14 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida

Are you looking for the best things to do in Nusa Penida? This is a popular beach destination that boasts scenic beaches, palm trees, incredible rock formations, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and numerous snorkeling spots.

Wondering what to do in Nusa Penida? Visit the famous Kelingking (T-Rex) Beach, swim with manta rays, explore the best snorkeling spots, hike down to Peguyangan Waterfall, and admire the stunning scenery from the island’s viewpoints.

This ultimate guide includes the best time to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Nusa Penida, Indonesia.

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Best things to do in Nusa Penida

Most people take a day trip to Nusa Penida from Bali. But for the best experience, it’s worth spending at least 3-5 days on the island and discovering the best places at your own pace.

We really enjoyed exploring Nusa Penida’s attractions. Our favorite experiences include taking photos at the Kelingking Beach viewpoint and the epic staircase at Diamond Beach, snorkeling with manta rays, and motorcycling around the island.

Here are all your hotel options.

1. Diamond Beach

The untouched white sands, unique rock formations, and crystal clear turquoise waters make it the perfect place for beach lovers. Diamond Beach gets its name from the diamond-shaped rock formation on the beach.

The entrance fee to Diamond Beach is 35,000 IDR (2 USD) per person and includes a visit to Atuh Beach.

An epic steep staircase leads to the beach, which offers fantastic photo opportunities. This is a popular attraction in Nusa Penida, so we recommend arriving in the morning when it is less crowded than during the day.

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The famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Thousand Islands Viewpoint are just a 5-minute drive from the beach.

Recommended post → How to Visit Diamond Beach

2. Kelingking Beach

Visiting Kelingking Beach was one of our favorite things to do in Nusa Penida. This place is famous for its unique cliff formation, which resembles the shape of a T-Rex dinosaur and offers fantastic photo opportunities. In our opinion, it is one of the most beautiful sights in Indonesia.

The beach is located on the west side of the island, about a 45-minute drive from the harbor. You can easily reach it by scooter or hiring a private driver.

If you want to avoid the snaking queues at the famous viewpoint, visit early in the morning or late afternoon when most tourists have already left.

Most people just enjoy the breathtaking views from above, take the perfect Instagram photo, and continue exploring the sights of Nusa Penida. But there is a steep and scary path leading down to the beach.

Read the full post → Kelingking Beach & T-Rex Cliff Hike

3. Peguyangan Waterfall

Peguyangan Waterfall is located at the bottom of an infamous blue staircase clinging to the cliffside. More than 700 steep steps lead down to the base of the waterfall, and descent takes about 20-30 minutes. We recommend using the handrail and wear suitable shoes. If you are afraid of heights, it is better to skip it.

Then, you can take a refreshing dip in the natural rock pools and admire the huge waves crashing into the cliffs.

There is a sacred temple at the bottom of the stairs, so you must wear a sarong.

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.

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4. Broken Beach

Visiting Broken Beach, also known as Pasih Uug, is one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida. Broken Beach is a natural rock formation that creates a circular cove that allows the waves to flow in and out of the ocean through a spectacular archway.

No matter how inviting the beautiful water there is no way to access the beach or swim, but the stunning views make it worth a visit. Spend at least 1 hour there, walk along the natural bridge, and see the beach from different angles.

The water at Broken Beach is so crystal clear that you can even see manta rays from above. Get an unforgettable experience and swim with manta rays.

5. Angel’s Billabong

Are you looking for a unique place to visit? Angel’s Billabong is a natural infinity pool surrounded by rugged rock formations. The vibrant shades of water, especially at low tide, are stunning.

Angel’s Billabong is located just a few minutes from Broken Beach.

It’s not easy to get there, as the road is potholed and bumpy in many places, so plan for extra travel time! But after arriving, you can easily walk from the parking lot to Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach.

Previously, you could go into the natural pool for a refreshing dip. But since there have been many accidents and some deaths, swimming is now prohibited at Angel’s Billabong. Big ocean waves can crash into the rocks, making the pool dangerous.

Here are all your hotel options.

6. Rumah Pohon Tree House

Rumah Pohon Tree House is one of the most visited places on the island. It is only a 5-10 minute walk down the stairs from the parking lot.

Due to its popularity, there can be crazy lines during the day, and you only have 2 minutes to take a photo. Avoid the crowds and the heat, and make creative content at your own pace at sunrise!

The entrance fee to Rumah Pohon Tree House is 25,000 IDR, and the photo ticket costs 75,000 IDR per person. You can also take pictures at Coco Cliff and Swing.

Previously, you could even book a night in the tree houses. But nowadays, they are only used as an Instagram photo spot. In our detailed post, we have described the best areas and unique hotels in Nusa Penida.

7. Suwehan Beach

One of the best things to do in Nusa Penida is to discover hidden gems. Suwehan Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach with turquoise water, high waves, and a magnificent rock formation.

The beach is located on the southeast side of the island, the perfect place to escape the crowds. It’s a short walk from the parking lot, and there are over 300 steps leading down to the beach. The descent takes about 20-30 minutes and is tiring due to the heat.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit because of the high tide. So always check the tide times before heading there!

8. Thousand Islands Viewpoint

If you’re looking for one of the best viewpoints on the island, we recommend visiting the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. From there, you have a spectacular view of Diamond Beach, the turquoise waters, and the surrounding cliffs. The viewpoint is just a few steps from the famous Tree House, so you can easily combine your visit.

The entrance fee to the Thousand Islands Viewpoint is 25,000 IDR per person, and the parking fee is 5,000 IDR.

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We recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset for the best views.

9. Swim at Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is a stunning white sandy beach surrounded by huge cliffs and incredible rock formations. Getting down the steep stairs to the beach is a challenge, but after a dip in the refreshing water, it’s well worth the effort! You can rent two sun loungers with an umbrella for 100,000 IDR.

Good to know
Currents and wawes can be strong and unpredictable around the island, so be careful when swimming!

The parking lot is located between Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. The parking fee is 5,000 IDR. From the parking lot, you can easily reach the beaches. After visiting the beaches, enjoy the view from the Jogglo viewpoint.

Here are all your hotel options.

10. Teletubbies Hill

Looking for free things to do in Nusa Penida? Teletubbies Hill is one of the best places to watch the sunset, and the rolling hills provide the perfect backdrop for photos.

It’s easily accessible by car or scooter. However, the roads leading to the hills are narrow and bumpy, so drive carefully!

During the warmer months, the hills dry out and turn brown, so they are not as lush and green as they are in the rainy season (November to April).

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You can easily combine a visit to Teletubbies Hill with nearby attractions such as Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, and Suwehan Beach.

11. Watch the Sunset at Crystal Bay

The beach is just a 30-minute drive from the port and is the perfect place for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and watching the sunset.

The road to Crystal Bay is lined with palm trees and offers fantastic photo opportunities from above. So, if you have a drone, bring it with you and take an epic photo. The beach is free to visit, but the parking fee is 10,000 IDR for cars and 5,000 IDR for scooters.

If you’re looking for more stunning beaches, check out our post on the best beaches in Nusa Penida.

12. Swim with Manta Rays

For an exciting experience, swim with manta rays and see colorful coral reefs at Wall Bay Point (‘the Wall’), Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay, and capture the beautiful moments with a GoPro.

Book this top-rated snorkeling tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.

Good to know
Foreign tourists are required to pay a marine retribution fee of 100,000 IDR (around 6 USD) for diving, snorkeling, or swimming in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area.

13. Tembeling Beach, Forest & Natural Pools

Get off the beaten path and discover one of Nusa Penida’s hidden gems. But Tembeling Beach and Forest are difficult to reach.

If you are not an experienced scooter driver, you should leave your motorbike in the parking space. Then, walk down to the beach, which takes about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can pay for a local motorbike taxi.

The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR per person and 5,000 IDR for parking.

Once you arrive, spend a few hours there, take a refreshing dip in the natural pools, see the beach, and explore the small cave.

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.

grab our map now

14. Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff Point is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida Island, just a short drive from Tembeling Beach. This is an underrated spot on the island, with beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere, so if you have time, be sure to visit, especially at sunset.

During our visit, there was no entrance fee, and parking was free.

Where to Stay in Nusa Penida

If you are looking for affordable hotels near Kelingking Beach, stay at Parama Resort, Puri Suci Villa, or Mesari Villa and Spa.

There are some luxury hotels and resorts on the island. But accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Nusa Penida

Luxury: Pramana Natura
Mid-Range: Atalaya Villas – Adults Only or Maua Penida
Budget: Kompyang Cottage

more hotels

Wondering where to stay on the island? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Nusa Penida.

How to Get to Nusa Penida

Unfortunately, there is no airport on the island. The nearest airport is in Bali, the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (airport code DPS).

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Bali, Indonesia.

You can easily get to Nusa Penida by fast boat or public 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 with 12Go.

When you arrive at the port, 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 Nusa Penida

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.

Get your Ferry Tickets.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Bali to Nusa Penida with all the information you need.

If you’re short on time or looking for the easiest way to get to Penida, book an all-inclusive full-day trip 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 Kelingking (T-Rex) Beach, Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong, Diamond Beach, and Rumah Pohon Tree House.

How to Get Around Nusa Penida Island

The best ways to get around the island are to rent a scooter or hire a private car with a driver. Alternatively, you can join an organized shared or private tour, including transfers.

We rented a motorbike and explored the attractions at our own pace. It’s good to know that not all roads are paved! Most are quite bumpy, so drive carefully and allow extra time to get from one place to another!

Scooter rental starts from 65,000 IDR (4 USD) per day, but we don’t recommend paying more than 85,000 IDR (5 USD). If you rent a scooter for several days, ask for a discount! Always wear a helmet and avoid driving at night.

Best Restaurants & Bars

You will find many great local restaurants (warungs) and cozy beach bars on the island.

Penida Colada (One of the best beach bars, with delicious food and drinks)
Next Level Penida (Popular breakfast spot)
Warung Jun (Cheap, local dishes)
The Chill Penida (A plant-based and vegan-friendly beach club)
Secret Penida Restaurant & Bar (Fantastic food with a beautiful view of the waterfront)

Here are all your hotel options.

Best Time to Visit Nusa Penida

Indonesia has two seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. This beautiful island is a popular destination all year round. But the best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. August is the driest month. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for boat tours, swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the neighboring islands.

It’s good to know that during the rainy season (from November to April) or when the sea conditions are bad, the boat schedules can change and be delayed a lot, so plan your trip in advance!

The island has a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round.

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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation, ferry tickets, and tours in advance!

How many Days do you Need in Nusa Penida?

We recommend spending 3-5 days on the island and exploring the best places at your own pace. Then, travel to Gili Air, the other two Nusa Islands, Senggigi (Lombok), or back to Bali.

Read our → Lombok Itinerary

We hope our list of the best things to do in Nusa Penida will help you plan your next trip to Bali, Indonesia. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

14 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida