Nusa Penida Bali Indonesia – Your Quick Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Unspoiled, undeveloped and overwhelmingly beautiful, Nusa Penida is the biggest of the three Nusa Islands and undoubtedly the most bewitching and resplendent. Dizzying cliffs, crystal clear water and magnificent views abound and only in recent years is this pristine paradise making it onto the itineraries of travellers in Indonesia.

Why go to Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida reminds us of prehistoric Bali, or what Bali might have looked like and felt like, had the droves of tourists never come. The raw, natural beauty of the island is dazzling and many of the viewpoints feel largely surreal in their splendour.

This destination is ideal for travellers who are longing to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, perfect for those who love nature and the outdoors, and by and large, Nusa Penida is every photographer’s dream destination. From sipping coconuts on the white, sandy shores of Atuh Beach, to having Kelingking Secret Point Beach all to yourself; the picture postcard moments are sure to dazzle. Imagine yourself floating in the turquoise waters of Angel’s Billabong, or hiking to the pilgrimage site of Peguyangan Waterfall; there is so very much to see and do in the way of nature and nature lovers will be spoiled for choice. Not only do the beaches and cliffs offer stunning sights but the waters also provide travellers with the opportunity to swim with manta rays in Crystal Bay or marvel at coral formations at Toyapakeh.

Rumah Pohon, The Tree House has also become something of a Nusa Penida craze thanks to social media and the treehouse, set up on a cliff, offers exquisite views. Plus, we recently discovered that travellers can even rent it out for the night. For those looking to learn about the cultural side of the island, The Pura Goa Giri Putri Cave, set up midway on a mountain, is only accessible via a steep, winding staircase and crawling through a tiny opening in the ground. Once inside you’ll be blessed with holy water and your vision will be filled with people praying and chanting in a massive temple where wafts of incense float through the air and the atmosphere is almost electric with spirituality and significance.

Fortunately Nusa Penida receives little in the way of international visitors compared to other parts of Bali and for now, the island will feel like your own personal playground. While Nusa Penida is a year-round destination, the best months to visit would probably be around April until October as there will be little to no rain, less humidity, plenty of sunshine and you’ll miss the high season that occurs from November until February.

Where to stay on Nusa Penida

While there are not an abundance of options, the accommodation in Nusa Penida is rather diverse and largely depends on the budgets of the travellers in question. Guest houses, bungalows, home stays with a local family, Rumah Pohon (the exotic treehouse), and even luxury boutique hotels and gorgeous private villas are all on offer on the island. Although Nusa Penida is mostly undeveloped, travellers will be able to find places with Wi-Fi and hot-water showers should they wish. For those on a budget, you’ll be delighted to know that accommodation on the island can be found for bargain-bin prices if you’re not too fussy about where you rest your head. For those craving decadence, the island also boasts several luxurious options with gorgeous swimming pools, flower petal bathtubs, exceptional service and views that will leave you with your jaw hanging on the ground.

Where and what to eat on Nusa Penida

Foodies should note that Nusa Penida is not really a culinary goldmine and one should not expect the acia bowls, smoothie joints and extravagant Balinese salads that have flooded Bali in recent years. Rather the food on the island mostly comes from small, local warungs (restaurants) with most of the options being additional Indonesian fare. Most meals have a staple ingredient of steamed rice and vegans, vegetarians should have little difficulty finding tasty and hearty meals to tuck into. Popular flavourings include ginger, lemon, chilli, garlic and lashings of soy sauce; and travellers will find the food to be flavourful and delicious. Many eateries serve icy coconuts, fresh juices and use healthy and local ingredients that are even grown on the island itself. While the nightlife is largely non-existent, travellers craving a cocktail while watching the sunset are in luck. Nusa Penida boasts a few local spots that serve alcoholic beverages or juices situated in prime position for watching the sun dip below the waves.

How to get around Nusa Penida

Getting around all the hidden nooks and crannies on Nusa Penida is best done by hiring a motorbike or scooter as this offers the most practical and convenient means of exploration. Locating one will be very easy to do and they’ll probably find you before you find them. Expect to pay around IDR 70,000 for a day but you should be aware that the ‘roads’ on Nusa Penida are a challenging drive for most.

Taxis and public transport are non-existent aside from a few old bemos or pick-up trucks. While you might be able to find a car to hire, they are not common nor are they ideal as many of the roads leading to the viewpoints are difficult to navigate, very narrow and on rocky terrain. For travellers who are not all that confident on a scooter or motorbike, you can hire a scooter for the day with a driver that will take you to all the sights and attractions that your heart desires. This will cost around IDR 120,000.

How to get to and from Nusa penida

Getting into Nusa Penida is possible on public boats that depart from Padang Bai in East Bali, Sanur, Kusamba, and from Nusa Lembongan.

For those wanting to head to Nusa Penida from Padang Bai in Bali, you will be able to jump aboard the daily ferry that departs at 11am with tickets being available from 10am onwards for those keen to secure a seat. A one-way ticket will cost around IDR 35,000 and the ferry will bring you to the Sampalan Ferry Terminal on the North-east corner of Nusa Penida. There is also a smaller, private speed boat that departs from Padang Bai at around 6:30am each morning which is perfect for those wanting to get an early start. Tickets for a seat on the speed boat cost IDR 40,000 each way. Although it leaves early and is faster than the public ferry it is also more cramped and more expensive. It’ll be up to each individual traveller to determine which method of transportation best serves their own needs and preferences.

Travellers wishing to depart from Sanur are in luck as not only are there several departing times per day, but there are also more than one company plying this route, thus making prices fairly competitive. Mola-Mola Express departs twice a day to Nusa Penida at 7:30am and 4:30pm with a one-way ticket costing around IDR 175,000. Caspla Bali Boat located on Sanur Beach in front of Ananda beach Hotel departs three times a day for Nusa Penida at 8am, 12:30pm and 4pm with a ticket costing around IDR 150,000 for a one-way trip. For those in a hurry with no shortage of cash, jump aboard Maruti Express on Sanur Beach in front of Diwangkara Holiday Villa for a speedy journey on a speed boat. Scheduled departures for Nusa penida are 7:30am, 8:30am, 10am and 4pm with a one-way ticket costing IDR 330,000 and a two-way costing IDR 550,000. Leaving Nusa Penida for Sanur is also possible via Maruti Express at 7:30am, 9am, 3pm and 4:30pm.

Departing from Nusa Lebongan is also a possibility with public boats leaving daily at 6am near to the suspension bridge that connects to Nusa Ceningan. Charter boats also arrive and depart from the same areas and travellers can expect to pay around IDR 300,000 for a one-way trip.

Is Nusa Penida safe?

Crime in Nusa Penida is not really a concern for travellers at all and this island is largely safe for visitors to explore. However, a concern that travellers need be mindful of is the condition of the roads. The roads here are extremely steep, broken and filled with pot-holes and rocky terrain. Even experienced motorbike riders will find the journeys to the various attractions, viewpoints and sights somewhat of a challenge. Please be careful and pay a little extra for a driver should you feel in any way ill-equipped.