy and dusty, but man is it worth all the effort. Looking down from above, I was amazed to see a sliver of a white sand being lapped up by picture-perfect turquoise water. And the stunning rock formation located right offshore are just icing on the cake.

That being said, you will have to climb down (and back up!) a very steep and crude mountainside staircase (pictured above), so going down to the beach isn’t for everyone. But I swear it is well worth the sweaty hike.

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. Other travelers suggest parking at the Diamond Beach lot, so you can check out both Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach in one go. I wish I would have done this!

Once you get down to Atuh Beach, a man will ask for a Rp 5,000 fee to enter. It’s possible to rent lounge chairs (Rp 100,000 for two) 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 and the currents strong, so tread lightly when swimming.

Or Spend the Day at Diamond Beach

Apparently, Diamond Beach rivals Atuh Beach. The two are located right next to each other. However, since both require a steep hike to reach, you probably won’t actually go down to both. I chose to make the trek down and back up again to Atuh Beach, but I’ve heard Diamond Beach is equally as impressive.

Either way, it’s worth taking in the views of both Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach from above, which is easy to do if you park at the Diamond Beach lot.

Go Snorkeling at Crystal Bay

Renowned for its sea life and crystal-clear waters, Crystal Bay is a popular spot for tour boats shuttling tourists around on snorkeling and diving trips. Crystal Bay is a pretty special beach and a great place to slap on a mask and fins (you can rent them from one of the vendors on the beach) and see what you can find. It’s also a prime spot to just soak up the sun from the sand.

Traveler’s Tips:

There are a few different warungs on the beach that serve typical Indonesian fare and have tables, loungers, and umbrellas. Loungers will cost around Rp 200,000, and the fee to park at Crystal Bay is Rp 5,000.

Gawk at Broken Beach

Broken Beach is a stunning natural formation on the west coast of Nusa Penida. Despite its name it’s not actually a beach. It’s a natural bridge that makes for an unreal setting. Many people assume you can go swimming here, but there is actually no access to the water.

That being said, this is one of the most popular Nusa Penida attractions, so expect things to get busy! Chances are you will have to wait to take your photos.

Enjoy the View at Angel’s Billabong

Angel’s Billabong is located on a cliff right down the path from Broken Beach, and it’s the stuff Instagram dreams are made of. It’s basically a gorgeous little lagoon, set in the middle of black and craggy volcanic rock.

Nusa Penida’s massive waves crash into the cliff and splash water into the lagoon. While it used to be possible to swim in the pool, swimming is now off-limits. Honestly, this is for the best considering that many people have been swept out to sea and even died while swimming at Angel’s Billabong.

Trek Down to Kelingking Beach

You’ll find Nusa Penida’s Instagram star, Kelingking Beach, between Angel’s Billabong and Tembeling Waterfall. This place is bound to get crowded but it’s also crazily beautiful and well worth seeing in person.

To reach the beach, you’ll need to scale down a steep staircase with bamboo railings. The journey down is narrow and gets very crowded. Do note that it can take up to an hour to get down and another hour to get back up. This hike is not for the faint of heart, especially considering the heat.

I should also add that swimming at Kelingking Beach seems especially dangerous considering how strong the tides and waves can be. So you may want to think twice before dipping in. If you don’t want to hike all the way down to the beach, the journey to Kelingking Beach is worth it for the views from the top!

Cool Off at Tembeling’s Natural Pools

I visited Tembeling 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 forest/ocean setting could not have been more amazing.

Tembeling 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, so be respectful of the local culture. Also, 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. We got into what could have been a really bad accident trying to motorbike down the final hill, so just park and walk.

There are so many other things to do on Nusa Penida that I still haven’t gotten to, including diving and snorkeling excursions, 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 visits to the island. Here are a few other things that you might want to add to your list:

• Dive with Manta Rays
• Visit Goa Giri Putri Temple
• Climb the Blue Stairs at Peguyanga Waterfall
• Snap Selfies at the Rumah Pohon Treehouse
• See Otherworldly Landscapes at Teletubbies Hill

---

Where to Stay in Nusa Penida

Ped (Northwest Nusa Penida)

I personally recommend staying in the town of Ped. This puts you just a few kilometers from the main Tokapakeh ferry port and you’ll be surrounded by quite a few restaurants and beach bars, like Penida Colada Beach Bar and Secret Penida Restaurant & Bar. This way, you’ll have some nightlife and dining options within close proximity (which is not the case in other parts of Nusa Penida).

Hotel Arsa Santhi: This is a great pick for those sticking to a budget. Rooms start at $30 and have modern amenities like AC, a flatscreen TV, and a balcony or patio with garden or pool views. Other perks include the lovely pool area, beautiful gardens, and on-site restaurant. Plus, the Tokapakeh port is just steps away, so the location is super convenient.

Mambo Hill Hotel and Resort: Perched on a hill in Ped, this is a really cool option if you want to enjoy sea and volcano views from your room and private balcony or terrace. Plus, the boho-style boutique rooms and hand-carved wood designs give total Bali vibes. Rooms start at $40 and some even give you direct pool access from your private terrace!

The Sebali Penida Beach Resort: For something more upscale, The Sebali Penida Beach Resort is a new designer hotel right on the beach. Deluxe Ocean View rooms start at $75. But for something extra special you can opt for the chic Rooftop Ocean View Suite (starting at $150) with a private rooftop and direct pool access from your patio or the architecturally stunning Ocean View Treehouse (starting at $175). Whatever you choose, the resort amenities are as posh as can be with a huge pool area and a very good Thai restaurant.

Near Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is located an easy 25-minute drive from Tokapakeh Harbor but it feels like its worlds away. This is another great place to base yourself if you want to have access to restaurants.

The Dulu Penida: Located a 10-minute walk from Crystal Bay, The Dulu Penida is a highly-rated budget-friendly hotel. Starting at $50, these adorable thatched-roof bungalows are spacious and clean and come with everything from AC and coffee makers to private terraces and complimentary breakfasts. The staff are super accommodating and will help with arranging taxis and scooter rentals.

Atalaya Villas: For something indulgent, Atalaya Villas is an adults-only hilltop hotel that offers insane island and mountain views from the communal infinity pool. This boutique resort offers individually decorated and designed Standard Suites (there’s nothing standard about them) starting at $160. But you can also splurge on one of the luxe boho-style suites with a private pool, outdoor lounge, and unreal panoramic views.

PIN ME FOR LATER!

As you can see, there are tons of amazing things to do in Nusa Penida that make it well worth visiting!