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• The Perfect Nusa Islands Itinerary for 3 Days

Are you planning to discover all the raw beauty the Nusa islands have to offer? You are in the right place!

The Nusa Islands are located just off the coast of mainland Bali and are made up of three islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. While most people only visit Nusa Penida as a day trip from Bali, I would highly recommend setting aside more time and visiting all three islands.

In this 3 day Nusa Islands itinerary, I will be covering all the highlights of each island and how to make the most out of your time.

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

No time to read now? Pin it for later!

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need to Visit the Nusa Islands?

Local people say that the Nusa Islands are the perfect place to see what Bali was like 20 years ago before it became a tourist hotspot. And it’s really true: the Nusa Islands have such a raw beauty that you won’t believe your own eyes!

Even if you’re planning to have only a short vacation in Bali, it’s still worth setting aside a few days to visit the Nusa Islands. In my opinion, the perfect amount of time would be at least one week in Bali and at least 3 days in the Nusa Islands.

But don’t worry, even if you don’t have this much time you can still visit the best places on the Nusa Islands! A Nusa Penida day trip can be the perfect option for you if you only have one day but you still wanna get a feeling about the Nusa Islands.

If you’re planning to visit Bali for the first time you might be interested in my Ultimate Bali Travel Guide as well. It was written specifically for first-timers and it’s loaded with useful information about Bali like where to stay, how to get around, and what to do!

Where to Stay: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan?

Most people choose to stay on Nusa Lembongan, however, I recommend staying on Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is the biggest and most developed of the three Nusa Islands and there are so many places to visit there that you’re going to need the most time for this island.

Therefore I recommend exploring Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan on the first day and catching the last boat to Nusa Penida on the same day. This way you can start your second day early in the morning on Nusa Penida which means more time for sightseeing!

I suggest staying in Nusa Penida for two nights and catching the last boat back to Bali on your last day. This way you will have one day for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan and two full days to see Nusa Penida which is amazing!

Best places to stay in Nusa Penida

But let’s go back to the original question: where to stay? You can find many types of accommodation in Nusa Penida from budget hostels to luxury villas. They are mostly located on the northwest part of the island and that’s also the area I recommend staying at.

You can check out all the best hotels in Nusa Penida for different budgets but if you’re in a rush, below you can find my top recommendations for staying in Nusa Penida.

LUXURY – Adiwana Warnakali Resort

Adiwana Warnakali Resort in Nusa Penida provides adults-only accommodation with a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. Each accommodation at the 4-star resort has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a sun terrace.

MID-RANGE – Semabu Hills Hotel Nusa Penida

Perched on the quiet hills of Nusa Penida, this hotel offers sweeping views of the island and the sea beyond. Guests can take advantage of the infinity pool or try traditional meals at the on-site Asian restaurant.

BUDGET – Surya Maha Bungallo

For a budget-friendly stay in Nusa Penida, take a look at Surya Maha Bungallo. Boasting a lush garden with a stunning outdoor pool, the property offers double or twin rooms either with a garden or pool view. A daily continental breakfast is also available.

Day 1: Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

How to get to nusa lembongan from bali.

To get to Nusa Lembongan, you have to catch a boat at Sanur harbor. Whenever I’m in Asia, I always book my transportation tickets via 12Go Asia . Their website is super easy to use, you just have to type in your origin and your destination and it collects all the available transportation methods.

For instance, you just have to click ‘Find tickets’ in the below widget and you can instantly see all the options for traveling to Nusa Lembongan from Bali! Super convenient, right?

Many different companies offer boats from Bali to the Nusa Islands (only the best of them can be found on 12Go Asia , not all of them). Ticket prices vary between $10-14 US depending on which company you choose.

Fast boats like Scoot or Rocky are the most popular choice among travelers because they are reliable and they only need 30 minutes to reach Nusa Lembongan. The whole journey is around 45-50 minutes together with the time for boarding and leaving the ship.

Since you will have only one day to spend on Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, I strongly recommend choosing the first available boat in the morning.

Tips for taking a boat to the Nusa Islands

Getting to the Nusa Islands used to be a very tedious process that involved wading through knee-high water to board the boat. The good news is that you don’t have to do this anymore!

At the end of 2022, a new harbor was built with a two-story building for check-in and waiting along with a proper pier, so now you can directly board the boat from the pier which is a huge improvement.

Nusa Penida also has proper piers now but on Nusa Lembongan, there’s still a chance that you’ll have to disembark the boat in the water so it’s better to wear flip-flops or sandals that you can easily remove.

Make sure to be in the harbor at least 30 minutes before your departure time and leave your big suitcase behind. With the new harbor, it’s easier to board with luggage now but it’s still not too practical.

Especially if you follow this itinerary, you’ll spend the first day exploring Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan and only in the evening you’ll arrive at your accommodation in Nusa Penida. Dragging along your suitcase while exploring two islands doesn’t sound that fun, does it?

We always leave our suitcases with our Bali driver (Putu from @bali_travel_monkey ) but if you are looking for another option, check out Bali Store Luggage . They are quite close to Sanur harbor and have amazing reviews online.

How to get around Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

Both Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are quite small so it’s possible to explore them by walking. However, due to the limited time and the heat during the day, it’s better to find another option.

The easier and most convenient way is to rent a scooter for the full day. This way you can explore both islands at your own pace and enjoy the sights as long as you want. If you’re planning to rent a scooter (and even if you don’t), please don’t forget about travel insurance!

Unfortunately, accidents can happen anytime and it’s better to be prepared for that. After many hours of research, I decided to choose SafetyWing and I can honestly recommend them!

If you’re not comfortable with scooters, I don’t recommend starting to test your limits now. There are many small pick-up trucks on Nusa Lembongan and they are functioning as local taxis.

You can barter with the taxi drivers to take you from A to B. But if you’re planning to explore multiple places on the island, it’s better to ask them to stay with you for a couple of hours. Finding a taxi is very easy at the harbor but it’s quite hard to find one at the attractions.

However, getting around Nusa Ceningan is pretty hard without a scooter because there are absolutely no cars on the island. And even if you can see one or two, they are not functioning as a taxi.

Basically, if you don’t have a scooter your only option is walking. It’s only a 30-minute walk from the Yellow Bridge to the Blue Lagoon so if you can bear the heat and manage your time, it’s still doable.

Best things to do in Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

1. Jungut Batu Beach

Most of the boats arrive at Jungut Batu Beach and if you’re already there, it’s worth checking out the area. Jungut Batu Beach is the longest beach in Nusa Lembongan and there are also many restaurants in the area.

You will find many taxi drivers there as well so if you don’t want to rent a scooter this is the place where you have to barter with them. It’s a nice beach although I won’t recommend staying there long as there are many more places on your Nusa Islands itinerary to cover!

2. Mushroom Bay Beach

The other ferry port on Nusa Lembongan is located at Mushroom Bay Beach. Although most boats will arrive at Jungut Batu Beach, there is still a slight chance you will end up at Mushroom Bay.

You can also find many restaurants around and it’s a really nice beach although if your boat doesn’t arrive here, I would suggest skipping it. And vice versa: if you arrive at Mushroom Bay don’t go for Jungut Batu Beach as they are really similar.

3. Devil’s Tear

The Devil’s Tear is located in the southwest corner of the island. Basically, it’s a rocky coastline where you can watch the waves crash into the rocks.

There is a small cave under the coastline and when the waves crash into the hole, it blows them back with such force that the water turns into mist. Hence the name – the mist looks like the tear of the devil.

The other part of the coastline looks amazing as well because when the waves crash into the coast, they create a massive water spray explosion with thousands of mini waterfalls pouring back into the ocean. This place is definitely a must-have on every Nusa Islands itinerary!

It’s a really popular place among tourists so it can get pretty crowded. Try to arrive here in the morning as early as you can to avoid the crowd!

The waves are really powerful and you can never know how intense the next one will be. Therefore staying close to the edge is really dangerous! Please try to be safe and stay behind safely on the coast.

If you walk a few meters away from the blowhole, you will find another cool place with many natural tide pools. I know they look inviting but getting in the water is a big no-no! As I mentioned the waves are really powerful and they can flood the pools any minute.

4. Dream beach

Dream Beach is just a few minutes walk from the Devil’s Tear. It’s the most popular beach on Nusa Lembongan and it’s the perfect spot to chill and have a dip in the ocean.

If you don’t want to spend hours on the beach, it’s better to ask your taxi driver to wait for you until you’re done with your sightseeing. Although the parking lot will be full of cars, those are all from organized tours, hence they already have passengers.

Practically there is no free taxi waiting around the beach, so we had a really hard time finding another ride. So as I mentioned before it’s better to ask your taxi driver to assist you for a few hours or you may have to walk from this point!

5. Yellow Bridge

The Yellow Bridge connects Nusa Lembongan with Nusa Ceningan, it is the only connection between the two islands. As you can see in the below photo, it’s pretty narrow, so it is only suitable for scooters or pedestrians.

As I mentioned already, there are no cars on Nusa Ceningan so you have to say goodbye to your taxi driver if you had one. If you have a scooter, you can take it with you to Nusa Ceningan but otherwise, you will have to walk from this point.

6. My Beach Ceningan

Once you cross the Yellow Bridge, you have to continue walking to the southern side of the island (towards the Blue Lagoon). Walking can be tough during the heat but luckily there are many amazing stops along the road!

My Beach Ceningan is a great spot to have a cold drink and rest a bit. You will find some amazing beach swings as well so it’s a really fun place!

7. Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is located at the southernmost point of Nusa Ceningan. This spot is famous for its crystal clear turquoise water and the amazing rock formations along the coastline.

It takes around 30 minutes to get there from the Yellow Bridge on foot so you need to manage your time wisely if you want to catch the last boat to Nusa Penida.

Day 2-3: Nusa Penida

How to get to nusa penida from nusa lembongan/nusa ceningan.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I recommend taking a boat to Nusa Penida at the end of Day 1. The simple reason for that is that Nusa Penida is the biggest and most interesting island and this way you can maximize your time there.

I recommend staying in Nusa Penida for 2 nights and this way you can have 2 full days for exploring!

So after you are done with the sightseeing on Nusa Ceningan, head back to the Yellow Bridge and cross over to Nusa Lembongan again. You can find some local boats around the bridge that will take you to Nusa Penida for your overnight stay.

There is an official ticket desk where you can purchase your tickets. The ticket price is 100,000 IDR ($6.5 US) for one way per person. The boat doesn’t have a fixed timetable, it will depart once it’s full with passengers (although it happens quickly).

However, it’s best to ask around in advance when the last boat leaves for Nusa Penida. It’s usually around 30 minutes before the sunset but ask the ticket officer just to be sure! It takes around 15 minutes to reach Nusa Penida and you will arrive at Toya Pakeh Harbour.

How to get around Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is a pretty big island with many amazing viewpoints, so you will need at least two full days to explore everything. I recommend breaking down your itinerary for two days and visiting the southern side of Nusa Penida in one day, and the northern side in another day.

You need to rent a scooter or hire a private driver to take you around the island. Putu from @bali_travel_monkey has drivers in his team on Nusa Penida too so if you’re in need of a driver, I recommend sending him a message.

The roads in Nusa Penida have improved a lot in the last few years but there are still some bumpy roads left so it’s not always fun driving around.

Unfortunately, there is no coastal route on the island so after visiting an attraction on the coast, you have to drive back inland and go back out again on another road to the next attraction which is really time-consuming. So even though Nusa Penida is not a big island, you’ll still need to factor in extra times for driving.

Best things to do in Nusa Penida South (Day 2)

1. Peguyangan Waterfall

Let’s start your day by driving to the Peguyangan Waterfall – it takes around one hour to reach it from the Toya Pakeh Harbour.

Peguyangan Waterfall is located at the bottom of some huge cliffs and to reach it you need to climb down almost 700 stairs on the hillside. In the morning the temperature is still bearable so that’s why I recommend going there first!

The iconic blue stairway is really narrow and steep, so it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Oh, and don’t expect any waterfalls down there – the name is only symbolic. However it was still one of my favorite locations in Nusa Penida, the view is so incredible!

Read Next: Peguyangan Waterfall, Nusa Penida: All You Need to Know Before Visiting

2. Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff is an epic viewpoint along the coastline. Actually, there are two different lookout points: the Panorama Viewpoint and the Banah Cliff Viewpoint. Both of them offer an incredible view of the surrounding cliffs and the shimmering blue ocean!

3. Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach with the T-Rex-shaped cliff is all over on Instagram, this is definitely one of the most famous things to do in Nusa Penida . Visiting this place is a real must-have on every Nusa Islands itinerary!

The view from the top is breathtaking although you can decide to hike down to the beach as well. If you wish to do that be prepared for a really hard hike.

It takes about an hour to get down and the walk is very steep. Don’t even think about hiking down in flip-flops or sandals!

Read Next: Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida: Complete Guide & Tips for Visiting

4. Angel’s Billabong

Angel’s Billabong is an incredibly clear tide pool that looks really inviting for a swim. Unfortunately swimming here is no longer allowed because there were many accidents in the past.

The currents here are really strong and even at low tide, the waves can surprise you out of the blue which is why swimming is now banned.

Also, you have to be very careful and not to stay close to the edge, as the high waves can easily wipe you out into the open ocean.

5. Broken Beach

Broken Beach is right next to Angel’s Billabong, you have to walk just a few minutes to reach it. There is an amazing archway that creates a natural pool by allowing the water to flow in and out of the ocean.

You are not allowed to swim there, in fact, you can’t even go down to the beach but you can walk around the natural pool.

6. Crystal Bay

If you still have some time left, make a little detour to Crystal Bay on your way back to Toya Pakeh Harbour. It’s an amazing place to see the sunset and relax at the end of the day!

If you’re into diving, you’ll be pleased to hear that Crystal Bay is actually one of the best spots for diving in Indonesia . It’s the best place for seeing the famous Mola Mola (oceanic sunfish) but you’ll need to be a very experienced diver for that as the currents can be quite strong.

Best things to do in Nusa Penida North (Day 3)

7. Goa Giri Putri

Goa Giri Putri is a cave temple located on the northern coast of Nusa Penida. Since it’s a religious place, you always have to wear a sarong (you can also rent it, if you don’t have your own).

The entrance is only through a small crack in the rock and you have to crawl through it to reach the cave. Inside you will find a huge temple courtyard that is always filled with locals praying and participating in ceremonies.

8. Thousand Islands Viewpoint (Pulau Seribu)

The Thousand Islands Viewpoint offers the most breathtaking view on the island. There are several viewpoints in the area, you have to climb down the steep stairway to reach them. There are no words that describe how beautiful the view is. I had to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming!

9. Rumah Pohon Tree House

The Rumah Pohon Tree House is also a part of the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. This spot was my ultimate favorite viewpoint on our Nusa Islands itinerary!

During the day this spot gets very crowded so the earlier you can visit, the better. You also need to pay a separate fee for taking photos at the tree house and if the crowd is big, you will have only two minutes or so to do it.

That’s why it’s better to come early in the morning – you can avoid the crowds and spend as much time at the tree house as you want!

Read Next: How to Visit the Famous Nusa Penida Treehouse: A Complete Guide

10. Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is really close to the Thousand Island Viewpoint so it’s the perfect place if you want to include some beach time in your Nusa Islands itinerary.

It can be accessed from the right and the left side as well, but in both cases, you have to climb down a long stairway. Climbing down is one thing but you will have to climb up as well, so make sure you have comfy shoes and you are fit enough to do this.

11. Diamond Beach

If you park on the right side of Atuh Beach, then you will have access to Diamond Beach as well. Like in Atuh Beach, you also have to hike down a long stairway to reach Diamond Beach. Both beaches are amazing so it’s really up to you which one you choose!

Planning a trip to Bali?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Bali. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

Bali Travel Guides:

• The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide for First Timers
• The Ultimate 2 Weeks in Bali Itinerary for First Timers
• Top 13 Best Waterfalls in Bali You Can’t Miss
• 14 Best Cafes in Canggu, Bali – Canggu Foodie Guide
• The Perfect 3 Days in Ubud Itinerary for First Timers
• 13 Best Cafes in Ubud You Have To Try

Bali Hotel Guides:

• Where to Stay in Bali: 10 Best Areas & Hotels
• 11 Most Instagrammable & Unique Hotels in Bali
• 15 Magical Bamboo Houses in Bali You Can Actually Book
• 15 Best Private Pool Villas in Ubud for Every Budget
• Top 15 Best Airbnbs in Ubud, Bali
• Luxury Redefined: AYANA Villas Bali Hotel Review
• Romantic Getaway in Ubud: Kamandalu Ubud Hotel Review
• Hotel Review: The Udaya Resorts & Spa, Bali
• A Slice of Balinese Paradise: Wapa Di Ume Sidemen Hotel Review
• Hotel Review: Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa

Nusa Penida Travel Guides:

• Top 16 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida You Can’t Miss
• 21 Best Hotels in Nusa Penida for Every Budget
• Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida: Complete Guide & Tips for Visiting
• How to Visit the Famous Nusa Penida Treehouse: A Complete Guide
• Peguyangan Waterfall, Nusa Penida: All You Need to Know Before Visiting

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30 thoughts on “The Perfect Nusa Islands Itinerary for 3 Days”

These islands look like they have a little bit of everything! How amazing! I am a huge island fanatic myself, but I have yet to visit Bali or any islands in Asia outside of Japan.

Yes they are really amazing, I can only recommend visiting! Bali and these little islands were still one of my favorite travel memories ever 🙂

The Nusa Islands look so gorgeous and definitely a place I would love to visit if going to Bali. It’s on my list of locations I want to see one day! Love all your great tips especially the 12Go Asia for finding transportation. That’s really handy to have! ?

I can totally recommend visiting them, they are so beautiful! And I seriously love the 12Go Asia, it’s so easy to use! Since I’m spending 6 months in Asia now I almost check it every day haha. 🙂

What a comprehensive guide, love it! I´ve seen pictures of this place a lot recently, but never found such an informative and detailed guide. Saved it for my next trip to Asia. Best, Stefanie

Thank you Stefanie! I’m so happy to hear you found my guide useful!

I am planning a trip to Nusa penida in APril. This post in incredibly helpful.

I’m so happy to hear that! Have an amazing trip to Nusa Penida, it’s really such a beautiful island!

Is it necessary to book a stay with the tree house? Or can we just visit as day tripper and click this photo?

No it’s not necessary, you can decide to only visit it in a day trip 🙂 We also did the same, but we’re planning to go back in May again and I wanna try staying there this time. I’ve seen so many amazing sunrise photos from this place, I definitely wanna see it with my own eyes. 🙂

We LOVED the Nusa Islands and seeing your pictures makes me want to go back! Very informative article! You’re right – it really is paradise!

Thank you so much Katie, I’m so happy you liked my post! It’s definitely paradise and we’re planning to go back in May! Can’t wait 🙂

never heard of this . Place looks amazing .. Great photos and article .Pinning it 🙂

Yeah these little islands are not so famous as Bali, but they are just as gorgeous! I can absolutely recommend visiting. 🙂

I would love to do the Nusa Islands! Also love your photos, they’re so pretty!

Thank you Francesca!

Oh wow, the Nusa islands look incredible. I could just spend weeks lounging on any of those beautiful beaches! Thanks for adding another place to my bucket list! 🙂

You’re welcome Michelle! These little islands really stole my heart 🙂

These islands look absolutely stunning! Bali has always been on my bucketlist, but I never thought about visiting these islands. I’ve read many posts about Bali, but never about the Nusa Islands. Now I know I need to visit!! I really want to take a trip to the Rumah Pohon Treehouse. I bet the sunsets there are stunning! Recently, I visited Cyprus, and I could not get enough of watching the sunsets on the beach. How long would you recommend staying at the Rumah Pohon Treehouse?

I can absolutely recommend visiting the Nusa Islands, they are all so beautiful! Actually we didn’t stay at the Rumah Pohon Tree House, only visited it during a day trip. As far as I’ve heard it’s a pretty basic place and it’s usually fully booked months in advance. Although the views are pretty special from there! It’s facing east so watching the sunrise there can be fabulous! I’m also thinking about booking it for one night 🙂

This guide is amazing! So much great info and I love all the accommodation options for different budgets! Looks gorgeous too!

Thank you Tiana! 🙂

Love this guide! Me and my partner are visiting the islands for 3 days in May, and this post has been extremely helpful so Thankyou! Quick question, how do you hire a private driver? I’ve seen this mentioned a lot but how do you know who to trust? X

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you found it useful! I also received some recommendations from friends so it was an easy choice this way 🙂 Feel free to drop me a message on IG (@shewandersabroad) or email ([email protected]) and I will send you their contact details if you’re interested!

Hi Kriszti! Thank you for such an informative article! I am using it to plan my one year anniversary trip 🙂 Need your suggestion- we are arriving in Nusa Penida on 4th September’22, mid to late afternoon, staying at Semabu hills (per your suggestion) and we check out on the 7th.

I was thinking of visiting the other tow Nusa islands on the 5th and then spending the 6th explore Nusa Penida, however i think we will only have time to either do the north or the south, unless we venture out on the 4th but I don’t think we will have the energy to do much.

What do you suggest!! 🙂 Thank you in advance.

FYI- we are heading to Ubud on the 7th and will be checking out on the 10th from there!

Hi Sim, your itinerary sounds amazing! If you only have one day for Nusa Penida, I would definitely go for the south as it’s more interesting. Maybe you can mix up the two days a little bit, I would suggest visiting Devil’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Rumah Pohon Treehouse, and if you have some additional time you can squeeze in Peguyangan Waterfall or Crystal Bay for sunset.

Hi. This is extremely helpful. How did you hire a car and driver in Nusa Penida? Could you please share the details regarding the same. Thank you 🙂

We hired a driver on the mainland of Bali and he helped us organize a driver on Nusa Penida as well. His name is Putu, you can contact him on Instagram and I’m sure he’ll be happy to help! 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/bali_travel_monkey/

I feel you have provided the perfect guide to maximize one’s time there. The level of detail you went into for each island was outstanding. Thank you for generously sharing your adventures and hard-earned wisdom.

Thank you so much for your comment Rilwan, I’m really glad you enjoyed the itinerary!

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How to Plan a Trip to Nusa Islands 2024/2025 (6 Things You Need to Know)

From Bali, it is possible to go to smaller islands off the main island: you'll be able to get a boat to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Nusa Ceningan. These three islands are located off the east of Bali, and are much quieter than Bali itself.

The Nusa Islands have beautiful landscapes, from forests to beaches, and there are treks and also lots of diving and snorkeling spots to explore. Absolute highlights include snorkeling with manta rays and turtles, as well as cliff-diving into clear sea water.

• 1. What to See on Nusa Penida
• 2. Things to See on Nusa Lembongan
• 3. What to Do on Nusa Ceningan
• 4. How to Get from Bali to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
• 5. How Long to Stay on the Nusa Islands
• 6. When is the Best Time to Visit the Nusa Island

1.What to See on Nusa Penida

There are plenty of beaches and spots to explore on Nusa Penida, from Kelingking Beach, to Atuh Beach, Angel Billabong, Guyangan Waterfall and Banah Cliff Point. There are lots of tours on Nusa Penida, which might be your best bet in order to ensure you don't miss anything on the islands. These tours will pick you up at your hotel for beach-hopping, a lunch, and then bring you back to the island. That's one of the easiest ways to get around the island and see the various beaches.

At Nusa Penida, you can go snorkeling in Crystal Bay, which is home to some incredible reefs and local marine life. Besides colorful corals and different reef fish, there are also turtles there regularly, which sets this snorkeling side apart from many other spots around Bali and could easily be a highlight of your time in Bali.

Suggested readind: How to Plan a Trip to Bali

2.Things to See on Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is a beautiful island that is well known as a surfing destination and for its coastlines. Destinations there include Dream Beach, which combines golden sand with cliffs and turquoise water for an idyllic beach destination, and Devil's Tear, a cave pool on the edge of rocky cliffs which gives you some insight into the unique coastline this island has to offer.

For those wanting to snorkel, you have Manta Point, which is named after the giant manta rays that swim along these coastlines. Snorkeling there gives you the opportunity to be able to see them with your own eyes — a-once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read more on:

• Best Beaches in Bali: How to Choose the Right One for Your Trip
• How to Plan a 1–2-Week First Trip to Bali

3.What to Do on Nusa Ceningan

Nusa Ceningan is the smallest of the three islands, and is located between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. You can get over there by bridge from Nusa Lembongan in order to explore all that Nusa Ceningan has to offer.

Blue Lagoon is one of the top spots on Nusa Ceningan, with some great cliff-jumping spots for those who like the adrenaline rush. Cliffs there range in height between 4 meters (13 feet) and 13 meters (43 feet). Be careful, as the waves can be rough on windy days (making the troughs shallower than the sea would normally be and washing jumpers towards the rocks). It is better to jump on calmer days, just in case, and we recommend going out there with someone else and not letting young children jump.

There is also Mahana Beach, a beautiful beach off the cliffs with blue, tempting waters. Mahana Beach also has a restaurant for a bite to eat, or a drink, before you continue your adventures across the island.

4.How to Get from Bali to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

The Nusa Islands are a 30-minute boat ride away from the main island of Bali. Boats to Nusa Penida depart from Sanur Beach, with tickets costing approximately 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (around 9.5 US dollars).

Boats from Sanur also go to Nusa Lembongan, costing around 15 to 30 US dollars for a one-way ticket depending on what time and which firm you book in with. Boats will go daily between 7am and 5pm with multiple sailings per day, depending on which day you travel on.

If you'd like to explore all islands, you can also get from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan, or vice versa, so you don't have to head back to Sanur to go in between the islands.

5.How Long to Stay on the Nusa Islands

You can stay on the islands, but you could also go for just the day. It really depends on your plans, and what you'd like to do while you're out there.

If you're traveling with your family and you want to go snorkeling, you might consider visiting Nusa Penida just for the day. However, if you're a diver looking to get some dives in, it's worth spending a couple of nights on the islands. If you do have the time, we recommend between 2 and 3 days on Nusa Penida, and a day each on the other two islands. 

6.When is the Best Time to Visit the Nusa Islands

It's best to avoid the Nusa Islands in December, January, and February, when there is a lot of rain. However, we recommend visiting the Nusa Islands between April to October. You'll be able to get better deals between November and March, but you're likely to experience more rain in Bali during the time.

These recommendations coincide with when is best to visit Bali, as the islands are so close to Bali and the weather pattern is fairly similar. Keep in mind that you do have to get on a boat to get between the Nusa Islands and Bali, and traveling between them in rainy season can make the boat trip less comfortable due to higher waves in the wind and the rain, and you might experience ferry cancellations.

With Asia Highlights , you enjoy 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights prior to 3 weeks before departure ( detail⇒ ). 

Visit the Nusa Islands and Bali with Asia Highlights

It is possible to book your ferry online in advance to plan your trip ahead of time, or you can contact us and we can help you book your tickets and plan your trip to the Nusa Islands.

We can expertly put together your itinerary, help find the best hotels for you to stay in during your time on the Nusa Islands, and help you prepare for your visit to take away the pressure of planning your trip. There is so much to see, it can be hard to know where to start planning!

You may like:

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4 Days on Nusa Islands: An Amazing Nusa Islands Itinerary For Your Trip

If you’ve been in Bali for a few days and need a break from the island, consider visiting Nusa Islands for four days . Located southeast of Bali, Nusa Islands is a wonderful getaway with your choice of three islands –  Nusa Penida , Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan . Nusa Penida is the largest island while Nusa Ceningan is the smallest island out of the three. It’s easy to get to Nusa Islands by a quick 30-minute speedboat ride from mainland Bali. 

What we love about visiting the islands are unspoiled views of the beautiful landscapes, some of the bluest ocean that we’ve seen, and iconic places to visit . The island life is a bit rustic and there aren’t any crowds and tour buses, so it makes the environment laid-back and quiet.

Although you can spend more time on Nusa Islands, we’re sharing our amazing 4 days Nusa Islands itinerary so you can get the highlights of the top things to do in each of the islands, where to eat, and other helpful tips.

We scheduled our time by the following schedule: 1.5 days in Nusa Lembongan, .5 days in Nusa Ceningan, and 2 days in Nusa Penida. 

Read our post on 24 things to know before traveling to Bali .

Click to jump to certain sections on the 4 days on Nusa Islands itinerary:

• Day 1: Depart Bali & Nusa Lembongan
• Day 2: Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan
• Days 3-4: Nusa Penida

Map of Nusa Islands in 4 Days

Click on the image to see a larger view of the places to visit on your 4 days on Nusa Islands itinerary. Credit: Map data: Google

*Disclaimer: Headed to Nusa Islands? This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Appreciate the support.

Nusa Islands Itinerary Day 1: Depart Bali & Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is a popular island which most travelers go to. It’s the closest island to mainland Bali and has more development with amenities from the accommodations, resorts, to the restaurant options. Plus, the roads are easier to manage versus Nusa Penida if you decide to rent a motorbike (more information about transportation is below.)

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan 

To easiest way to get from mainland Bali to Nusa Lembongan is via a speedboat . Most of the boats leave from Sanur, so it’s recommended to stay in the area the night before your trip to Nusa Islands.

Or, check with your speedboat carrier if they do pick-up from certain areas such as Kuta or Seminyak which is included in your ticket price. We stayed in Seminyak for one night at CR Tris Room Seminyak Guesthouse . It was a good location and close to many restaurants within walking distance.

The two well-known speedboats companies that depart from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan are Rocky Fast Cruise or Scoot Cruise . We went with Rocky Fast Cruise and made a reservation through their email system as we had some issues with their online booking system.

It’s recommended to make a reservation at least 3 days to a week in advance as spots can get booked up early. Try to book the first boat at 10am so you can maximize your time. Otherwise, the next boat ride is at noon.

You can also choose one of these options to make a speedboat reservation in advance and save money! 

• Speedboat Option 1 via Rocky Fast Cruise
• Speedboat Option 2 via Arthamus Express

Most people hang out in the waiting area on the beach before departure. If you have rolling luggage or large luggage, the workers will carry your luggage onto the roof of the boat. 

Before boarding the ship, you’ll need to take off your shoes and sandals as you will enter the water . All sandals get placed in a communal shoebox.

Tip: You may want to hold onto your sandals instead of putting them in the communal shoebox if you’re worried about someone taking your sandals by accident.

The speedboat ride isn’t too bad but there are some big swells. Once you reached Nusa Lembongan, you receive a complimentary ride to your hotel accommodations . Feel free to check into your hotel or guesthouse and then head out for the day.

Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan

1. splash your feet at dream beach..

Head south of the island to the Dream Beach to start your beach adventure. To be honest, the beach isn’t very big and we couldn’t swim due to the high currents. What we did do was splash our feet in the water and walk along the white sandy beach. 

Otherwise, you can hang out at the Dream Beach Huts and the beach club. They have an incredible pool overlooking the Dream Beach and plenty of lounge chairs to relax. one

2. Awe at the Devil’s Tear waves.

Only a five-minute walk from Dream Beach is the popular Devil’s Tear. We call it the area to channel your inner Ariel from the Little Mermaid since there are many waves and rocks to pose like Ariel! Anyway, it’s one of the must-see activities when you’re on Nusa Lembongan. The blue water is so mesmerizing to watch as the huge waves splash against the edge of the limestone rocks. 

Most of the tourists hang out close to see the waves splash , yet it’s a splash zone. There is a high probability of getting wet with a huge wave and the waves are super powerful too. It was poor timing for us as we walked by and caught a wave. Whoops. Our bodies and clothes were drenched. 

If you walk further away from the main splash area, you can see a waterhole from the distance.

Depending on when you arrive at the Devil’s Tear, it’s a good spot to see the sunset. 

3. See the mangroves and Mangroves Beach.

On the northeast side of Nusa Lembongan is the mangrove forest. Mangroves are trees that require little to no soil and have roots intertwined with each other to make a dense forest. It looks like the roots are standing in the water.

If you haven’t been through a mangrove forest, this is a great opportunity to take a tour. You get to ride in a traditional boat through the forest area . Prices for the tour ranges between 75,000-100,000 IDR ($5.30-$7 USD) per person if you go to the area. Otherwise, you’ll pay a higher price of 200,000 IDR ($14 USD) per person if you pre-book with a third party vendor. 

Afterward, walk across the street to see the Mangroves Beach Club and you’ll see the Mangroves Beach . It’s not a typical beach where you can relax and sunbathe as the sand is pretty shallow. You can wade your feet in the ankle-deep waters. There are some tiny crabs and other small creatures in the water.

We also saw a few people coming through the water with stand up paddleboards and canoes, so you could rent them.

There are cafes and restaurants along the water if you’re looking to hang out and relax further. 

To get to the mangrove area, follow the Jangut Batu Main Road which connects to the Mangrove Road and continue until you hit a dead end. Park your motorbike at one of the parking areas and walk over to the mangrove area. 

4. Hang out at the other beaches.

Since you’ve already been to Dream Beach, consider spending time at the other beaches on the island. 

• Sunset Beach is nearby the Devil’s Tear and another spot to watch the sunset. 
• Mushroom Bay Beach , located in the northwest side of the island, is a small beach yet used for boat transportation between Bali and Lembongan. 

How to Get Around Nusa Lembongan

To get around the island, you’ll need to rent a motorbike or a bicycle . You may be able to rent a motorbike from your Nusa Lembongan accommodation or find a motorbike rental shop along the main port area.

We rented our Honda Beat motorbike from Bro Shop for 150,000 IDR ($10.60 USD) for two days. We didn’t get any helmets with our rental, so you should inquire with your rental company if they have any available. 

The road conditions on Nusa Lembongan are much easier to manage versus Nusa Penida as there are more paved roads. To get from one end of the island to the other is between 10-15 minutes by motorbike. Remember that there isn’t any insurance coverage if there are damages to the motorbike. 

If you decide to rent a bicycle, there are hills so you’ll need to pedal hard to go up the hill on a bicycle. Bicycle rentals are around 50,000 IDR ($3.50 USD) per day. 

Where to Eat in Nusa Lembongan

We were surprised at how delicious the food was on Nusa Lembongan. Here are some of the Nusa Lembongan restaurants that we visited.

Note: The island makes an effort to reduce plastic waste and encourage visitors to use reusable water bottles. It’s an awesome eco-friendly initiative to see. There are several refillable water bottle stops where you pay a nominal fee to refill your bottle with filtered water. We’ve listed some of the restaurants with this option below.

• Maria Boemboe Bali Warung is located off of a quiet alleyway that serves Indonesian and Western food. Everything is made fresh to order so the food does take some time to prepare. We loved the fresh juice which had a combination of pineapple, lemon, and banana, mie goreng seafood, and the tempeh sweet soy sauce chili sauce. If you’re a tempeh fan, then you’ll enjoy the tempeh dish too. You can refill your water bottle here. 
• Warung Bambu is a great place if you want to have a meal with a beach setting. It’s located nearby the Mangroves area. We received a recommendation of the red snapper in a banana leaf and the flavors didn’t disappoint. Heads up that the flies also enjoy the smell of the fish so you can ask the restaurant if they have a candle to deter the flies.

• Bali ECO Deli is an eco-friendly place that has healthy drinks and food options. The Purple Boost smoothie was amazing with the fresh bananas and berries. We also tried the brownie and banana cake which aren’t too sweet and taste healthier. During the time of our visit, you can get 10 percent off your bill if you bring clean, dried, and collapsed plastic water bottles as they get recycled back in Sanur. You can refill your water bottle here. 
• Tropical Juice Corner is a good option for brunch and close to the Devil’s Tear. You can order off of the breakfast menu until 11am and your meal comes with coffee or tea. This place has a variety of breakfast smoothie bowls with fresh fruits which is a refreshing start for the morning. The lepet Bali which is grilled chopped fish with coconut in a banana leaf is also a yummy option but would be more of a lunch or dinner option. 

• Seaweed Seafood and Grill has a gorgeous view of the water from the dining area. This place is known for its seafood so we ordered grilled red snapper which had a delicious sweet sauce and Pepe’s mahi mahi (fish) had a creamy turmeric sauce in a banana leaf. The restaurant is close to the Golden Bridge. 

• Warung Bu Edy is an affordable local place that serves either chicken or vegetarian options. You get a plate of coconut rice with your sides such as tempeh, a stew item, vegetables, and more. Many of the locals stop by here to do a to-go order for breakfast. You can also choose to dine-in. Each plate of food is 25,000 IDR ($1.80 USD). Plus, this was next to our guesthouse – only a 1-minute walk. 

Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan has a variety of accommodations to stay at depending on your budget . Click here to find a place to stay in Nusa Lembongan and make a reservation . 

We stayed at D’Tegal House where we had a bungalow and a private bathroom. The room was clean and a large room for our two nights stay. The guesthouse is along an alleyway so we missed it as Rocky Fast Cruise dropped us off. You can also park your motorbike on-site. While there isn’t a concierge to book tours, etc, you can go next door to a diving place to ask questions. Click here to find availability and reserve a room at D’Tegal House .

If you’re looking to splurge, consider Cliff Park Lembongan. It has incredible views of the ocean from your balcony and the on-site infinity pool. Spend the day relaxing at your bungalow or head to the closest beaches, Mushroom and Dream Beach. Find availability and make a reservation for Cliff Park Lembongan here . 

Nusa Islands Itinerary Day 2: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan

Today we’re spending a few hours exploring Nusa Ceningan. You can ride your motorbike or cycle around the entire island in about 30 minutes to an hour . It would be a nice place to take a walk around the island as there are only a few connecting roads. 

How To Get to Nusa Ceningan

From Nusa Lembongan, take your mode of transportation and head south of the island to go to the Golden Bridge . It’s a yellow suspension bridge that connects between Lembongan and Ceningan. It’s free to cross the bridge. 

The most exhilarating (or terrifying) part is when you’re on the super narrow bridge . A car will not fit on the bridge, yet, two passing motorbikes will barely squeeze by. You’ll be super close to the person going in the opposite direction. 

If you’re walking on the bridge, you’ll also share the same road as the motorbikes. Please be careful and stay to the far right as much as you can. 

If you don’t feel comfortable with riding a motorbike, consider taking a one day tour of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Book your tour by clicking on this link . 

Things to Do in Nusa Ceningan

1. see the awesome view from the ceningan cliffs. .

If you’re looking for a quiet place to see the views of the trees and cliffside landscapes, head to the Ceningan Cliffs . This restaurant and photo spot is up on a steep hill and also filled with potholes. You can either take your motorbike up the hill or park at the base of the hill and walk up 700 meters (.43 miles). We walked up since the road up looked too steep for us to ride.

Once you reach the summit, check out the stunning views. You can opt to take the stairs down the cliff but we didn’t have the proper shoes. The overlook also has a designated photo spot with hearts and Ceningan Cliffs.

2. Visit the Blue Lagoon. 

There is a good reason why everyone raves about the Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan. The Blue Lagoon deserves its title as one of the prettiest waters that you’ll see .

It’s not a formal lagoon as the water connects with the ocean. You can’t go down the cliff to hang out in the Blue Lagoon, however, you can do the famous cliff jump from Mahana Point . You’ll also see surfers in the area catching the waves. 

After you visit the Blue Lagoon, walk along the edge of the cliff for more ocean views and waves. It’s fun to see how large the waves splash against the rocks. 

3. Go diving.

On the east side of Nusa Ceningan is an opportunity to go diving with Ceningan Divers. They having diving opportunities to Nusa Penida or you can get your PADI open water certification done here.

We came across this side of the island during our motorbike ride, so we didn’t get the opportunity to explore this option. We know where to go in case we want to get our diving license in the future!

4. Spend the rest of the afternoon on Nusa Lembongan. 

On your way back to Nusa Lembongan, feel free to stop by other places that you may have missed on the first day, such as the Mushroom Beach and Sunset Beach. We tried to find the Seaweed Farm along the Seaweed Road but couldn’t find it. Maybe it wasn’t the right season. 

Where to Stay in Nusa Ceningan

We decided not to stay at Nusa Ceningan since it’s a 10-15 minute motorbike ride from the Nusa Lembongan pier. If you want to experience a night at Nusa Ceningan, click here for availability and make a reservation . 

Nusa Islands Itinerary Days 3-4: Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is the largest island at 202.8 km 2 , yet it has breathtaking views of the ocean and beaches. Plus, you’re able to do many and outdoor adventures or as much relaxation as you want. 

How to Get from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida

It’s easy to get to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan. Since you’re staying for two days at Nusa Penida, take a taxi to the Golden Bridge . The taxi cost is expensive as the price is 50,000-75,000 IDR ($3.50-$5.30 USD) per person for a 10-minute ride. It’s challenging to negotiate any lower too. 

At the Golden Bridge, go to the right side to buy a round-trip ticket for around 120,000 IDR ($8.50 USD) per person. ​You can visit any of the boat companies. You’ll get a lanyard which has your ticket. You’ll board your boat once it’s filled with at least 8 people and then take your 10-minute boat ride to Nusa Penida’s Toya Pakeh port. 

Things to Do in Nusa Penida

From seeing and hiking the iconic Kelingking Beach to watching the sunset from Broken Beach, there are so many incredible activities to do in Nusa Penida. If you have time, you can also consider snorkeling with the manta rays which is quite an adventure. Book the snorkeling tour here . 

Check out our 2-days in Nusa Penida itinerary which has greater details on each of the top attractions in Nusa Penida to visit.

How to Get Around Nusa Penida

Due to Nusa Penida’s large size, it can take over an hour to go from the Toya Pakeh area to the south of the island. You’ll need to have transportation such as a motorbike or hire a driver.

If you decide to rent a motorbike, please exhibit extra caution when driving a motorbike as many of the roads are a pothole mess and super sketchy to drive on.

Read our post on things to consider when driving a motorbike on Nusa Penida as you may think twice about riding a motorbike!  

Where to stay in nusa penida.

Our itinerary highlights some places that you can consider staying over in Nusa Penida. You can also click here to find the perfect Nusa Penida accommodations . 

Your four days on Nusa Islands will go by quickly! As you can see, each of the islands has its own charm and top attractions to see. We loved our visit and can’t wait to come back when we’re visiting Bali. 

If you’re also planning a trip to Bali, check out our other Bali posts for inspiration:

• Visit Bali for two weeks
• Go canyoning at Hidden Canyon
• Visit Pura Lempuyang Gateway to Heaven
• Best Waterfalls in Bali , including Sekumpul Waterfall
• Top things to do in East Bali
• Top things to do in North Bali
• 9 UNESCO Sites in Indonesia
• 30+ Adventures in Indonesia, including Bali

What did we miss seeing in Nusa Islands? If you’ve been there, which island is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Featured photo credit: ozimicians via Depositphotos.com

Pin #1 photo credit: Alyshia Turchyn via Scopio Photos

I'm Jackie - world explorer, hiker, and wanderer. I love planning things whether it is a trip or an upcoming event, exploring nature, hiking up mountains, and seeing new places. I'm notorious for getting lost, so you may see me circling a place a few times.

2 Days in Nusa Penida: An Incredible Nusa Penida Itinerary For Your Visit

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Blue Lagoon, of course, reminds of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland but OMG! The Blue Lagoon you posted is breathtakingly beautiful as well. Did you cliff jump? Also, snorkeling with manta rays will probably freak me out but I think I’d still like to experience it. 🙂 Do you have a video of it?

Justine – Iceland is on our travel bucket list and would love to see the Blue Lagoon there. No, we didn’t have any swimwear on to do the cliff jump on Nusa Ceningan. It would be such an adrenaline rush to do!

Devils Tears looks really cool….but holy cow there are so many people there! Did the crowds not bother you much?

Devil’s Tears is such a fun place to visit. It does get crowded as it’s a popular tourist spot. As long as you walk a few minutes away from the main area you can find some peace and quiet along the cliff.

Nusa Islands look so beautiful. This part of the world is unfortunately totally unknown to me. I only traveled to Thailand last year and experienced there some real island life. You are so lucky to live in that region and being able to travel quickly to see all these beauties.

Thanks Iuliana. Hope you plan a visit to Nusa Islands soon! It’s less crowded than Bali. We haven’t visited the islands in Thailand yet. Maybe we’ll schedule a trip back to Thailand this year.

Nusa Penida looks so beautiful and it reminds me of the Philippines. I love how you were able to visit nearby small islands too. It looks like you own the islands for yourself as it is so quiet. I never tasted an Indonesian cuisine yet, but looking at these pictures made me drool.

April – What a dream it would be to own these islands! I wouldn’t mind having fresh seafood and beach time every single day. We haven’t been to the Philippines yet but have heard that the beaches are wonderful! Hope you get a chance to travel to the Nusa Islands in the future.

I would much prefer the untouched beaches and towns of these islands than the crazy tourist packed Bali. The photos of the food you had are gorgeous. We didn’t have such good luck with our food when we were in Indonesia. I love mangroves and would love to explore them there as well.

As soon as I saw the food – you sold it to me! Heh. But if I am in Bali, it would take me a long time to visit all the beautiful places you have shown 🙂 First days, I will be like a seal on a beach… doing nothing only occasionally going to swim 🙂

Relaxing on the beach sounds like a great plan when you’re on the Nusa Islands!

We have been thinking of going to Bali for a while and if we ever make it there we will add these beautiful Nusa Islands to our list! I’ve seen them mentioned other places, but learned a ton from your post!

You’ll have a fabulous time in Bali and Nusa Islands. Happy to help answer any questions that you have during your Bali planning.

Amazing photos and travel tips about Nusa Islands!

Thanks Marisa. Hope you get a chance to visit Nusa Islands on a future trip!

We only visited Nusa Penida for a day trip 2 years ago. It was so beautiful! Kelingking beach and Angel’s Billabong are my favorites.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Nusa Penida! Hope you can return again for a longer stay. We plan to return so we can visit Angel’s Billabong. We missed it the first time as we had a motorbike accident.

Will plan a trip and try the seafood at Nusa Islands someday.

Sounds like a great plan Sneha! The seafood is delicious on Nusa Islands. Just have to watch out for the flies as they love the smell.

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The Perfect Nusa Islands Itinerary

04/12/2022 by Kristin Addis 30 Comments

The Nusa islands off the coast of Bali in Indonesia are exactly what you’re looking for if you want the beauty of Balinese culture but wish it came without the crowds. Located just 30 minutes by boat from Bali’s Sanur, this is what people say Bali was like 30 years ago.

There are three Nusa islands: Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida. Nusa Lembongan is the closest to Bali and the most popular, followed by the smallest; Ceningan, and then the biggest and least popular; Penida.

Most people just pop over to the Nusa islands for a day or two, and only visit Penida as a day trip. I hope this guide convinces you to reverse that, spending more time on Penida and exploring this beautiful, mystical island, the only one of the three that truly does feel like a quieter Bali.

This trip can be done in four days, though you can easily expand it to cover a week or several weeks.

This is the ideal Nusa Islands itinerary:

Table of Contents

Getting There

Nusa Lembongan is the starting point for your Nusa islands trip. You can either get there from Bali or Lombok. From Lombok, you can take a fast boat for 2,300,000 Rupiah , which includes pick up from your hotel in Lombok. The boat departs at 7:30am and 12:30pm daily, and the journey takes about 3 hours.

If coming from Bali’s Sanur, You have the following options:

• A local slow boat: This one leaves Sanur starting at around 8am (though public boats in Indonesia tend to just leave when full) and costs 60,000-100,000 Rupiah. The journey takes about an hour to 90 minutes and is the least comfortable and safe option.
• Perama local boat: Leaves Sanur at 10:30 and costs 150k Rupiah and also takes 90 minutes to an hour though on a slightly larger and more comfortable boat.
• Fast boats: A fast boat with nine daily departures which includes pickup at your accommodation, a safer and faster boat, and a quicker journey of about 30 minutes. The fast boat costs about 158,000 Rupiah. You can book that here.

If you’re low on time, I suggest taking a fast boat from Bali and checking out Nusa Penida, my favorite, as a day tour and factoring it into the budget in order to maximize your island time.

Day one: Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan

Since both Lembongan and Ceningan are so small, it’s pretty easy to drive around each one and power through most of the sights in just a day. For ease, it might make the most sense to just stay on Lembongan, rent a motorbike immediately from the port or your accommodation, and ride around to see the following:

The Mangroves

Driving to the top of the island, you’ll eventually come to the end of the road where you’ll see signs for mangrove tours. I was offered one for 100k which includes about an hour of boating through the mangroves and some snorkeling. I’d been through some mangroves in Raja Ampat prior so I took a pass and droned over it instead, but don’t be lazy like me, see the mangroves!

Next I took a drive over the Yellow Bridge to Ceningan to avoid the day tourists on Lembongan and save the more spectacular sights there for when the crowds were thinner.

Upon crossing the bridge and turning right, you’ll notice gorgeous, crystal clear water and several beach bars along the shore. This quirky bar, the Sand, is great for lunch or a drink – complete with paper straws instead of plastic (yay!) and these hammocks over the water.

The Blue Lagoon

About a 10-minute drive, if that, from the Sand, you’ll see signs for the Blue Lagoon on your left. The water at this lagoon is a shade of baby blue I’d never seen before, despite years of exploring the tropics. It’s hard to believe until you see it with your own eyes!

Mahana Point Cliff Jump

Just across the way from the Blue Lagoon you’ll see signs for the Mahana Point restaurant and cliff jump. The restaurant has two jumps: a shorter one for 25k or a higher one for 50k. It’s also the access point for one of the best surf spots on the island and gorgeous views of Bali’s Mt. Agung.

Golden hour at Dream Beach

Next, drive back over the bridge to explore more of Lembongan, turning left at the end of the bridge towards Dream Beach. Dream Beach is one of Lembongan’s most famous attractions which is why we’ve left it for later in the day when there are fewer people around. After seeing the beauty of Cengingan it was harder to appreciate dream beach to be honest, but it’s still worth seeing and hanging out if you want a chance to lay on the sand.

Sunset at Devil’s Tear and tide pools

The Devil’s tear got its name thanks to the spray when the waves crash up against the cliffs. It’s only dazzling at golden hour if it’s high tide, though the tide pools to the right of it are perfect for sunset no-matter what the tide.

Just be careful around the cliff edges here. The waves are unpredictable and can splash up at any time.

Sleep: I thought the value, coffee, and hospitality at Kawan’s Inn was fantastic. They rent scooters as well!

These are just a few of my suggestions for these two islands. If you have more time to devote to them, read more about Nusa Lembongan here and more about Nusa Ceningan here .

Days two through three: Nusa Penida

Take an early AM yoga class at Yoga Shack on Lembongan, then pack up and get ready to head to Nusa Penida.

You can get to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan by taking a public ferry from the Yellow Bridge, which leaves when full and costs about 100,000 IDR per person, and drops off at Toya Pakeh Harbour on Nusa Penida. You can also head to the mangroves to organize a private boat for 400,000 IDR. The latter is nice because it’s easier to get dropped off at an area of your choice and you don’t have to wait around for the boat to fill up. It’s a quick 15 minutes journey.

Once on Penida, hire a motorbike for around 70,000 IDR per day.

The roads on Nusa Penida can be tricky in some places. They are steep and rocky and if you’ve never driven a motorbike before you might find them a bit terrifying. It’s also possible to hire a driver and a car – just ask at your guesthouse or at the port. While exploring the island, it’s a good idea to wear sneakers instead of flip flops. Nusa Penida is a lot more rugged and less developed (thankfully!) and has a lot more cliff edges and steep stairways. It’s all part of the adventure!

Pick your favorites of the following amazing places over the next couple of days:

Kelingking viewpoint and beach

Kelingking viewpoint is possibly the most photographed place in all of the Nusa Islands but for good reason – it’s stunning! There’s a white sand beach at the bottom of the cliffs that is perfect for exploration as well, though it will involve steep scrambling up and down rocks and steps to get there. If you’re up for it, it’s worth it, though!

Crystal Bay, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong

I’ve combined these three sights on Nusa Penida since they’re close together and all good to visit in either the early AM hours or later in the evening after the day trippers from Penida have already headed back to Lembongan or Bali. Angel’s Billabong is a crystal clear natural pool, Broken Beach is a cliff lookout over a hole in the rock, and Crystal Bay is popular for its crystal clear blue water, though honestly, you can find a less crowded version in the following spots on Penida.

Peguyangan Waterfall

This is a steep one with 750 steps but the views are incredible and I loved how secluded most of the experience was, especially heading there later in the afternoon for golden hour. There’s a temple at the bottom of the cliff, though the ‘waterfall’ is more of a show of the waves crashing into the cliffs. There’s a sacred vibe there that had me enchanted, and feeling that it was worth the climb.

Snorkeling trips

Snorkeling trips to see the Manta rays and the statue garden around Penida are on offer on each of the islands, but they all come to the same place – Manta Point on Nusa Penida. You’ll see signs posted all over the Nusa islands advertising snorkeling trips to Manta Point, or you can head to the point yourself and ask a local to take you out on his boat. For this, negotiate! It all comes down to how long you want to be on the boat for. The more people you can split with, the better. You can also do this as a day trip from Bali, which you can book here .

Sleep: For night two, I recommend staying at the Airbnb on the top of the hill , which is a gorgeous secluded house with a sunset view.

Day Four: Sunrise at the treehouse on Penida

For your last night, I recommend heading east to the treehouse for the best sunrise view on the whole island and quite a unique experience.

Rumah Pohon

To be completely honest, I have mixed feelings about the price of the treehouse given how basic it was, but I still think it’s worth it for the incredible views and the experience of staying there overnight. If you stay, be sure to bring food and water along with you. It’s a beautiful and rustic experience! You can read my full review here and book it here .

If you’d rather have more time at the house on the hill from night two you can still drive to Rumah Pohon for sunrise, which will take about an hour, and visit the following beach on your way back:

Suwehan beach

Heading east, this beach also requires a steep climb down but you can get it almost all to yourself. There was unfortunately a lot of trash when I visited, but the water hue is stunning and the sand is white.

Goa Giri Putri Cave Temple

This cave temple is a pretty cool cultural experience while on the island. To go inside, don a sarong and climb up a few stairs (of course!), get a blessing with water on your forehead, then climb inside the cave. There are often ceremonies going on inside with locals all wearing white, along with some bats flying around, and chanting.

For more explanation of each of these places, you can read my full Nusa Penida guide here .

From there you can head back to the port area where you took the boat in from Lembongan initially. There you can either hire a private boat or take the public ferry back to the Yellow Bridge, which is what I did.

Again, if you can give this entire itinerary more time you’ll be glad you did. I spent about six days on the Nusa Islands but left feeling like I could have spent a whole lot more on Nusa Penida. It truly did feel to me like exactly what I think most people are hoping for when they visit Bali – a mystical, jungly experience with beautiful beaches and dreamy temples.

From there, I highly recommend checking out Lombok , my favorite island in Indonesia, or checking out Keramas beach on Bali , a beautiful black sand beach without the crowds!

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to Kuta, Lombok

About kristin addis.

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Lane Beck says

04/12/2018 at 12:01 pm

That image at Rumah Pohon is stunning, Kristin! And great job on the buns workout as evidenced the “pointy rock” pic! 😉 Love the caption! Hilarious! Sadly, I have not yet been to Asia (unless you count Turkey) but heard great things about Thailand, Chiang Mai, and Bali. Are you a long-term traveler?

Kristin says

04/13/2018 at 5:04 pm

I love all of those places, and yes it’s been about 5.5 years now and counting!

Dominique | dominiquetravels.com says

04/12/2018 at 12:50 pm

Now that i saw your tip on Insta-stories I have one question. Did you take all the “selfies” with your phone & tripod? If that’s the case I have a new goal for the upcoming years 🙂

04/13/2018 at 5:02 pm

Yep or sometimes a timer, or I ask someone nearby to take it exactly the way that I show them.

Matthew Castanessi says

04/13/2018 at 8:05 am

It’s amazing how beautiful nature can be. For me, Bali, Bora Bora and Fiji are the best definition of perfect natural landscapes. I really enjoyed reading your experience. It makes me plan and save some money for my next voyage.

05/14/2018 at 7:11 am

Love this post. I’m doing the Nusa islands portion of my trip in Bali solo. And Im so impressed you were able to get so many shots of yourself solo! It’s my biggest concern ?? I read you used a tripod? And just asked people? That is amazing

05/14/2018 at 8:26 am

Gurl, got all of my tricks here: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/how-to-take-best-travel-selfies/

06/09/2018 at 9:12 pm

Thanks for the post! How did you figure out how to get around the island? DId you purchase a SIM car or rent a portable wifi hotspot?

06/09/2018 at 9:40 pm

I always get SIMs abroad. Makes it so much easier.

Sophia says

07/15/2018 at 12:20 pm

Hello! How lovely that you traveled to all these places girl! I’ll be going there in September and thought I would get a cheap villa in Ubud to leave all my luggage and venture out to explore the nusa islands and maybe Lombok. I just need to know how much time I need in each island to be able to see everything ! I want to see everything ubud (monkey temple, more temples, elephant sanctuary, food and the Bali swim etc) has to offer then escape to the nusa island and Lombok. How long do you think I should stay in ubud, nusa le, nusa ce and nusa pe and then Lombok if I can squeeze that in. Thank you !!!

07/15/2018 at 12:57 pm

So hard to say because it depends on how much time you actually have to work with and how much rushing around you want to do! Lombok is huge, as is Bali, but the Nusa islands are small and you could, in theory, do this itinerary in 4 days.

09/02/2018 at 3:48 am

Hello there! Thank you for such an informative blog, I really find it helpful! Do you mind sharing how much was the total cost for this Nusa Island trip? Thank you!

09/03/2018 at 11:57 am

You can do it for pretty cheap. I think I spent $40 per day or so.

Abhishek Mandal says

10/31/2018 at 3:38 am

Hello Kristin ,

It will be my honeymoon on December .I will have 2 backpacks and a Trolley .Shall I dump them in Villa while check out (in that case we have to keep the hotel booking ) before starting the Nusa Trip or shall I take them along .I have a plan of 3 days and 2 nights for Nusa Islands.will stay at Lembongan on 1st night and 2 night at Penida. Kindly suggest

11/04/2018 at 12:39 pm

I brought all of my stuff along.

12/29/2018 at 7:26 pm

Awesome post. Thank you!

chirita diana says

04/03/2019 at 4:19 am

hello i would like to go at the sand in nusa ceningan but i saw that in some parts of the day there is no water at the swings can you tell me what time did you go to the make this wonderful pictures please?i don`t want to go there and to find the low tide..

04/03/2019 at 12:34 pm

Tides change with the moon so the best thing you can do is check the surf report for when the tide is in when you plan to visit.

05/16/2019 at 9:52 pm

Hi Kristen, I’m about to head to the Nusa Islands in a couple of months and I’m hopefully going to roughly follow this itinerary I was wondering though, is a scooter or motorbike the best way to get around? I’m not overly confident but was wondering whether I’d be better getting a driver for the day or hiring a scooter? Thanks!

05/17/2019 at 7:22 am

It is the best way to get around, and on Nusa Ceningan and Lembongan the roads weren’t too bad. On Penida, however, they are REALLY bad and joining a day tour or hiring a driver might be a good idea. I got lucky and found someone who is really experienced riding motorbikes to hang with while I was on Penida, but since I was totally solo on Ceningan and Lembongan I drove myself and it was ok! If you’re not comfortable you can always join a day tour.

05/17/2019 at 10:24 am

Dear Kristin, please what would you suggest , it is my first time in Indonesia and I have 12nights …I am thinking 3 nights in each place , Uluwatu, Ubud, Gili Islands and Nusa Islands. I am arriving in Bali airport 3pm, where is it more convenient to start the trip as Nusa has to be my last destination (I will meet a friend there so it has to be in the end of the trip)? Thanks a lot

05/17/2019 at 12:30 pm

I’d pick either the Gilis or the Nusa islands as there’s a fair amount of travel time between those.

07/21/2019 at 10:16 am

Hi Can you recommend nusa lembongan or gilli air I really can’t deide between the 2? I am looking for quiet beaches, beautiful swimming/snorkeling, yoga & a relaxing time, least tourity which would offer that?

07/21/2019 at 3:44 pm

Nusa Penida 🙂

09/06/2019 at 5:54 am

Hi, I really do love reading your blog. And I have read this one over and over. I am going to Bali for 2 weeks. I wanted to do Nusa Islands and Gili Air, but wondering if I should skip Gili Air completely as it might be similar to Nusa Islands? And perhaps find my way to Munduk?

09/07/2019 at 11:02 am

Welcome! Gosh they are quite different. I’ve been seeing people complain lately about the crowds on Nusa Penida, not that the Gilis are less popular by any means. I would go based on what you want to see. The Nusa Islands are, to me, more beautiful but the Gilis have more of a vibe, especially as a solo traveler, that I loved.

SUBHABRATA DAS says

11/04/2019 at 8:44 am

Hi, really liked your blog. Could you please suggest if I can get direct ferry/fast boat from Nusa Penida to Padang bai as I couldn’t see much option over the internet. Appreciate you help. thanks

11/04/2019 at 3:21 pm

You can book it in person. It’s definitely possible from Nusa Lembongan, I’m not sure about Penida.

11/14/2019 at 9:42 pm

Do any of the nusas have docks? Or do you need to wash thru the water?

11/15/2019 at 9:08 am

I think Gili T at least had a dock. Maybe they all do. It also depends on the sea conditions and a few other factors so don’t count on dry feet.

The Best Nusa Penida Day-Trip from Bali

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: July 5, 2023

Categories INDONESIA

Nusa Penida is the biggest of the three Nusa Islands (and most epic), located just off from mainland Bali. BUT did you know it’s only a 30-minute boat trip from the Sanur Harbor in Bali so it’s VERY easy to reach quickly for a Nusa Penida day trip if you are staying in Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta. There are so many awesome things to do on Nusa Penida Island and there are two main different Nusa Penida day trip tours I suggest you look at.

Table of Contents

The Best Nusa Penida Day-Trips from Bali

In this blog post, I’m going to detail the two most popular Nusa Penida day trips from Bali. The first option is the Manta Ray Snorkel Tour . It’s honestly the most amazing experience to swim with gentle Giant Manta Rays. The tour takes you from Bali to Penida to snorkel with mantas but also to snorkel at other locations where you will find beautiful corals and even spot turtles. The second tour is the BEST of Nusa Penida Day Tour , which basically takes you to all of the most iconic viewpoints and beaches on Nusa Penida in one day.

BEST NUSA PENIDA TOURS!

These are the four most popular Nusa Penida Tours. I’ve done all four and they are AWESOME !

• Manta Ray Snorkel Tour (from Bali) – Most amazing experience to swim with Giant Manta’s.
• Manta Ray Snorkel Tour (from Penida) This is the cheaper option if already on Nusa Penida.
• BEST of Nusa Penida Day Tour (from Bali) Most booked day trip fro Bali to Penida with all highlights
• Nusa Penida Car Rental with Driver : Great way to see all the highlights and tourist spots.

BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TOURS

If you are staying in Bali.. take a day trip on a speedboat to explore the highlights of Nusa Penida. It takes just 35 minutes to get from Bali to Nusa Penida by speed boat. Yep, in just one day you can snorkel with Manta rays and visit lots of the best beaches and viewpoints.

Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour

Manta Ray Nusa Penida Tour (from Bali): Snorkeling with Manta Rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best wildlife encounters I’ve had in my life. The Manta Rays are majestic and very friendly. With a wingspan of 5m, these gentle giants cruise around you while you snorkel amongst them. The Nusa Penida Manta Ray Snorkel Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Bali and all transport and tickets included.

Nusa Penida Highlights Tour

Nusa Penida Highlights Tour : Get picked-up from your Bali hotel, take a 35-minute fast boat to Nusa Penida and then visit the most popular viewpoints, beaches and snorkel spots on the island. This small Nusa Penida Highlights Tour group tour is the most highly reviewed day trip for Nusa Penida Island. You’ll visit all the most popular spots and can request certain viewpoints on your itinerary. Places you will visit are sites like the ones listed below:

Angel’s Billabong

• Kelingking T-Rex Beach

Broken Beach

• Rumah Pohon Treehouse
• Snorkeling at Crystal Bay
• Thousand Island Viewpoint

Okay, that was a the brief overview of the two tours I will detail in this article. Below, I’m going to go into the exact details of what each tour involves as I have personally done them both!

Nusa Penida Day Trip – Snorkeling with Manta Rays

This is a tour you simply cannot afford to pass on. I know for some people they are on a budget in Bali or they prefer not to book tours but I guarantee you, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to float around with Giant Manta Rays.

• Swim with the massive reef manta rays of Nusa Penida
• Visit Crystal Bay, Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach
• Snorkel in scenic spots around Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
• Enjoy a delicious beachside lunch overlooking a white sand beach
• Explore some of the most diverse reefs on the planet

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TOUR: Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour

The tour includes lunch, and several other snorkeling spots near Manta Point where you can see turtles, corals and tropical fish. You’ll also cruise through a few beaches on top of the Manta Point snorkel.

As soon as we plunged into the water, we found ourselves looking directly at a huge Manta Ray, one of the most impressive beings of the sea. It was completely surprising, I assumed we’d be hanging around waiting for them. More than five of these Manta Rays were making repeated circuits in the bay, delighting the cluster of snorkelers. Unlike turtles or fish that tend to swim away at the presence of humans, the Manta Rays were consistently interactive, circling back time and again. They would often approach you directly and then quickly swerve off to one side at the very last moment.

Manta Ray Snorkel Tour

• Fast-boat from Bali
• Pick-up Included
• Lunch Included

Snorkeling with Manta Rays Availability

You can use this calendar below to see the availability of tours. It’s important to book this tour in advance during high season as it can be a very popular activity on Nusa Penida and they try and limit the number of boats in the water.

Gamat Bay Snorkeling

As part of the Manta Ray Snorkeling tour , you will get to snorkel at Gamat Bay aswell. We jumped off the boat, and immediately realized the water at Gamat Bay is much colder than at Manta Point and Crystal Bay. I’m not sure why that is. The second thing we noticed was the incredible coral structures and rock formations beneath the surface. The depth ranged from a few meters closer to shore all the way down to perfect free-diving depth of 5-20 meters.

Our guide told us this is where you can see a turtle if you are lucky. We looked long and hard and finally, we found a turtle who let us chill near him for ten minutes as he went about his business. The water clarity at Gamat was perfect!

BEST of Nusa Penida Tour: Epic Day Trip

This BEST of Nusa Penida Day Tour from Bali via fast-boat is the best way to see Nusa Penida in just one day. The itinerary looks like the following:

• Hotel pickup by car
• Fast-boat to Nusa Penida
• 4-5 Sightseeing spots on Nusa Penida
• Fast-boat to Bali
• Hotel drop-off by car

The BEST of Nusa Penida Day Tour is the most convenient way to see Nusa Penida in just one day. There are three set spots on the itinerary but you can customize the schedule and spots to visit by discussing with the tour guide and tour company, which is quite important. You may have some bucketvlist items that you want to guarantee that you see so just discuss that in advance and they will make it happen!

Below I’m going to detail each of the spots on the itinerary and/or those spots you can add to the itinerary by customizing it!

Atuh Beach is one of the most picturesque and beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida, an island off the southeastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. It’s s a stunning white sand beach surrounded by the huge cliffs and remarkable rock formations. An arch sits directly out from the shore while several islets string off in the distance.

 Read the full blog post:  Beautiful Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida

Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach, found on the far eastern edge of Nusa Penida Island in Indonesia, is famous for its incredible natural scenery. The beach showcases an extraordinary setting marked by clean white sands, transparent turquoise waters, and high cliffs. The beach’s distinct rock structures, which look like shining diamonds, give this beach its unique name. A carved staircase descending the cliffs allows entry to the beach, presenting stunning wide-angle views on the way down.

But the key feature here is the rock shaped like a diamond in the shallow waters. After all, I think this diamond-like rock is what gives the beach its name.

Read the full blog post:   DIAMOND BEACH ON NUSA PENIDA ISLAND

Nusa Penida Treehouse (Rumah Pohon)

The Tree House (Rumah Pohon) on  Nusa Penida  has become something of an iconic spot. It is perched up on the mountain at Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) viewpoint near Atuh Beach.

It is part of the Thousand Island viewpoint area costing only 10,000 rupiah to park and enter, which is less than $1 USD. The best part about this treehouse is that it is actually a house and you can rent it out for pretty cheap considering how popular this spot has become and how insane the view is.

Read the full blog post:   The Nusa Penida Treehouse (Rumah Pohon) Airbnb

Teletubbies Hill

Teletubbies Hill is a great spot to understand just how diverse the landscapes are on Nusa Penida and it was incredibly interesting flying the drone here scoping out all the different contours, valleys and canyons in this region.

Angel’s Billabong is one of the magical spots to visit on Nusa Penida. A crystal clear tide pool cascades into the ocean on the east coast of Nusa Penida. Angel’s Billabong is an enchanting natural wonder located on the island of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia. This unique rock formation, nestled on the island’s southwestern coast, forms a tranquil natural infinity pool that overlooks the vast Indian Ocean. During low tide, the pool’s crystal clear water provides a safe and serene spot for swimming, revealing a mesmerizing underwater world.

Read the full blog post:  Angel’s Billabong on Nusa Penida

Broken Beach is an incredible little cove on Nusa Penida island. The highlight of the cove and the reason it is called Broken Beach is due to the archway that wraps around the bay allowing water to flow in and out from the ocean. Broken Beach is also one of the spots on the  Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali .

The arch at Broken Beach has been formed over many, many years and is now a true spectacle. From above the cove appears almost circular and closed in, however, at eye level the arch is quite high.

Read the full blog post:   Broken Beach on Nusa Penida

Kelingking Beach

The Instagram famous coastal cliffscape, which truly does look like a T-rex doesn’t disappoint. I still remember the moment I laid eyes on Kelingking Beach. I watched the crystal clear water slowly form into a wave before crashing below us, in what seemed like slow motion.

Nusa Penida has so many amazing views making it hard to pick ‘the best one’. But when the cliffs form in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex at Kelingking Beach it is bound to be a crowd favorite. Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida is one of the MOST epic spots in all of Indonesia and worth voyaging out to visit from Bali.

Read the full blog post:   Kelingking Secret Point Beach

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is probably the most popular beach on Nusa Penida for a number of reasons. It is the best sunset beach, facing directly west. This alone makes it a winner for people trying to have a sunset beer and watch the sun go down.

It’s also the jump-off spot for snorkel tours and is only a 30-minute drive from the main port, Toyapakeh. Most importantly, unlike many of the crazy beaches on Penida, you can snorkel and swim with relaxing conditions.

Of course, if you have more time than just a day trip you can check out my blog post about my 27 favorite things to do on Nusa Penida and enjoy exploring the island.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA

I’ve written a massive, detailed guide about the Best Places To Stay on Nusa Penida …. BUT If you just want me three favorites right now, here they are!

• My TOP Pick: Atalaya Villas – Bungalow Style, Beautiful Palm Trees, Great Location.
• Beach Bungalow: Santen Bungalows – Stay on the beach, Best Value for Money
• Luxury: Nay Palad Hideaway – Oceanfront, Beach Access, Beautiful Pool

How to get to the Nusa Islands

There are three main options to get to Nusa Penida depending on your budget and how many logistics you want to manage. Here are the three options with the cheapest first:

• Book your ticket:   Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Lembongan – Book a regular ferry that leaves from Sanur to Nusa Penida on the reliable website 12go . You then need to moped or taxi across to Nusa Penida via another ferry/boat.
• Book a fast boat: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option is great as you go direct from Bali to Penida without having to stop in Lembongan. This option is only slightly more expensive than stopping in Lembongan. This is my favorite option of the three and can be booked on Klook .
• Book a fast boat with hotel pick-up: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option includes a fast boat from Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida but also includes pick-up from your hotel in Bali in a van. This option from GetYourGuide is a bit more expensive but takes all the hassle out of the transit from Bali to Nusa Penida.

MORE NUSA ISLANDS BLOG POSTS

There are a ton of epic things to do on Nusa Penida, but I also wrote detailed guides for all of the adventurous things to do on Nusa Lembongan , Nusa Ceningan . You can explore more of my guides by clicking one of the links below.

• NUSA ISLANDS GUIDE: LEMBONGAN, PENIDA, CENINGAN
• 27 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA PENIDA
• 9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA LEMBONGAN
• 5 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA CENINGAN
• BEST CLIFF JUMP SPOTS IN BALI, INDONESIA
• WHERE TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA: EAST & WEST REGION
• THE PERFECT 3-DAY NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY
• BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP TOURS FROM BALI
• HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM BALI VIA FERRY/BOAT

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Saturday 16th of April 2022

This blog is so helpful! We are a travel agency based in Bali can organize it for nusa penida tour as well Check it here https://arvitour.com/paket-tour-nusa-penida/

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What an awesome blog, the article is well written, impartial and the photos help massively ... it helped me decide what to do with my time in Bali and after reading it, I've decided to go for the West tour given I only have one day. This is my little thank you note. Keep up the good work!

Nusa Penida Tour

Saturday 1st of June 2019

This blog is so helpful! We are a travel agency based in Bali can organize it for nusa penida tour as well Check it here https://touristbali.com/bali-tours/nusa-penida-day-tour/penida-tour-package.php

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3-Day Trip to Nusa Penida, Indonesia: A Perfect Tour Itinerary

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Nusa Penida is a gorgeous, mostly undeveloped island just 30 minutes off the eastern coast of Bali in Indonesia . And unlike Bali, you won’t find hundreds of yoga studios or organic cafes there. Just miles of spectacular cliffs towering over the ocean, exhilarating hiking adventures, white sand beaches, and the friendliest locals.

And while it is possible to do a day trip to Nusa Penida from Bali, that is certainly not the best way to explore this amazing island. We would recommend that you leave your heavy luggage at your hotel in Bali, pack a small bag, and spend at least three days touring the island by motorbike. You’ll stay in different hotels each night and love the freedom that you get from the open road!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: 3-Day Trip to Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Know Before You Go

• The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and at the time of writing, the exchange rate was 14,294 IDR to $1 USD. So if we say something costs 10,000 IDR, that’s less than a dollar.
• Be sure to get money out of the ATM before leaving Bali. Only a few of the ATMs in Nusa Penida accept foreign cards and they often run out of money or simply don’t work.
• The roads are terrible! If you’ve never driven a motorbike before, this probably isn’t the best place to learn.
• Driving everywhere on Nusa Penida takes longer than expected. A 3-4 mile trip can easily take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the weather and road conditions. Leave yourself plenty of extra time so you don’t get caught driving long distances on your motorbike after dark.
• Both men and women must wear sarongs to enter temples on Nusa Penida Island. While some have sarongs that you can borrow, others do not. It’s worth bringing something that you can tie around your waist, just in case.
• Check out our complete list of things to know before you visit Nusa Penida !

What to Pack for Nusa Penida

Since you’ll be touring the island on a motorbike, you’ll just want to bring a small backpack that is comfortable to wear all day.

• Swimsuit and coverup
• Tennis shoes
• Quick-dry towel
• Socks and underwear
• Compact camera and/or GoPro Camera

If rain is in the forecast during your visit, we’d recommend bringing one extra change of clothes and keeping it in a ziplock bag. We were drenched at the end of every day from the rain or the ocean, and since nothing ever dries in the humid climate all of our clothes were soggy for the entire trip.

Getting to Nusa Penida Island

Ferries depart from the Sanur Pier on the eastern coast of Bali. This is about 30-45 minutes from Kuta, 1 hour from Seminyak, and 1-1.5 hours from Canggu , and 2 hours from either Ubud or Uluwatu. It’s not far but traffic on Bali can be terrible so leave yourself plenty of time to get to Sanur before your boat’s scheduled departure.

The ferry trip from Sanur Bali to Nusa Penida takes just 45 minutes and will cost anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 IDR per person depending on who sells you the ticket and how hard you bargain. Ferries depart frequently throughout the day so if you’re traveling during the low season, it’s easy to show up at the pier and just buy a ticket for the next departure.

During high season you should book your ferry well in advance as they occasionally sell out for weeks at a time. We recommend doing it online at Bookaway.com . There you can see all of the fast ferry routes and schedules as well as compare prices.

Check Fast Ferry Schedule & Ticket Prices

Motorbike Basics

As soon as you arrive at the pier on Nusa Penida, you’ll be approached by men offering to rent you a bike right there. And if you head to the main street just one block over, there are several small shops renting motorbikes as well. Expect to pay around 70,000 IDR per day.

It doesn’t really matter where you rent your bike from as long as it is in good condition. You’re going to be riding on some rough roads in remote parts of the island so you definitely don’t want to have your motorbike break down on Nusa Penida!

Be sure to check the following prior to committing to a bike:

• Make sure both brakes work well as there are a lot of hills on the island.
• Check the shocks – you’re going to have a bumpy ride!
• Take photos of any existing damage, just in case.
• Fill up on gas before you set out.
• There are small shops all over the island that sell petrol but you won’t use it much as you’ll be covering very small distances.

We had great luck with our bike from Double-G Guesthouse , they clearly keep their rentals in good condition.

Complete 3-Day Itinerary for Nusa Penida Island in Indonesia

Day 1: angel’s billabong, broken beach, and crystal bay.

You’re going to have a lot of activities over the next three days so we would recommend catching an early ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida Island. As mentioned previously, you can rent a motorbike from one of the entrepreneurs hanging out at the pier or head one street over and shop around for a good bargain on a motorbike rental.

Once you have your bike and a full tank of gas, it’s time to begin your tour of Nusa Penida! Head south towards Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach . Be careful while driving on this road because it gets a lot of vehicle traffic from the day tours of the island and the cars don’t leave a lot of room for motorbikes to get by. You may want to pull off to the side if you see a line of them heading your way.

The road to Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach is the worst on the entire island so plan for a bumpy ride. Not only is the road badly damaged, but because of the long distance, you must drive on the rutted, rocky road.

Angel’s Billabong

When you arrive at Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee of 5,000 IDR per person and 1,000 IDR for motorbike parking. There are several small restaurants here if you want to have a snack or rest with an ice-cold beverage before continuing on your tour. Be aware that this is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island so expect to encounter crowds.

Angel’s Billabong is a small swimming hole with gorgeous, turquoise water that overlooks the ocean. It is surrounded by high rocks so you can enjoy the view from above. It’s one of the most beautiful spots on Nusa Penida.

Swimming here is only allowed right at low tide and is roped off when it is deemed unsafe by the “lifeguard” on duty. There have been incidents of unsuspecting tourists getting swept out to sea by a particularly large sneaker wave here so safety is a priority. Be sure to check the tide report prior to visiting as swimming here is absolutely amazing!

Broken Beach

Broken Beach is essentially a beach that is completely surrounded by cliff walls; a natural sea arch allows water to flow through. You can walk the loop trail high above the enclosed beach area and see the spectacular views from all angles. There are even several platforms that you can stand on to best capture a photo.

Your final stop for the day is Crystal Bay . It’s only a little over 11 miles from Angel’s Billabong, but it will take you about an hour to drive back over that terrible, bumpy road you just came down!

Crystal Bay

The water in Crystal Bay is calm and it’s perfect for snorkeling. You can rent snorkel gear on the beach for 50,000 IDR to see the coral. Or you can just relax on the beach with an ice-cold Bintang in hand. There are numerous small warungs lining the beach that serve food and drinks.

If you have an extra day on Nusa Penida, you can also sign onto one of the daily diving/snorkeling trips to Manta Point where you can swim with giant manta rays (more about that below).

Be sure to watch the sunset on the beach at Crystal Bay, the sun sets behind the huge rock in the middle of the bay and it’s absolutely magical. You’ll be happy if you’re staying nearby so you don’t have to worry about driving after dark!

Where to Stay: Puri Penida Cottage is just a short, 5-minute walk from the bay. Each darling little bungalow has a large, comfortable bed and air conditioning to keep you cool in the heat.

Day 2: Kelingking Beach and Tembeling Beach

From Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach, you’ll have a 30-minute ride to Kelingking Beach . This is the most famous location on Nusa Penida due to the fact that the peninsula jutting out into the ocean resembles a T-Rex when viewed from the right angle. This is also a very touristy spot, but most visitors simply snap a few photos from the lookout at the top and don’t actually hike down to the beautiful beach below.

Kelingking Beach

Again, you’ll pay 5,000 IDR per person to enter the area and 1,000 IDR to park your motorbike. You’ll walk past a few small restaurants to the beginning of the stairway where views of the T-Rex will start to come into view. This is where the crowds gather. Keep walking down to where the actual trail begins and you’ll start to see fewer and fewer people.

The trail to Kelingking Beach follows the ridgeline of the peak and then takes an abrupt right turn for an even steeper descent down the mountain. It takes about 45 minutes to descend, and an hour to hike back up. You’ll most certainly want tennis shoes here as the trail is very steep and rocky. And while there are railings for most of the hike, there are times you’ll need to do some rock scrambling. And the railings get less sturdy toward the bottom of the hike.

But once you reach Kelingking Beach, you’ll know it was all worth it! Here you’ll find a beautiful and secluded white sand beach, where only the most dedicated visitors are lounging. There is one small stand where you can purchase drinks or snacks but be sure to bring your own water, just in case it’s closed. The waves here are intense so be careful.

Your next stop is Tembeling Beach and Forest which is just over four miles away from Kelingking Beach and should take about 40 minutes on your motorbike. If you want to stop for lunch on your way there, we recommend heading inland to Warung D’Coconut . It’s a little bit out of your way but the food is excellent!

Tembeling Beach

Once you reach the turnoff for Tembeling Beach, it’s about 1.85 miles down a steep paved lane just wide enough for one motorbike at a time. It’s a total forest surrounding you the whole way and there’s a steep drop-off on one side. But the vegetation is so thick you probably won’t even notice how far the drop really is.

If you’re touring Nusa Penida by car or you don’t feel comfortable navigating such a steep road on your own motorbike, you can hire a motorbike taxi driver to take you down to Tembeling Beach. There are a handful of drivers that wait at the turnoff from the main road. The going seems to be 50,000 INR for the round-trip journey plus some wait time at the bottom.

Once you arrive at the parking lot for Tembeling Beach, you’ll still need to descend a set of steep steps down to the beach. It’s just about a 10-minute walk to the beach at the bottom. There are two freshwater swimming holes here, one about halfway down, and one that overlooks the ocean. It’s so refreshing to cool off in the calm water, without getting salty or sandy from the beach.

If you do want to enjoy the beach here, it is small but incredibly beautiful. Enclosed by tall cliff walls with large rocks on either side. It feels totally secluded and you’re likely to see more locals than foreigners here. In fact, this was our favorite spot on the whole island of Nusa Penida!

There is a small swing set here and usually a lady selling drinks and snacks. You’ll want to spend at least an hour here soaking in the pools and enjoying the ocean view.

Our favorite place to stay on Nusa Penida is The Mesare Resort ; just 7 miles from Tembeling Beach. After a long day of climbing stairs, you’ll definitely want to have an ice-cold beer while swimming in their lovely pool. Plus, you’ll have the best night’s sleep in their massive and luxurious beds!

Where to Stay: The Mesare Resort is one of the best hotels on the whole island. Offering super comfortable beds, luxurious outdoor showers, and daily yoga sessions, you’ll have a hard time leaving this little piece of paradise.

If you’re on a tight budget, Agasta Villa is just another great option in the area though you’ll have to do a little backtracking. The bungalows are brand new, with comfortable beds, air conditioning, and a hot shower!

Where to Eat: Warung D’Coconut is a great stop for lunch, although a bit pricier than many of the warungs on the island. Be sure to try the calamari and the gado-gado! You can also eat dinner there if you’re staying at Holy Hill Villa.

Day 3: Peguyangan Waterfall, Diamond Beach, and Atuh Beach

You’ll want to get an early start again today especially if you’re hoping to catch a ferry back to Bali in the afternoon. Your first stop is Peguyangan Waterfall . It’s four miles from The Mesare Resort and should take you about 30 minutes to drive there.

Peguyangan Waterfall

You’ll need to pay 5,000 IDR to park your motorbike and 10,000 IDR per person to rent a sarong. Both men and women need to wear sarongs here as there is a sacred temple at the bottom.

You may have seen photos of Peguyangan Waterfall’s famous blue stairs that cling to the side of a cliff wall and lead down to the ocean below. This hike is intense and not for anyone who is afraid of heights. Some of the stairs are concrete, but others are blue metal slats where you can see through to the ocean far, far below your feet.

When you reach the bottom there is a small temple. And past that you’ll see a sign for a “bathing area”. The steps down to the bathing area are slippery so be careful here. At the base of the stairs are several man-made pools that catch the spring water from the mountain. Here you can relax and enjoy the waves crashing into the rocks below you. If you’re wondering why it’s called a waterfall, you’ll notice a small one-off to the right side when you’re facing the ocean in the pools.

Your next stop is Diamond Beach . It’s about 12.5 miles from the Peguyangan Waterfall but will take about an hour by motorbike. If you have extra time to spare, stop at Teletubbies Hill for the beautiful views.

Diamond Beach

It’s 10,000 IDR per person to enter the Diamond Beach / Atuh Beach area. Once you park you have three choices. You can take a right and go down the stairs to Diamond Beach. Another option is to go straight and head up the hill to a small temple with nice views. Or, take a left and head down the stairs to Atuh Beach.

The stairs down to Diamond Beach are very picturesque as you get the view of the beach below. There are usually people here taking photos. The descent is tricky in some areas but there are ropes to hang on to.

There is a woman with a small stand at the bottom. You can pay 100,000 IDR to get harnessed into her awesome swing off the side of the cliff, or 50,000 IDR to sit in one of her “nests” for a photo shoot. She also has cold drinks and snacks for sale.

The waves here are aggressive, and during high tide, there’s not a lot of beach left to sit on. But it is the most beautiful beach on Nusa Penida and well worth the trip down.

Atuh Beach has much calmer water for swimming or snorkeling and many more amenities. The beach is lined with warungs selling seafood, fruit shakes, and cold Bingtangs.

You can rent two lounge chairs with an umbrella between them for 50,000 IDR. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch and spend an afternoon on Nusa Penida.

Rumah Pohon Tree House

While you’re in the area, you may as well stop by the famous Instagram tree houses of Nusa Penida. The Rumah Pohon Tree Houses are small houses that have been built into the trees high on a hill with spectacular views of Diamond Beach below. They have become quite famous on social media with hundreds of photographers descending on the viewpoint daily to snap the perfect Instagram selfie.

If you can plan far enough in advance, you can actually spend a night in one of the tree houses , but they book out months in advance. Sleeping in one of the tree houses is quite expensive for how basic the accommodations are, but you’re really paying for the view.

Or you can simply pay 10,000 IDR per person to check them out and snap a few photos.

Back to Bali

From Atuh Beach, it’s just a 1-hour drive back to the pier on the west side of Nusa Penida where you’ll drop off your motorbike and catch the ferry back to Bali.

One interesting stop along the way is the Goa Giri Putri Temple. This Hindu temple is hidden in a cave and you’ll have to crawl through a small entrance to access it. Once you’re inside; however, it opens up into a large cavern filled with incense smoke and Hindu worshippers. As usual, you’ll need to be wearing a sarong to enter the temple, but there are a few shops nearby offering cheap sarong rentals.

And finally, if you have left yourself some extra time then stop at the famous Penida Colada beach bar for happy hour (2 for 1 cocktail from 4 pm – 7 pm) and beautiful sunset views of Mount Agung.

Where to Stay: If you have time consider spending a night at Kempoel Jangkang . It’s just a short, 5-minute motorbike ride from Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. Accommodations are basic but rooms have air conditioning and the food here is some of the best on the entire island!

Where to Eat: The food at Kempoel Jangkang is fantastic. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s a good stop for lunch on your way to Diamond Beach. There are also numerous warungs at Atuh Beach offering food and drinks.

If You Have More Time on Nusa Penida Island

There are a few popular attractions that we left off the list for various reasons. If you can spend more time on the island, it’s worth checking them out!

Manta Point

One of the most popular sites on Nusa Penida is actually underwater. If you have an extra day on Nusa Penida, sign up for a boat trip to Manta Point. The boats typically leave from Crystal Bay. They will include pickup services from your hotel if you’re staying on the west side of the island.

You’ll have the opportunity to swim with giant manta rays which will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip to Nusa Penida !

Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff Point is located between Kelingking Beach and Tembeling Beach. We left it off our itinerary because the last mile of the road to get there is incredibly rough. We ended up parking our bike about 1/4 mile from the point and walking the rest of the way. There are nice views of the cliffs from both sides of the point. But, in our opinion, they were no better than the views from, say, Kelingking. If you do go, there is a really friendly little shop. It has a few hot dishes as well as chips and cold drinks for sale.

Saren Cliff Point

Saren Cliff Point is located on the coast between Tembeling Beach and Peguyangan. And as with Banah, the last mile or so of the road here is terrible. And again, the views are nice, but it may not be worth the difficult drive if you are short on time.

Pura Puncak Mundi

Pura Puncak Mundi is the temple that is located on the highest point on the island. Men and women must wear a sarong to enter the temple, and as with all Indonesian temples, foreigners are not allowed to enter the inner sanctuary.

The drive up to the temple is really beautiful, with views of the lush vegetation for miles in all directions. However, the temple isn’t all that interesting and people there will look at you like you are crazy for visiting. Plus, there are no real views from the actual temple.

Enjoy your tour of Nusa Penida Island!

Want more help planning your trip to Indonesia? Check out our favorite travel guides!

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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