Visit Nusa Penida
Your Nusa Penida Experience starts Now !
Discover the best of Nusa Penida
We will help you experience Nusa Penida life in its true sense. Visit the iconic places in the island but also go off the tracks. Explore the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots and meet Manta Rays and Mola Mola. From living in great resorts to eating in awesome sunset bars you are sure to walk home with memories and wonderful moments. Nusa Penida is a must to visit during your trip in Bali, make sure to get the best of it !
With many practical information we make it easy for you to get to Bali, get from Bali to Nusa Penida, get around in Nusa Penida. There are many beautiful places in the island. Come and visit them to understand why Nusa Penida island usually ranks in the top 20 of places to see in Indonesia and in the top 10 places to visit in Bali.
Nusa Penida : a paradise for scuba divers
Nusa Penida island belongs to the Bali province in Indonesia. It has a population of around 45,000 inhabitants and covers about 200 km2. In 2010, an area of 20,057 hectare around Nusa Penida and its neighboring islands Nusa Ceningan & Nusa Lembongan were declared a protected maritime zone. This archipelago of three islands was until recently mostly known for its great diving spots.
The seabed of this maritime zone is home to 296 species of coral and 576 species of reef fish. You can practice snorkeling, scuba diving or free diving here. Especially scuba divers come from all over the world to see the manta rays at Manta Point. The manta’s are around all year long. The oceanic sunfish, also known as the Mola Mola, is only around from July to October. Many people who try a discovery scuba dive with Manta rays fall in love with diving and decide to follow up with a PADI diving course.
The Adiwana Warnakali dive resort is a great option to discover scuba diving, to get your PADI certification or to simply enjoy some fun dives in safe conditions. Check this article to find out everything you want to know about scuba diving in Bali!
Nusa Penida : amazing landscapes
Nusa Penida island has remained fairly wild and offers great viewpoints, especially from all the cliffs on the West Coast of the island. However, there are so many places to see and things to do in Nusa Penida that you will have to make choices. Have a look at my top 15 sites to visit in Nusa Penida. The entire South Coast features a 150 m high cliff that plunges into the sea. Broken Beach and Angel Billabong, Tembeling, Guyangan Waterfall or Seganing Waterfall are, for example, great spots to take awesome photos. I can furthermore promise thrilling moments to those who have the courage to trail down to the beach.
The North Coast of the island is mainly dedicated to seaweed cultivation. However, in the North you also have a breathtaking view of the volcano Agung. The center of the island is very hilly. There is even a place called the Teletubbies Hill in reference to the famous kids cartoon!
There are some very nice beaches on the island. Some are easily accessible beaches like Crystal Bay and Atuh Beach, but also some that require a bit more effort like Kelingking Beach, Gamat Bay and Suwehan Beach.
Many spots on the West Coast offer an amazing sunset experience. One of the best options to enjoy the sunset and have a drink around the pool is Amok sunset bar and restaurant.
Nusa Penida : a spiritual island
Nusa Penida has many temples, just like everywhere in Bali. There are also many ceremonies being held to which the local people often invite you with pleasure. In particular the Goa Giri Putri temple is a special place for all Hindus in Bali. Hindus must visit Goa Giri Putri at least once in their life. To enter this temple you have to go through a narrow gut that will take you into a huge cave. The complete purification ritual involves a dozen stations in the cave and lasts around two and a half hours. But, you can also go through the process faster!
The Ped Temple is considered even more important though, because the spirit of a very powerful demon stays here. Not many tourist visit this temple. The history of Nusa Penida is indeed quite fascinating and it consists of both facts and legends. The main Balinese religious events and ceremonies also take place in the island, but in a more intimate setting.
Check out the following pages if you want to know more about the culture and history of Nusa Penida and about the main celebrations and events in Bali.
Infrastructures are developing
In 2012, the Klungkung province decided to launch a major development plan, including roads, electricity and water networks, to support the development of tourism on the island. At the national level, the island has been designated as a strategic district (Kawasan Strategi Pariwisata Nasional, KSPN). This means that Nusa Penida also benefits from this $20 billion program to support tourism development in Indonesia.
Many investments have been done in terms of infrastructure. Water and electricity are now available almost everywhere on the island. The road network is almost totally renewed. Also, marketing efforts have paid off. The first hotel with swimming pool, Namaste Bungalows, opened in 2013. However, tourism only really started to develop in 2017. Since then, the island has been developing very fast. The island reached a tourist peak in 2019. Unfortunately, 2020 has been much more quiet.
Even during covid, it’s relatively easy to get to Nusa Penida. No rapid test is required. Also, there are now more than 20 fast boats connecting Bali to the island every day. It takes about 30 minutes from Sanur and only 15 minutes from Kusamba. You can choose to arrive in Sampalan or in Toyapakeh.
You look for practical information ?
There are still many off the beaten track paths in Nusa Penida. As 2021 should still be fairly calm after the coronavirus crisis, now is probably the best time to visit the island !
I created this website as a kind of online guide, bringing together a lot of practical information. For example, how to get to the island, how to get around, and also offering a touch of culture and history. I provide several day trip tours that include scooter rides, boat trips and even hiking. However, you can also put together your own trip! This website also provides information on scooter rental prices, the costs of hiring a driver, as well as fast boat tickets and prices.
What are the best airline companies to fly to Bali ?
Airlines have started to reschedule their flights to Bali. It is better to buy your flights directly from the airlines to make sure you will be paid back in case of cancellation of the flight due to coronavirus.
Four airlines are very serious: Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air France and Qatar Airways UK,
Singapore Airlines resumed daily direct flights from Singapore to Bali on February 16, 2022 with over 150 passengers on board.
Safely and securely book your next flight to Asia-Pacific with Singapore Airlines.
Emirates, Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways have also rescheduled their flights to Bali respectively from February 27, March 8 and March 26, 2022.
How many nights is it worth staying in Nusa Penida for?
For a first time visit, I would recommend to stay for at least three nights. You can, for example, spend the first two days doing one of the land tours suggested on this website. On the third day you could enjoy a beach day, go snorkeling or diving, or simply enjoy the swimming pool at your hotel.
Nusa Penida has lots to offer, so I wouldn’t recommend just coming on a day tour from Bali. It’s very short and you will probably visit the same spots, at the same time, as many other tourists. You will probably also experience traffic jams (except during this covid time …), as well as the stress of missing the last boat back, because there’s so much to discover! Also, I personally don’t know anyone that was fully satisfied with just a day tour. That’s why I would consider one night as the minimum stay. There are lots of nice hotels and homestays, from basic to more luxury or boutique hotels, where you can stay.
How is the covid-19 situation in Nusa Penida ?
Nusa Penida has largely remained coronavirus-free. As of January 6th, only 77 people were tested positive and have already recovered. For more information on the covid situation, see the following web page: how to get to Bali.
Map of Nusa Penida
A map of the island is available to you on this page, by clicking on ‘map’ just below the main photo. Or, if you shoot me a message, I’m happy to send you a pdf version of the map (with high resolution!). I’m also happy to answer any other questions you might have !
Best places to see in Nusa Penida
After 30 visits to Nusa Penida I updated my list of 15 awesome sites so see in Nusa Penida : beaches, temples, cliffs, dive sites and many more !
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is one of the most famous spot of Nusa Penida. It is also called T-Rex Bay because of the shape of the rock. Will you get the courage to go down to the beach ?
Broken Beach
Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong are two very spectacular places, next to each other, on Nusa Penida west Coast. They desserve a visit.
Diamond Beach
Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach, with its famous staircase carved into the cliff, are considered as the most beautiful beaches of Nusa Penida.
What to do in Nusa Penida
All the reasons why you will want to go to Nusa Penida and stay there for several days.
Scuba diving
A complete guide of Bali and Nusa Penida diving : Manta Ray, Oceanic sunfish or Mola Mola, other marine fauna, chose your dive center.
Follow the adventure
The best off track places for awesome adventures : primal forests, natural pools, temples in huge cave, awesome cliffs and more
Best beaches
You will probably have to choose between easily accessible beaches and the beautiful sandy beaches requiring more efforts … Read all aboute Nusa Penida beaches
Practical Information
All the practical information about Nusa Penida you need in order to organize your stay : how to get there, how to get around, itineraries, culture & history.
Get to Nusa Penida
How to get to Nusa Penida island from Bali, which port to choose for departure and arrival, and which fast boat company to go with.
Get to Bali
How to get to Bali with a tourist visa, the airlines that land in Bali. As well as the situation with the covid-19 coronavirus in Bali and Nusa Penida.
Where to stay in Penida
How to choose where to stay in Nusa Penida among the 450 listed hotels. 5 stars, boutique hotel, glamping or charming bungalows?