bigtravelbuzzNusa Penida Island, a little paradise off the east coast of Bali. The limestone island has sparkling white sand beaches and 200-meter-high cliffs. Penida Island is just a 30-minute boat ride from Bali and is fully explored on his 3-day trip to Nusa Penida. A day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida is also a great choice to discover the East or West Coast.
How to spend 3 days on Penida Island
Penida Island has hundreds of things to see and do. There are cassava and maize farms all over the island. There is a windmill in the middle of the island that powers all three Nusa islands. Here’s how to see the island in 3 days.
Day 1 – North and East
Take the 8am Main He ferry from Sanur port to Nusa Penida. After the 35-minute drive, both of you can rent a motorbike or drive to explore Penida. Leave your luggage at your accommodation and head northeast of the island. Visit Goa Giri Putri Temple, a sacred underground temple for people all over Bali.
Follow the road for about 30 minutes to get closer to Nusa Penida’s less popular east coast.
Atuh Beach is a white sand beach suitable for swimming. The cliff top offers perhaps the most beautiful coastline views in all of Bali. diamond beach. This is one of the most commonly seen beaches on postcards. What’s good to know is that it no longer advocates swimming: the waves are rocky, coral-filled, and ruggedly modern.
Thousand Islands He ends his day at the Viewpoint. Lookouts overlook Diamond Beach and the many limestone formations of the sea.
Tips: want more beach? Visit Swafan Beach. Unfortunately after a small earthquake we were unable to move there due to some issues.
Looking for a completely unique place to stay in Nusa Penida? You can stay at the Ruma Pohon Treehouse for about US$30. Dawn on your balcony may be like no other.
Summary of Day 1 – Journey to Nusa Penida
- Atuh Beach
- Goa Giri Putri
- Diamond Beach
- Rumah Pohon Treehouse
- Thousand Islands Viewpoint
Day 2 – West Coast
Today we are going to talk about the famous west coast of Nusa Penida. First, head to Keringking Viewpoint and Keringking Beach. We recommend arriving between 7am and 9am. The first tourists arriving by boat on the Nusa Penida Tour arrive here from 9am.
From there, Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are nearby and easy to visit. Angel’s Billabong is an herbal infinity pool. The waves are strong at the edge, so be careful.
At lunchtime, enjoy a wonderful lunch at one of Penida’s restaurants. I can advise Penida Colada or Ogix Warung.
For rest afternoon, snorkel and grab a coconut at Crystal Bay. This is a great place to enjoy the Penida sunset. (Don’t forget to take a photo on the stunning Palm Street.)
Tips: At Crystal Bay, shoes are recommended in the water as the rocks and coral are very sharp.
Summary of Day 2 – Journey to Nusa Penida
- Broken Beach
- Kelingking
- Crystal Bay
- Angel’s Billabong
Additive: Snorkeling at the Manta Point in Nusa Penida
The Nusa Islands have some great spots for snorkeling and diving with manta rays. Manta Point is a great place. If possible, we plan to add a day of snorkeling and manta diving on Nusa Penida.
Many dive resorts are open. Some tourists visiting Bali actually spend more time in Nusa than in Bali.
Day 3 – Visit Lesser-known Penida
The final day exploring Nusa Penida will take you to lesser known places. Start at Peguyanan Waterfall. A blue staircase on the side of the cliff leads to a temple and a small waterfall.
Next is Tenbeling, a natural freshwater pool in the middle of the jungle. A secluded white-sand beach is a 5-minute walk from the pool. The only way to get here is by riding a local or self-driving motorbike.
Please be careful: The road is narrow and very steep for bikes. Recommended for experienced bikers only!
End your trip to Nusa Penida at Banner Cliff Point. 4:00 PM 0R 5:00 PM Return to Bali by boat.
These two times are the final ferries.
Summary of Day 3 – Journey to Nusa Penida
- Tembeling natural pool
- Peguyanan waterfall
- Banah Cliff Point
- Tembeling beach
From Bali to Nusa Penida
Ferries from Bali to Nusa Penida operate 4 times a day:
8 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 16:00 pm, 17:00 pm. The ferry takes 30-40 minutes depending on the wave conditions.
It is advisable to wear removable shoes as Nusa Penida does not have a pier and you will have to walk through the water to get on and off the boat. Boat staff will assist you with large luggage.
Useful information: A different date each year is Day of the silent ocean. Boats don’t go. Please check with Google in advance.
It is only 15 minutes by boat from other Nusa islands such as Lembongan and Ceningan. We recommend arranging a private boat from Mushroom Bay.
Transportation in Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida’s driving route takes up to 60-90 minutes and can be traveled by motorbike. However, with the construction of new roads in 2018, biking is no longer recommended. Roads are too narrow for two cars to pass, and motorcycle accidents occur daily.
by car
The most relaxed and convenient way to explore the island is by car. You can return to Bali for the day or spend the night in Penida facing west and east. Please refer to the Nusa Penida Tour article for the exact price.
by motorcycle
However, if you’re an experienced rider, exploring by bike is definitely the most fun way to go. Motorbikes can be rented at the port for IDR 60,000 (USD 4) per day.
Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity is not always available on Nusa Penida. Download Google Maps offline to find your way back to your hotel anytime. These new roads have made traveling by car safer and more comfortable. You can hire a driver to take you around the island for a few days.
Useful things to know before traveling to Nusa Penida
The breathtaking nature of Nusa Penida has attracted worldwide attention and is inundated with tourists. A new gravel road was built around Nusa Penida and the first two His ATMs (see location) opened. However, the new roads are very narrow and heavily trafficked, so it is not recommended to ride a motorbike unless you have extensive driving experience.
Best place to stay in Nusa Penida
Most of Nusa Penida’s accommodations are located in the west and north. It takes about 60 minutes from one end of the island to the other, so it is recommended to stay for the whole day. Accommodation on Nusa Penida Island ranges from homestays and guesthouses to beautiful bungalows. Prices are a bit higher compared to Bali due to high demand. Please try to book your stay in advance.