Kelingking Beach is one of the most famous spot of Nusa Penida, often featured in advertisements for Bali and Indonesia. Its unique rock formations look like the backbone of a dinosaur and it’s even nicknamed T-Rex Bay on Google Maps. From the top of the cliff, visitors may even spot Manta rays.
Tourists gather at the esplanade for breathtaking views and drone photography. The popularity of Kelingking Beach has greatly contributed to the tourist growth of Nusa Penida island, particularly through social media. Interestingly, “Kelingking” also means pinky finger in Indonesian, but the reason behind it requires a little imagination.
Kelingking Beach was voted one of the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world in 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
More than 500 000 photos on Instagram
The star attraction of Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida is the breathtaking viewpoint atop the cliff. While the coastline boasts magnificent cliffs, this one is truly exceptional! A selfie with the T-Rex is a must, but be prepared to share the spotlight with other Instagrammers. As of January 2018, over 13,000 photos had been posted with #Kelingking and over 25,000 with #kelingkingbeach. By September 2020, we had reached a total of over 400,000 photos for both hashtags. Now we’re at almost 600,000!
But you might manage to take a photo that stands out from the 600,000 already snapped. For example, you could climb a tree (the dead tree I climbed for a photo in 2018 has sadly disappeared now…) or make use of one of the platforms specially built for pictures! Locals are incredibly creative, building bamboo observation decks that offer unique vantage points. You’ll also notice more and more couples accompanied by professional photographers, often equipped with drones, capturing stunning videos and photos.
I recommend heading up the cliff a bit to the right (facing the sea) to escape the crowds and capture more peaceful, striking shots without the hustle.
Please avoid any accident at Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida
Tourists often showcase their creativity to capture unique photographs, but some may take their adventures too far. In 2019, a press article reported a tragic incident at Kelingking Beach, where a young Russian girl fell off a cliff while riding a scooter. Shockingly, the article mentioned that scooter remained intact at the cliff’s top. Unfortunately, many more accidents occured since the reopening of the borders. Swimming at Kelingking Beach is now forbidden, after a European tourist drawned in violent waves after trying to rescue another tourist in February 2023. Unfortunately, this has not stopped tourists from swimming and there is approximately one death every month, a victim of drowning.
Be careful when you get down to the beach
If you plan to hike down the cliff to the beach (which I highly recommend!), please exercise caution. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, wear a hat to prevent sunstroke, and most importantly, wear proper shoes. The first time I descended, I made the mistake of wearing flip-flops, which was a poor choice. Luckily, proper stairs have been installed, making the path much easier to navigate than it was a few years ago.
After descending, you’ll be greeted by a stunning beach. While the allure of swimming may be irresistible, be wary of the powerful waves and currents that can carry you out to sea. Sadly, Kelingking Beach has experienced multiple drowning incidents, making the warnings imperative.
However, don’t let these precautions dampen your enthusiasm – the trip to the beach is well worth the effort.
Kelingking Beach : do you really deserve it ?
Kelingking Beach is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque beaches in Nusa Penida island. And in my opinion, the most stunning in Bali under the “wild beach” category. Even if you are not inclined to descend to the beach, take a stroll along the narrow path that meanders down the ridge line for a few meters. It’s a quieter spot to admire the panoramic views and click better photographs.
I have a piece of advice for you – take your pictures before descending the trail, as climbing back up might leave you less photogenic. The initial part of the trail, up to the first turn, is relatively easy and gives you a fair idea of the entire trek. You can then decide here if you have the grit to hike down to the beach. Or otherwise head to other accessible beaches like Crystal Bay or Atuh Beach, especially if you are with kids.
Some time ago a fire destroyed the vegetation and the elaborate network of ropes and wooden poles that facilitated the descent. However, the trail to the beach has been reconstructed and is much safer now. So, don’t abandon the trek halfway, as the climb up is more manageable than the climb down. The incline is towards you, making it more secure and paradoxically less strenuous.
How long to go down to Kelingking Beach?
It takes 20 minutes to get down to Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida. To ensure safety, it is important to wear proper footwear and take caution with each step. Signs clearly state that access to the beach is solely the responsibility of the individual. The ascent back to the starting point may take up to 30 minutes.
How tall is Kelingking cliff ?
Kelingking Beach cliff is around 150 meters high.
For those who love records, here are the challenges to beat.
Setting a new speed record for descending to Kelingking Beach: A particularly athletic young man, who didn’t want to leave his girlfriend alone for too long, managed to descend and ascend the steep cliff path in just 20 minutes (according to him). He was obviously very much in love and / or very jealous.
Making a double descent to Kelingking Beach: Another tourist, having returned to his scooter, realized that he had left his keys on the beach. He went down the cliff path again to search for them, and fortunately, he found them! I met recently another tourist whose kid forgot his swimming suit on the beach. Same story, he went down to the beach a second time to get back his kid’s swimming suit…
Going down to Kelingking Beach daily : Local vendors now bring down cold drinks to sell on the beach every day. However, they don’t seem to understand the law of supply and demand as they charge the same price as elsewhere. It’s likely they pack up shop when their cooler is empty, but they may refill it several times throughout the day.
The beach down at Kelingking is stunning. But, as with everywhere on Nusa Penida island, be cautious of strong waves and currents that could pull you away. As already mentionned swimming at Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida is now forbidden.
New Attractions at Kelingking Beach
The Kelingking Beach Elevator
A panoramic elevator is currently under construction to allow visitors to descend to the beach. This initiative aims to make Kelingking Beach more accessible while preserving the site’s natural beauty and environmental integrity. By integrating this new infrastructure, authorities hope to attract even more visitors while ensuring their safety and comfort. Whether you love it or hate it… A crane has already been installed to construct the elevator. And personally, I think it detracts from the landscape. Even worse, an investor has bought cliffside land and literally cut into the cliff to sell individual plots plots.
Bungee Jumping at Kelingking Beach
It is now possible to bungee jump from the cliff at Kelingking Beach. Although there haven’t been any accident yet, I have no intention of trying it for at least a year. The price is 2 million for the few seconds it takes to fall along the cliff. For the same price, I would rather go scuba diving at Manta Point and at Crystal Bay to see the Manta Rays and the Mola Mola!
How do you get to Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida?
The route leading to Kelingking Beach has been recently renovated and is in excellent condition, except for some relatively large potholes on the side towards the end. It’s quite feasible to navigate the route independently by riding a scooter. But do exercise caution on the road as traffic can be heavy. If you’re traveling in a group of four or more, it may be more convenient to rent a car with a driver.
To get there, turn left after the village of Sakti (the right road leads to Crystal Bay) when coming from Toyapakeh. Then, take the first road on the right and follow the signs. The route is straightforward and signposted at every intersection. It should take about 30 minutes to get to Kelingking Beach from either Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay.
There are many options to combine the visit of Kelingking Beach with other places to see. Check here some ideas of tours in Nusa Penida including Temeling, Broken Beach and Angel Billabong.
And you can find also more practical information, including how to drive and how to get around in Nusa Penida.
How do you get from Bali to Kelingking Beach ?
You will find all information about how to get to Nusa Penida island from Bali, which port to choose in Bali and in Nusa Penida, how to choose the best fast boat to go to Nusa Penida, all the time tables and prices in this page : https://nusapenida.org/how-to-get-to-nusa-penida-from-bali/
What is the best time to go to Kelingking Beach ?
Many tourists opt for a daily tour to Nusa Penida, which usually includes Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach. To avoid the peak visiting hours of 11 am to 3 pm, it is recommended to plan your visit accordingly. However, note that the beach is in the shadow of the cliff in the morning. If you plan to go down to the beach, it is best to visit Kelingking Beach around 3 pm. If you only plan to enjoy the view from the top, 4 pm to 5 pm would be a suitable time. While sunset can be spectacular, it may not be ideal to ride a scooter back in the dark. Especially if you are not comfortable driving a scooter.
What to do after Kelingking Beach ?
Numerous local eateries have set up shop on the esplanade, offering an array of refreshments such as fresh coconut milk, fruit juice. As well as popular Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng and mie goreng.
If you happen to have a sarong with you, why not take a quick trip to Pura Paluang by taking a right turn as you leave Kelingking Beach? This temple, also known as Pura Car, houses an altar devoted to the deity that safeguards vehicles. Though the aesthetics may seem a bit tacky, it’s a lighthearted experience. And you’ll be rewarded with a stunning vista of Batu Bolong, which served as the inspiration for Warnakali restaurant‘s logo.
From the sea
If you go diving at Manta Point to see the Manta rays the boat will pass by Kelingking Beach. A very different viewpoint, but also very beautiful !
