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NUSA PENIDA GUIDE – BALI

Nusa Penida is known for…

  • Superb sights and viewpoints
  • Rugged island life
  • Excellent dive spots and snorkelling
  • A protected tropical marine paradise (MPA)
  • Bird sanctuary area
  • Laidback and quiet vibes
  • Weekend getaway tour
  • Watersports
  • Local culture and history

How is Nusa Penida in general?

Breathtaking viewpoints, pristine beaches, and stunning dive sites

Nusa Penida is the largest offshore island in Bali, just southeast of the main island. Speedboats depart daily from Bali’s mainland, and can reach Nusa Dua in roughly 40 minutes from Sanur. Nusa Penida has a well-developed local population, but not much tourist infrastructure so most visitors come for a weekend getaway or a one-day tour. The island is also home to a bird sanctuary, uncrowded white sand beaches, sacred temples, and some of Bali’s best dive sites.

Given that the island is still underdeveloped for the most part, you can only expect to find basic amenities, humble guesthouses, and a majority of warung (food stalls) managed by local families in busy areas near the ports and attractions. It is very hot and dry during the day, so if you plan to visit beaches and tourist attractions, please bring your hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

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Nusa Penida – Guide & Insights

Seeing as the Nusa islands are still undeveloped, you’ll find most beachfront properties congregating around the north side and stretching across the coastline. For the most part, there are only 3* hotels in the area, meanwhile guesthouses and bungalows are further inland for a more remote experience. A recognized place is the Rumah Pohon Treehouse by the cliffside that overlooks the Thousand Islands viewpoint, it’s an unassuming spot to take pictures but you can actually stay at the treehouse itself!

Hotel & Resorts

Nusa Penida mostly offers some very basic homestays, so you’ll find them very few and far between around the island. Eco-friendly accommodation and camps are also available for visitors looking for an adventurous time. Dive resorts, beautiful bungalows, and private villas with pools have only started popping up recently near popular attractions. However due to higher demands than what is available on this undeveloped island, prices will be higher than what you’ll find on the mainland.

Accommodation

Eating options on Nusa Penida are mainly limited to simple warungs, but you’ll find several restaurants around the properties. On occasion you might be offered fresh seafood, such as grilled fish. A few nice beachfront restaurants can be found near the Goa Giri Putri Temple. Though most places would only provide simple but authentic food, nothing beats sipping on a coconut looking into the horizon as you lay by the white sandy beaches in the remote Nusa Penida.

Going out

Nusa Penida is a place for daytime activities, and there is little to do at night. It is recommended for you to stay at the hotel after sunset because driving around the island at night is dangerous due to limited street lights.

Going out

Diving was the main reason tourists started coming to this area before Kelingking and Diamond beach became viral on Instagram. Most people hunt for Kelingking and Diamond beach, they make great screensavers and postcards, however the adventure lies in exploring every possible inch of the island. Divers came to experience the rare opportunity to swim with sharks, mantas, and mola-mola in Nusa Penida waters. Many diving operators would take you on tours around the island, whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving, you’ll find clear blue waters and unforgettable sights of marine life.

Beaches

Nusa Penida’s stunning viewpoints have breathtaking sights from its peak with beautiful beaches scattered all around the island, stunning fields called the Teletubbies Hill, even waterfalls that Bali is ever so popular for. The natural landscapes and cliff formations make it an unforgettable time to be able to experience such beauty in nature. Besides the topography, an interesting temple to visit is the sacred Goa Giri Putri Temple, found within a cave in the east that you have to carefully climb down a winding staircase. Many of the locals still worship here, and visitors are ever so welcome, as it is a significant visit when exploring Nusa Penida.

Nusa Penida is a good place for trekking and biking, and is popular with bird watchers, as the island is a bird sanctuary. It is surrounded by thriving coral reefs, which makes it great for diving and snorkelling. Still, visitors should be aware that there are strong and unpredictable currents when cliff jumping or even walking down to the surrounding waters, as it can be dangerous.

Nusa Penida is vastly different to the culture Bali may be known for. With a distinct dialect of the Balinese language, as well as unique architectural styles and dances, many sources have mentioned the history of the island is related to the Bali Ancestor named Ratu Gede Mas Mecaling. A powerful ancestor that could cure the sick, many locals and other devotees still come to this temple today hoping to get help from God to be healed from any sickness.

Nusa Penida is a part of Bali, a developing country, which means that health care, environmental conservation, and infrastructure are not the best in the world. We believe that every visitor can support a more sustainable form of tourism by spending responsibly as well as protecting the environment and its people. The number of health facilities are very limited, mostly only small clinics serving locals, so if something serious happens, you most likely need to go back to Bali main island.

Even though Nusa Penida is relatively a small island, going around on a scooter is always the best idea, especially if you have experience riding it. You can easily find one by the harbor as soon as you get off the boat. Most tourists and locals would be traveling by motorbike. However, hiring a car with a driver is also available on the island. Just be wary that because the island is still relatively undeveloped, the roads are too, and will be rocky and uneven. The land can be too rough for scooters and the weather can get too hot.

TOP Beaches in Nusa Penida

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Nusa Penida

Angel’s Billabong

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Nusa Penida

Atuh Beach

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Nusa Penida

Broken Beach

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Nusa Penida Map