When it comes to Nusa Penida in Bali, visitors often seek out practical information, such as recommended itineraries. To simplify the planning process, I’ve formulated four itineraries that bring together multiple noteworthy sites to explore Nusa Penida. The itineraries begin with the easiest routes and have well-maintained roads that are accessible via scooter or car. They can be combined or modified to fit your timeframe. To discover all of my favorite places on Nusa Penida, including both land and underwater sights, refer to the Nusa Penida map.
Explore Nusa Penida – 1: The Northeast coast of Nusa Penida
The road is very good on almost the entire route which makes it one of the easiest itineraries. Please schedule at least half a day and preferably a full day.
From Toyapakeh to Goa Giri Putri
After leaving Toyapakeh Harbour, you will reach Goa Giri Putri Temple after 30 minutes. You will follow the north coast of the island where tourism has developed the fastest, especially between Ped and Sampalan. However, there are still seaweeds crops near Suana which offer the opportunity for beautiful photos. If there are not too many clouds you will have a magnificent view of Mount Agung.
If you have time, outward or return, you can take a short detour to Limo about halfway. There you will find artisans who create silver jewelry.
Goa Giri Putri’s visit is a great moment. The entry into this huge cave through a small hose, the route through the purification stations and the final Trimutri ceremony will no doubt leave you with great memories.
Plan a lunch stop
If you have not had lunch, it is best to do so before leaving the coast as there will not be many opportunities before reaching Atuh Beach. But you will still find drinks, fruit juices, grilled fish and basic dishes at Atuh Beach. If you arrived through Diamond Beach, take the path down along the cliff, at least until the staircase cut in the heart of the rock of the cliff.
Atuh Beach
The signage to get there is a bit confusing. Because you will often see two Atuh Beach signs, one indicating to the left, and the other to the right. In fact, there are several routes to get to the beach, either on the left or on the right. The access on the left side is shorter but the descent to the beach is more recent, shorter, but less easy. My advice is rather to arrive on the right side which offers a more beautiful panorama. To do this, whenever the choice is offered, take the right lane ! Or more simply, type Diamond Beach on Google Map!
From there you will have a hundred meters to walk on a ridge line. With a little luck, from the top of the cliff, you can see Manta rays : look for dark shapes that stand out against the blue of the sea. But you can in any case take spectacular photos ! Then all you have to do is to climb down the 126 concrete steps that will take you to the beach. Beautiful beach, crystal clear water but like everywhere in Nusa Penida watch out for waves and currents.
Return circuit
If you are coming from Sakti a good option is to return by Tanglad and the interior of the island because the road has also been redone. You will find handicrafts of local fabrics in Tanglad. If you have time you can also take a detour by Suwehan beach (detour twice 20 minutes). Or by the hills called Teletubbies (detour of 2 times 5 minutes) and Sekartaji (detour of 30 minutes). Or continue with one of the other routes that covers the southeast of Nusa Penida (Tanglad, Suwehan, Teletubbies, Sekartaji).
Explore Nusa Penida – 2: Southwest of Nusa Penida
The south west coast of Nusa Penida offers some very beautiful sites, which are still relatively little visited. The distances are short but the journey times are still quite significant because the renovation of the road network is not complete. After several route tests, I suggest this one which I think is optimized in the current state of the roads.
Manta Point and Guyangan Waterfall
From Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay you can reach Guyangan Waterfall in around 45 minutes via Batukandik. The road has been redone almost entirely. Just before arriving at Guyangan you will see a small Manta Point sign pointing to the left. It is a small detour of about twenty minutes in total, but when you get to a small white temple you will normally see Manta rays from the top of the cliff. However, there is no way to go down to sea level to swim with them. You will need to contact a diving center for that.
Guyangan Waterfall is a very beautiful place with a breathtaking view. If you are not dizzy you can descend the blue staircase which leads to sea level, to a small temple (plan to bring a sarong) and to small natural baths on the cliff side !
Temeling and its primary forest
From Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay you can reach Temeling in about 40 minutes via Batumadeg. The road has been redone almost entirely. If you come from Peguyangan, you still have to go back to Batukandik and then to Batumadeg and it will take around 30 minutes by scooter. If you have your own scooter you can practically descend to the bottom and park it in the “parkir” area. The descent into the primary forest, on scooter then on foot, is quite impressive. If you came by car you will probably find a scooter driver on site who can drive you downstairs. Otherwise, the bravest will go walking, but that makes a hike of more than two kilometers… A small staircase has recently been fitted out to descend to the beach. On the way you will pass a large natural swimming pool. A few hundred meters further down you will reach the beach. The beach is very wild and visitors have started to form fairly poetic pebble pyramids. Allow a good hour on site in total if you go down to the beach.
Banah Cliff
Continuing the 5 minute drive to Banah Cliff from where you will have a breathtaking view of Batu Bolong. Literally it means rock with a hole. Very colorful and at the same time very explicit when you see the rock (or its photo) ! It is this rock that inspired the logo of Warnakali restaurant.
Explore Nusa Penida – 3 : the iconic sites of west Nusa Penida
This itinerary takes a good half day. Or a big day if you combine itineraries 2 and 3.
Kelingking Beach
Going back through Batumadeg and taking a small road on the left, which deserves to be redone, you will get to Kelingking Beach in 20 minutes from Temeling. It takes approximately 45 minutes from Crystal Bay. The site was still deserted until April 2017 but has grown a lot in recent years. You will find several warungs where to drink a fruit juice or eat a nasi goreng. Do not ride along the cliff with your scooter, there have already been accidents and death tolls.
Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
The road to reach Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong used to be a disaster, but it is now brand new almost until the end. You can have a drink or a bite to eat in one of the warungs that have recently grown.
Explore Nusa Penida – 4 Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay
After itinerary 3 you can continue with a walk to Crystal Bay or Gamat Bay to end the day with a beautiful sunset. If you want to have a drink by the pool or have a bite to eat in front of the sunset, check out Amok Sunset. They have happy hours on cocktails between 5 and 6 p.m.
Hiking
There aren’t really any marked hiking trails yet like there can be in Europe. But for good walkers here are two suggestions for a walk.
Temeling
Instead of descending by scooter in the Temeling valley, some do it walking. The path is well laid out since the scooters take it but it goes down to go. And so it goes up on the return ! It takes 2 hours to get there and back. Without hurrying too much, my friend Cathy, who did it recently, tells me.
Walking from Crystal Bay to Broken Beach
The path from Crystal Bay to Broken Beach on foot is not really traced (or so I did not find it). And it is therefore imperative to go there with real shoes. But it’s very beautiful.
Sea trips in Nusa Penida
Most travelers choose a sea trip with one objective : snorkeling or diving. And often a second objective: to see Manta rays.
The snorkeling trip to Manta Bay
The small boats which leave from Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay to bring tourists to see the Manta rays generally go to Manta Bay. This is the bay you can see from Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach. It’s best to go early to avoid the stress of having to swim with a mask, fins and snorkel in the middle of a swarm of boats and other snorkelers. Manta rays are often there, but not always. The first boat to spot them signals it to the others. It can also happen that they are just below Broken Beach arch and can be seen very well from the cliff.
The snorkeling tour usually also includes Crystal Bay and / or Gamat Bay and sometimes the mangrove at Nusa Lembogan.
Sea trip to Manta Point
Dive centers normally go (unless they want to save gas …) to Manta Point. This is where the Manta Ray cleaning stations are located. The journey takes around 40 minutes and is very beautiful. Especially in the early morning when there is sometimes a morning mist that lines the surface of the sea. The waves crashing on the cliffs of Nusa Penida can also be quite spectacular seen from the sea.
From the port of Toyapakeh you will pass in front of Gamat Bay then in front of Crystal Bay before crossing Manta Bay. You’ll probably see Angel’s Billabong’s natural pool and perhaps Broken Beach’s arch. Along the route you will also likely see anglers at the top of the cliffs or on a rock.
You will then pass Kelingking Beach, Batu Bolong, Temeling then Guyangan before arriving at Manta Point.
Any question or suggestion about these itineraries ?
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