15 awesome sites in Nusa Penida

After 30 visits to Nusa Penida I updated my list of 15 awesome sites so see in Nusa Penida : beaches, temples, cliffs, dive sites and many more !

I first discovered Nusa Penida Island while traveling in Bali in May 2015, and since then I’ve returned over 30 times. With each visit, I aim to explore a new place and have formed a solid opinion about the top 15 must-see sites on Nusa Penida Island. The island has it all, from stunning beaches and cave temples, to vertiginous cliffs and incredible scuba diving spots. To fully appreciate the beauty of Nusa Penida, I highly recommend spending a few nights on the island!

Batu Bolong Nusa Penida Island Bali
Batu Bolong in front of Banah Cliff

Some places have changed a bit with the increased arrival of tourists. Concrete steps replaced the small paths, which were sometimes pretty dangerous. Local people built car parks and small warungs. But the beauty of the island and the amazing views will continue to take your breath away. And as tourism will only restart gradually after this covid-19 coronavirus crisis, you should not be too bothered by other tourists for several months. If you visit the island, you will almost see the Nusa Penida island that I discovered in 2015!

The ranking order of the sites is a bit arbitrary but I started with the most iconic sites in Nusa Penida. And I finished with the wildest and the most authentic sites. The ones I prefer …

Suwehan Beach Nusa Penida Island Bali
Suwehan Beach

Kelingking Beach

This list of the 15 most beautiful sites to see in Nusa Penida Island must necessarily start with Kelingking Beach. This is the most famous place in Nusa Penida Island. And all the tourism giants like Tripadvisor or Booking use now a Kelingking Beach photo to illustrate Bali.

Kelingking is a spectacular rocky outcrop into the sea. The rock looks a bit like the backbone of a dinosaur that comes to drink in the sea. On Google Map the bay has been called T-Rex Bay. The view is exceptional but if you have the courage and the time, you MUST go down to the beach. Get good shoes and once down to the beach, watch out for waves and currents. Believe me, Kelingking Beach is worth it !
 
Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida Island Bali
Kelingking Beach

Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong

Number 2 & 3 of the most beautiful sites to see in Nusa Penida Island are also spectacular. And therefore also very popular within the day tours to Nusa Penida organized from Bali. To be sure to truly enjoy the experience, it is better to arrive before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

Broken Beach

A collapse of part of the cliff created Broken Beach. The collapsed part has a circular shape. And the sea dug an arch in the narrowest part of this circle. The whole therefore looks like a circular bay with an arch which overhangs the sea. Look at the photos, you will understand ! The (very) small beach is not accessible. But you may see manta rays from the cliff.

Broken Beach Nusa Penida Island Bali
Broken Beach

Angel’s Billabong

Angel’s Billabong is a natural pool embedded in the cliff. It is filled with clear water during high tide. And the natural pool appears at low tide. The water is very clear and it is quite fun to go for a swim at low tide. But you have to be very careful not to swim there at high tide because a wave could drag you outside. With little chance of coming back.

angel billabong nusa penida bali
Angel’s Billabong

Crystal bay

Crystal Bay Beach is clearly one of the top 5 attractions in Nusa Penida Island. The beach could be very crowded before the coronavirus crisis but this should not be a problem any more for the coming months. Crystal Bay combines the attractions of a sandy beach easily accessible by road and a spectacular rock planted in the middle of the bay. The beach faces west and the sunsets are often spectacular. Crystal bay is also a renowned site for scuba diving. If you are not a scuba diver, you can still get a mask, snorkel and fins on site. But be careful not to exceed the limit of the boats anchored in the bay, the currents can be violent.

Crystal Bay Nusa Penida Bali Sunset
Sunset at Crystal Bay

Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach

Atuh Beach is, along with Crystal Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida Island, now very easily accessible. It takes about an hour from the port of Toyapakeh to reach it. If you take the right route you will have Atuh Beach on one side and Diamond Beach on the other. This second beach is best known thanks to the stairs cut into the cliff. A must for social networks addicts. Atuh Beach is especially pleasant for swimming at high tide, because there are not too many waves or currents.

Atuh Beach Bali Nusa Penida island
Atuh Beach

Warnakali dive resort

After this top 5 places to see in Nusa Penida Island, I cannot resist including two places that I particularly like. And not only because I created them ! Warnakali is a PADI 5 star Instructor Development Dive Resort. It is threefold : a diving center, a restaurant and a hotel with its spa. With the same characteristics : an incredible view of the sunset on one side and the Agung volcano on the other.

Pool and deck
 

Amok sunset

Amok is a sunset bar and restaurant built of bamboo at the top of a promontory overlooking the sea. It is a privileged place for lunch, dinner, spending the afternoon by the pool or enjoying the sunset. It is the number 1 restaurant in Nusa Penida Island on Tripadvisor. The pictures speak for themselves …

Amok sunset bar and restaurant Nusa Penida
Amok sunset

Gamat Bay

Before having a drink at Amok sunset, it may be worth a detour to Gamat Bay. This beach is the little sister of Crystal Bay, but more wild. Its bay is a real aquarium, but the currents can be strong, and there will probably not be many people watching you. You really need to bring your own fins if you want to snorkel at Gamat Bay. Or stay where you are. It is also a very nice dive site.

Gamat Bay Turtle diving snorkeling Nusa Penida
Turtle at Gamat Bay

Goa Giri Putri

We completely change category for this n° 9 of the places to see in Nusa Penida Island with the temple of Goa Giri Putri. It is a temple, or rather a succession of temples, built in a cave. The Balinese Hindus come to follow a purification course which lasts a few hours because it includes a stop at each temple built in the cave. You can go faster but at least try to participate in the double ceremony of the last temple before the exit, half Hindu, half Buddhist.

Pura Goa Giri Putri temple Nusa penida Bali
Ceremony at Goa Giri Putri temple

Toyapakeh Harbour

Toyapakeh is the arrival port on Nusa Penida for most speedboats from Bali. It is also a very famous scuba diving site, especially for drift dives. I like having a breakfast or a fruit juice at Warung Restu, by the beach. It is the only Muslim village on the island, which gives it a doubly exotic aspect.

port Toyapakeh Nusa Penida Bali
Toyapakeh port

Temeling

With Temeling we are now entering into the last part of our ranking of sites to see in Nusa Penida Island. I really like these 4 last places because they are very beautiful and much less visited in Nusa Penida.

Temeling is a primary forest, a natural swimming pool and two very romantic places by the sea. The scenery is guaranteed and the variety of atmospheres, between the walk in the virgin forest and two small deserted beaches, should seduce you. A very nice half-day ride.

Temeling Nusa Penida Bali Right Beach
Temeling Right Beach

Guyangan Waterfall

Guyangan Waterfall or Peuyangan is best known for its blue staircase which descends along the cliff. From there you will have a breathtaking view of the cliffs of Nusa Penida Island. To reward you, at the bottom of the stairs and after going through a small temple, you will find small natural baths on the cliff side. You can refresh yourself after a descent that could be described as dizzying. Above all, you can safely face the waves that break on the edge of the cliff. Guaranteed sensations!

Guyangan staircase Peguyangan waterfall Nusa Penida
Guyangan staircase

Suwehan Beach

Suwehan Beach is one of those very beautiful beaches of Nusa Penida Island which is still quite wild because apart from the classic tours. However, it is now rather easy to access with the brand new staircase which allows you to descend in less than twenty minutes. It is quite close to Atuh Beach and it might be a good idea to combine the visit of the two beaches in the same itinerary. Please note that you have to choose a time for your visit: rather in the morning because the beach faces east. And rather at low tide because otherwise there will not really be a beach …

Suwehan Beach Nusa Penida Bali panorama
Suwehan Beach

Seganing Waterfall

Seganing Waterfall is one of the sites on the southwest coast of Nusa Penida Island where you can admire magnificent landscapes. And make yourself a little fright by going down the cliff side following a more or less well traced path. And more or less well protected … But do not expect to see a waterfall fall from the top of the cliff, or you may be disappointed …

Seganing Waterfall Nusa Penida Bali
Seganing Waterfall

Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Penida designates the archipelago of the three islands : Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. These last two are connected by a yellow bridge that collapsed a few years ago but was rebuilt identically (hopefully more solid …). These two islands are very small and you will have gone around in two hours on a scooter but it can still be worth going for a ride. I’ll let you judge !

Nusa Lembongan Penida Bali
Nusa Lembongan

Any question ?

Beyond the places to see in Nusa Penida Island you will also find information on this website on what to do in Nusa Penida ? And lots of other practical information, including how to get to Nusa Penida ?

But if you can’t find the answer to your questions, feel free to add a comment on this page. I would be happy to try to answer you !

  1. Linda Kempster says:

    Thanks for all the great information regarding the islands. I have a question regarding Nusa Penida, if a reliable car and driver is hired for our stay are the attractions you’ve mentioned safely accessed. I have this vision of driving on an incredibly steep, narrow dangerous track in order to get to some of the wonderful sites you’ve mentioned. We would love to visit and experience the landscape and seascape and a quieter side of Bali but I don’t wish to put us in any dangerous situations. We would be looking at possibly a 4 night stay, are there many restaurants or warungs on the island that you can walk to from accomodation. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks

    • Blaise says:

      Hello Linda,
      The car drivers are very professional and know very well the roads. Most of the hotels or resorts have there own restaurants and will be happy to organize a tour with a local car driver. Nusa Penida is indeed pretty wild, which is part of its charm but if you follow some basic ground rules it will be very safe !
      Blaise

  2. Dahl-maree says:

    Hi love all your information , my hubby and I are staying on Cennigan and want to go to Penida for a day trip, we are thinking of hiring scooters and taking snorkel gear with us. You mentioned you have a PDF version of Penida map would you be able to send it yo me please. And any other information you like to share.
    Thanks

      • Justine says:

        Hello,
        Can you email me the PDF map of Nusa Penida too please?
        Do you also have a map for Nusa Lembognan and Nusa Cennigan?
        In addition, do you have information on boat transfer from yellow bridge over the Nusa Penida, times/price/do I have to book?
        Thank you

        • Blaise says:

          Hello Justine,
          I sent you the map of Nusa Penida by mail. Unfortunately I don’t have the map of Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan.
          There are many boats from Yellow bridge to Penida. The price should be around 50k one way per person and I don’t think you need to book.
          If you need assistance for a tour in Penida you can contact Roy on my behalf. I sent you his Whatsapp.
          Enjoy your stay in Bali!
          Blaise

  3. Is it Possible to hire a car or jeep without a driver on Nusa Penida.
    I do drive ariund Java and Bali for over 25 years so I like to do that also on Penida.

    • Blaise says:

      Hello Peter,
      I guess it is possible to rent a car without driver in Nusa Penida but I don’t know personally where do ask. If someone knows an address it would be nice to answer the comment with the contact.
      Please nevertheless keep in mind that Nusa Penida roads are pretty narrow which means you often need to get your left wheels out of the concrete road, sometimes very close to the edge of some cliff, when you cross another car or a truck. I am a good driver but I i would be scared to drive myself a car in Nusa Penida …
      Blaise

  4. William Lawrence says:

    Great info. Thank you! But the top 3 sites are quite crowded again, tourism has bounced back hard. You might mention that at least the top two sites have a minimum entry fee of 5000.

    • Hi William,
      You are very right, the most iconic destinations of Nusa Penida are now super busy between 11 am and 3 pm with tourists coming for day trips. But there are many other destinations less crowded. My favorite is Tembeling. Blaise

  5. Stanley says:

    Thank you for these information. May I know if I hire a car/van with a driver, can all these 15 sites be reached without much walking? Thank you.

    • Hello Stanley,
      All of these sites can be reached by car/van with a driver without much walking except :
      – Guyangan, Seganing, Suwehan, Gamat Bay : you will have to walk down a narrow path or a staircase to get to the beach and there is not much to see if you don’t
      – Kelingking Beach and Atuh Beach : ou will have to walk down a narrow path or a staircase to get to the beach but the view is still amazing from the top of the cliff
      Enjoy your stay in Nusa Penida !
      Blaise

  6. Marika Preston says:

    Hi Blaise,
    Thanks for the tips!
    Could I also please have the map PDF via email?
    Much appreciated thank you!

  7. Didier says:

    Thanks for all the great info!
    Could you please mail your PDF map ?
    Thank you so much 🙂

  8. Hemant Talathi says:

    Hi
    Can you please share a detailed map of Nusa Penida.
    Can you just good homestays / Heritage Hotels right on the beach
    Share details of Car Driver and their rates
    Do you get vegetarian food here
    Regds
    Hemant Talathi
    Mumbai, India
    Mobile No : +91 9922401955
    mail id : htalathi@gmail.com

    • Blaise says:

      Hello Hemant Talathi,

      I sent you by email Nusa Penida ma and Roy’s contact details.
      He can help you prepare your trip, establish your program, propose a reliable driver in Bali and Nusa Penida and help you book your boat tickets or hotels.
      For homestay on the beach you can try Blue Harbor or other options here : https://nusapenida.org/hotel-where-to-stay-nusa-penida/
      Enjoy your trip to Nusa Penida !
      Blaise

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