Who would say no to holidaying in Bali? The thought of enjoying the ultimate tropical relaxation amid verdant rice paddies, charming cafés, and stellar sun-kissed beaches itself makes you want to pack your bags and leave for this relaxing Asian getaway. If now you have your attention turned to Bali as your next leisure vacation, we insist that you add Nusa Penida to your Bali holiday itinerary. Yes, places like Ubud, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, and Uluwatu are must-see spots for their cultural significance and laid-back vibe, but Nusa Penida feels like a world away from the quintessential Bali charms. If you are a beach lover and an underwater adventure seeker, this destination should be included in your Bali tour packages. Here’s why we love this spot, and you would too once you get to know about it.
Top Things to Do in Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach
If you are wondering what to do in Nusa Penida, the answer is simple – hit the beaches. Nusa Penida is a wonderland of sugary, white sandy beaches lapped up by striking teal waters. Among the best beach spots, Kelingking Beach stands out for its unrivalled panorama and unreal rock formations. The view of the surreal Kelingking cliff that looks like a T. rex taking a nap on the sandy beach is the most photographed spot on the beach. Head to Paluang Cliff, just 5 minutes away from Kelingking Cliff, to get a better view of this iconic Balinese rock formation.
Angel Billabong
Close by Kelingking Beach, you come across two stunning beaches with rustic rock formations and boulders. Framing the picturesque scenery are the endless azure waters. Set on the south-western coast, Angel Billabong feels like you are at an infinity pool enveloped by massive boulders on the side. The water looks extremely calm, and you might be tempted to step into it. But don’t be fooled by it. Wading into this water body for a swim is extremely risky due to unpredictable giant rogue waves crashing into the calm pools at any time of the day.
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Featured Broken Beach
Broken Beach, set next to Angel Billabong, is a calmer and much receptive beach to those who wish to soak and swim in the surrounding waters. It has spectacular viewpoints to witness the rocky archway and a shallow circular inlet sculpted by nature, with azure waters swirling and crashing into it.
Diamond Beach
The most photogenic beach of all, in our opinion, Diamond Beach is what your mind conjures up when you think about your dream beach. Turquoise waters as far as the eye can see gently splash onto a strikingly contrasting off-white sandy beach shore flanked by majestic beige-coloured cliffs dotted with green wilderness. These diamond-shaped cliffs are scattered in the sea as well, reminding you of Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands’ beauty. A beach also has a cliff stairway built along the side of the limestone cliffs, which is perfect to give you a sweeping panoramic view of the beach to capture postcard-perfect snapshots. Diamond Beach is located on the south-eastern side of Nusa Penida. The beach isn’t a free spot to visit. An entry fee has to be paid to access the beach and its surroundings.
Rumah Pohon Treehouses
Don’t forget to check out the Rumah Pohon Treehouses, located around 15 minutes away from Diamond Beach. A rustic collection of wooden treehouses perched on a verdant terrain overlooking the tranquil sandy beach and sea adds another wonderful aesthetic element to your Nusa Penida photos. Visiting during the golden hour, as the sun starts setting, to get beautiful pictures, is a clichéd but not-to-be-missed experience for a tourist.
Atuh Beach
Another gorgeous beach just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach is yet another scenic beach tapering into the soothing sea, dotted with rock formations and carved arches. The beach is flanked by a series of palm trees and verdant hills, which are often a favourite spot for eager photographers to trek and capture the scenic panoramas of the beaches. Like Diamond Beach, you will have to shell out a few Indonesian Rupiah to access Atuh Beach.
Banah Cliff
At every beach, one common Nusa Penida thing to do is to trek to the nearest cliff to take in the breathtaking views of the beaches. Banah Cliff is one such place. It is one of the prettiest places you will come across on your Bali vacation, from where you can get unrivalled views of the unspoiled natural beauty in a quiet, breezy ambience.
Crystal Bay
Located on the western shore, Crystal Bay lures adventure lovers with its clear visibility and wonderful assortment of marine life. The surrounding coral reefs are teeming with colourful fish, making it one of the best beaches in Bali for underwater exploration, especially for a snorkelling adventure. The hues of the sun, sea, and sand feel enhanced and are much more refreshing than other Bali beaches. The sight itself is invigorating to witness. The sunsets are spellbinding, streaking the blue skies with fiery orange and amber hues, perfect for photo opportunities.
Goa Giri Putri Temple Cave Temple
Nusa Penida also has an amazing collection of coves and sea caves that you can explore on foot. One of these, a large cave in Suana Village, houses a unique temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Visiting this temple, known as Goa Giri Putri, offers a spiritual contrast to the island’s serene beach life.
Manta Bay
This one is for thrill-seekers and marine life enthusiasts. One of the best things to do in Nusa Penida is to go for a swim in Manta Bay, while a massive manta ray glides past you! Located in the southwest of Nusa Penida, you find yourself surrounded by giant manta rays on snorkelling experiences, some of which are seven metres in size. The experience is exhilarating and adrenaline-rushing, but these are gentle creatures and love to give you company.
Tembeling’s Natural Pools
A slice of paradise tucked away on the island’s southwest coast, surrounded by lush jungle and dramatic cliffs, Tembeling’s two natural pools are certainly going to take your breath away. The place is quiet, rejuvenating, and refreshingly verdant. However, there is quite an arduous walk and steep trek down to reach these pools, but it’s a challenge for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You can take a dip in the pool and enjoy the scenery, while the second pool offers impressive views of the sea. To the right of the second pool, you will find a small cave leading to a tiny, hidden beach equipped with a swing and splendid ocean views.
Thousand Island View Point
Also known as Pulau Seribu, this cliff-side attraction perched on the island’s eastern coast offers jaw-dropping views of turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and scattered islets. From here, you can hike to several viewpoints and capture the cliffs, blue waters, and distant islands in ‘Insta-worthy’ angles. To explore this spot, you will have to spend some cash to gain access, which costs less than a US dollar.
Foodscene
There’s no way this list would be complete without talking about the lip-smacking food scene. Nusa Penida has a vivid and delectable food scene. You will come across the best of Balinese cuisine, with touches of local cooking skills and flavours. Some of the best restaurants offering sumptuous dishes of fresh seafood infused with Balinese flavours are Amarta Restaurant, Penida Colada, and Sunny Café. The island welcomes you to try out the unique flavours of the local warungs—family-owned food stalls that serve homemade, traditional Indonesian dishes.
Luxury Experiences at Beach Clubs
Nusa Penida has a classy collection of beach clubs and spas where tropical vibes meet high-end relaxation. Blending stunning sea and beach views while relaxing in a swimming pool, lounging in style with your favourite cocktail, relishing gourmet food, and chic amenities, these beach clubs are perfect for a luxury escape. Check out Nome Beach Club, which is counted among the best beach clubs in Bali, located 10 minutes from Buyuk Harbour. Amok Sunset is yet another beach club that lures you with the aesthetic ambience of Balinese ‘Bale Bale’ roofs and contemporary bamboo décor. This is a great spot to view captivating sunsets amid nonchalant conversations and laid-back leisure. Other beach clubs to check out are Maruti Beach Club and Cactus Beach Club.
Water Sport adventures at Buyuk Harbour
Nusa Penida’s main harbour is not just a link to the main island of Bali with fast boat services. It also serves as a great spot to enjoy some amazing water sports adventures. You can hop on a boat to meet the manta rays in Manta Bay, try your skills in scuba diving, kayaking or stand-up paddling, or simply enjoy a mild adventure on a banana boat ride.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida
Have you made up your mind to ditch the idea of taking a day trip and spend a night in Nusa Penida? The island welcomes all genres of travellers and offers accommodation that suits their desire, right from wallet-friendly, cosy guest houses to posh resorts. For those who don’t want to splurge on stays, Alana Penida, Jukung Cottage, and Saka Boutique hotels are quite affordable without compromising on comfort, cosy ambience, and facilities. If you are ready for that blissful luxury holiday, a stay at Semaya Beach Resort and MAUA Nusa Penida Bali will add opulent comfort to your vacation.
How to Reach Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is an expansive island located 25 kilometres off the southeastern coast of Bali, separated by the Badung Strait. The only way to reach the island is by hopping on a speedboat from Sanur beach, as the island doesn’t have an airport. You need to reach Bali by flight from your home destination and then drive around 30 minutes to Sanur Beach, from where speedboats depart at various times throughout the day. The boat ride from Sanur to Sampalan Harbour in Nusa Penida takes about 45 minutes. Book boat tickets in advance and keep a check on the climate, as boat rides get cancelled due to bad weather. Once you reach the island, you can explore the beautiful sights either by a rented car or on a motorbike.
Best Time to Visit Nusa Penida
The ideal way to ensure that you have a blissful vacation in Nusa Penida is to plan your holiday during the pleasant months. For a wonderful, sun-soaked beach holiday, the best time to visit Bali is from April to November, and the same goes for Nusa Penida. The water is perfect for snorkelling and swimming. Around May onwards, you can spot a squadron of giant manta rays in Manta Bay.
Is Nusa Penida Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Nusa Penida is a breath of fresh air among Bali’s popular destinations that are stiflingly crowded with tourists. Its pristine beaches with different vantage points, and dramatic, refreshing turquoise waters teeming with rich marine life, all flanked by dramatic rock formations and cliffs, are a sight unlike any you see in Bali. It’s a place where you can enjoy most of the seaside experiences at a fraction of the cost and in less crowded settings compared to other Bali beach destinations.
How Many Days Should You Spend on Nusa Penida?
When you are visiting Nusa Penida, make sure you give it at least one to two days. Nusa Penida can be done as a day trip from Bali, but then it would feel quite rushed. When you are in Nusa Penida, we recommend that you take time to pause and witness the untouched beauty and relaxed vibe of this destination. We feel that two days is enough to explore the island, but the place is so serenely gorgeous that you might just end up making up your mind to spend some more days in this tropical paradise.
Conclusion
Nusa Penida is one of Bali’s hidden gems, but it has gained popularity in the last few years, and the tag no longer does justice to it. So, before it becomes a full-blown tourist magnet, take a trip to this amazing island to experience its sublime solace and serenity. Nusa Penida’s untouched beaches and epic adventures make it are perfect place to escape real life and enjoy island life. So, don’t wait! Book your trip to Nusa Penida tour package today!
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