1. Diamond Beach
Opposite Atuh Beach cliff is one of the most picturesque beaches we’ve ever seen on our travels: Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida. The viewpoint is the best place to see Diamond Beach. However, you can also access the beach itself via the staircase.
You can also visit Diamond Beach on a combi tour of Nusa Penida.
Note: Taking a swim at this beach is not recommended due to its currents, but it is still a must-see.
2. Swim at Atuh Beach
On the eastern tip of Penida island are probably the two most beautiful beaches in the whole of Bali. Atuh is a small beach, a bit hidden away because of the two high cliffs on both sides. A small walk of 10-minute down the stairs is required to reach the beach.
Want to know how to get or where to stay on the island? Read our full Nusa Penida Guide.
3. Teletubbies Hill
A good place to watch the sunset in the area is at the so-called ‘Teletubbies Hill’. Countless soft-rounded, grass hills are what gave it this name (just like the setting in the famous children’s TV show Teletubbies!).
4. Kelingking, the T-Rex
Kelingking Viewpoint and Kelingking Beach are what made Nusa Penida popular, and we can totally see why! You can climb all the way down from the top viewpoint to the beach, which we found fairly difficult to descend (please keep this in mind before visiting). Getting to the beach takes about 40 minutes.
Read all about: Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida
5. Tembeling Natural Pool
Tembeling is one of the best-kept secrets on Nusa Penida and one of our favorite things to do on the island. The sweet water pool, hidden away in the jungle is a beautiful blue watered gem.
Only motorbikes can access this area. You can combine this with a west Nusa Penida Tour.
6. Tembeling Beach
Just a 5-minute walk from the natural pool is a white-sand beach where you can relax for a few hours. Don’t forget to look at the secret beach on the other side of the cove. Read all about Tembeling Forest and Beach on Nusa Penida.
7. Banah Cliff Point
A less-known sunset spot on the island is Banah Cliff Point. Like Tembeling, it is located on the west side of Penida island and is quite easy to reach.
Here is the exact location on Google Maps.
8. Stay at Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Just 5-minutes from Atuh Beach is a hotel with a unique viewpoint. On a small cliff are three treehouses almost 360 degrees, surrounded by the ocean and an unbeatable view. The entry fee is 75,000 IDR (5 USD).
9. Thousand Islands Viewpoint
Overlooking the whole east coast of Nusa Penida is the best from the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. It’s located on the same point as the treehouse so you’ll pay the 75,000 IDR (5 USD) entry fee for the area, which is well worth it! The view over the 200-meter-high cliffs and white-sand beaches is unmissable!
10. Underground Temple: Goa Giri Putri
In North Penida, discover the Goa Giri Putri temple. The religious sight is visited by many Balinese people. The entrance is quite impressive; to access it you have to go through a small opening between the rocks. Visit this must-see on a multi-stop tour of Nusa Penida (book your tour here).
11. Peguyanan Waterfall
On the South East cliffs of Nusa Penida, there is a knee-shaking hike! Although Hannah is afraid of heights, she found this doable (however, we wouldn’t recommend it if you have really bad vertigo).
The walk is a 150-meter iron blue stairs, which takes you to the bottom of the cliff and shows you the most scenic areas. At the foot, there is a temple and a small waterfall with fresh water. But the views from the hike are way more spectacular.
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12. Diving Nusa Penida
Every month new dive resorts on Nusa Penida are opening their doors. Get training at the resort and in open water to finally get your PADI! We haven’t managed to do ours yet, but it’s definitely on our bucket list (and Nusa Penida looks like the best place to do it).
Also read our 3-week Bali Route
13. Penida Colada
Nusa Penida already has quite a lot of good restaurants. A relaxing hidden gem in the northern part is Penida Colada. It is a laid-back restaurant with good food and delicious drinks right on the beach. Reserve your table here.
15. Snorkel with Manta Rays
Manta Point in Nusa Penida is the place to be assured of seeing Mantas. Do a boat trip and snorkel with these giants. You can also book a day trip from Bali to spend the day snorkeling with these magical creatures. Indonesia has stunning marine life, especially around the Komodo Islands.
More about Komodo Islands boat tour
16. Crystal Bay, a must-do on Nusa Penida
This beautiful bay is surrounded by palms, which are great for snorkeling and even better for watching the sunset. Right in front of the bay is a small island with a temple located on top that you can visit as well.
17. Suwehan Beach
The clean white sand and refreshing sea breeze make Suwehan Beach worth a visit. You can swim, but be very careful with the strong current.
18. Stay at a beautiful bungalow
On Nusa Penida, accommodations range from basic homestays and guesthouses to beautiful bungalows and larger hotels. Stay in a beautiful bungalow (like La Roja) on Nusa Penida and enjoy the full comfort of Penida Island.
19. Broken Beach
The small impressive cove near Angel’s Billabong is called Broken Beach. Walk over a bridge made by nature — this was one of the more unique things we saw on the island! Unfortunately, you can’t visit the beach down there, but it’s still worth it for the surrounding nature.
How to visit Nusa Penida
You can easily visit Nusa Penida from the main island of Bali, where there is an international airport with flights from around the world.
The ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida leaves 4 times a day: 8 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 16 PM, and 17 PM. The ferry takes 30 – 40 minutes, depending on how wild the water is. (Book your ferry tickets in advance here)
There is no pier at Nusa Penida; you have to get on and off the boat walking through the water so it is advised to wear removable shoes. The boat staff will help you with your big pieces of luggage.
There are also plenty of day tours returning to Bali that explore all of Nusa Penida’s highlights. If your Bali itinerary is packed full but you still want to visit the famous Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and the Goa Giri Putri Temple, a day tour is a great solution (book your tickets here).
Where to stay on Nusa Penida
Most accommodations on Nusa Penida are located in the west and north. We recommend picking one accommodation for all the days since you can get from one side of the island to the other in under an hour. (See all hotels in Nusa Penida)
Best Restaurants and Cafes
Indonesian food is delicious (one of our favorite cuisines worldwide!). On Nusa Penida, you’ll find all the traditional Indonesian dishes like Nasi Goreng and Nasi Campur. Moreover, as it’s a tropical island, you’ll also find plenty of fresh seafood and tropical fruits to snack on. Here are some of our favorite spots:
- Penida Colada
- The Chill Penida
- Mambo Beach Restaurant
- Warung Lonto
- Father Field Bistro
How Much Does Nusa Penida Cost?
Nusa Penida is still very affordable, so a little can go a long way! However, as it’s an island, you can pay a bit more for your transport to get there and for hotels, especially during the high season (June-August).
Best time to visit Nusa Penida
The best months for an amazing Nusa Penida island trip are between May and September, with August being the driest month on the island. This is also the best time to go snorkeling or diving in the crystal waters. (Learn more about diving in Nusa Penida here)
Note: The best time to visit is also the high season, so prices can be more expensive. Make sure to book your hotel and tours in Nusa Penida well in advance.
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Hi Guys, this was really helpful for my Nusa Penida Planning. :)
Quick question, can you recommend a good spa place around?
Hi Gunjan, we’ve not personally been to a spa in Nusa Penida, but we’ve heard good things about Raja Lima Spa or Tejas Spa. Have an amazing time!