Ready for a big dose of wanderlust? Then join Svenja in today’s Reisereporter report to the Indonesian island of Nusa Penida. Although we also spent several months in Indonesia, we didn’t make it to this island. We took the train through Java, we visited the orangutans in Sumatra, on Nusa Lembongan, and, of course, on Bali. We are delighted that Svenja is sharing her best highlights and travel tips with us today. Find out how to get to the island, where the most beautiful beaches and viewpoints are, where you can eat delicious food and much, much more. Have fun browsing and trying it out!

• Getting to Nusa Penida
• Transportation on the island
• Accommodation on Nusa Penida
• The most beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida
  • Atuh Beach
  • Diamond Beach
  • Rumah Pohon “Tree House”
  • Chrystel Bay
  • Kelingking Beach
  • Angels Billabong & Brooken Bay
• Nusa Penida Sights
  • Trip to Manta Point
  • Trip to Nusa Lembogan/Nusa Ceningan
  • Goa Giri Putri Temple Cave
  • Viewpoints from Nusa Penida
  • Pepuyancan Waterfall
• My best travel tips for Nusa Penida
• My restaurant tips
• Best time to visit Nusa Penida
• Conclusion about Nusa Penida

Getting to Nusa Penida

To get to the beautiful island of Nusa Penida in the Indonesian Ocean, you need a flight to Denpasar on Bali or to Lombok. From Bali, the fastest way to reach the beautiful island is by speedboat from Sanur or Padangbai. A crossing from the Gili Islands is also possible. From Lombok, speedboats depart from Bangsal towards Nusa Penida. As everywhere, there are different providers with different prices, so it’s best to compare and negotiate. You can also get a good and fair price by booking directly from your last accommodation. A combination ticket is particularly useful if a transport service is available at the respective departure ports.

If you plan to return to the same port, it’s a good idea to buy a return ticket directly. You’ll need to be patient for the crossing, unless you’ve caught one of the first boats early in the morning. Furthermore, strong waves, wind, or storms can make it very shaky and uncomfortable.

Those arriving by speedboat must leave their shoes before boarding and walk a few meters across the sea to the boat or the port. There are two piers on Nusa Penida itself. Speedboats usually dock at the small harbor of Pelabuhan Toyapakeh. If you need to change boats in Nusa Lembongan, dock at Buyuk Harbor.

Transportation on the island

Depending on which harbor in Nusa Penida you arrive at, you’ll find countless taxi drivers or scooter rental stations. It’s best not to take the first taxi driver who approaches you. Instead, walk 10 meters further and talk to someone who isn’t stalking tourists like a vulture at the dock. A taxi ride costs between 50,000 and 100,000 IDR (€3.20 to €6.40), depending on the distance.

If you’re confident riding a scooter with luggage and want to explore the island on your own, you’ll find countless scooter rental companies at the harbor, renting scooters for 70,000 rupees (approximately €4.50) per day. However, you should have good driving skills, as the “roads” in the east, south, and west are disastrous. Any dirt road in Germany is better than the “roads” on Nusa Penida. A road that ends abruptly, deep potholes, sand, gravel, or rocky terrain are not uncommon.

You should also plan enough time, as a few kilometers can easily take hours. It’s also advisable to ask your accommodation about a scooter. Most accommodations will magically conjure up a scooter for you. But please make sure you always wear a helmet and check the brakes. Unfortunately, many scooters are not in good condition.

If the road conditions are too unsafe for you or you don’t feel confident exploring the island on a scooter, that’s no big deal. You can hire a private driver for around 700,000 IDR (44.80 €) per day. It’s best to go with at least four people so you can share the costs. If you’d like a driver, it’s best to inquire at your accommodation.

Accommodation on Nusa Penida

There’s a huge selection of accommodations on Nusa Penida, ranging from cheap to expensive. We recommend staying in the north of the island. The Box Paradise* opened at the beginning of 2019 and is a small but beautiful accommodation with small houses and a pool.

The Cave Beach Bungalow* is a simple accommodation with relatively large rooms and a small pool right by the sea. At the Batan Sabo Cottage*, you’ll stay in a small, cozy cottage. There’s also a beautiful infinity pool with a panoramic view.

The most beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida

There are countless great beaches and many that have not yet been discovered or are unfortunately inaccessible. Since there are so many rocks and cliffs on Nusa Penida, you have to be very careful. There are several accidents every week and, unfortunately, regular fatalities because tourists underestimate the currents or fall off the cliffs while taking the perfect picture.

Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is located in the east of Nusa Penida. It is easily accessible by scooter. Once you reach your destination, there’s a small parking lot in the sand, and you might find plenty of monkeys waiting for you, hoping to snag something to eat. From the top, you’ll have a truly amazing view, and with luck, you might even spot a few turtles. Diamonds Beach is directly opposite, behind the next cliff.

If you want to walk downhill for about 20 minutes to Atuh Beach, you can walk back uphill on the other side and arrive directly at the next highlight. However, both the walking and the time involved should not be underestimated. If you’re less sporty, you can take your scooter and cruise to Diamonds Beach in 40 minutes.

Diamond Beach

The last 2 kilometers to Diamond Beach are strenuous, as the road conditions here already deteriorate. Theoretically, there’s a large parking lot, but in practice, it’s not really suitable for scooters. It’s better to walk the last few meters and park the scooter on a paved road. The view from above is definitely worth it and is truly a dream. The descent to the beach takes about 20 minutes, and the last few meters are more of a climb than a stair climb.

It’s best to wear sturdy shoes and grab your flip-flops. Once you get to the beach, you can swing across the sand (100,000 IDR for 4 minutes), take pictures in a nest (75,000 IDR for 4 minutes), or grab a bite to eat at the nearby kiosk. Even though the beach is beautiful and the sea invites you to cool off, you should definitely not go swimming here. The currents and the rocks have claimed a few lives here.

Rumah Pohon “Tree House”

On the way to Diamonds Beach is the infamous Instagram highlight – “The Tree House”. The approach is very sandy, and you have to go down some stairs for the last few meters. On the way to the tree house, there are a few nests where you can take a great photo, but as already mentioned, you only pay. Once you reach the tree house, you have a beautiful view towards Diamonds Beach.

You also pay a few rupees for a photo on the tree house stairs. If you plan your vacation well in advance or are very lucky, you can treat yourself to a night in the tree house via Airbnb*. A little tip: At sunset, it’s not much going on here, and you don’t have to pay then either.

Chrystel Bay

Chrystel Bay Beach is one of the few beaches on Nusa Penida that you can drive to directly. Snorkeling tours to Manta Bay start from there. With a bit of luck, you might spot manta rays underwater. Sharks and dolphins also frequent this bay. If you plan to go snorkeling on Nusa Penida or take a boat tour, I recommend doing it in the morning.

The cost of the snorkeling tour at Manta Bay is 250,000 IDR per person (€16), with a little negotiation. The beach is also a great place to snorkel. However, you shouldn’t swim too far out here. This beach is also a great place to enjoy the sunset.

Kelingking Beach

One of the worst roads on Nusa Penida leads you to Kelingking Beach. Therefore, please drive carefully! Take your time and don’t underestimate the distance. To avoid having to share this spot with countless other tourists, it is often recommended to start a tour to Kelingking Beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon. From above, you have a beautiful view of the whale-shaped bay. And with a little luck, you might spot small black dots in the water. These are manta rays.

Please be careful not to step too close to the abyss while admiring the bay and taking the perfect photo, as there have been people who have paid a lot for the perfect photo here too. If you want to go down, you’ll have to take a short hike, which should only be attempted with sturdy shoes, enough time, and enough to drink. There are only limited railings along the path, and you should also plan at least two to three hours for the round trip.

Angels Billabong & Brooken Bay

The next highlight is Angels Billabong and Brooken Bay. Both are only a few minutes away from each other. At Angels Billabong, you can swim in a small bay. However, you should also pay attention to the tides here. Brooken Bay is a beautiful bay that can be circumnavigated. Swimming and going down to the water are not possible here. Watch out for the cliffs here too!

Other beautiful beaches: Suwehan Beach: The road there, as well as the road to the beach, is very bad. The beach itself, however, is very beautiful. Kutampi Beach: Not exactly a beautiful beach, but one of the
most popular destinations for discovering the underwater world. Pandan Beach: About 20-25 minutes from Chrystel Bay is a beautiful, secluded beach. However, the journey there isn’t exactly the easiest.

Nusa Penida Sights

There’s a lot to experience on the island, and I’m sure there’s still a lot I haven’t seen. That’s why I’ve summarized my personal highlights on Nusa Penida for you. Tip: Most day trippers arrive on the island between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you don’t want to share the most beautiful spots with a crowd of other tourists, we recommend starting very early in the morning or in the afternoon.

Trip to Manta Point

Manta Point is located on the southwest side of Nusa Penida and is known for its many beautiful manta rays. It’s said that it would be impossible not to see one of these beautiful creatures here. Enjoy the sight of these rays gliding and floating weightlessly through the water. Some of these rays can have a wingspan of up to 3 meters, so they’re not that small after all. If you go diving there, you might even find octopuses, reef sharks, or sunfish. A tour to Manta Point starts at around 450,000 IDR per person (€29).

Trip to Nusa Lembogan/Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Lembogan and Nusa Ceningan are connected by a bridge and can be reached by ferry from Nusa Penida. The infrastructure, especially the roads, is significantly better on Nusa Lembogan and Nusa Ceningan. There’s also plenty to discover, such as the “Blue Lagoon” or the north with some great snorkeling spots. Bolle and Marco spent three days on the island themselves and explored all the areas by scooter. Be sure to check out her travel report for more details. Nusa Lembongan Travel Report.

Goa Giri Putri Temple Cave

How about a visit to the fascinating Goa Giri Putri Temple Cave? This Nusa Penida attraction is located on the north coast and is easily accessible by scooter. Once you’ve reached the parking lot and parked your scooter, climb around 100 steps until you reach the entrance to the temple. For a small donation of around €1.50, you can enter the cave. Marvel at various shrines, temple elements, and small statues.

Viewpoints from Nusa Penida

There are several beautiful viewpoints on the island, such as the view from Saren Cliff Point. This is located in the southwest of the island and awaits you with a truly spectacular view of the sea and the cliffs. The journey to this viewpoint is difficult, as the roads are in poor condition. Potholes follow one pothole after another. Drive carefully on your scooter to avoid a flat tire. But in the end, it’s worth the trip.

Another beautiful viewing point, with a bumpy approach, is the Banah Sunset Point, which is not far from Saren Cliff Point. Now comes something more bizarre: the so-called Teletubbie Hill of Nusa Penida. Here, you’ll find a green hilly landscape in the mountains, reminiscent of the children’s TV series. The views from up there over the rolling hills are very beautiful and invite you to relax. Drive by and see for yourself if this scenery reminds you of the Teletubbies.

Pepuyancan Waterfall

If it’s not the dry season, you’ll find the Peguyangan Waterfall, a beautiful waterfall with a strenuous and not entirely safe descent. Around 500 blue steps lead you to your destination. But don’t be disappointed when you get there. There are more shrines than waterfalls here. Nevertheless, the visit is worthwhile as you’ll be greeted by a beautiful natural pool and an incredibly beautiful view of the blue sea.

My best travel tips for Nusa Penida

Money & Fuel

Never underestimate the sun on Nusa Penida, especially if you’re on a scooter or in the water. Bring enough money with you, as there are only two ATMs on Nusa Penida. Always drive your scooter carefully, test the brakes, and always wear a helmet. For those traveling by scooter: There are two large gas stations near the harbor.

Here, you can fill up for around 7,000 IDR (0.45€) per liter. At small gas stations, you usually pay 10,000 IDR (0.64€) per liter. At a kiosk, you’re definitely paying too much at 25,000 IDR (1.60€) per liter. In an emergency, you can also buy a liter packaged in plastic bottles at the kiosk. However, there’s a risk that the gasoline has been adulterated with water.

Swimming & Steep Cliffs

I’ve already mentioned some information about swimming. I don’t want to scare you, but be careful of the current and don’t underestimate the waves on the beach. Also, keep in mind that there are both sharks and jellyfish in the water. So far, there hasn’t been a shark attack, nor has there been an incident involving a box jellyfish.

But never say never. And you definitely shouldn’t risk your life for the perfect photo. Pay attention to the distance from the cliffs. Nusa Penida is a beautiful island with many great cliffs. However, in most cases, there are no railings to protect tourists from the abyss.

Theme: Monkeys & Tsunamis

Like many other places in Indonesia, Nusa Penida is home to wild monkeys. Keep an eye on your food and don’t leave anything unlocked on your scooter. Avoid contact with these monkeys and don’t feed them. To avoid crowds, go on a tour before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Parking fees range from 3,000 to 5,000 IDR between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Another important tip: When you arrive, ask about the escape route in case of a tsunami. You can find this either at your accommodation or along the roadside. Since Nusa Penida is very mountainous, you have less to worry about here. Whatever you buy, always bargain, or you’ll definitely end up overpaying.

My restaurant tips

There are countless restaurants and bars on Nusa Penida. I’ve listed a few really great restaurants that I can recommend below:

• Warung Lonto: really delicious and very affordable
• Amok Sunset: a little more expensive, but you get a great sunset here
• Penida Colada Beach Bar: a little more expensive, so a reservation is advisable here
• Lido Beach Bar: reasonably priced and you have a great view

Best time to visit Nusa Penida

Between November and February it is the rainy season in Nusa Penida, so there is a chance that it could get wet during this time. June to the end of August is considered the peak travel season, and it can get extremely hot during this time. The best time to travel to Nusa Penida is March, April, and May, as well as September, October, and November.

Conclusion about Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is a beautiful island and completely fascinated me. The infrastructure often leaves much to be desired and is significantly worse than on Bali. Tourism is also primarily limited to day trippers, and therefore there aren’t as many supermarkets, shops, or restaurants as on Bali. However, it’s definitely worth spending a few days on this beautiful island. To ensure you have enough time, we recommend staying on the island for at least four or five days.

We really hope you enjoyed this travel reporter article. Feel free to check out the other exciting stories under the menu item “Reisereporter.” And of course, we’d also be delighted if you took a look at our articles from other countries.