Nusa Penida is just a 35-minute boat ride from Bali, but it feels like a completely different world. The island is a paradise for nature lovers, known for its gigantic cliffs and stunning viewpoints. While you visit Nusa Lembongan primarily for relaxation, you go to Nusa Penida to be active. To reach those beautiful spots, you sometimes need to climb and sweat, but the reward is always worth it! I explored the entire island and am sharing all the tips you need to know in advance about Nusa Penida. From practical matters like where to stay to the best things to do, this will help you make the most of your trip to Nusa Penida!

Transportation Tips for Nusa Penida

Keep in mind that it can take quite a bit of time to get around Nusa Penida. The attractions may seem relatively close on the map, but due to the mountainous terrain, you’ll often have to take long detours. To explore Nusa Penida, you have two transportation options.

By Scooter

A fun way to explore Nusa Penida is by scooter, as it gives you complete freedom! About 90% of the roads on the island are now paved and easily navigable. In the village of Toyapakeh, located in the north of Nusa Penida, you can rent scooters in many places. Penida Motorcycle Rental is a reliable rental shop near the harbor where you arrive. Be sure to take a test ride on your scooter, as sometimes you may receive one that is less than ideal due to previous accidents. Also, take a few photos of the scooter beforehand to avoid any disputes about possible damage later. For navigation, it’s helpful to download the map of Nusa Penida in Google Maps. The app maps.me is less up-to-date for Nusa Penida, which can lead to unnecessarily long routes. Choose a scooter with a phone holder so you can navigate hands-free.

With a Driver

Nusa Penida is a mountainous island, and the roads consist of many hills and curves. If you’re not comfortable riding a scooter, it may be nice to explore Nusa Penida with a car and driver. You’ll be picked up at your hotel and then taken to all the beautiful spots on the island. You can decide exactly where you want to go.

Avoid the Crowds on Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida has a wealth of breathtaking views and beautiful places to visit. Unfortunately, there’s also a downside; those stunning spots attract a lot of people. As a result, many places can be quite crowded during the day, which can impact your overall experience of the island. A lot of people visit Nusa Penida as a day tour, making it busiest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Therefore, I highly recommend staying a few nights on Nusa Penida and heading out early in the morning. This way, you can avoid the crowds (and the heat) and get the most out of your visit. It’s really a shame to visit Nusa Penida just for a day tour.

What to Do on Nusa Penida?

If you want to see all the highlights of Nusa Penida, you’ll need about three to four full days. The following places are all highly recommended.

Tip: The hotspots listed below are spread across different parts of the island. It’s useful to visit a different area of Nusa Penida each day. Pin all the locations you want to visit in Google Maps beforehand, so you can easily see what you can combine.

Visit Kelingking Beach and Hike Down

One of the most iconic views of Nusa Penida can be found when you look out over the sea from the top of the cliff at Kelingking Beach. With a little imagination, the rock formations from that point can resemble a T-Rex. From here, you have a panoramic view of the crystal blue water stretching as far as the eye can see. Especially in the late afternoon, when the sun shines over the beach, you can capture stunning photos.

The adventurous descent to Kelingking Beach is an experience in itself. Via a steep path with wooden steps and ropes, you’ll reach the beautiful beach after about half an hour of climbing. Be sure to read the article with tips for visiting Kelingking Beach beforehand.

Visit Diamond Beach, the Most Beautiful Beach in Nusa Penida

Diamond Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida. The beach sits against a massive cliff, and the rocks in the sea resemble cut diamonds. Hence the name Diamond Beach. The view from the top of the cliff is stunning, but you can also descend via a challenging staircase to the beach. This staircase is skillfully carved into the rocks, and the first part is easy to walk. Many people stop here to take photos. As you continue, the staircase becomes narrower until it transitions into rough steps where you have to climb down with ropes. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the beach. Once you arrive at Diamond Beach, you can enjoy the azure water, the pristine white sand, and the many palm trees. Swimming at this beach can be dangerous due to strong currents. Diamond Beach is a popular spot, so it’s advisable to plan your visit as early as possible. If you go in the middle of the day, there can even be a line for parking.

Tip: Feeling hungry after the climb? The cozy restaurant Eastside Penida Kitchen & Bar serves delicious coffee and dishes.

Relax at Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is located next to Diamond Beach, making these beaches perfect to combine. Here, you’ll also need to walk down some steep steps, but once you reach the beach, you can take a refreshing dip. Swimming is possible at this beach, provided it’s high tide. When it’s low tide, the sea recedes significantly, leaving behind a rocky landscape that you can walk on. At Atuh Beach, you’ll find many sunbeds and stalls where you can buy food and drinks. This is a great beach to relax for a few hours.

Tip: You can access Atuh Beach from two sides. The signs on the road will lead you to the main entrance of Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. This makes it easy to combine the two beaches. From the cliff, there’s a staircase leading down to Diamond Beach, and a bit further, another staircase to Atuh Beach, which lets you enter the beach from the right side. If you type Atuh Beach into Google Maps, the navigation will guide you via the left side of Atuh Beach. This is a nice route to take, especially if you’re coming by scooter. It’s a half-hour detour from Diamond Beach, but the road there is truly beautiful, and the view of Atuh Beach is much better from this side. You’ll also need to follow a path down, but from this angle, you can see the beautiful arch in the rocks better, which isn’t visible from the right side.

Check Out the View at Thousand Islands Viewpoint

On the other side of Diamond Beach is another stunning viewpoint: Thousand Islands Viewpoint. Although the creator of this name may have exaggerated a bit (there are actually only about six islands), it is definitely a beautiful spot. At the entrance, you pay a small fee. Shortly after, you’ll come across a small kiosk where they ask for payment for the photo spots, but you can simply walk past this. If you want to take photos at these spots, you can always pay for it at the location itself. At the edge of the cliff, you’ll walk down steps to reach Thousand Islands Viewpoint. You don’t need to pay anything extra to take a photo.

Rumah Pohon Treehouse: When you walk to Thousand Islands Viewpoint, you’ll pass the famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse. This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Nusa Penida and has unfortunately become quite a tourist attraction. Those hoping to take an idyllic photo must take a number and join the line—literally! You pay a few dollars for this and get exactly two minutes (yes, they set a timer) to take pictures on the treehouse step. A classic case of ‘Instagram vs reality’. It might be a bit cringeworthy, but also amusing to see.

Relax on a Lounger at One of the Beach Clubs & Pool Bars on Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida can sometimes really test your limits with all those adventurous viewpoints and challenging stairs, but fortunately, there are also lovely places to relax. Amok Sunset Bar & Restaurant is one such place where you can truly unwind. You can take a dip in the pool, order delicious food, and relax in cozy seating areas, including a table in a treehouse. The most unique aspect of this spot is the expansive view, especially around sunset, which is truly beautiful to enjoy. (text continues below the photo)
Another recommended beach club is The Chill Penida. Since it’s located a bit higher up, you can look out over the sea for miles. Order a drink at the bar while in the pool, and you’ll instantly capture that ultimate vacation feeling. Nomé Beach Club features a picture-perfect interior, as you can see in the photo below. Everything is styled to perfection, and you can also enjoy a pool with a view here. Lastly, Mambo Nusa Penida is also a fantastic beach club. Spend the day relaxing on the beach or by the pool and enjoy fantastic food. Be sure to stay until the evening, as there’s often live music.

Tip: You can also stay at the beautiful hotel of Mambo Nusa Penida. You’ll sleep in a beautiful wooden bungalow with a sea view. In addition to the lovely beach, there are also two luxurious pools where you can relax.

Visit Tembeling Natural Pool & Tembeling Beach

Tembeling is still a relatively undiscovered part of Nusa Penida. Tembeling consists of natural pools filled with crystal-clear spring water and an untouched beach. Although this spot is stunning, many travelers skip it because it’s quite challenging to reach. Nevertheless, it’s absolutely worth adding Tembeling to your Nusa Penida itinerary. The crystal-clear Tembeling Natural Pool is surrounded by towering cliffs and jungle. Tembeling Beach is a rugged beach with large rocks and high waves. Don’t forget to walk under the rocks to the other side of the beach, where countless stacks of stones adorn the rugged coastline.

How to Get to Tembeling Natural Pool & Tembeling Beach? The road up to this parking lot is easily navigable. After that, there’s a 3 km (1.8-mile) stretch through the jungle that is of very poor quality. This narrow road consists of broken stones, loose pebbles, and steep sections. It is strongly advised not to drive this last stretch on your scooter. The men at the parking lot will emphasize this and advise you to let them drive you the rest of the way. This will cost a few dollars round trip. You can arrange for them to wait for you. Of course, you can also walk; it will take you about 40 minutes to reach it.

Climb the 700 Steps to Peguyangan Waterfall

Peguyangan Waterfall, also known as Guyangan Waterfall as indicated on Google Maps, is a different kind of waterfall than you might initially expect. It’s actually a series of small waterfalls cascading down a cliff into the ocean. This creates natural pools that are used for sacred cleansing rituals and where visitors can cool off. At the base of these waterfalls, there’s also a temple where the local Hindu community comes to pray. You’ll need to put in a good workout to get there. You reach it via the strikingly blue-painted steps, which zigzag down the rock face. This route consists of about 700 steps, and it typically takes around 20 minutes to descend. It takes a bit of effort, especially on the way back, but along the way, you’re rewarded with beautiful views of the sea. If you’re lucky, you might even see groups of manta rays swimming in the ocean!

Tip: Since the waterfall and the temple are sacred places, both men and women should dress appropriately with a sarong. It’s helpful to bring your own. If you don’t have one, you can rent one for a small fee from the men at the entrance at the top of the stairs.

Snorkel with Giant Manta Rays Off the Coast of Nusa Penida

When you visit Nusa Penida, you absolutely cannot miss the snorkeling tour to Manta Point. Giant manta rays inhabit the waters off the coast of Nusa Penida, making this one of the best places in the world to admire these gentle giants. Manta rays can grow 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) wide, are curious by nature, and are completely harmless to humans. They primarily eat plankton and small fish. The snorkeling tour includes a visit to Manta Point and two other beautiful snorkeling spots. You’ll also paddle through the mangroves in a kayak, on a stand-up paddleboard, or in a small boat. At the end of the tour, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch on the beach.

Good to know: During the snorkeling tour, there’s a very good chance you’ll spot manta rays, but as with all wild animals, an encounter is never guaranteed. If it’s very windy or the sea is rough, visibility can be poor, and you might not see them. If you don’t spot them during the snorkeling tour at Manta Point, you usually head to another location where they are often seen.

Scuba Diving in the Waters Around Nusa Penida

Do you want to dive even deeper into the rich underwater world of Nusa Penida? When diving, you’ll find yourself surrounded by much more marine life than when you just go snorkeling. Most dive schools are located in the north of Nusa Penida. Mambo Dive Center Nusa Penida and DPM Diving Nusa Penida are well-reviewed.

Check Out the Landscape at Teletubbies Hill

In the south of Nusa Penida, you’ll find Teletubbies Hill, and this landscape is totally different from the rest of the island. The soft, green grass and perfectly round shapes of the hills resemble the landscape from the Teletubbies. If you pass by here while on your way to attractions in the south of Nusa Penida, it’s nice to stop for a moment. It’s a beautiful view, but it’s not worth a special trip just to go south for this. Disclaimer: The photo below was taken with a drone.

Behold the Unique Rock Formation at Broken Beach

Broken Beach is located in the west of Nusa Penida. This is not a beach for lounging; you come here mainly to admire a piece of natural craftsmanship. Over time, the sea has carved a large hole in the rocks, creating a natural arch with a round bay in the landscape. Unfortunately, this beautiful spot has become quite a tourist attraction. The small restaurants and shops along the path reveal that it gets quite busy here daily. Many large groups stop here at the end of the morning and beginning of the afternoon. You’ll see many guides setting up photo shoots with steps to take beautiful pictures of everyone. It’s amusing to watch, but it can detract from your experience.

Tip: It is highly recommended to visit Broken Beach outside of peak hours for the best experience. Plan your visit for before 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM.

Visit Angel’s Billabong During Low Tide

From Broken Beach, it’s only a five-minute walk to Angel’s Billabong, making it easy to combine these two spots. When the sea recedes, a natural infinity pool filled with crystal clear turquoise water forms. It’s not always safe to swim here, as the waves can suddenly crash over and pull you into the rough sea. So, be careful and swim only when the sea is very calm.

Chill and Snorkel at Crystal Bay

Last but not least is Crystal Bay. To reach this beach, you don’t have to conquer high cliffs or climb exhausting stairs. You can easily walk from the road onto the beach and flop down on a sunbed with a parasol within a few meters. Crystal Bay may not be the most beautiful beach in Nusa Penida, but it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing beach day. You’ll find several cozy warungs (small restaurants) that can provide food and drinks all day long. The underwater world here is surprisingly beautiful, so it’s highly recommended to snorkel. You can rent snorkels and fins on the beach. Just stay away from the rocks on the left side, as there can often be some current. The best spot to relax on the beach is all the way to the right by the palm trees.

Restaurant Recommendations on Nusa Penida

• Secret Penida – At this cozy restaurant, you can enjoy delicious food while taking in a beautiful view of the sea. The menu is extensive, and you can visit from early morning until late evening.
• The Chill Penida – The Chill is quite similar to Secret Penida. There are many vegetarian and vegan options, and there’s a small pool (with a view!) that you can use. This is a great place to spend a few hours.
• Warung Forest – For delicious Indonesian food, you must visit Warung Forest. The owner is incredibly friendly and loves to share information about Nusa Penida.
• Penida Colada Beach Bar – For a fun evening, head to Penida Colada Beach Bar. They often have live music in the evening and serve tasty cocktails.
• Eastside Penida Kitchen & Bar – A trendy coffee shop with a nice owner who cooks wonderfully. Located in the east of Nusa Penida, it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Joglo Penida – A good restaurant offering local and Western cuisine at an affordable price.
• Khamara Nusa Penida – A stylish and modern restaurant located on the beach. The menu offers something for everyone; meat and fish dishes, as well as plenty of vegetarian options.
• Alily Penida Restaurant & Bar – A cozy restaurant with plenty of meat and fish options from the grill, along with a wide selection of cocktails. There’s often live music on Saturday evenings.
• Ombak Cafe & Huts – Here you can order the best smoothie bowls in Nusa Penida!

  

  

Where to Stay on Nusa Penida?

In recent years, Nusa Penida has become increasingly popular, and you can now find accommodations all over the island. The most popular region to stay is the north of the island. This is where the harbor is located, and you’ll find many good restaurants, beach clubs, and supermarkets. Of course, there are also some great accommodations here. Below are our favorite hotels in the north of Nusa Penida.

Our Favorite Places on Nusa Penida

Penida Bambu Green is a beautiful bamboo accommodation surrounded by tropical plants. You can choose from a bungalow, villa, or treehouse, all made entirely of bamboo. There’s a swimming pool with a shallow area where you can sunbathe. On clear days, you can even see Mount Agung on Bali from here! At Batan Sabo Cottage, you’ll stay in an idyllic standalone cottage. These have a unique shape, and the large windows allow plenty of light to enter. The large infinity pool with a stunning view makes this hotel a delight to stay at. Gading Tree House is the most affordable of these three hotels, but it certainly doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. Natural materials are also heavily used here, but especially the uniquely shaped pool is stunning. You’ll also enjoy a beautiful view, and the friendly owner goes above and beyond to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Penida Bambu Green More Information

Batan Sabo Cottage More Information

Gading Tree House More Information