Nusa Penida is one of the 3 popular island destinations off the east coast of Bali. Much bigger compared to the neighboring island of Lembongan and Ceningan. The island offers lots of adventures, beautiful scenes, and great food at lower prices than the main island of Bali. Let’s jump right into everything you need to know for your Nusa Penida trip!
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Table of Contents
Getting to Nusa Penida
If you’re traveling from the main island of Bali, you will most likely book a speedboat tour that leaves from the harbor in Sanur. We used GoGun Express and negotiated a price of 550k Rupiah for 2 people(about 19USD per person) roundtrip. This price included pick up from Canggu and then drop off in Ubud afterwards. Their company have daily boats that go between Sanur to Nusa Penida. We had an open return ticket as we planned to stay 5 nights on the island.
If you’re planning to do just a day trip to Nusa Penida, check out these tours below for hassle free packages:
Editor’s Note: Most speedboat companies are flexible with pick-up requests and you can always try to negotiate the prices.
Getting around on Nusa Penida island
Unless you’ve booked a tour package that includes transportation around the island, there are 2 main options to get around. Note: The main roads on the island are nicely paved, however, practically all the roads leading to the scenic spots are bumpy and rocky.
Renting a scooter – You can find scooter rentals from your accommodation or locals will also approach you as soon as you arrive in the harbor. Prices are around 50-70k Rupiah(3-5USD) per day depending on how many days you rent it. Make sure to test drive the scooter before renting it, we’ve had experiences with bad brakes, bad steering, and more. You can fill up the tank at shops and stalls that sell it in glass or plastic bottles. (70 cents for small and about 1.5$ for a large bottle.)
Hiring a private driver – This is a better idea if you’re not comfortable with riding a scooter, especially given some of the road conditions on the island. The prices are always negotiable, but you should find yourself spending around 500k-700k Rupiah(35-50USD) per day for a full day with a private driver. They already know how to get you to the popular tourist spots, but you can always make requests to see some and skip others by your preference. The drivers will also often help you take some great photos.
Where to sleep on Nusa Penida
Budget:
The Warong Nusa Penida 8-11$/night for a comfy and basic accommodation, shared bathroom.
Value:
Agung Pring Homestay 8$/night for a double room with private bathroom. Conveniently located right next to the harbor.
Kuwera Homestay 15$/night for a double room, including wifi and breakfast.
Mid-range comfort
Miko Bali Resort 27$/night for a double room with TV and balcony. There is a swimming pool and breakfast is included in the price.
The Mel Huts 31$/night, this accommodation has a cozy atmosphere with a large swimming pool, free pick up shuttle. TV in the room and breakfast included.
Luxury
Ogix Cliff Paradise 75$/night. This accommodation is situated right on top of a cliff overlooking the beach. The nightly price includes breakfast. Each room has a balcony with gorgeous sea views. There is also a tasty restaurant attached to this resort, serving Indonesian and western style meals. Vegan friendly.
The Mesare Resort 80$/night. Cottage styled rooms right in the midst of lush green jungle. This resort is all about luxury and zen vibes. Friendly check-in and welcome with complimentary wine or champaign. Shuttle services for pickup and drop off. If you want to find some adventure on the island but also return to a peaceful green oasis, this is the spot for you.
Find the perfect accommodation for your Nusa Penida trip:
What to see on Nusa Penida
1. Kelingking Beach
Arguably the most popular and recognized spot on Nusa Penida. Make sure you get there early in the morning or after 5pm to avoid a long line of visitors. There are some staircases that allow you to actually go down to the beach. However the path isn’t the easiest, and should probably be avoided after rainy weather. (Entrance fee 10k rupiah/70cents for 2 people)
2. Tembeling Forest & Beach
This was actually one of my favorite spots on the island. It’s a bit secluded and not yet crowded by hoards of people. There are two natural pools literally right next to the beach. The path down to the spot is a bit rocky and unruly. We chose to park our scooter near the beginning of the path and walk down. Then hired locals to drive us back on their scooter.(Their skills were so impressive) We paid for 50k rupiah(3.5USD) for 2 people. Must see for your Nusa Penida trip!
3. Crystal Bay || Pandan Beach
Crystal Bay is a popular spot for snorkeling, the beach itself has shops that offer cold drinks and lounge chairs for rent. The highlight of this location for us was actually Pandan Beach. I would call it a secret beach. When you’re facing the ocean in Crystal Bay, just head towards the left side and you’ll find a path that leads you to Pandan Beach. It took us about 15 minutes walking time, and when we arrived there was only 5 other people on the beach! Way less crowded and much cleaner than Crystal Bay.
4. Atuh Beach
Atuh Beach has some gorgeous view points. If you’re navigating by Google Maps, make sure to set your destination as Atuh Beach Parking. On first attempt, we followed the pin spot “Atuh beach” and it led us to a wrong and very treacherous rocky path. The views and rock formations just off the coast here are epic!
5. Angel’s Billabong || Broken Beach
Angel’s Billabong is right next to Broken Beach, popular for its unique limestone formations and there’s a rock pool that you can take a swim and cool photo in during low tide.
6. Manta Bay for Snorkeling
We skipped this because the weather was a bit unpredictable and tours may not operate everyday. There are some dive and snorkeling companies on Nusa Penida that offer Manta Ray tours. You can also book in advance with packages like the one below.
7. Goa Putri Temple
This is the first thing we did when we arrived on the island. You must wear a traditional Balinese sarong to go inside this incredible cave temple. When you park your motorbike across the street from the entrance, someone will offer sarong rental and put it on properly for you as well. We paid for parking and got complimentary sarongs, there may be a small rental fee if you don’t have to park. I’d suggest waiting a bit until a group of locals are ready to descend into the dark cave. Someone will toss a bit of purifying holy water on you before you enter the cave. Note: if you have a slightly larger build you may or may not be able to fit through the small cave entrance.
8. Teletubbies Hill
We did this on our last day as we had some extra time before our boat takes us back to the main island of Bali. I would say it’s not a “must-see” if you’re on a time crunch, but the green rolling hills at a higher advantage was definitely a good final stop for our Nusa Penida trip. The ride to the spot was also filled with lush green scenery and beautiful island vibes.
READ: Useful Tips for Solo Female Traveler | What I Learned
Essential Packing for Nusa Penida
Water proof sunblock – The tropical island sun is no joke! You’ll be in and out of water and always in the blazing sun. So make sure to protect your skin so you can enjoy your Nusa Penida trip stress- free.
Snorkeling gear – Is it a necessity? no, because you can always rent it at the beach and tour groups will provide it most of the time. However, if I had the bag space I would 100% recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear. Since you’re traveling in Indonesia, you’ll have plenty of snorkeling opportunities. The rentals have been in many mouths before and we’ve had our share of leakage issues.
Teva sandals – Comfy walking sandals are a must on islands. You won’t have to worry about getting your sneakers wet from the sand or water, or rain. These shoes are practical and can take you on any trek!
Dry bag – Sudden downpour and rain showers are common on the islands depending on which season you’re visiting. I didn’t care about getting wet myself but these days we all travel with electronic gears, and having a wet bag can really help you feel more relaxed about getting caught in the rain. You can even bring it on boats and kayaks without a worry.
Imodium – If you thought Bali belly was a thing, “island belly” is no joke. As much as I love islands with crystal blue water and beautiful beaches, the food isn’t always as fresh. If there aren’t much livestock on the island itself, food has to be transported by boat from the main island. You can imagine why it’s a little bit more risky. Imodium saved my ass last time on Gili T.
Sun hat – Use it for chilling on the beach, or get that fabulous Instagram shot. You can never go wrong with packing a cute sun hat while traveling to any islands.
Water proof phone case – I did not have a GoPro with me this time around, and I wish I had packed one of these babies. This can help you feel better about using your phone in rain showers, and you can take it into the ocean or pool for some cool underwater photos.
GoPro – If you’re ready to splurge a little, having a GoPro almost feels essential for island living or vacationing. Capture all the fascinating sea creatures and marine life, and keep your adventures on Nusa Penida forever.
Where to eat on Nusa Penida
Last but not least! – FOOD. There’s definitely less options on the island than some of the more heavily touristy areas of mainland Bali. However I thought the prices were slightly lower and we ended up finding some pretty tasty delights.
Sebuluh Resto & Bar – This place had a very calm vibe overlooking the jungle and it’s on the way to Kelingking Beach. We stopped here for lunch after visiting Kelingking and found some tasty food with great views.
Penida Kekinian – We actually ended up eating here twice. They offer really flavorful western and Indonesian dishes + lots of smoothie and juice options.
Penida Colada – How cute is the name am I right?! Slightly more expensive prices but gorgeous ocean views and the food was pretty damn good. Also great cocktails!
Ba’bar Kitchen – This place also offers high quality western and Indonesian style dishes. My partner had the Cabonara and I had a juicy tender pork belly dish. I would definitely recommend eating here!
Amok Sunset – Supposedly the best spot to catch the sunset and sip on some happy hour 2 for 1 cocktails. We missed this spot because everyday we were on Nusa Penida it was rainy and cloudy during sunset. Sad for us, but if you visit during nice weather, tell me how if it lives up to the superb reviews!
Secret Penida Cafe – This spot reminded me of some of the hipster places in Canggu – Think fancy avocado toasts. Slightly higher prices for simple dishes, however we ordered a salad for snack and it was pretty delicious. I’d say come here for good coffee and smoothies but maybe not for a whole meal. This place definitely has cute vibes and Instagrammable corners.
Watch our 4 day adventure on Nusa Penida!
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