11 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida

Are you looking for the best things to do in Nusa Penida? Nusa Penida is a popular destination in Indonesia, so you can’t miss it on your Bali Itinerary.

The Nusa Islands are the perfect escape from Bali and are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.

Wondering what to do in Nusa Penida, Indonesia?

Enjoy the scenery from the Kelingking Beach viewpoint, snorkel with manta rays, relax on the best beaches, discover the hidden gems, and take a day trip to the Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan.

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

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Where is Nusa Penida?

Nusa Penida is a small island located southeast of Bali in Indonesia.

The Nusa Islands consist of three small islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan).

Nusa Penida is the most famous of the 3 islands, with beautiful attractions such as Kelingking Beach (T-Rex Beach), Crystal Bay, and Diamond Beach.

Is Nusa Penida Worth Visiting?

Absolutely!

It is a popular beach destination with beautiful white sandy beaches, palm trees, incredible rock formations, crystal clear turquoise waters, and many snorkel spots.

Good to know
Nusa Penida has an entrance fee of 25,000 IDR (1,65 USD) per person.

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, 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 island.

Nusa Islands have a tropical climate with high humidity, and the average temperature is 27°C all year round.

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 Indonesia trip in advance!

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

Keep reading → How to Spend 2 weeks in Lombok

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How to Get to Nusa Penida

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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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Bali, Indonesia.

Nusa Penida can be reached by speed boat or slow ferry from Bali, Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Gili Islands, and Lombok. You can easily buy boat tickets at any port, but we recommend booking online with 12Go!

We recommend you spend at least 3 days in Nusa Penida and enjoy the magical sunrises and sunsets, swim in the crystal clear waters, snorkel, or relax on the stunning beaches.

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If you’re limited on time or looking for the easiest way to get to Nusa Penida from Bali, book an epic day trip with Viator.

How to Get from Bali to Nusa Penida

The fast boat is the quickest way to get from Bali to Nusa Penida Island.

Ferries run regularly between Sanur Harbour and Nusa Penida. Buy your boat ticket online.

Sanur Port is ideal for those staying in Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu.

Fast boat tickets cost around 7-10 USD per person, and travel time is approximately 40-50 minutes.

We have a detailed guide on how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali, Lombok, Nusa Lembongan, and the Gili Islands.

How to Get Around Nusa Penida Island

Wondering how to visit the best attractions in Nusa Penida?

Getting around in Nusa Penida is not easy as the roads are in bad condition, and it takes a long time to get from one place to another!

The best ways to get around the island are to rent a scooter, hire a private car with a driver, or join a private or group tour that includes a transfer.

Scooter rental starts from 50,000 IDR (3 USD) per day, but we don’t recommend paying more than 75,000 IDR (5 USD).

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If you rent a scooter for several days, ask for a discount!

Is it Safe to Travel to Nusa Penida?

Yes, it is generally safe. However, always keep an eye on your valuables and beware of pickpockets!

Always stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

The roads are in bad condition, so if you rent a motorbike, drive very carefully! Always wear a helmet and avoid driving at night!

As many places have bumpy roads or no paved roads, therefore drive carefully and allow extra time to get from one place to another!

Currents and waves around the Nusa Islands can be strong and unpredictable, so be careful when swimming or snorkeling!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Best things to do in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

1. Visit Kelingking Beach

The famous T-Rex Beach is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida. The disadvantage is that it is always crowded!

As it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Indonesia, don’t miss it on your Nusa Penida Itinerary.

Kelingking Beach is located on the west side of the island.

You can easily reach it by renting a scooter, hiring a driver, or visiting on a day trip from Bali.

Kelingking Beach is free to visit, and there is only a parking fee of 10,000 IDR (0,65 USD).

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.

If you would like to take an epic walk along the T-Rex ridgeline, you should plan to spend at least 2-3 hours there, as the steep trail is not easy to walk on.

Read more → Tips for Visiting Kelingking Beach

2. See Broken Beach

Visiting Broken Beach is one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida.

Broken Beach is a small cove known for its naturally formed arch in the rocks and is one of the most beautiful sights on the island.

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. There is no entrance fee!

Spend at least 1 hour there, walk along the natural bridge, and see Broken Beach from different angles.

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

3. Enjoy the Scenery at the Angel’s Billabong

Are you looking for a unique place to visit in Nusa Penida?

Angel’s Billabong is located just a few minutes from Broken Beach. It is a natural infinity pool between two cliffs and one of the most unique attractions in Nusa Penida.

Getting to Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong is difficult because of the bumpy road conditions, so plan for extra travel time! But after arriving, you can easily walk from the parking lot to Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach.

No entrance fee! The parking fee is just 10,000 IDR (0,65 USD).

Good to know
Previously, you could go into the water for a refreshing dip. But since many tourists were injured and some died there, swimming is now forbidden!

See also → Things to Do in Gili Air

4. See Thousand Islands Viewpoint

If you’re looking for one of the best viewpoints in Nusa Penida, we recommend visiting the Thousand Islands Viewpoint.

From there, you have a spectacular view of Diamond Beach, the turquoise waters, and the surrounding cliffs.

For the best scenery, we recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset.

The Thousand Islands Viewpoint is just a few steps from the famous tree houses, so you can easily combine your visit.

The entrance fee is 15,000 IDR (1 USD), and the parking fee is just 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD).

Good to know
The famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Thousand Islands Viewpoint are just a 5-minute drive from Diamond Beach.

5. Take a Photo at the Rumah Pohon Tree House

The Rumah Pohon Tree House is one of the most Instagrammable places in Nusa Penida, so don’t miss it on your must-see list.

You can easily reach Rumah Pohon Tree House from the parking lot by walking down the stairs in only 5-10 minutes.

When we visited, it wasn’t such a famous attraction. But now you have to pay a fee, and there is limited time (only 2 minutes) to take photos!

The Rumah Pohon Tree House entrance fee (photo ticket) is 75,000 IDR (5 USD).

Book your Nusa Penida day trip from Bali online.

Although the tree house offers incredible views and fantastic photo opportunities, you can also take pictures at Coco Cliff and Swing. Each attraction costs 50,000 IDR (3,30 USD) per person.

Avoid the crowds and the heat, and make creative content at your own pace at sunrise!

Previously, you could even book a night in the tree houses! But nowadays, they are only used as an Instagram photo spot on the island.

Good to know
As visiting the Rumah Pohon Treehouse is one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida, you may have to wait in a long queue for the perfect photo during the day.

6. Visit Diamond Beach

A visit to Diamond Beach is one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida.

There are many incredible beaches on the island. But in our opinion, the most beautiful beach in Nusa Penida is 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.

No entrance fee! The parking fee is just 10,000 IDR (0,65 USD).

An epic steep staircase leads to the beach, which offers fantastic photo opportunities. 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!

Book your Nusa Penida All-Inclusive Full-Day Tour with Transfers HERE.

7. Chill out at Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is a stunning white sandy beach surrounded by huge cliffs and incredible rock formations.

It’s the perfect place to relax, sunbathe, swim and snorkel.

The Atuh Beach is located on the east side of Nusa Penida, the other side of Diamond Beach, so you can easily combine your visit. The best way to get around Nusa Penida is by hiring a private car with a driver.

The parking lot is located between Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. From the parking lot, you can easily reach Diamond Beach on the right side and Atuh Beach on the left side.

Atuh Beach is also free to visit, and the parking fee is only 10,000 IDR (0,65 USD).

After visiting the beaches, enjoy the view from the Jogglo viewpoint.

Hidden gem in Lombok → Senggigi

8. See Teletubbies Hill

Teletubbies Hill is one of the best sunset spots on the island, and its rolling hills provide the perfect photo backdrop.

As it’s free to visit and easily accessible by motorbike or car, add it to your list of top things to do in Nusa Penida.

During the warmer months, the hills become dry and brown, so they are not as pretty green as in the rainy season!

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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.

9. Enjoy the Sunset at Crystal Bay

Are you looking for one of the best places to visit in Nusa Penida?

Crystal Bay is the perfect place to snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and watch the sunset, so be sure to add it to your list of the best beaches in Nusa Penida.

Crystal Bay is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida, a short 30-minute drive from the harbor on the island.

Join the best snorkeling spots tour to Lembongan and Penida.

Finish your perfect day in Nusa Penida and enjoy the sunset with a cold beer or coconut at Crystal Bay Beach.

No entrance fee! The parking fee for cars is 10,000 IDR (0,65 USD), and for scooters is 5,000 IDR (0,35 USD).

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The road toward Crystal Bay is full of palm trees, which makes it one of the best Instagram spots on the island! So, if you have a drone, bring it with you and take an epic photo.

10. Snorkel with Manta Rays

The Nusa Islands are the perfect place to watch manta rays!

The most popular snorkeling spots around Nusa Islands are Crystal Bay, Manta Bay, and Mangrove Point.

Nusa Penida is a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers, so this will be the best experience on the Nusa Islands.

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You can choose between two amazing tours: swimming with manta rays or a snorkeling tour to Nusa Lembongan and Penida.

11. Visit Tembeling Beach and Forest

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

This is one of the most dangerous parts of the island! If you are not an experienced scooter driver, you should leave the motorbike in the parking space. Then, walk down to Tembeling Beach, which takes about 30-50 minutes.

Alternatively, you can hire a local motorbike driver, which costs around 50,000 IDR (3,35 USD) for a return trip. From there, it’s a short walk to the Tembeling Natural Pool & Beach!

After that, spend a few hours there, take a refreshing dip in the Tembeling Natural Pools, see the beach, and explore the small cave.

There is no entry fee, and parking is free.

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Just a short drive from Tembeling Beach, you will find the Banah Cliff viewpoint, where you can enjoy magnificent views.

Nusa Penida Attractions Map

Where to Eat in Nusa Penida

In Nusa Penida, you can find many local restaurants (warungs), vegan options, national foods, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Nusa Penida

Penida Colada (One of the best beach bars, with delicious food and drinks.)
Next Level Penida (Perfect place for breakfast and lunch!)
Warung Jun (Cheap, local dishes)
The Chill Penida (Perfect place to chill, vegan and vegetarian options)
Secret Penida Restaurant & Bar (Delicious food with a beautiful view of the waterfront.)
Warung Forest (Heavenly local dishes)
Vegan Soul Kitchen (Delicious vegan restaurant)
The Rich Penida (Healthy breakfasts, fantastic foods)
Organica fresh and tasty food (Vegan, vegetarian options)

Where to Stay in Nusa Penida

Although it’s a small island, accommodation options are available for all budgets. You can choose from cheap hostels to mid-range hotels and luxury resorts.

These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Luxury: Adiwana Warnakali Resort
Mid-Range: Kompyang Cottage
Budget: Pandawa Resort & Spa Seaview

more hotels in nusa penida

How many Days do you Need in Nusa Penida?

You can join a day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida and visit popular attractions. But if you can, we recommend spending at least 3 days on the island and exploring the best places at your own pace.

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Add an extra day to your Indonesia Itinerary and take a day trip to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

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

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go

11 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida