Nusa Penida Island Guide: Best Things to Do and How to go to Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida Island is one of Bali’s many offshore islands that many have recently come to know and love. Home to beautiful rock formations, clear blue waters, a huge array of marine life (read: dolphins!), and chill vibes all around, it’s no wonder many flock here to experience the island life 🏝
Read on to find out more about how to explore one of Bali's best hidden gems!
How to Go to Nusa Penida Island
Since Nusa Penida is an offshore island, you will need to hop onto a boat from the main Bali island to get there.
Speed boats depart from Sanur Beach and will ferry you to Nusa Penida in about 30-45 minutes! They run almost hourly from 7am to 5pm. You can refer to the departure schedule to better plan your trip.
#KlookTip: Do note that the boats departing from Sanur Beach do not use a pier. This means you will need to walk into up to knee-high waters to reach the boat, so be ready to get wet! We’d recommend wearing a pair of shorts and making sure all your belongings are safely tucked into your bag.
Getting around Nusa Penida
We definitely recommend that you book a Nusa Penida Tour for a personalised experience. But if you would like to explore the island on your own, here are a couple of transport options:
Rent a scooter
If you’d like to explore Nusa Penida at your own pace, your best means of transportation would be to rent a scooter on the island. However, we would not recommend this as steep unpaved roads with plenty of potholes can be quite a challenge and pose as a safety hazard.
Hire a private car
If you can’t drive a motorcycle or would rather travel with someone who knows their way around the island, it would be best to hire a private car. Klook offers a 10-hour private charter service with an English-speaking driver that can take you around Nusa Penida’s popular attractions and best IG-worthy spots!
Book a private tour
If you are travelling in a pair or group, we would definitely recommend this curated Nusa Penida Tour from Bali. The unpaved roads in Nusa Penida were rough with plenty of potholes and there were little to no street signs. The scorching sun can also be pretty merciless and a rest in an air-conditioned vehicle is definitely a bonus you’d want to have.
With two-way hotel and boat transfers as well as a local driver to take you to all the must-hit spots, you won’t have to worry about being ripped off upon landing.
Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida
1. Go Snorkelling
One of the things you must do in Nusa Penida is go snorkelling! With such crystal blue waters, you’ll be missing out on a whole other world if don’t dive right in. While some of us might not have a diving license to swim to the depths of the ocean, snorkelling is a great option as many of these marine animals swim near the surface.
Even if you are a beginner swimmer, fret not! You can still experience the wonders of the ocean with the help of a life vest! Here are some great snorkel sites to explore:
Manta Point
Spot a squadron of Manta Rays at Manta Point! Credits: @yanachesn on Instagram
Have you ever swam alongside a giant Manta Ray? Before you start panicking, Manta Rays are 100% harmless to humans! Due to their lack of spines, they do not have a single venomous bone in their bodies.
At Manta Bay, depending on seasonality, you can catch anywhere from 1-10 manta rays at a time! Swimming alongside these gentle giants is definitely something for the bucket list.
If you’re lucky (in our case we were extremely), you might even spot creatures like dolphins! We spotted a school of dolphins jumping out of the water and immediately threw on our masks and jumped in to chase them.
Crystal Bay
Not coined Crystal Bay for nothing, the crystal clear waters here are perfect for beginner snorkelers who want to catch sight of tropical fish but are afraid of the strong currents. As the waters nearer to the coast are relatively more shallow, you don’t have to dive deep underwater to catch sight of the fishes!
2. Nusa Penida Broken Beach – Pasih Uug Beach
Aptly named Broken Beach because of the huge concave in the middle of the cliffs, this beach is a sight not to be missed on your visit to Nusa Penida! From the cliffs, look down and if the tide is low, you might even spot some fishes swimming!
Walk across the natural rock bridge and watch the craves crash fiercely against it, forming foamy waves that cut through the turquoise waters.
3. Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong is just a walk away from the Broken Beach and these two sights should definitely be visited concurrently. Walk to the edge of the cliffs and because the waters are so clear, you can even see the colourful corals and marine life!
If you visit on a day with low tide, you can even swim in the pool at Angel’s Billabong. Swimming closer to the edge of the pool will make it seem as though you are at the edge of nature’s infinity pool!
Be warned that the tide can suddenly get higher and the waves that crash upon the cliffs are pretty strong so on days with high tide, you are strongly advised against swimming in this pool for fear of being washed out to sea.
4. Kelingking Beach
I’m sure you’ve seen a shot of this beach on Instagram! Kelingking Beach is probably the most popular spot in Nusa Penida and for good reason! With its beautiful cliffs and waters so clear you can even spot manta rays below! You have two options – climb to the top of the cliff or walk down to beach!
#KlookTip: Be sure to wear shoes with good grip as there is no clear marked walking path or any railing to grab onto so it can get pretty slippery climbing up and down to the beach.
There is also a secret tree located at the top of Kelingking Beach that will get you the million dollar ‘gram shot as well as spectacular views of the beaches! Be careful while climbing up the tree because there are no safety nets below to catch you if you slip.
5. Molenteng Treehouse
If you’ve been flicking through photos of things to do in Bali on IG, you’ve likely come across a picture of a treehouse set against an exquisite background of lush cliffs and azure waters. That photo would have probably been taken from the Molenteng Treehouse—a towering wooden structure next to the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. Both attractions offer the most staggering panorama of Nusa Penida.
One snapshot of this majestic view is enough to tell your social media followers where you are and send them to major travel envy. If you want to take Instagrammable photos of your visit here and in other picture-perfect locations around Nusa Penida, book the Nusa Penida Instagram Tour from Bali with Klook!
Places to stay in Nusa Penida
From luxurious resorts to backpacker hostels, several accommodation options in Nusa Penida guarantee a comfortable stay. Credits: @travelawan on Instagram
Nusa Penida is far from its Bali neighbour in terms of infrastructure development—and many locals would prefer to keep it that way to preserve the island’s natural biodiversity. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any comfortable places to crash here, especially if you’re considering a longer stay on the island. Here are some of the accommodation options, organised according to price point:
- Mid-range: Angels Bungalow Nusa Penida, Agung View Nusa Penida
