Explore the cliff-lined coast of Nusa Penida. Watch waves swirl at Broken Beach and crash at Angel’s Billabong. Capture awe-inspiring views at Kelingking Cliff.
This tour includes a hotel stay at The Mesare Resort, with a view like this to wake up and go to sleep to! It also covers transport back to Bali.
Day 1
One of the best ways to experience Nusa Penida is to take a day tour. This option allows you to leave all of the navigation and driving up to someone else while leaving yourself plenty of time to enjoy each attraction. The day tours typically include a pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Bali. They also usually offer a lunch on the island.
Start your nusa penida trip with a visit to Atuh Beach, an uncrowded and beautiful beach on the eastern side of the island. This beach is home to an ancient temple and offers gorgeous views of the clear blue sea. After spending some time here, continue your tour by visiting Diamond Beach. This beach is a bit of a challenge to reach, but once you make it down the steep and sandy stairs, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous beach.
From here, head to Rumah Pohon Tree House. This amazing viewpoint overlooks some massive cliffs and is a great place to take photos. It’s also becoming popular for its Tembeling natural pool, which is a great spot to relax.
You can also choose to explore the island on your own, renting a scooter. This is a fun way to see the sights, but you should be an advanced rider as the roads on the island can be rough. It’s also important to bring plenty of sunscreen as there is little to no shade at these attractions!
Day 2
You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Bali for a fast boat trip to Nusa Penida. Once you arrive, you’ll visit the most iconic spots on the island, including Kelingking Beach (aka Dinosaur Rock) and Pasih Uug/Broken Beach. You’ll also see the natural pool at Angel Billabong and the cliffs of Goa Giri Putri.
If you’re planning on snorkeling, make sure to bring your gear, as Nusa Penida has some of the best snorkeling in all of Indonesia. You can swim with manta rays and the gigantic ocean sunfish (also known as mola mola) at places like Gamat Bay and Wall/Mangrove Point.
This is one of the most popular activities on the island, but be warned it’s not for everyone. Many people get caught off guard by how strong the waves are and end up getting swept into the sea or smashed against the rocks. This is why you need to wear a life jacket.
Another reason why you need to be careful is that the water can get extremely cold at times and you could drown if you’re not wearing a life vest. You’ll also want to bring plenty of sunscreen as there isn’t much shade on the beaches and other attractions. I’d recommend packing a hat and sunglasses as well. You can also rent snorkels and masks on the boat, but I would suggest bringing your own so you’ll have more options in case you lose or break yours.
Day 3
The last day on Nusa Penida is all about exploring the cliff beaches and soaking up the sun. Start your day with a visit to Rumah Pohon Tree Houses which have become famous on Instagram thanks to their amazing views and cliff side location. While the rooms and beds are quite basic, the view and experience is worth a visit. The houses are usually filled with people around sunrise and sunset. If you want to stay, be sure to book in advance because the houses sell out quickly.
Next up is a visit to the famous Kelingking Beach. This is a stunning beach with an iconic tyrannosaurus rex shaped rock formation that is a must-see for everyone visiting Nusa Penida. However, reaching the beach requires a 30 minute hike down steep steps. While the hike down is fun, it can be dangerous if you are not in good physical condition. Be sure to wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water if you decide to do this.
After that, make your way to Angel Billabong and Broken Beach. Both are gorgeous beaches with great snorkeling opportunities. The waves at these beaches are a bit more aggressive and there is not much of a beach to sit on, but they are still well worth a visit. Make sure to watch out for Manta Rays in the crystal clear waters below!
Day 4
Getting around Nusa Penida is easiest with a scooter, which you can hire for about 70,000 IDR per day (including a helmet). Make sure to ask for a scooter with a good horn and a rearview mirror as the roads are pretty bumpy. If you are not comfortable riding a scooter, arrange a tour through your accommodation or book a taxi online.
Next stop is Broken Beach, a famous spot where the cliffs resemble a giant cave and you can walk around the area with crashing waves underneath. Nearby is Angel’s Billabong, a quiet blue rock pool where you can swim in the sea. It’s also a great place to look for manta rays, but only if you go during the right season (May-October).
The next beach is Diamond Beach, which is a massive cliff beach with perfect turquoise water splashing all around it. It’s only been recently made accessible since a path was carved into the cliffs, and it’s now one of my favorite spots on Nusa Penida. You can also see lots of wildlife here, from monitor lizards to dolphins and manta rays.
From there you can drive over to the Thousand Island viewpoint, which has a view of Diamond Beach from an alternate angle. It’s a very scenic spot that’s popular with Instagrammers, so I would recommend going early to avoid the crowds.