Perfect 3-day itinerary in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Nusa Penida is a small island located southeast of Bali, Indonesia. With its stunning beaches, rugged coastline, and diverse marine life, it has quickly become a must-visit destination for travelers in Indonesia. You’ve probably seen it a thousand time on instagram, especially Kelingking beach (T-rex beach). While it is absolutely possible to visit Nusa Penida as a day trip from Bali (and it is an option that many people take), there are plenty of interesting things to do in this beautiful island, so I suggest that you save at least 2-3 full days in your itinerary to explore all its awesomeness and visit the more remote locations. Here’s the perfect 3-day Nusa Penida itinerary in Nusa Penida:

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Day 1: Western Coast of Nusa Penida

Angel’s Billabong

First stop, head to Angel’s Billabong, a natural infinity pool that is created by a rock formation. During low tide, you can even swim in the clear blue waters. But be careful! the waves are massive and can push you around.

Price: free, 5k IDR unofficial “parking fee”

Broken Beach

Right next to it you will find Broken Beach if you follow the marked paths. It’s a beautiful cove that is surrounded by towering cliffs, and you can see the ocean waves crashing against the rocks. While both these places were absolutely stunning, there were a lot of tourists so it may dampen a bit your experience. Take it into account when planning your trip.

Travel tip: Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong are located right next to each other, so you only need to pay one parking fee.

Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach is a must-visit destination in Nusa Penida due to its stunning scenery, turquoise waters, and the iconic T-rex shaped rock formation that is now a popular Instagram spot. However, reaching the beach can be a challenging experience as it requires hiking down a steep and rocky trail, which can be challenging for some travelers. Nevertheless, the hike is totally worth it, as the views from the beach are truly breathtaking.

Price: free, 5k IDR unofficial “parking fee”

Getting there

To get to Kelingking Beach, you can park their scooter or car at the top of the hill (for a 5k IDR fee) and enter the area. Start by taking some pictures of this beautiful cliff from above. You’ll see that there is a platform where everyone is queuing to take the same picture. If you go to the right and follow the trees, you’ll reach another perfect spot for pictures where there is no one (except a few mischievous monkeys). Here’s the proof:

Hiking down to the actual beach

You can actually visit the beach below, and I was very surprised that not many tourists did. The trail can be steep, slippery, and at times very exposed to the sun, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water, and sunscreen. The hike down takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on your pace, and requires some agility and caution. Do not attempt this if you are not in good physical condition, as some parts of the trail are very steep (as in, you have to rappel down a rope). Once you reach the beach, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful sight of a natural cove surrounded by high cliffs and crystal-clear waters. The beach itself is not suitable for swimming, as the currents can be strong and dangerous, but visitors can relax on the sand and take plenty of photos.

Overall, visiting Kelingking Beach is a great adventure that requires some effort, but the reward is worth it. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just want to enjoy stunning views, Kelingking Beach is an unmissable destination in Nusa Penida. To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to go first thing in the morning, since many of the boats from Bali haven’t arrived yet to Nusa Penida. That being said, we went around lunch time and there weren’t many tourists, especially down at the beach.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is a beautiful and serene beach located on the west coast of Nusa Penida and is a perfect end to your Western Coast itinerary. The beach is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand, and relaxed atmosphere. You can go snorkeling and discover the diverse marine life (more on that on day 3) or just lay down and soak up the sun. The beach also offers stunning sunset views, making it an ideal spot to end your day trip in Nusa Penida. The surrounding area has several restaurants and bars where you can enjoy delicious seafood or refreshing drinks while enjoying the view of the beach. If you’re looking for a peaceful and laid-back way to end your west coast itinerary in Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is the perfect spot.

Day 2: Eastern Coast of Nusa Penida

Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach

Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach are two stunning beaches located on the east coast of Nusa Penida. Diamond Beach is famous for its towering cliffs and giant rocks in the shape of diamonds. Atuh Beach is located just north of Diamond Beach and is famous for its crystal-clear waters and white sand. To get there, you can drive to the parking lot near the local temple, pay the shared entrance fee and enter the area.

Price: 10k IDR (0,6€)

Diamond Beach

To visit Diamond Beach, you can just take some stunning pictures from above, but as with Kelingking Beach, it is also possible to hike down to the water through a tough trail. This one is even harder at times than that of Kelingking beach, so only attempt it if you’re physically fit and have decent footwear with a grip. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning beach that, again, is not fit for swimming, but you can enter the water a little bit to get rid of the heat from climbing down. Remember that you’ll have to climb up again!

Travel tip: Diamond Beach can only be accessed during low tide, as the water level can be too high at high tide.

Atuh Beach

Contrary to Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach is tame and nice because there is a rock formation stopping the current. Therefore it is the perfect spot to relax after the climb to Diamond Beach. Although the hike is not as challenging as the one to Diamond Beach, it can still be slippery and steep in some parts. Once you reach the beach, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the sparkling ocean and the dramatic cliffs surrounding the beach.

Alternative: Suwehan Beach

If you’re looking for a beach that is more isolated and remote, go to the nearby Suwehan Beach. There is an intense climb to get to the beach, but you’ll be rewarded with an incredible turquoise water, white sand and towering cliffs with nothing to envy to Atuh Beach, and most likely have it to yourself.

Instagram Treehouses

Next, head to Rumah Pohon Treehouse, which is located near Atuh Beach. It’s a popular Instagram spot that overlooks the ocean and has a swing hanging from the treehouse. It’s a fun photo opportunity that you shouldn’t miss. You can actually book it as a hotel, but know that it is a pretty basic accommodation and quite pricey. The view is, however, spectacular.

Price: 10k IDR (0,6€) for the viewpoint

Teletubbies Hills

Also near Atuh Beach, you will find the Teletubbies Hills (although it seems like there’s one of them in each island in Indonesia). The hills got their name from the TV show because they resemble the landscape of the Teletubbies. I haven’t visited them yet as we didn’t have much time, but they are recommended on many sites.

Bonus: additional stops

It is quite likely that you’re staying on the Western part of the island. Therefore, Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach are quite a drive away from your accommodation. But if you still have some time on your second day in this Nusa Penida itinerary, here are some suggestions:

• Peguyangan Waterfall: a waterfall on the Southern part of the island, surrounded by a temple and you can take a dip in the natural pools.
• Manta Point: near Peguyangan Waterfall, it is a popular spot to see manta rays swimming in their natural habitat. You can sometimes see them from the cliff above, or book a snorkeling tour (more on that on day 3).
• Sunset from the cliffs: the Southern coast of Nusa Penida offers some of the most amazing sunsets in the island. One of the most popular ones is Banah cliff. Alternatively, head to H&L Sunset Beach.

Travel tip: if you’re gonna watch the sunset and then drive across the island, remember that the roads in Nusa Penida are dangerous. Even more so in the dark.

Day 3: Snorkeling and back to Bali

Spend the third day snorkeling with giant manta rays out of the coast of Nusa Penida. There are many tours leaving around the Toya Pakeh Harbour and they are very cheap! Ours was 100k IDR per person (6€) and included the boat, goggles, snorkel and fins, 3 really cool snorkeling spots. Most importantly, it started quite early in the morning, before all the day trippers from Bali arrive! So it was only our group in most of the stops. The tours may vary in terms of which places they stop. I will write about our tour, which covered some of the most known snorkeling spots. If you want to book a tour with Boney here’s his phone: +62 82340338698.

Sad story: our snorkeling guide told us he would take pictures and videos of our expedition with his GoPro, but he never sent them to us so we are stack with surface and stock pictures.

Stop 1. Manta Bay

Our first stop of the day was Manta Bay. This is a popular spot for encountering giant manta rays in their natural habitat. It took a while for us to find them, but then we spotted two of these gentle giants and spent some time swimming with them. I will never forget the experience of being up close with giant manta rays, gracefully gliding through the water with their enormous wingspans.

Travel tip: unfortunately this part of the island has quite a lot of trash floating in the water, which makes the experience a bit less magical. In any case, I still really recommend doing the tour, just make sure you go back with the same or more trash as you came in. Also, during the rest of the tour the water was much cleaner.

Stop 2. Gamat Bay

Next up we stopped at Gamat Bay, which is known for its vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life. As you explore the bay, you’ll encounter schools of colorful fish darting in and out of the coral formations, and you might even spot a sea turtle or two. We spotted many different species of fish, including angel fish, parrot fish and the crowd-pleaser clown fish! The waters here are calm, clear and shallow making it the perfect spot for both novice and experienced snorkelers.

Stop 3. The Wall

Bonus: additional stops

Price: donation (entrance) and 5k IDR for sarong rental

Travel tip: even though Nusa Penida is a tropical and sea location, Goa Giri Putri Cave is one of the holiest sites in the island and, as such, you should dress modestly if you’re planning to visit.

How to get to Nusa Penida

Getting to Nusa Penida can be a bit challenging, but it’s definitely worth the effort. To reach there, you’ll first need to go to Bali. Bali has an international airport with direct flights to many cities around the world, so that won’t be an issue. However, flights to Bali are becoming more expensive every day. Therefore, you can try flying to “nearby” cities such as Surabaya in Java and taking a ferry to Bali through Gilimanuk. We did this after hiking to Mt. Bromo and Mt. Ijen in Java, and it saved us a TON of money.

Nusa Penida is located southeast of Bali and can only be reached by boat. The most common way to get to Nusa Penida is to take a ferry from Sanur in Bali. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and tickets can be purchased on the day of departure. We paid 300k IDR (18€) for a return ticket with a company named Angel Billabong. Another option is to book a speedboat transfer from Bali, which takes around 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Nusa Penida’s harbor, you can rent a scooter or hire a driver to take you around the island. Just keep in mind that the roads on Nusa Penida can be quite bumpy and challenging, so it’s best to be prepared for a bit of an adventure.

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Where to stay in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is relatively new to tourism, and although many hotels and accommodations are available, it’s not yet fully developed, which is a good thing. The best area to stay depends on your interests. Staying around Toya Pakeh harbor or north in the town of Sampalan is most convenient, where you’ll find most accommodations and restaurants. If you want to be closer to the main attractions, find something near the Western coast, close to Crystal Bay and Kelingking Beach. Alternatively, for a more secluded experience, check out the East Coast, close to Diamond and Atuh Beaches.

Recommendations

• Budget: if you’re looking for something more affordable, we stayed at Nusa Penida Pudak Nature Bungalows and Dekara Cottages, both in a more quiet part of the island between Toya Pakeh and Sampalan (but walkable distances). They are both bungalow-style hotel, with a mix of wooden and concrete cottages that are very comfortable. They also helped us find motorbikes and tours around the island. Prices start at 200k IDR (12€) per night for a double bungalow. On a similar level, you can check out Bukit keker cottage, closer to the harbour.
• Mid-Range: if you can afford to spend a bit more, check out the beautiful La Roja Bungalows, located near Sampalan and boasting incredibly gorgeous bungalows and a nice pool (around 650k IDR or 40€). A similar option is Bagia Bungalows, located towards the center of the island. If you’re looking for something more exclusive, check out this villa with an outdoor bath. For those looking for something more remote, check out Atuh Forest Cottage, on the Eastern coast of the island.

• Luxury: if you’re looking for luxury, look no further. The most luxurious hotel in Nusa Penida is MAUA Nusa Penida Bali, a 5* villa hotel boasting private infinity pools and modern architecture in an incredible setting, near Gamat Bay. Near Crystal Bay you can find Atalaya Villas Nusa Penida. For a more remote experience, book a room at Diamond Beach Villas, a gorgeous hotel close to Diamond Beach (duh!). Alternatively, if you’re looking for more luxurious accommodations, you can check out the nearby island Nusa Lembongan.

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Additional tips

Here are some additional tips to make the most out of your trip to Nusa Penida:

Moving around in Nusa Penida

Getting anywhere in Nusa Penida is HARD! The only cheap and viable option is to rent a scooter. This will only put you back 70-80k IDR per day (4,5€) with a full tank! The downside is that the roads in Nusa Penida are narrow, curvy and in very bad condition. Oh, and locals drive madly, without any care who’s coming after the curve. We managed to leave unscathed with a few scares, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

An alternative is, of course, to hire a driver that can take you around with the car. This is a really comfortable option because you don’t need to plan the routes, you have air conditioning and a place to leave your stuff while you’re visiting something. It is obviously more expensive, around 500-600k IDR per day (30-35€). While it is a lot more money, if you are a group that can fill the car, it can be really nice, especially if visiting more remote places in the island.

Lastly, you can always join an organized tour. It is not typically my first choice, but it definitely makes things easier. Here are a few options:

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Bring cash

Even though things are changing quickly, most places in Nusa Penida do not accept credit cards. Also, there are very few ATMs in the island and they empty quickly, so I suggest you withdraw enough cash in Bali for your entire stay.

Support local businesses

Nusa Penida’s tourism is relatively new, compared to the tourism giant that Bali has become. For this reason, local establishments are in danger of big corporations and international businesses taking over their tourism. That is why I want to ask you to support local businesses in the island to avoid globalization (aka gentrification) of the island the same way that’s happened to Bali. Also, it will be a lot cheaper and will help the local economy! Of course, this is only my opinion and you are free to choose.

Closing statement

In conclusion, Nusa Penida is a beautiful island that offers something for everyone. It is one of the best excursions to get away from the crowds in Bali, so if you’re in the area, make sure to make some time for Nusa Penida. With its stunning beaches, breathtaking views, and unique experiences, it’s a destination that you’ll never forget. Follow this Nusa Penida itinerary to make the most out of 3 days in this beautiful island.

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If you plan to visit Nusa Penida, you can perfectly pair your trip with this amazing culture and nature itinerary in Ubud, Bali and spend some days of relax and snorkeling in the Gili islands.

Also, if you’re traveling to Indonesia, you’ll probably find these interesting:

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What to do in North Sumatra, the secret Indonesia keeps from you

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