The wonderful island of Nusa Penida is located southeast of Bali, right next to Bali's famous island paradises Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
Nusa Penida is pretty small but has more to offer than you might think: Waterfalls, mantas, caves, natural pools and impressive cliff and hill landscapes. There are so many awesome things to do on Nusa Penida Island!
In this article you share my absolute highlights of my four-day trip around Nusa Penida.
How To Get To Nusa Penida
The ferry leaves multiple times per day from Sanur (east Bali). You can also take a boat from either Nusa Lembongan, Kusamba or Padangbai to Nusa Penida. Costs range from 50,000 Rupiah to 500,000 Rupiah.
If you are staying in Bali but still want to spend a day or two experiencing Nusa Penida, you can take a day trip on a speedboat to the island and tour around the sights for the day with a guide before returning back to Bali in the evening. However, I recommend spending a few nights on site. Only then you can really feel the atmosphere of the island and you will get more out of your visit!
You may want to consider spending 2-3 nights on the island if you would like to see all of the points of interest without having to rush.
Nusa Penida Transport
You have to options to choose from to get around Nusa Penida:
A Motorbike
If you want to rent a scooter and explore the island on your own, you have to keep in mind that it costs a little bit more than on Bali mainland. Your accommodation will help you with this.
Note: The roads on this island are pretty bad – rocky, hilly, bumpy, muddy. It is definitely not for amateur riders. If you are doubting yourself or are not confident on a scooter, don’t do it.
A Private Driver
I found a reliable tour guide who spoke really decent English through my accommodation. He was very young, somewhere in his early to mid twenties but age wasn’t too much of an issue. If you can find some other people in your accommodation to join you it's even better as you can share the price. For me it ended up being almost the same price as renting a scooter for a day!
Where to stay on Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida Hostel
I have stayed at the Nuansa Penida Hostel. It is a great place to connect with fellow backpackers. It offers accommodation with a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and a bar. You can choose between a private room or dormitories, each with a private bathroom.
Top Things To Do On Nusa Penida
1. Pura Goa Giri Putri Cave
As the name suggests, Goa Giri Putri Cave is a cave - but a very special cave.
We were blessed with some water to the forehead before crawling through a tiny crack in the ground. The Goa Giri Putri Cave is quite big and inside Hindu ceremonies take place regularly.
The huge cave is illuminated by a few lamps and there is even a paved path that runs through the cave. (A donation is required)
2. Atuh Beach
Atuh Beach is a stunning white sand beach located in a bay and surrounded by the huge cliffs and remarkable rock formations. At the white sandy beach there are a few warnings and some beach chairs.
3. Angels Billabong
Its shape and colors make this crystal clear tide pool so special!
In some areas, the water is deep enough for a little dip if you climb down over the stones! It is a highly photographed spot on Nusa Penida because of how unique the landscape is.
As with all tidal pools you need to arrive at the right time of day. You will experience a very different pool visiting Angel's Billabong during high-tide instead of low-tide.
4. Broken Beach
Broken Bay is just around the corner of Angels Billabong. It is an incredible little cove in the middle of the landscape, filled with seawater that has a wonderful turquoise shimmer.
The sea water flows in and out through the archway that wraps around the bay. Unfortunately, the place is not suitable for swimming.
5. Kelingking ‘T-Rex’ - Karang Dawa Viewpoint
Instagram and the T-Rex shape of the coastal cliffscape has caused this location to become so popular and famous. Unfortunately, it can get pretty crowded here!
You get amazing views over the beautiful Kelingking Beach. If you wish to you can go down but it is not so easy to reach. There is a way down from the cliffs - but it is rather in the category "very adventurous". If you still want to venture down, you should wear sturdy shoes and don't forget your water!
6. Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) Viewpoint
The hike down the ridge takes no more than ten minutes to the first viewpoint that overlooks the bay known as Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu). The view is incredible!
 Viewpoint Nusa Penida Bali)
 Viewpoint Nusa Penida Bali)
7. Nusa Penida Treehouse (Rumah Pohon)
I would be surprised if you haven’t seen the Rumah Pohon Tree House on social media. This incredible cliffside treehouse has become very popular thanks to Instagram.
If you want to get that perfect Instagram photo of the Nusa Penida Tree House you can stand on the hill on the right-hand side of the track to capture the best angle. If you want to stand on the ladders of the Tree House in the picture you have to pay 50,000 Rupia.
Depending on what time of day you visit the Tree House, there may or may not be a line of people waiting to get a photo.
 Nusa Pendia Bali)
 Nusa Pendia Bali)
9. Diamond Beach
From above you have probably the best view of Diamond Beach. You have probably already seen the picture of the stone stairs everywhere on Instagram.
Diamond Beach is a beautiful beach with white sand and shining blue and turquoise water surrounded by limestone and a small group of coconut trees. The dreamlike bay is located on the eastern part of Nusa Penida.
Only since October 2018, the steps carved into the stone down to Diamond Beach have been completed and opened to visitors. Therefore it has been the absolute highlight of Nusa Penida and one of the places which is worth to visit as soon as possible, as there haven't been many tourists around!
The way down to Diamond Beach only takes around ten minutes. The stairs are quite narrow so be careful and take your time!
Things to know before you go
Tourism
You will be one of millions of mass tourists. It is not only on Nusa Penida, but Bali in general. The problem is complex but I would have liked to go somewhere else and did not enjoy it at all. Even thought the landscape is beautiful!
ATM's
If there is only one advice I can give you - this is it:
Take enough cash!
There are some ATM's located around Nusa Penida but as it takes a while to get around the island you can't check every ATM. When I was there all the ATM's were either out of cash or didn't work. One actually didn't give back the credit card of a girl trying to get some cash before us - which is unfortunately not quite uncommon.
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xx
Nina
Great info! Beautiful pictures 😍
Thank you so much!:)
Great information with great photos! I’m happy I got to see somethings here, but Bali was a huge let down for me, maybe because I felt like I didn’t get to really experience the culture. Bali is way too huge on Instagram and I didn’t know that coming into the trip. Good post though! 🙂
Thanks! 🙂 I can totally understand what you mean. It’s way too touristy and I’ve also been quite disappointed.
I guess I’ve just expected too much. 😀
I didn’t make it as far as Nusa Pendida last time we were there but did Nusa Dua with a private driver. Private drivers are definitely the way to go in my opinion. They can take you to the next beach nearby when you are ready, keep your stuff safe and give you great recommendations you would otherwise not know about.
Nusa Dua must be beautiful as well 😍
I would definitely hire a private driver again!
It’s also way safer than driving a scooter on those bumpy roads .
The photos are stunning, amazing, beautiful! ♥ My friends also have been there and everything that I can say, that’s this is one of the MUST-SEE in our lives! One day..
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s absolutely beautiful 😍 also quite touristy but if you visit Bali you should definitely take a ferry and go there as well.
What gorgeous photos you have! I have always wanted to visit Nusa Penida but haven’t made it out that far east yet. You have inspired me more 🙂 Thank you!
Thank you! 😊 I hope you can go there the next time it’s so beautiful 🙂
Wow! Nusa looks like paradise on Earth! I love the actionable tips that you gave, especially the one about bringing enough cash. You definitely don’t want to be stranded while there…or maybe you do. LOL!
Thank you! Yes, haha I wouldn’t mind being stranded there but with money please 😅
Wow, the beaches look utterly pristine! I really need to get to Bali asap, it’s been on my bucket list for a long time!
It is beautiful but also pretty touristy! I hope you get there soon 😊
Your pictures are GORGEOUS!!!! Nusa Penida looks so good! Can’t wait to go to Bali some and hopefully visit here 💃🏾
Thank you so much! I hope you can visit one day and definitely go to Nusa Penida as well!
Great post! I’ve never been Nusa Penida, but it looks so beautiful. The beaches look so clean and pristine. Those viewpoints are also incredible! Looks like such a beautiful part of the world, and I would love to get there one day.
The viewpoints are just amazing! Hopefully you’ll get there and experience the beautiful island yourself 😊
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I thought Nusa Penida was just that one beach that everyone takes photos of from above 🙈 Good to know that it’s a full island with so much more to see! It’s high time for me to visit Indonesia, I guess 😁
Haha yes there’s so much more to do than what you see on Instagram 😊 it’s definitely worth a visit!
oh wow! Angels Billabong is one I’d not heard of before. Looks incredible. Wishing I was there!!
Happy to hear to give some new infos 😊 it’s really beautiful and easy to combine in one day with the other spots around!
I’m heading to Bali in a month and plan on heading here! Such a great guide on things to do, I’ll save it for when the time comes closer 🙂
Yay I wish you an amazing time and great holiday! I hope you’ll enjoy it 😊
Nusa Penida looks like a dream, I’d love to visit one day! Added to my bucket list 🙂
It is so beautiful! I hope you’ll get there soon 😊