15 awesome sites to see in Nusa Penida Island
After 30 visits to Nusa Penida I updated my list of 15 awesome sites so see in Nusa Penida island : beaches, temples, cliffs, dive sites and many more !
I discovered Nusa Penida Island in May 2015 while traveling in Bali. In 2020, I already scored more than 30 visits and I moved to Bali. So I have a solid opinion to deliver about my top 15 awesome sites to see in Nusa Penida Island. You can find pretty much everything you want in Nusa Penida. Fantastic beaches, temples in caves, vertiginous cliffs, amazing scuba diving sites, among others. You should indeed spend a few nights in Penida to discover part of the beauty of the island !
Rediscover Nusa Penida how it was in 2015
Some places have changed a bit with the increased arrival of tourists. Concrete steps replaced the small paths, which were sometimes pretty dangerous. But the beauty of the island and the amazing views will continue to take your breath away. And as tourism will only restart gradually after this covid-19 coronavirus crisis, you should not be bothered too much by other tourists for several months. If you visit the island now, you will almost see the Nusa Penida island that I discovered in 2015 !
The ranking order of the sites is a bit arbitrary but I start with the most iconic sites in Nusa Penida. And I finish with the wildest and the most authentic sites. The ones I prefer … But this list of the 15 most beautiful sites to see in Nusa Penida Island must necessarily start with Kelingking Beach. Because it is the most famous place in Nusa Penida Island.
My top 15 to see in Nusa Penida island
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking is a spectacular rocky outcrop into the sea. The rock looks like the backbone of a dinosaur that drinks in the sea, in a bay called T-Rex Bay ! The view is exceptional but if you have the courage and the time, you MUST go down to the beach. Get good shoes and once down to the beach, watch out for waves and currents. Believe me, it is worth it !
Broken Beach
A collapse of part of the cliff created Broken Beach. The collapsed part has a circular shape. And the sea dug an arch in the narrowest part of this circle. The whole therefore looks like a circular bay with an arch which overhangs the sea. Look at the photos, you will understand ! The (very) small beach is not accessible. But you may see manta rays from the cliff.
Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong is a natural pool embedded in the cliff. It is filled with clear water during high tide. And the natural pool appears at low tide. The water is very clear and it is quite fun to go for a swim at low tide. But you have to be very careful not to swim there at high tide because a wave could drag you outside. With little chance of coming back.
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay Beach combines the attractions of a sandy beach easily accessible by road and a spectacular rock planted in the middle of the bay. The beach faces west and the sunsets are spectacular. Crystal bay is also a renowned site for scuba diving. and for snorkeling But be careful not to exceed the limit of the boats anchored in the bay, as the currents can be violent.
Gamat Bay
Before having a drink at Amok sunset, it may be worth a detour to Gamat Bay. This beach is the little sister of Crystal Bay, but wilder. Its bay is a real aquarium, but the currents can be strong, and there will probably not be many people watching you. You really need to bring your own fins if you want to snorkel at Gamat Bay. It is also a very nice dive site.
Amok Sunset
Amok is a sunset bar and restaurant built of bamboo at the top of a promontory overlooking the sea. It is a privileged place for lunch, dinner, spending the afternoon by the pool or enjoying the sunset. It is the number 1 restaurant in Nusa Penida Island on Tripadvisor. You can also book a VIP table in one of the tree houses. Better than a long speach, the pictures speak for themselves …
Atuh & Diamond Beach
Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach are among the most beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida Island, now very easily accessible. It takes about an hour from the port of Toyapakeh to reach them. If you take the right route you will have Atuh Beach on one side and Diamond Beach on the other. Diamond Beach is best known thanks to the stairs cut into the cliff. Atuh Beach is very pleasant for swimming at high tide.
Adiwana Warnakali
Adiwana Warnakali is a PADI 5 star Instructor Development Dive Resort. It is threefold : a diving center, a restaurant and a hotel with its spa. With the same characteristics : an incredible view of the sunset on one side and the Agung volcano on the other. You can come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner, to get an initiation to scuba diving, for a spa session, for sunset and of course to spend an awesome night !
Pura Goa Giri Putri
Goa Giri Putri is a temple, or rather a succession of temples, built in a cave. The Balinese Hindus come to follow a purification course which lasts a few hours because it includes a stop at each temple built in the cave. You can go faster but at least try to participate in the double ceremony of the last temple before the exit, half Hindu, half Buddhist. And ask for the famous trimurti bracelet !
Temeling
Temeling is a primary forest, a natural swimming pool and two very romantic places by the sea. The scenery is guaranteed and the variety of atmospheres, between the walk in the virgin forest and two small deserted beaches, should seduce you. A very nice half-day ride.My favorite spot in Nusa Penida !
Guyangan
Guyangan Waterfall or Peuyangan is best known for its blue staircase which descends along the cliff. To reward you, at the bottom of the stairs and after going through a small temple, you will find small natural baths on the cliff side. A must after a descent that could be described as … dizzying.
Suwehan
Suwehan Beach is one of those very beautiful beaches of Nusa Penida Island, still wild because apart from the classic tours. However, it is now rather easy to access with the brand new staircase which allows you to descend in less than twenty minutes. Best time is to visit Suwehan in the morning and at low tide.
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh is the arrival port on Nusa Penida for most speedboats from Bali. It is also a very famous scuba diving site, especially for drift dives. I like having a breakfast or a fruit juice at Warung Restu, by the beach. It is the only Muslim village on the island, which gives it a doubly exotic aspect.
Seganing
Seganing Waterfall is one of the sites on the southwest coast of Nusa Penida Island where you can admire magnificent landscapes. And make yourself a little fright by going down the cliff side. But do not expect to see a waterfall fall from the top of the cliff, or you may be disappointed …
Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Penida designates the archipelago of the three islands : Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. These two islands are very small and you will have gone around in two hours on a scooter but it can still be worth going for a ride. I’ll let you judge !