Broken Beach Nusa Penida is one of the most iconic natural landmarks on the island, famous for its spectacular rock arch forming a circular bay connected to the ocean. Located on the west coast, it offers one of the most unique coastal views in Bali.
I first visited Broken Beach on 14 July 2017, when there was literally nothing here — no real road, no parking, no warungs, no barriers or warning signs, no crowds, just raw nature. I’ve been back countless times since, and I still pass by most weeks on my way to dive at Manta Point, which sits right below these cliffs. Watching the place change has been something: a paved access road, a proper car park, warungs and a ticket point have appeared, and on a busy day the arch is now ringed with day-trippers arriving by the busload.
👉 Just a few minutes away, Angel’s Billabong is a natural infinity pool carved into the rock, known for its crystal-clear water and dramatic ocean setting — making the two spots perfect to visit together. Together they rank among the top places to see in Nusa Penida.
What is Broken Beach Nusa Penida?
Broken Beach is a natural rock arch that forms a circular bay connected to the ocean through a tunnel in the cliff. Known locally as Pasih Uug, it is one of the most photographed viewpoints in Nusa Penida. Unlike a traditional beach, it cannot be reached from below: visitors walk along the clifftop to look down at the arch and at the turquoise water flowing into the bay through the tunnel.
🏖 Broken Beach at a Glance
- 📍 Location: West Nusa Penida
- 🏞 Highlight: natural rock arch & circular bay
- 🚫 Access: viewpoint only (no beach access)
- ⏱ Time needed: 30–60 minutes
- 🛸 Best time: early morning or late afternoon
👉 Best experience: combine with Angel’s Billabong just next door
Its unusual shape, combined with the surrounding cliffs and ocean views, makes it one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Can you go down to Broken Beach?
No, you cannot go down to Broken Beach. There is no access to the water or the inside of the bay, as the cliffs are steep and completely enclosed. Broken Beach is a viewpoint-only location, and visitors can only walk around the top of the cliffs to enjoy the scenery. Attempting to climb down is extremely dangerous and strongly discouraged.
One tip from experience: don’t come expecting a beach. I once brought a friend here who was genuinely disappointed — he’d pictured sand and a swim, but there is no accessible beach at Broken Beach. It’s a clifftop viewpoint over a sealed circular bay, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Is Broken Beach dangerous?
You’ll probably walk around the bay and take plenty of photos — but be careful with your selfies. Several careless visitors have stepped back too far while taking pictures and fallen. Warning signs have since been installed. Some have been lucky to survive, like an influencer who tumbled off the cliff in early 2023: he fell 45 meters, spent several days in a coma, but left hospital with only a broken leg. Most other accidents have been fatal.
During the most recent incident, it took rescuers over two and a half hours to recover the victim from the bottom of the cliff.
I have never witnessed a serious fall myself, but accidents here are reported with grim regularity in the local Indonesian press. What I do see with my own eyes, almost every visit, is the behavior that causes them: people edging backwards toward the drop for the perfect shot. The cliff edge is unfenced in places and the rock can crumble, so keep well back from it.
What is Angel’s Billabong?
Angel’s Billabong is a natural rock pool on the west coast of Nusa Penida, carved by ocean erosion along the cliffs. The word billabong comes from Australia, where it means an isolated pond left behind when a river changes course. Here it is not a river formation at all but a natural infinity pool cut into the rock by the sea.
At low tide the pool turns calm and crystal clear, and looks like a natural swimming pool. At high tide, waves crash straight into it and conditions become far more dangerous.
Can you swim at Angel’s Billabong?
No, swimming at Angel’s Billabong is not recommended and is now officially prohibited. The pool may look calm and inviting at low tide, but conditions change extremely quickly. Waves crash into it without warning, creating surges strong enough to knock people off their feet and sweep them out to sea. Once outside the pool it is almost impossible to get back in, because of the currents and the sharp rock.
Following a fatal accident in February 2023, local authorities banned swimming here. Some visitors still climb in anyway — I see it constantly, and I have watched more than one get knocked over by a wave that appeared out of nowhere. Others stand right at the edge and get drenched by surges reaching the viewing area. Admire the pool, but treat both the water and the edge as off-limits.
👉 The two photos below were taken just minutes apart.
👉 Keep a safe distance from the edge, follow your guide’s instructions, and never approach the pool when the sea is rough. The safest way to enjoy Angel’s Billabong is from a secure viewpoint, staying aware of changing conditions.
Manta Bay
If you’re lucky, you might spot manta rays from the arch. The cliff sits right above Manta Bay, a popular spot for snorkeling tours and also a diving spot. The point of diving here isn’t really the mantas — for those it’s much better to go to Manta Point — but rather to look for the Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) along a deep wall exposed to the open sea.
Here’s a perspective most visitors never get. Both Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong sit directly above Manta Bay. One morning we came back from a dive at Manta Point without having seen a single manta — rare enough that I put the odds at around 95% over the year — and stopped around 10 am to take the boat into the circular bay of Broken Beach instead. The guests got something hardly anyone photographs: the arch from underneath, from the water. With the crowds lining the clifftop above, I’m fairly sure I’ve ended up in the background of hundreds of tourists’ photos over the years.
👉 See our guide to diving with manta rays in Nusa Penida
The Octopus Queen
The Octopus Queen is a woven-bamboo sculpture more than 25 meters tall, standing on the headland along the coast from Broken Beach. A female figure with octopus arms for hair and her hands raised toward the sea, she is the most recognizable addition to this coastline in years — and you can see her from the water as you pass the arch.
She is the work of Balinese artist I Ketut Putrayasa: five months of building, around 400 workers, bamboo rope woven in Bangli over a steel frame. In September 2025 she was awarded a MURI record as the largest woven-bamboo installation sculpture in Indonesia. Her expected lifespan is about ten years.
The Penida Swing Park she was built for has not opened. The swings and viewing platforms are not in service, and I can’t tell you whether you can walk up to the sculpture itself — the view I know is the one from the water, going past the arch by boat.
Red Bull Cliff Diving at Broken Beach
In May 2026 Broken Beach hosted the opening round of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. The Indonesian Navy secured the site with KRI Surabaya-591, two helicopters, rigid inflatable boats and Kopaska dive teams, and the Chief of Naval Staff closed the event here on 23 May.
I went past by boat that morning. The ship was the sight of the day — we motored right by her and spent the rest of the trip wondering what she was doing off Broken Beach. I only worked out why while writing this page.
How to get to Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
Once remote and difficult to reach, the area is now easy to access, with only the final stretch of road recalling its wild origins.
By scooter or car
Broken Beach is around 40 minutes from Toyapakeh and from Crystal Bay, and only 20–30 minutes from Kelingking Beach — which is why the three are almost always combined on the same day. The road is paved almost all the way and the final approach is signposted. You park once and walk to Angel’s Billabong from there.
👉 Most visitors combine Broken Beach with Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay during a west-coast tour of Nusa Penida. You can also explore Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach on the east coast for a completely different landscape. For driving and getting around, read our Get around Nusa Penida guide.
Hiking from Crystal Bay to Broken Beach
I’ve done this hike once myself, and I can confirm it’s an adventure rather than a stroll. Hiking to Broken Beach from Crystal Bay takes about two hours and proper shoes are a necessity. Facing the sea at Crystal Bay, walk to the left side of the beach: you’ll find stairs up the hill and down to Pandan Beach. From there you climb to the top of the next hill, which is the hard part, and finding the trail through the forest on the far side of the second beach can be tricky too. Once out of the forest the path is relatively flat until Broken Beach.
Google Maps may suggest scooter routes between Broken Beach and Crystal Bay. I have tried to find a reliable rideable connection myself, without success, so I don’t recommend attempting it.
How to get to Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong from Bali
Read our guide on how to get from Bali to Nusa Penida for ports, fast boats, timetables and prices.
Can you fly a drone at Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong?
Yes, and it’s one of the best places in Nusa Penida for aerial photography. A high enough viewpoint to reveal the full circle of the bay works particularly well, and vertical shots suit the shape of the arch.
However, extra caution is required if you plan to fly under the arch. Many drones have been lost here. When a drone passes under the arch it often loses signal with the controller, and as a safety feature it climbs to regain connection — but the rock ceiling is too low, so it hits the arch and falls into the sea.
👉 If you want to film under the arch, you have two safer options:
- fly quickly and smoothly through the arch without stopping
- or stop recording before the arch, fly across, and resume filming on the other side
In most cases it’s safer to avoid flying under the arch altogether and capture wide aerial shots from above instead.
What is the best time to go to Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong?
Early morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer day-trip groups. The busiest period is generally between about 11 am and 3 pm, when the tour boats from Bali have landed and the west-coast tours all reach this stop at once.
For Angel’s Billabong there is a trade-off: the light needs the sun high enough to see into the pool, so late morning gives the clearest water — and the biggest crowds. Early morning gives you the place almost to yourself, with less color in the pool.
Broken Beach vs Angel’s Billabong: which is better?
Both are worth visiting, and most travelers see them together. Broken Beach is famous for its arch and its panoramic views; Angel’s Billabong stands out for its rock pool and its dramatic ocean setting. Since they are only a few minutes apart, the real answer is to visit both during the same stop. For the rest of your trip, explore our complete guide to Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida Travel Guide
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FAQ – Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong, Nusa Penida
Where is Broken Beach?
Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) is on the west coast of Nusa Penida, around 40 minutes by road from Toyapakeh and 20–30 minutes from Kelingking Beach. Angel’s Billabong is a few minutes away from the same parking area.
Is Broken Beach worth visiting?
Yes, Broken Beach is one of the most iconic spots in Nusa Penida, known for its natural rock arch and circular bay.
Why is it called Broken Beach?
It’s called Broken Beach because the cliff is literally “broken”: a collapsed sea cave left a natural arch and a circular bay linked to the ocean by a tunnel. Its local name, Pasih Uug, means roughly “broken beach” in Balinese.
Can you swim at Broken Beach?
No, you cannot swim at Broken Beach. There is no access to the water.
Has anyone died at Broken Beach or Angel’s Billabong?
Yes. Fatal falls from the Broken Beach cliffs and people swept from the Angel’s Billabong pool have been reported in the local press, including a fatal accident in February 2023 that led to swimming being officially banned at Angel’s Billabong. Always keep well back from the edges and never enter the pool.
Is Angel’s Billabong worth visiting?
Yes, Angel’s Billabong is one of the most unique spots in Nusa Penida, famous for its natural rock pool.
Can you visit the Octopus Queen?
The Octopus Queen is clearly visible from the sea, but the Penida Swing Park she stands in has not opened, so there is no visitor access to the sculpture itself for now.
Is there an entrance fee for Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong?
There is no large ticket office, but a small parking and retribution fee is usually collected on site, and both spots are accessed from the same area.
How far is Broken Beach from Kelingking Beach?
Broken Beach is about a 20–30 minute drive from Kelingking Beach by scooter or car, which is why the two are almost always combined on the same west-coast day tour.
How far is Angel’s Billabong from Broken Beach?
Angel’s Billabong is located just a few minutes from Broken Beach and is accessed from the same area.
What is the best time to visit Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong?
Early morning or late afternoon is best to avoid crowds and get better light. The busiest hours are roughly 11 am to 3 pm.
How long do you need at Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong?
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours exploring both sites.
Can you visit Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong in one day?
Yes, both sites are located next to each other and can easily be visited together.
Brilliant post.
The change in water level is astounding. I can totally understand why some people have perished. Good article
Wonderful & very informative article. Good you explained everything in detail it has been a great help. Thanks for sharing the Useful and Informative Blog. Wonderful travel blog along with beautiful pics.
Selamat pagi team. Apakah punya paket scuba diving. terima kasih
Selamat pagi Inclusive Bali Tour
Berikut adalah daftar harga Dune Penida.
Here is the price list of Dune Penida for scuba diving and snorkeling.
https://www.atlantis-bali-diving.com/dune-penida/prices/
Blaise