A limestone island with secluded beaches and clear waters east of Bali. Home to manta rays, mola-mola fish and steep coastal cliffs shaped by centuries of ocean waves.
Nusa Penida lies 45 minutes by boat from Bali's southeast coast. This 200-square-kilometer island has limestone cliffs that rise 150 meters above the sea. At Kelingking Beach, a natural rock formation resembles a T-Rex, while at Diamond Beach, a steep stairway leads to a white sand shore beneath towering cliffs. In the surrounding waters, manta rays swim among 296 coral species and 576 reef fish species. The island's network of roads connects ancient cave temples with remote beaches.
Getting to Nusa Penida
You can reach Nusa Penida by speedboat from Sanur Beach in Bali, with trips taking about 45 minutes. The boats run every hour from 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM. You'll need to arrive at the port 30 minutes before departure to check in and receive your tickets. Since 2023, visitors pay an entrance fee of 25,000 IDR upon arrival, which covers access to the main sites.
Beaches and Viewpoints
Kelingking Beach sits below a T-Rex shaped cliff formation, with a 400-step stairway leading down to the sand. Diamond Beach has a 250-step concrete staircase built into the cliffside, ending at a white sand beach surrounded by 200-meter rock walls. Crystal Bay has shallow waters and beach warungs where you can swim and snorkel.
Marine Life and Diving
You can see 15-20 manta rays daily at Manta Point while diving or snorkeling. Between July and October, Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) appear at Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh dive sites. Five dive centers operate on the island, with two-tank dives costing around 1,200,000 IDR and PADI certification courses starting at 6,000,000 IDR.
Getting Around
The island's roads vary from newly paved highways in the north to dirt tracks in the south. You can rent a motorbike for 60,000 IDR per day, but consider hiring a car with a driver for 600,000 IDR per day. The full circuit around the island takes 4-5 hours, and many viewpoints require 30-minute drives on unpaved roads.
Where to Stay
Most accommodation clusters in the north between Toyapakeh and Sampalan. Basic guesthouses cost 200,000-400,000 IDR per night, while mid-range hotels with pools range from 600,000-1,500,000 IDR. Beachfront villas on the northwest coast start at 2,000,000 IDR per night, including breakfast and airport transfers.
