Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida: Complete Guide
Kelingking Beach was one of our favorite places on Nusa Penida Island. This place is famous for its unique cliff formation, which resembles the shape of a T-Rex dinosaur and offers fantastic photo opportunities.
Nusa Penida is the best base for visiting the beach, but you can take a day trip from Bali. Once you arrive, you can enjoy the breathtaking views from above or watch the sunset from Kelingking Beach sunset point. But for the best experience, take a hike to the secluded, pristine beach.
This ultimate guide to Kelingking Beach includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect during the T-Rex cliff hike, and tips for visiting.
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Where is Kelingking Beach?
Kelingking Beach, also known as T-Rex Beach, is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida Island in Indonesia, a short boat ride from Bali.
How to Get to Kelingking Beach
To get to the beach, you first need to get to Nusa Penida Island in Indonesia. Unfortunately, there is no airport in Nusa Penida. The nearest airport is in Bali, the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS).
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Nusa Penida can be reached by fast boat or slow ferry from Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, the Gili Islands, and Lombok. Boat tickets can be easily bought at the port, but we recommend booking online.
When you arrive in Nusa Penida Harbour, you must pay the island entrance fee (tourist retribution fee), which costs 25,000 IDR for adults and 15,000 IDR for children.
Bali to Kelingking Beach
Ferries run regularly between Sanur Harbour and Nusa Penida. Sanur Port is ideal for those staying in Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu.
Speedboat tickets cost around 9-10 USD one way, and travel time is approximately 30-50 minutes. Sanur Port has a port fee of 10,000 IDR per person.
We have a detailed post on how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali with all the information you need.
Once you arrive at Nusa Penida port, rent a scooter or hire a private driver and visit the beach. Alternatively, you can join an organized shared or private tour, which includes transport.
Kelingking Beach is a 45-minute drive from the harbor. The road leading there has been recently renovated and is in good condition. As this is a popular place on the island, be careful as the road can be busy.
Kelingking Beach Tour
If you’re short on time or looking for the easiest way to get to Nusa Penida, book an all-inclusive full-day tour with transfers.
Alternatively, join this excellent East & West Highlights Full-Day Tour from Bali. During the tour, you can visit the island’s most popular attractions, such as the famous T-Rex Beach, Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong, Diamond Beach, and Rumah Pohon Tree House.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Nusa Penida
Best Time to Visit Nusa Penida
Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The best time to visit Nusa Penida is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for boat tours, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the island.
The rainy season runs from November to April.
Nusa Penida Island has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, ferry tickets, and tours in advance!
See also → Best Areas & Hotels in Nusa Penida
Traveling to Bali and the Nusa Islands?
Your trip just got easier! Use our handpicked private Google Maps: best beaches, waterfalls, to do’s, our favorite restaurants & more.
Kelingking Beach & T-Rex Cliff Hike
Whether you enjoy the view from above or hike down to the beach, Kelingking Beach is an unforgettable experience and a must-visit for everyone.
The hike down to the beach is steep and challenging, with rocky and narrow paths, so you’ll need good hiking stamina and proper footwear. During our visit, some people tried to go down to the beach barefoot, as flip-flops were not safe. Avoid unnecessary stress and dangerous situations, and wear the right shoes!
The entrance fee to Kelingking Beach is 10,000 IDR per person, plus 5,000 IDR for parking.
The beginning of the stairs can get crowded as everyone is trying to take photos there. But if you go down a little bit it’s easier to take photos without waiting in line.
During peak times (between 11 AM and 2 PM), many people are hiking to the beach, and it is difficult to pass them, so you need to be patient and careful. The hike is also more difficult because of the heat and humidity, so carry plenty of water.
The hike to Kelingking Beach takes about 30 minutes and will probably take longer on the way back.
We do not recommend this hike for children, people with knee problems, or the elderly. Only go down to the beach if you are in good physical condition.
We didn’t go down as we thought the view from the top was much better. But if you have enough time and like challenges and adventures, don’t miss it.
Once you get down to the beach, buy a coconut and enjoy the scenery, take some beautiful photos, sunbathe, and relax. Be sure to head back before dark, as the trail is even more dangerous in poor visibility!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Can I swim at Kelingking Beach?
Swimming is prohibited at Kelingking. Please be careful when visiting this beach, as the waves and currents are very strong! Unfortunately, some tourists have been swept away by the powerful waves and in some cases, have not returned to the beach after swimming.
If you’re looking for more stunning beaches, check out our post on the best beaches in Nusa Penida.
Kelingking Beach Elevator
A new 182-meter glass elevator is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2025, giving future visitors easier access to the beach.
We think this construction will destroy the pristine beauty of the place and spoil the landscape.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida
Most people take a day trip from Bali, but for the best experience, spend at least 3-5 days on the island and exploring the best places at your own pace. These are our accommodation recommendations.
- Luxury: Pramana Natura
- Mid-Range: Atalaya Villas – Adults Only or Maua Nusa Penida
- Budget: Kompyang Cottage
Wondering where to stay in Nusa Penida? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Nusa Penida.
Best Hotels near Kelingking Beach
There are affordable hotel options near the beach, such as Parama Resort, Puri Suci Villa, or Mesari Villa and Spa.
What to Pack
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Swimsuit
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera gear
- Snacks
- Plenty of Water
- Local money
Tips for Visiting
- If you want to avoid the snaking queues at the famous Kelingking Beach Viewpoint and get the best photos, visit early in the morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon when most tourist groups have already left.
- Sunset is one of the best times to visit this place. Although the sunset can be beautiful, it may not be worth it as you will have to drive your scooter back to your hotel in the dark.
- Bring enough local cash for parking, food/drinks, and the entrance fee.
- Don’t bring unnecessary things with you.
- Plan enough time for the hike.
- Do not hike in flip-flops! It is very easy to slip or lose your step, so watch out for yourself and others.
- Be careful with monkeys, especially if you are taking photos, as they may steal your stuff.
- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
- Combine your visit with the stunning Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, just a 30-minute drive away.
We hope you found our guide to Kelingking Beach useful and will inspire you to visit Nusa Penida. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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