This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about how to get to Nusa Penida island from Bali. With a variety of departure and arrival ports to choose from, finding the right fast boat company can be a challenge. In this article, you will find detailed information on the different ports, fast boat companies, and their schedules, as well as fast boat price tickets. Our goal is to make your journey to Nusa Penida as smooth and stress-free as possible. This article is part of a series of articles that give practical information on Nusa Penida island.

Sanur fastboat terminal

The trip to Nusa Penida will only take 40 minutes from Sanur and 20 minutes from Kusamba. With a brand new fast boat terminal in Sanur, you can now board the boats in comfort, without having to worry about getting wet in the sea. With a total of 18 boats available every day from Sanur and 20 additional boats from Kusamba, there’s no shortage of options. To ensure your safety, all boats come equipped with life jackets and are maintained to the highest standards. So whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, rest assured that you’ll be in good hands on your journey to Nusa Penida.

Drop off your scooter in Sanur or rent your scooter in Nusa Penida

If you have rented your scooter from Bikago, you can drop it off at the Sanur port. Bikago is a reputable company that has been offering high-quality scooters and motorcycles with insurance and efficient customer service since 2014. Starting from April 15, 2024, you will also be able to rent a scooter from Bikago in Nusa Penida. You can pick it up and then drop it off at the Toyapakeh port without any charge.

It is also much safer, especially for insurance coverage, to get an international driving permit (IDP) if you rent a motorbike. You can an IDP on line in less than 8 minutes here.

Fast Boat Timetable Overview

If you’re looking to travel from Sanur to Nusa Penida, there are several options available to you. In this section, we’ve provided a list of all the fast boat companies that connect the two destinations, as well as their schedules. However, it’s important to note that these schedules may be subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the timings before you embark on your trip. At present, fast boat services from Sanur to Nusa Penida commence from 7:30 am, with the last departure at 5.20 pm. Similarly, services from Nusa Penida to Sanur begin at 7 am and conclude with the last departure at 5 pm. Angel Billabong is one of the most dependable fast boat companies, known for their safe and efficient services.

Angel Billabong fast cruise

• from Bali to Nusa Penida (Banjar Nyuh) : 7.30 am, 10 am, 2.15 pm and 5 pm
• Nusa Penida to Bali (Sanur) : 7.20 am, 9 am, 1 pm and 5 pm
• +62 82 144 048 323

Maruti Express

• from Bali to Nusa Penida (Banjar Nyuh) : 7.30 am, 9 am and 3 pm
• Nusa Penida to Bali (Sanur) : 7.30 am, 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm
• +62 81 246 892 524
• +62 81 338 754 848

Semabu Hills fast Boat

• from Bali to Nusa Penida (Banjar Nyuh) : 7 am, 7.30 am, 8 am, 8.30 am, 9 am, 1 pm and 3 pm
• Nusa Penida to Bali (Sanur) : 8 am, 12 pm, 1.30 pm, 3.30 pm, 4 pm, 4.30 pm and 5 pm

Axe Stone

• from Bali to Banjar Nyuh : 7.30 am, 8.15 am, 11 am and 3.30 pm
• Banjar Nyuh to Bali (Sanur) : 9.15 am, 2.30 pm, 4.30 pm and 4.45 pm

The Tanis

• from Bali to Banjar Nyuh : 8.00 am and 12 pm
• Banjar Nyuh to Bali (Sanur) : 10 am and 4.30 pm

Ray Fish

• from Bali to Banjar Nyuh : 8.15 am
• Banjar Nyuh to Bali (Sanur) : 4.30 pm
• +62 82 339 616 768
• rayfishfatscruises@gmail.com

Idola Express

• from Bali to Nusa Penida (Sampalan) : 8.15 am and 3 pm
• Sampalan to Bali (Sanur) : 1.15 pm and 4.30 pm
• WhatsApp : +62 81 808 072 488
• email : info@idolaexpress.com

From Kusamba to Sampalan

Gangga Express

• Kusamba to Sampalan (or Buyuk) : 6.30 am, 7am, 8 am, 9 am, 10.30 am (Buyuk), 12.15 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm (Buyuk)
• Sampalan (or Buyuk) to Kusamba : 6.30 am, 7 am (Buyuk), 7.30 am, 8 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm (Buyuk).

The Angkal

• Kusamba to Sampalan : 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9.30 am, 11.45 am, 1A.45 pm and 4 pm
• Sampalan to Kusamba : 6.30 am, 7 am, 7.30 am, 8 am, 10:45 am, 12.45 pm, 2.30 pm and 4 pm.

Sekarjaya

• Kusamba to Sampalan : 7.15 am, 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm
• Sampalan to Kusamba : 7 am, 8 am, 10:30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

 

Safety first

Schedule Sanur – Nusa Penida listed by departure time

7 am with Semabu Hills

7.30 am with Maruti Express, Semabu Hills or Axe Stone

7.45 am with Angel Billabong

8 am with Semabu Hills

8.15 am with Axe Stone or Ray Fish

8.15 am with Idola Express (to Sampalan)

8.30 am with Semabu Hills

8.45 am with Angel Billabong

9 am with Maruti Express or Semabu Hills

9.45 am with Funtastic Fast Boat

10 am with Angel Billabong

11 am with Axe Stone

12 pm with The Tanis

1 pm with Semabu Hills Express

2.15 pm with Angel Billabong

3 pm with Maruti Express or Semabu Hills

3.30 pm with Angel Billabong, Axe Stone or with Idola Express (to Sampalan)

4.30 pm with Angel Billabong Fast Cruise

5 pm with Angel Billabong Fast Cruise

Schedule listed by departure time – leaving from Nusa Penida

7 am with Angel Billabong

7.45 am with Angel Billabong

7.30 am with Maruti Express

8 am with Semabu Hills Express

8.30 am with Funtastic Fast Boat

9 am with Angel Billabong

9.15 am with Axe Stone

10 am with The Tanis

12 pm with Semabu Hills Express

12.30 pm with Maruti Express

1 pm with Angel Billabong

1.15 pm with Idola Express (from Sampalan)

1.30 pm with Semabu Hills Express

2 pm with Angel Billabong

2.30 pm with Axe Stone

3.30 pm with Semabu Hills Express

3.45 pm with Angel Billabong

4 pm with Semabu Hills Express

4.30 pm with Angel Billabong, Maruti Express, Semabu Hills, The Tanis, Axe Stone or Ray Fish

4.30 pm with Idola Express (from Sampalan)

4.45 pm with Axe Stone

5 pm with Semabu Hills Express

Which port in Bali and in Nusa Penida ?

The fast boat companies have different ports of departure in Bali and ports of arrival in Nusa Penida. Even though this gives you a lot of flexibility to plan your trip, it might also complicate your choice of departure and arrival port.

The 2 departure ports from Bali

• Sanur Beach (Jalan Matahari Terbit), most fast boat companies leave from this brand new port. 
• Kusamba port is located near Padang Bai. Some boat companies that serve Toyapakeh harbour and Sampalan leave from here. Boarding is from a floating pontoon. The duration of the crossing is much shorter (around 15 minutes).

The 3 arrival ports at Nusa Penida

• Banjar Nyuh, which is the port close to Toyapakeh and where most of the fast boat companies arrive.
• Sampalan, located in the North-East part of the island.
• Buyuk, located in the North of the island. Only some boat companies moor here.

How to choose the right port ?

When planning a trip to Nusa Penida, choosing the right port can be crucial to ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey. If you’re coming from Amed or Sidemen, Kusamba is the best departure port. For Sanur, Seminyak, or Canggu, Sanur Beach is the ideal option. If you’re heading to Sampalan, Buyuk, Ped, or Atuh Beach, choose Sampalan as your arrival port. For Ped, Toyapakeh, or Crystal Bay, go for Banjar Nyuh Harbour.

Disembarking in Banjar Nyuh

What is the price for a boat trip from Bali to Nusa Penida ?

Do you need to book your boat trip in advance?

When planning your trip to Nusa Penida, it’s advisable to book your boat ride in advance, especially during busy periods or when local ceremonies are taking place. This is because the boats can fill up quickly and may not have any available spots on the day of your trip. On important holidays such as Nyepi, Nyepi Laut, Galungan, or Kuningan, boat services may not be available, so it’s important to check in advance. To avoid any delays or inconvenience, make sure to arrive at the port a little early as boats generally depart promptly and may even leave ahead of schedule.

Fast Boat

What to do, where to go in Nusa Penida ?

There is a lot of things to do once you’re on the island. It is a paradise for scuba divers, the landscape is great and there are many adventures and tours available! I recommend you to read my guide on the 15 favorite places to visit in Nusa Penida. You can also check out my top 6 places directly:

• the iconic T-Rex Kelingking Beach
• the amazing Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong
• Crystal Bay, perfect spot for diving, snorkeling and awesome sunsets.
• Atuh Beach, a wonderful and still off the beaten track beach.
• Warnakali PADI 5 star dive resort, to stay in a brand new boutique resort and/or dive with a PADI 5 star IDC.
• Amok sunset bar and restaurant, a cool place to see the sunset with a cocktail during happy hour.

The flexible boat schedule allows you to have a full day in Nusa Penida, but I would recommend you to stay a bit longer. With just one day you’ll most likely spend a lot of the time on the road, rushing from one viewpoint to the other. I would suggest to stay at least one night, in one of the many hotels on the island, enjoy a sunset on this beautiful island, and maybe even go snorkeling or diving with manta rays at Manta Point the day after, or enjoy a swim at Crystal Bay!

Inside a fast boat

Where to stay in Nusa Penida ?

When I first came to Nusa Penida in 2015 there were only 2 hotels on the island. There are now 450 listed on Booking.com. Read the selection of my favorite places to stay in Nusa Penida. They are all located in between Toyapakeh and Crystal Bay because it is more authentic and less busy than the north coast.

Many hotels are offering Getaway Deals for stays between April 4 and September 28, 2023.

How to get from Nusa Penida to the Gili Islands?

If you’re planning a trip to both the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida, there are several fast boat companies that connect the Gilis and the Penida islands. One of the best options is Eka Jaya, which offers daily service between these islands. Eka Jaya uses spacious and comfortable fast boats that are equipped with four powerful engines, so you can travel quickly and comfortably. The boats are 23 meters long and can accommodate up to 210 passengers.

Eka Jaya fast boat departs from Nusa Penida at 10:30 am and makes stops at Padang Bai and Sengiggi before reaching the Gilis around 2 pm. On the return journey, you’ll leave from Gili Trawangan at 11 am and arrive at Nusa Penida by 3 pm.

If you prefer a direct trip from Gili to Nusa Penida without stopping at Padang Bai, another good option is Semaya One. This boat also offers daily service and can get you to the Gilis quickly and efficiently. The direct trip leaves Nusa Penida at 10 am and arrives at the Gilis by 11:45 am. On the way back, the boat leaves the Gilis at 12 pm and arrives back at Nusa Penida by 2:30 pm. If you don’t mind stopping at Padang Bai, Semaya One operates another boat that leaves the Gilis at 9 am and arrives at Nusa Penida by 11:50 am, then departs from Nusa Penida at 1 pm and arrives back at the Gilis by 3:15 pm.

Eka Jaya fast boat

Ferry boat to Nusa Penida

It is also possible to reach Penida by ferry from Padang Bai, especially if you want to travel with your scooter (but it is normally easy to rent a scooter in Nusa Penida for a slightly higher price than in Bali). The ferry makes the Padang Bai Nusa Penida crossing twice a day, at 10am and 2pm except on Sundays when only the 10am ferry operates. The price is 120k for a scooter and two passengers and the crossing takes about an hour, but the ferry is often delayed.

In the 1950s, cartoonist Bob de Moor created a series of comic strips about the adventurer Barelli. Arrival on the island was then made by sailboat. The ferry should go a little faster… or not.

There are also public or private boat connections to go from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida (about 60k per person).