Nusa Penida · Nusa Penida, rugged island escape
Things to do in
Nusa Penida
Sheer cliffs, turquoise bays and manta rays off the coast of the wild island south east of Bali.
- Ideal stay
- A long day trip covers the highlights, or 2 nights to reach both coasts at a calmer pace.
- Best time
- April to October brings the calmest crossings and the clearest snorkelling water.
- Getting around
- Roads are rough, so hire a driver for the day rather than an unfamiliar scooter.
- Good to know
- The famous viewpoints involve steep, uneven stairs, and cliff edges have few barriers, so tread carefully.
Nusa Penida is Bali's rugged offshore island, known for cliff viewpoints, clear water and manta rays.
Nusa Penida lies across the Badung Strait south east of Bali, a larger and wilder island than its Lembongan neighbour. Its coastline is a run of limestone cliffs, sea arches and hidden bays reached by rough roads and steep paths. The water around it is clear and cool, drawing snorkellers and divers to swim with manta rays and, in season, the giant mola mola. Roads are poor and distances long, so most visitors see it on day trips or short stays with a driver.
Before you go, read up on money and the rupiah, getting around by ferry, bus and car, the best time to visit and staying safe and healthy.
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01 Cliff iconKelingking Beach viewpoint
Kelingking is the island's signature view, a headland whose shape is often likened to a dinosaur, curving down to a bright turquoise bay. Most visitors come for the clifftop viewpoint, which needs no climb and gives the classic photograph. A very steep, rough stairway descends to the sand if you are fit and careful, taking a hard hour each way. The beach below has strong surf and currents, so swimming is dangerous and best avoided.
Small entry and parking fee; on the south west coast, about 45 minutes from the main harbour by car.
Tip. Go early to beat the crowds and the heat, and only attempt the descent if you are fit and sure-footed.
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02 Natural poolAngel's Billabong
Angel's Billabong is a natural rock channel on the west coast where the tide fills a clear green pool at the cliff edge. At low tide and calm seas the pool is a striking spot on the rock shelf above the ocean. It is dangerous to enter when swells surge across the rocks, and there have been serious accidents here. It sits a short walk from Broken Beach, so the two are usually seen together.
Small entry and parking fee; west coast near Broken Beach, roughly an hour from the harbour by car.
Tip. Only approach at low tide and calm seas, and never enter the pool when waves are washing over the rocks.
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03 Sea archBroken Beach
Broken Beach, or Pasih Uug, is a round bay ringed by cliffs with a natural rock arch that lets the sea flow in and out. A path circles the rim, giving views down to the water swirling through the arch below. Manta rays are sometimes spotted in the bay from above. It is an easy walk from Angel's Billabong and needs only a short stroll from the car park.
Small entry and parking fee; west coast beside Angel's Billabong, about an hour from the harbour.
Tip. Walk the full loop of the rim for the best angles on the arch and the chance to spot rays below.
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04 Snorkel bayCrystal Bay and manta snorkelling
Crystal Bay is a sheltered west-coast beach with clear water and a small island offshore, popular for swimming and snorkelling. It is a common base for boat trips to nearby manta cleaning stations, where snorkellers can swim above the rays. In the cooler months the bay is also a spot to look for the rare mola mola sunfish. The beach itself has soft sand and some shade, making it a relaxed midday stop.
Beach entry small; manta snorkel trips from around 150,000 rupiah (about 10 US dollars); west coast, about 30 minutes from the harbour.
Tip. Book a morning manta snorkel trip, when the sea is calmest and sightings are most reliable.
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05 East cliffsDiamond Beach and Atuh
Diamond Beach sits on the far east coast, a white-sand cove framed by tall rock pillars below sheer cliffs. A carved stairway descends to the sand, steep but easier than the Kelingking climb. The neighbouring Atuh Beach and its viewpoints round out the eastern circuit. The east is a long, rough drive from the harbour, so it is often paired with an overnight stay.
Small entry and parking fee; far east coast, over an hour from the main harbour on rough roads.
Tip. Pair Diamond and Atuh with a night on the island, as the east coast is a long drive to reach in a single day.
- 06 Day trip
Diving and island day tours
Nusa Penida is one of Bali's top diving areas, with reef and drift sites and reliable manta and mola mola encounters. Day tours from Bali combine the fast boat crossing with a driver and a set loop of viewpoints. Diving is usually booked separately with an operator running trips to Manta Point and other sites. The strong currents mean dive sites suit experienced divers or those going with a good guide.
Day tours from around 700,000 rupiah (about 45 US dollars); the fast boat from Sanur takes roughly 45 minutes.
Tip. For a smooth day, book a tour that includes the boat, a private car and driver, and lunch on the island.
Top-rated Nusa Penida tours
The best-reviewed guided experiences right now, live from Viator, with free cancellation on most.
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Tulamben Diving USS Liberty Shipwreck Scuba Dive
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East Nusa Penida With Tembeling Beach Natural Pool - Private tour
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A first-timer's three days
A relaxed way to fold the essentials into a long weekend, keeping the busiest sights for the cooler ends of the day.
West coast highlights
- Cross early and drive to Kelingking viewpoint
- Walk between Angel's Billabong and Broken Beach
- Cool off with a snorkel at Crystal Bay
East coast and cliffs
- Take the long drive to Diamond and Atuh beaches
- Descend the carved stairway to Diamond Beach
- Return west for sunset near the harbour
Underwater day
- Join a morning manta snorkel or dive trip
- Rest through the midday heat at Crystal Bay
- Catch the afternoon boat back to Bali
Insider tips
A few things that make Nusa Penida smoother, and keep the trip easy.
Hire a driver
The island's roads are rough and steep, so a local driver for the day is safer and less stressful than an unfamiliar scooter.
Start early
The famous viewpoints crowd up by mid-morning, so take the first boats and reach Kelingking before the tour groups.
Respect the sea
Currents and surges are strong at Kelingking and Angel's Billabong, so stay back from the water at exposed spots.
Carry cash and water
Each viewpoint charges a small cash fee and facilities are basic, so bring rupiah notes and plenty of water.
Nusa Penida things to do: FAQ
Can you visit Nusa Penida as a day trip?
Yes, a long day trip from Sanur covers the west-coast highlights, though two nights let you reach the east coast at a calmer pace.
How do you get to Nusa Penida?
Fast boats run from Sanur in about forty-five minutes, and once there most visitors hire a driver because the roads are rough.
Can you swim with manta rays?
Yes, snorkel and dive trips visit manta cleaning stations year round, with the calmest seas and best odds in the dry season.
Is the walk down to Kelingking Beach hard?
Very, the stairway is steep and rough and takes about an hour each way, so only attempt it if you are fit and sure-footed.
When is the best time to visit Nusa Penida?
April to October brings the calmest crossings and clearest water, while the cooler months add a chance of seeing mola mola.