Nusa Penida, Bali
The big island off Sanur — Kelingking's dinosaur-shaped cliff, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong and snorkelling with manta rays — a long, spectacular, bumpy day.
What is Nusa Penida like, and how do you get there?
Nusa Penida is a dry limestone island 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur, with the most dramatic coastline in Bali on its west side: the Kelingking cliff, the collapsed cave at Broken Beach, the natural pool at Angel's Billabong and Crystal Bay for snorkelling. The roads are narrow and rough, so a car and driver on the island is essential. We drive you to Sanur for the boat, and a partner driver meets you on the other side.
- RegionOff the south-east coast
- Best forCliffs, photos, snorkelling
- From Sanur30 min to the harbour + 45 min boat
- How longA full day, 07:00 to 18:00
- Best timeApril to October; calm seas
- CrowdsHeavy at Kelingking by 10:00
On the ground
Rougher than Bali. The roads are potholed single tracks, the drives between sights are 30–60 minutes each, and the viewpoints involve steps and unfenced edges. It's also breathtaking — Kelingking's cliff is the photograph of the island, and Broken Beach is a cove reached through a collapsed sea cave.
The west-coast circuit (Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Crystal Bay) is what most people do and it takes the whole day. The east (Diamond Beach, Atuh) is a separate day. Snorkelling with mantas at Manta Point is by boat and can be combined with the west coast if the sea is calm.
Go early on the first boat, do Kelingking first while the light is soft and the steps are empty, and accept that the car will be hot.
What to see on Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach
The T-rex cliff. The viewpoint is easy; the steep path to the beach is 45 minutes each way and not for everyone.
Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong
A cove through a collapsed cave and a natural rock pool next door; five minutes apart.
Crystal Bay
Snorkelling off the beach, turtles on a good day. The last stop before the boat.
Manta Point
Manta rays year-round, by small boat from Crystal Bay or the harbour; add it if the sea is calm.
Entrance fees are in the price of our set routes; on a car + driver day they are paid at the gate, and your driver tells you the amounts the evening before.
What to do
Set routes that stop at Nusa Penida
None of our set routes stops here yet — a driver day does.
Or make it a driver day
Nusa Penida plus wherever else you like, at your pace — up to ten hours, priced per car, your route.
Before you go
How long should you stay? One full day for the west coast. Two nights on the island if you want the east coast and the mantas without a boat back the same day.
Best time to visit. The dry season, April to October, for calm crossings and clear water. In the wet season boats are cancelled on rough days.
| Tickets | Fast boat return per person; car and driver on the island per day; small fees at each viewpoint |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Boats from 07:00; last return around 16:30 |
| Dress | Trainers for the steps; swimwear and a rash vest |
| Walking | Steps and rough paths at every viewpoint; Kelingking beach is a scramble |
| Food | Warungs at each stop; bring water |
| Toilets | Basic, at the car parks |
| Seas | Crossings can be rough; motion-sickness tablets |
Photos
Nusa Penida in photos
Questions
Asked in the car
Is it a day trip or an overnight?
A day trip works for the west coast. Add a night if you want the east coast, the mantas, or simply not to do six hours of travel and eight of driving in one day.
Can we swim at Kelingking?
The beach at the bottom is beautiful and dangerous — strong shore break, no lifeguard. Most people go down for the photo and don't swim. Crystal Bay is the swim.
Is it suitable for children?
From about eight, with a hand held at the viewpoints. Younger children and the elderly find the roads and the steps hard; Nusa Lembongan is the gentler island.
Nearby, with our photos
The big island day
Send a date; we book the boat and a driver on the island and tell you what time the first crossing leaves.