Nusa Penida Traveller’s Guide: What To Visit and How to Get Around on the Island
You can spend a couple of days in Nusa Penida enclosing the beauty of this place, yet even if you have only one day for this visit, it’s OK as Nusa Penida is a perfect place for a one-day trip.
If you are tired of developed islands and their intensive service, we have a great idea for you. Just several miles from Bali, there is the small but picturesque island of Nusa Penida. The place that still keeps its innocent and undeveloped magic.
You can spend a couple of days in Nusa Penida enclosing the beauty of this place, yet even if you have only one day for this visit, it’s OK as Nusa Penida is a perfect place for a one-day trip
A Small Guide to Nusa Penida’s History
Let’s start our discovery about this island with a small historical turnback. The name of the island refers to the Balinese words “island” (Nusa) and “priests” (Penida). The name was chosen not coincidentally. Locals believed that long ago the island was a cradle of Balinese black magic with its horrible rituals and dark spirits. As the legend says, Balinese priests expelled these spirits from Bali to Nusa Penida, so the island had a bad reputation before tourists discovered its exceptional beauty.
Besides, the island still brings significance to the local religion. As Balinese people consider good and evil to exist in balance, the island that is the embodiment of the evil side of their religion remains important. There are several temples where black magic is worshiped still. And you can visit them as well as popular local destinations like Angel’s Billabong or Kelingking Beach.
Is It Better to Go to Nusa Penida on Your Own or to Book A Tour?
To answer this question, you should calculate costs in advance. Lots of touristic operators are ready to offer you all kinds of tours to Nusa Penida tailored for almost every budget. When you decide to come to the island on your own, the main expense items to consider will be as follows:
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Getting to Sanur (the main place for Nusa Penida transfer) – at least Rp 75,000 to rent a car or take a taxi.
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Two-way ferry ticket to Nusa Penida – Rp 300,000 per person.
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Getting around Nusa Penida – Rp 535,000 for car rental/75,000 for bike rental on the island.
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Snorkelling or diving equipment – Rp 50,000 for a person.
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Lunch/dinner in a local restaurant – Rp 35,000 per person.
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Water – Rp 25,000.
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Returning back to the hotel by taxi – from Rp 75,000.
So, you can adjust these calculations to your requirements and decide whether it is better to get a one-day tour from the operator or to get to Nusa Penida on your own.
Specifics of Nusa Penida’s Tours to Choose From
When you decide to visit Nusa Penida with your family or friends, booking a tour will be the most convenient idea as you get all the services with no hassle. There are several touristic options that local operators offer.
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One of the most popular destinations is West Nusa Penida. A one-day tour to this part of the island helps newcomers to visit all the most splendid viewpoints of the island. As usual, such tours are held by car and besides visiting the main sites, you can additionally get snorkeling or diving during the tour.
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Private tours are exceptional experiences for those who do not like to share moments with other people. It is a great idea for a romantic voyage or a family tour when you are not surrounded by other tourists and get all the pleasure in your close company.
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An all-inclusive tour with one night on the island allows you to catch all the pleasure of the island’s sunsets and sunrises as well as see all the viewpoints with no hassle. Such tours, usually, include accommodations, dining, transfers to the island and back, car rental, and all activities you may be interested in.
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Snorkelling tour to Nusa Penida is an option for active lifestyle lovers. Its dynamics and lots of snorkelling sites make it the best for young and active people. Besides, in these tours, the trip to nearby Nusa Lembongan is also included.
- Instagram tours to Nusa Penida. That is the option designed specially to catch the most picturesque sites of the island to capture them in your photos.
Just choose the tour that meets your expectations and start your journey to Nusa Penida.
What Do You Need to Take for Your Nusa Penida Vacations
As Nusa Penida is a tropical destination and it has a bit of Asian specifics in its lifestyle, there are some things to take with you that are considered to be a must for every tourist.
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Do not forget that the sun in this area is harsh. So, taking sun protectors is a must. Take sunscreens with SPF levels of no less than 50, do not forget your sunglasses, and try to wear light clothes with long sleeves to protect the skin from sunburns.
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A light scarf or something like that will also help you to withstand sun rays when travelling the island.
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Comfortable footwear. Long walks on the island’s trails may need you to wear something like tracking sandals or boots while on the beach, you need to change them to flip-flops or aqua shoes.
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Bathing suit will also come in handy. Beaches of Nusa Penida offer an exclusive beach experience so you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to swim in their azure waters.
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Cash for some purchases or additional services. Locals hardly accept bank cards and there are no ATMs on the island.
- SIM card with 4G support will help you to stay online as you may need to use Google Maps or just Instagram some pics of your journey.
Some Hints on How to Reach Nusa Penida Shores
For tourists, operators usually offer ferry transfers or private speedboats to get to the island. Yet if you still want to get to Nusa Penida on your own, it’s OK to choose from one of the following transfer options.
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Get a Speed Boat
There are several speedboats you can rent to go to the island. The starting point for this trip can vary so you can choose the nearest one to your accommodation in Bali. There are speedboats cruising from Sanur Beach and this destination is the most popular among tourists. Do not forget that most boats are going out in the morning from 7 AM to 10 AM and then in the afternoon from 2 PM to 5 PM. Subsequently, they return to Sanur Beach in the morning and in the afternoon. Just plan your journey not to miss them. Besides, it is better to wear flip-flops and some light clothes when you board the speedboat as you may need to make a few paths in the water to get to the deck and sometimes, tides are high so be ready to get a bit wet.
One more destination to start your speed boat transfer is Tanjong Benoa. This option is even cheaper than buying tickets on a speedboat in Sanur Beach but the schedule of local boats is not as convenient. They leave Tanjong Benoa once a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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Rent a Yacht
Besides crowding on a speedboat with other passengers, you can choose a more comfortable option and rent a yacht. There are several options with various capacities available for Nusa Penida visitors, so, if the budget allows, you can enjoy the trip on a private yacht with your friends or family members.
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Public Ferry
If you start your trip from Padang Bai, you can get to Nusa Penida on a public ferry. It is 10 times cheaper than a speedboat transfer and the ticket costs only Rp 30,000. But that cheap transfer has its drawbacks. You should arrive on the board of a ferry at 11 AM but the ferry itself may start the trip at any time from 11 AM to 1 PM depending on the number of passengers. So, if time killing is not a problem for you, you are welcome!
How to Transfer Throughout Nusa Penida
The island is not as big as Bali, but it still can be a daunting task to travel on feet. So, when you come to Nusa Penida, it is better to take care of the way you will go around the island.
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Scooter rental
If you feel comfortable riding a scooter or a motorbike, it will be a great idea to rent it. The average cost of a motorbike rental in Nusa Penida is Rp 75,000. Besides, you will have to top up the fuel. This may cost you Rp 10,000+ and it is better to get fuel somewhere near the harbor as in the core of the island there are only a few petrol stations.
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Car rental
For family vacations, renting a car is more comfortable. The cost for car rental in Nusa Penida is Rp 535,000 and you get a vehicle with a driver, so, you do not need to drive yourself.
Main Things to Do on the Island
The island offers several unforgettable viewpoints to visit as well as several comfortable beaches. Since you go to Nusa Penida, we advise you to start your investigation of the island from Kelingking Beach.
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Take a visit to Kelingking Beach
This destination is the most popular among tourists. Kelingking Beach is located an hour the ride from the harbor to the southwest. This place was undiscovered until 2003 but today, it is one of the most popular destinations for Instagrammers due to its exceptional beauty. You can stay on the top of a viewpoint to make some shots or just add a bit of extreme and go down the narrow trail that leads to a sandy beach. Please, do not try to come down in uncomfortable shoes as the path is narrow and sleek.
If you still took a chance and went down to the beach itself, delight awaits you. A completely isolated beach with clean sand and clear waters will give you the opportunity to feel like you are on a desert island. And, despite the remoteness and difficult descent, there is even a drink station on the beach, so you can enjoy a cocktail or a cool drink in this isolated place.
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Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong Beaches and Sites
We combined these two locations as they are very close to each other, so you can schedule a visit to two places at once.
Angel's Billabong is a natural rock pool with access to the open ocean. It is best to admire it from a height, but do not get too close. Locals warn that there are strong waves at Angel's Billabong that can simply wash you into the ocean.
As for Broken Beach, the main attraction of this place is a natural tunnel in the rocks, which offers an unusual view of the ocean.
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Crystal Bay Snorkeling Experience and Exquisite Views
For snorkelling lovers, Crystall Bay will be a godsend. There is a wide sandy beach where you can rent a parasol and get snorkelling equipment for an affordable cost. In total, it will take about Rp 50,000 for this. The most beautiful snorkelling sites are all located there, in Crystal Bay as corals grow only a few meters from the beach and lots of fish can be seen there.
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Attu Beach
This beach is also known as Diamond Beach. Its location is 2 hours’ ride from the harbor but it definitely is worth this time to reach here. Lots of beautiful sites and beach options are offered here.
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Tree House for Instagram Photos
Tree houses of Rumah Pohon are popular accommodations on the island. Only for $40 per night you can stay here and take the most overwhelming photos for your album. Do not consider this accommodation to be of the highest comfort but it is really unforgettable.
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Scuba Diving on Dune Atlantis and More
Nusa Penida is a perfect place for scuba divers. The best option is to book a scuba diving tour from Bali and in this case, you will be driven to most locations with no need for searching them. When going to Nusa Penida on your own, just keep in mind that Crystal Bay and Manta Point are among the best locations for scuba diving.
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Visit a Dark Spirit Temple of Pura Dalem Ped
For lovers of mysteries and magic, the visit to the temple will be a great experience. It is located not far from the harbor, so it will be comfortable to get there to touch with local traditions and beliefs.
Accommodations to Choose on Nusa Penida
For tourists who decide to stay on the island for a few days, there are several accommodation options for their choice.
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Rumah Pohon tree houses we’ve mentioned earlier. It is a cheap yet extraordinary suit to stay in.
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Pandawa Beach Resort provides higher comfort for sophisticated tourists.
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Asoka Bungalows are your choice if you want to feel all the atmosphere of a tropical island while staying for a night.
- Kompyand Cottages are also a way to enjoy secluded vacations on the island.
So, you can see that Nusa Penida is quite a diverse destination for tourists who want to expand their traveling experience on Bali and get to less promoted places.
Highlights
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Nusa Penida is a cradle for scuba divers, snorkelers, and divers.
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Do not know how to get to Nusa Penida? Just rent a fast boat!
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Always keep some cash in your pocket to pay tips to locals.
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Do not catch the first accommodation options. Inspect the Internet to get as many options as possible to choose from.
