Have you ever heard about Nusa Penida Island?
Nusa Penida or Nusa Penda Island is a sister Island of Bali, located around 45 minutes away by speed boat. Nusa Penida Island has two small neighboring islands sitting right next to it called Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, measures over 200 sq. km – significantly larger than the other two.
Nusa Penida Island become the most famous of the three because of its nature gift like stunning towering cliffs, white sandy beaches and its underwater world.
Unique Selling Points
- Stunning limestone cliffs and blue bays.
- Off the beaten-track location for true explorers seeking destinations off the trodden tourist trail.
- Great underwater experience with Manta rays and seasonally Sunfish / Mola Mola (best season between July and November).
How to Get to Nusa Pendia Island
There are some ways to Nusa Penida Island. First by Public Ferry locally called “Kapal Roro” which depart daily from Padang Bai Harbor to Sampalan pier in Nusa Penida Island. Second option is by traditional boat from Kusamba and the most famous is by Speed Boat from Sanur to Toya Pakeh pier at Nusa Penida
The speedboat journey taking about 45 minutes.
There are a bunch of speedboat companies making the trip to Penida daily, and they all depart from Sanur Beach in Bali at various times. If you’re staying in Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, or elsewhere in south Bali, you can also drive over to Sanur and catch a boat. Some boat companies include a shuttle service from these areas in their total price.
The Best Top 10 Attractions in Nusa Penida
- Kelingking Beach
One of the hidden cliff in east of Nusa Penida. It is one of the most breath-taking views over the hills and small strip of white sand from atop a hill. The sight features a limestone headland covered in green, against the deep blue waters of the open Indian Ocean. This unique formation is reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex head, hence its nickname ‘T-Rex Bay’.
Tips: Not recommended to go down to the beach due on safety reason. Current is strong and stairs made from bamboo (fragile)
- Atuh Beach “Broken Beach”
Pasih Uug or “Broken Beach” is located at Bunga Mekar village at the West side of Nusa Penida, about 45 minutes form Sakti Village. In that area there is a hollow cliff with a height of a 50 meters forming a giant tunnel connecting the open sea with a secluded beach (not accessible).
- Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong is a short walk from Pasih Uug, an amazing rock formation that has a natural infinity pool. The “pool” can be accessed by climbing down rocks (can be challenging as rocks are sharp and steep).
Tips: It is not advised to swim on high tide and when there is a swell, it can be dangerous once there is swell comes up which can swept our body to the sharp cliff causing bad injure.
- Atuh Beach
Located at Pejukutan Village, South East Nusa Penida Island or 1.5 hours’ drive from Toya Pakeh. Some compare the rock formations to those in Raja Ampat, and there is a small warung on the cliff tops. Turquoise waters and gorgeous white, clean sandy beaches protected by the towering high cliffs walls invite for a dip into the water. There are also a few unique tree houses that can be rented.
- Manta Point
Nusa Penida has some of Bali’s best diving site and one of them is Manta Point which is located South West of Nusa Penida. There are not many corals but limestone rock where diver have chance to see 3 to 4 Manta ray cruising the site.
Nusa Penida is also known for the Sunfish (Mola Mola), which can be observed with a bit of luck between July and November.
- Gua Giri Putri
Goa Giri Putri is a cave temple in Nusa Penida. It is entered through the small “rabbit hole” leading way to a giant expansive cave. Balinese believe no matter how big your body is, it will always fit to enter.
Inside of the cave there are 5 different shrines in it and there is one place called “Genah Melukat” where it used for purification. In addition to the Hindu Shrines, there is also a shrine for the worship of the Buddhist goddess Kuan Yiem, close to the exit (larger than the entry) at the back of the cave.
- Crytsal bay
Located at west of Sakti Village (2 km / 25 minutes walking / 5 minutes on a motorbike) on the north western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. The bay has white sandy beach and famous as one of the best snorkeling spot in Nusa Penida Island.
- Gamat Bay
Located on the west coast between Toya Pakeh and east of Crystal Bay, around 15 minutes from Sakti Village. Gamat Bay is quite a small bay with white sandy beach with plenty of marine life. Snorkeling and diving is only advised very near to the beach due to the heavy currents at the straits between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. There is currently a project on the plan for the first 4-star resort on Nusa Penida at this bay.
- Tembeling Beach, Forest and Natural Pools
Thembeling is hidden rock shelter beneath the hills and cliffs. There is a water spring that flows directly into the sea where swimming is possible.
There are two natural swimming pool here that meant for men and women. The first and the bigger swimming pool is for men where you can do cliff jump but must be aware about the debris and depth of the pool as it constantly change.
Head down a bit further and you will reach the second pool. This one is a bit more of a jacuzzi and normally use for woment.
At the bottom of the natural pools, you can head right and you will find a little cave. Here you can watch the waves come crashing in towards the shore, which is surrounded by huge, cliffs.
Tembeling Beach, Forest and Natural Pools are a bit of an adventure with a lot to offer as you can see.
- Guyangan Cliff, spring waterfall and temple
200 meter cliff of very steep stairs (partly strong metal, partly rickety and wooden) attached to the wall of the ravine, leading down to the freshwater spring, pool and waterfall at the bottom of the cliff. Guyangan is not the typical big vertical drop of a waterfall. Instead, it is a group of short fountains of water that fall over a steep ravine, eventually make their way over a steep ravine and into the sea.
