The Indonesian island of Nusa Penida is a mandatory stop for any travelers planning to visit Bali. Here’s how to spend your time on this astonishing island.
Photo from Kelingking Beach
When you see pictures of Bali, you will often find the images are actually from the island of Nusa Penida. This island can often get overlooked or reduced to a single-day island tour, but that’s how travelers miss out. I spent three nights on this magical island and it was my favorite place I went to while traveling Bali.
With so many stunning hotels, breathtaking views, and impressive infinity pools, it can be hard to see all the beauty this island has to offer in just one day.
Let this post guide you through planning an amazing trip to this tropical island.
This post is all about your perfect stay on the island of Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida
Photo from Broken Beach
How To Get There
The best way to get to the island of Nusa Penida will be by ferry from Bali. The ferry port will be in Sanur, which is located in the southern part of Bali. The ferry ride is about forty minutes long. Once you get to the port in Sanur, there are multiple ferry companies to choose from. Make sure you pick the ferry that is going to Nusa Penida as there are two other ferry locations that they drop off. If you are staying in Bali before heading to the island, then your hotel can help you set up transportation to the port from the hotel. Most hotels work with travel agencies and will sell you a package that includes transportation to the port and your ferry ticket.
It is usually cheaper to visit one of the travel agencies in person and have them book it for you directly. The cost will vary depending on what part of Bali you’re staying in. I booked through a travel agency while in Ubud and they used The Tanis Fast Cruise. This group had an extremely fast and easy check-in process at the port and transported your luggage to the boat for you. Some packages may include your transportation to your hotel on Nusa Penida, but most require you to find your own ride once on the island.
Transportation on the island
Unlike on the mainland of Bali, taxi drivers have a monopoly on Nusa Penida. There are no Grabs on the island and the options for renting scooters are limited. Due to this, the taxi prices tend to be rather steep. This is something to take into consideration when booking your hotel. Unfortunately, you will need some mode of transportation to be able to see the full island, so paying some particular fee is inevitable.
You may find luck arranging transportation to your hotel while on the ferry ride over to the island. It’s common for many of the crew members to have friends on the island who are taxi drivers and are able to secure you a slightly cheaper price, so they can secure their friend’s business. The crew members will message their friends while you’re on the ferry and then they will be waiting at the dock for you with your name on a sign and help you with your luggage to their vehicle.
Some of the hotels on the island will provide transportation for you to and from the dock, but it is not as common and might not be a service included with your stay. However, once at your hotel, they should be able to help arrange transportation options.
Klook
Another option is to use the Klook app as a means for transportation and day tours. It is extremely straightforward, easy to use, and trustworthy. Klook offers tours, transportation, and car rentals. You book directly on the app and pay directly on the app. To do an island tour with a private driver for eight hours costs $36 USD and is by far the cheapest option. You can pick whatever time you would like the driver to arrive and not have to worry about getting around the island. I personally did this option and had the driver arrive at 6:30am to beat all the crowds and had an amazing experience.
If you choose to rent a scooter while on the island, you must be aware that the roads are extremely unkempt. There are lots of potholes and areas where the road is missing. Most of the roads are also extremely windy with many blindspot turns. Be advised that you should only ride a scooter here if you are extremely proficient on one.
Infinity pool at Sea La Vie Resort
Hotels
Picking the right accommodations can really make or break your time maximizing the beauty of this outstanding island. Whether it be from cliffside views of the ocean or jaw-dropping infinity pools, there is an array of hotels that offer immaculate accommodations. The most important thing to keep in mind while planning your stay on Nusa Penida is the proximity to town and your modes of transportation. Here is a list of impeccable properties that will accommodate all your needs.
**Each property’s pricing fluctuates depending on the season and what site you book through. Most times it is cheaper to book through a travel site such as Agoda or Booking.com. Most times the property will price-match or offer you a better deal to book directly through them.
Ocean front bungalow at Sundi Ocean Bungalow
Sundi Ocean Bungalow (budget friendly):
A budget-friendly hotel with gorgeous ocean views? Say no more! Sundi Ocean Bungalow offers standard rooms or ocean-view bungalows at astonishingly low prices. Both room types feature air-conditioning units, but the bungalow units don’t always hold the cool air in as well. With that said, the bungalow units are a fun experience and offer amazing views of the ocean. You can book the bungalows from between $22-$35 USD. This hotel features a small pool and there is a restaurant on site. The restaurant does require you to pre-order your food the day before, but there are other hotels nearby with restaurants that will accommodate you.
Adiwana Warnakali Resort:
Adiwana Warnakali Resort is located just below Sundi Ocean Bungalow and is perched right on the cliffside. All the rooms feature ocean views and are recently renovated. This property includes a pool, spa, restaurant, and dive center. The Warnakali restaurant serves up amazing food and is open to the public. Room rates here go between $125 to $210 USD.
Sea La Vie Resort:
Sea La Vie is another lovely hotel located close to the two previously mentioned hotels. It is located right on the cliffside and all rooms feature ocean views. The standout feature of this hotel is its gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the ocean and town. Room rates here go between $70-$150 USD. You are able to access the pool and restaurant even if you are not a guest of the hotel, as long as you are purchasing food and or drinks.
*It is worth noting that there is a secret path that leads from the hotel into town. The walk is about 10-15 minutes and will save you from having to get a taxi. If you were to take the normal road it would be about a 15-20 minute ride by either scooter or car and a 50 minute walk by foot. You do need to go through the hotel to access this path.
Pramana Natura Nusa Penida (luxury):
Praman Natura is a brand new hotel that just opened on the island of Nusa Penida. This stunning cliffside property offers ocean views from every room and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. This hotel arguably is the nicest accommodation on the island and the prices reflect that. Room rates range from $90-$300.
Cubang Lantang Cottage:
The Cubang Lantang Cottages are one of the more remote properties and the furthest from town on this given list, but they are worth the trip out there for the infinity pool alone. It will be hard to get around from this property if you do not plan on renting a scooter, but good for someone who wants to be in a more secluded area. There is a restaurant on site and the pool is accessible to the public with the purchase of food or drinks. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset. Room rates start around $50 USD.
Photos from the pool at Cubang Lantang Cottages
Island Tour
One of the perks of staying overnight on Nusa Penida is that you are able to start your tour of the island early in the morning and beat the crowds. Most of the day tours from mainland Bali begin between 8am to 10am and the crowds filter in by late morning or early afternoon. If you want to enjoy a relatively crowd-free atmosphere, you should plan to start your tour around 7am. This will allow you to get the best photos of all the locations and avoid having to wait in lines to get specific shots. The most popular island day tour will take you to Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Crystal Bay.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is the famous beach you see and often the main photo that is used when referring to Bali. It features the tip of the island that is shaped similarly to a dinosaur. This is the perfect spot to capture a picturesque photo for your Instagram feed. It is recommended to start your tour here first, as it usually becomes the busiest spot on the island. There is a trail that leads down to the beach, but the hike is rather hard on the way back up. Do not try to attempt this hike if you are not in good shape and wearing appropriate footwear. The hike is extremely steep and will take at least 30 minutes each way. There are rough waves and an extremely strong current at this beach, so it is advised to not swim here. Also, be advised that there are wild monkeys that hang around the beginning of the trail and they are known to not be friendly. They will try and take any loose items from you or any items that get placed on the ground.
Broken Beach
Broken Beach is another gorgeous area for photos and features an arch walkway over the ocean. There are local vendors selling food and drinks around this area. There will be a slight entry fee for parking at this location.
Crystal Bay
Crystal bay should be your last stop of the three. Here you will find a cove with a swimmable beach. The water is mellow here with very small waves. It’s the perfect place to spend the rest of your afternoon swimming. There are also vendors here that sell food and drinks.
Photos taken at Kelingking Beach
Restaurants
During your time on the island, there will be no shortage of delicious restaurants for you to try. All these restaurants feature authentic Balinese cuisine and Westernized food options. Not only are the food and drinks amazing, but so is the ambiance. Every restaurant has a gorgeous view of the ocean and an incredible atmosphere. Here’s a list of places to dine while on the island:
- Warnakali
- Peñida Colada
- Mambo Beach Cafe
- Coco Penida
- Secret Penida
- Sea La Vie Restaurant
- AMARTA Penida
Photos from Peñida Colada
Many of the restaurants will be in the town close to the ports. Coco Penida, Mambo Beach Cafe, and Secret Penida are all near each other just a little outside of town. AMARTA Penida is the furthest from town, but worth the trek out there. It is located along the cliffside with stunning ocean views. Warnakali and Sea La Vie Restaurants are also tucked into the cliffside, but closer to the town. Both are part of hotels that allow non-guests to dine at the hotel and use their facilities as long as food and drinks are being purchased. Make sure to try the Tuna Bowl from Warnakali at the Adiwana Warnakali Resort.
Tuna bowl from Warnakali Restaurant
Beach Clubs
As Nusa Penida is growing as a tourist hotspot, the island evolves with the demand for accommodations and that includes the need for beach clubs. Beach clubs are starting to pop up on the island and they are definitely worth making a trip to. Here are some of the top beach clubs Nusa Penida has to offer.
- Singabu Sand Beach
- Eleven Beach Club
- Cactus Beach Club
Island Information
**An important thing to know for your trip to the island is that there is a temple or sacred worship space near town that broadcasts worship chants every hour on the hour. This worship space has large speakers that play the chants at a loud volume so they can be heard throughout the town. These worship sounds will be played through the speakers throughout the night even in the wee hours. They last for around five minutes but will continue to be broadcast throughout the night, so they may be a disturbance while sleeping. Overall this should not have a large effect on your trip, but it is worth being aware of.
Photo taken near Crystal Bay
Goa Giri Putri Temple
If you’re interested in learning more about the native religion of Hinduism, there is a temple within a cave here on the east side of the island. Ceremonies are still performed here, but it is open for tourists to come and visit. If you’re staying near the ports, where the majority of hotels are, then plan for this excursion to take a few hours. There is mild hiking involved that does include a decent amount of stairs.
Now you’re ready to plan your perfect getaway to the magical island of Nusa Penida!
