A day tour of Nusa Penida will only give you a taste of what this magical island has to offer. To make the most of your time there, we recommend staying for at least one night.
The first stop of this Nusa Penida tour is Kelingking Beach. This curved beach has become quite famous thanks to its stunning views and photogenic coastline.
Arrive at Sanur Pier
If you’re doing a Nusa Penida day tour, make sure to arrive at Sanur ferry port 1 hour before the departure. It’s hectic here with all the different companies trying to check in their passengers and it can be confusing. Try to identify a group with the same wrist bands and wait together, that way you won’t miss your boat.
From the pier, head south towards Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach and Crystal Bay. These three natural beauty spots are good to visit in the morning when they’re less crowded or later in the day after the day trippers from Bali and Lembongan have gone back to their respective boats.
The road to these locations gets very muddy and full of motorbikes so be careful if you’re driving a car or renting a scooter. For the best views, try to come in September when it’s a little quieter compared to June, July or August. It’s also the best time to see the manta rays in Nusa Penida!
Visit Kelingking Beach
The most famous destination in Nusa Penida is Kelingking Beach, a stunning white sand beach with cliffs overlooking the ocean. This place has become famous thanks to Instagrammers, but luckily, it still feels pristine and is not overrun by tourists.
If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early and go to the viewpoint first. Then head down to the beach, or if you’re brave enough, walk all the way down to the cliff and the spine of the T-Rex. It’s a super steep hike, so be prepared and make sure you bring plenty of water!
Afterwards, you can also visit Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. This is another beautiful beach where you can see the natural pool picturesquely framed by rock cliffs. The road to this destination gets a lot of traffic from the day tours, so be prepared to wait for a little while if you come here by car or motorbike. However, the experience is worth it. It is a must-see when visiting Nusa Penida! Also, don’t forget to check out the giant spheres that look like the Teletubbies kids’ background scenery.
Visit Angel’s Billabong
After leaving Kelingking Beach, the next stop is Angel’s Billabong. This beautiful natural tidal pool overlooking the ocean has become very popular thanks to social media and has quickly grown into one of Nusa Penida’s top attractions. However, it is not recommended to swim here as freak waves can come from nowhere and drag you into the sea.
It is also not safe for snorkelers either, as large rocks may snag their gear and break it. Instead, the best way to enjoy this stunning location is to walk along the pathway and admire it from above. Depending on the season, you might be lucky enough to see manta rays cruising around in the water below the cliffs.
Just a short walk from Angel’s Billabong is Broken Beach, or Pasih Uug, as it is known locally. This cool circular cove has been formed in the cliffs and is filled with turquoise water. It is very reminiscent of beaches you would find in Mexico or Greece. It is a wonderful sight to behold and a great spot for photos.
Visit Broken Beach
One of Nusa Penida’s most popular attractions is Broken Beach, a cool circular cove with a leftover arch that you can walk around. It’s an impressive sight and a great photo spot but swimming here is dangerous since there is a steep drop off the side of the beach.
It’s also best to visit the beach at low tide, as you’ll see a lot more rock formations that aren’t covered by water. It’s also a good opportunity to take a drone photo of the arch.
There is a parking fee at the site but you don’t need a guide to explore the area. Just make sure to leave a little early so you can beat the crowds.
There are many tour vendors on the streets in Bali and at Sanur Harbor who will sell tickets for boats and ferries to Nusa Penida as well as tours of the area. You can also book a nusa penida tour online at 12Go or Klook. It’s usually cheaper to do it this way, but make sure you’re comfortable with driving a motorbike before you sign up for an adventure on the island!
Visit Crystal Bay
Located on the west side of Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is another popular snorkelling and swimming spot. Snorkelling gear can be rented from one of the beach warungs for around 50,000 IDR, and there’s a great chance you’ll see sea turtles here!
During high tide, you can swim and snorkel along the beautiful crystal blue waters. The water here is calm and perfect for swimming or just relaxing on the sand with an ice-cold Bintang. The views from the cliffs down to the beach are spectacular, especially at sunset.
If you’re not into snorkelling or swimming, you can also watch the beautiful Mola-Mola sunfish from the cliffs at this beach. Aside from that, the sandy beach is a good place to relax and enjoy the stunning sunsets. Just be sure to check the sand for sharp rocks! There are plenty of warungs lining the beach to provide food and drinks.