Nusa Penida

Bali's rugged island paradise

Bali stands out in Indonesia as a place where volcanic hills meet turquoise waters and terraced rice fields stretch toward the horizon. The island’s culture is visible in daily rituals, colorful temples and music that drifts through villages. Visitors find surf breaks along the southern coast and quiet beaches on nearby islands like Nusa Penida. Local markets sell fresh fruit, woven fabrics and handmade crafts. Bali balances modern tourism with traditions still practiced across generations. Its climate stays warm year-round, making outdoor activities possible at any season.

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Island in Indonesia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.2

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	2

Read details

2/5

English proficiency varies widely on Nusa Penida. Staff at accommodations and tour operators typically speak basic to intermediate English, while locals in villages may have limited or no English skills. Simple communication is usually possible, but compl

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Nusa Penida Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
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Famous for dramatic coastal cliffs and snorkeling. Visit spectacular viewpoints, explore hidden beaches, swim with manta rays and enjoy rugged island landscapes.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Islands

Natural sites

Sea

Beaches

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 8

Sustainability

Indonesia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) £1 ≈ IDR 24,141.20
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas of Indonesia, particularly in larger cities. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like GoPay and OVO are widely accepted in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Indonesia. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not commonly seen in Indonesia. Alcohol is consumed mainly in licensed establishments such as bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, shopping centres, and public transport.

Independence Day (17 August)	A national holiday with celebrations and ceremonies
Nyepi (March/April)	The Balinese Day of Silence, celebrated with unique rituals and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	GoJek, Grab
Other:	Indonesia is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and jungles. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Nusa Penida, Indonesia

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

🌦️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🔥

Oct

🌦️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Wet season November to March: boat crossings can be cancelled and cliff paths turn slippery

Mola mola (sunfish) diving season July to October, with the best chances in August

Manta rays can be seen year-round at Manta Point, best visibility April to November

Don't miss

🏝️ Marvel at the stunning cliffside view from Kelingking Beach
🤿 Snorkel with manta rays at Manta Bay
🛵 Take a scenic motorbike ride along the island’s coastal roads
🥾 Hike down to the white sands of Diamond Beach
🌅 Capture sunrise at the famous Atuh Cliff viewpoint

You've been here?

Why travel to Nusa Penida?

Nusa Penida offers that increasingly rare combination of breathtaking natural beauty and relative authenticity that's becoming harder to find in more developed parts of Bali. The island's dramatic coastal landscapes create almost surreal scenery – places like Kelingking Beach with its T-Rex shaped cliff formation, Angel's Billabong with its natural infinity pool and Diamond Beach with its pristine white sand have become Instagram sensations, yet they still deliver a genuine sense of awe when experienced in person. The surrounding waters host some of Indonesia's most diverse marine ecosystems, where you can swim with manta rays year-round and spot the elusive mola mola during the cooler months. What makes Nusa Penida special is how it balances on the edge of tourism development – accessible enough to visit comfortably but still raw enough to feel like an adventure. However, this balance comes with challenges. The island's infrastructure hasn't kept pace with its growing popularity – roads can be extremely rough and narrow, accommodations range from basic to mid-range with few luxury options and medical facilities are limited. During peak season, popular sites can get crowded with day-trippers from Bali. But for those willing to stay overnight, explore beyond the famous spots and embrace a slightly more rugged experience, Nusa Penida rewards with moments of solitude and natural beauty that feel increasingly precious in our hyper-connected world.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Diamond Beach

🎡Places for activities

1 Atuh Beach
2 Crystal Bay
3 Gamat Bay
4 Kelingking Beach
5 Manta Point
6 Saren Cliff point
7 Tembeling Forest
8 Toyapakeh

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Angel's Billabong
2 Banah Cliff
3 Broken Beach
4 Peguyangan Waterfall
5 Goa Giri Putri
6 Teletubbies Hill
7 Tembeling Natural Pool

🎈Events

Nyepi (Day of Silence)
Galungan and Kuningan
Nusa Penida Festival
Mola Mola Season (July-October)
Manta Ray Peak Season
Traditional Temple Ceremonies
Melasti Ceremony
Ngusaba Ceremony
Bali Arts Festival
Local Harvest Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent scooter with experience. Roads rough and steep.
Hire driver for day; visit Kelingking Beach viewpoint and Broken Beach arches early morning.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen; snorkel Manta Point for rays, Crystal Bay for turtles.
Avoid rainy season November-March; steep paths to beaches become dangerously slippery.

How to travel to Nusa Penida

The most common way to reach Nusa Penida is by speedboat from Bali. Regular boat services depart from Sanur, Padang Bai and occasionally Serangan, with the journey taking 30-45 minutes depending on sea conditions. Prices range from IDR 150,000 – 350,000 (£6.24 – 14.55) one-way depending on the operator and departure point. The main arrival points on Nusa Penida are Toyapakeh Harbor and Buyuk Harbor. During rough seas (typically during the wet season), crossings may be canceled for safety reasons. Some companies offer package deals that include hotel pickup in Bali and transportation on Nusa Penida.

Access summary

From Bali Ngurah Rai (DPS): Taxi to Sanur, fast boat 30–45 min.
From Sanur (Denpasar area): Frequent fast boats to Nusa Penida about 30–45 min.
From Padangbai (east Bali): Fast boat or ferry typically around 45–60 min.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Nusa Penida

Accommodation on Nusa Penida has expanded rapidly but still tends toward budget and mid-range options rather than luxury resorts. The western side of the island around Toyapakeh and Crystal Bay offers the highest concentration of guesthouses and hotels, while the southeastern area near Atuh Beach has more secluded options with dramatic views. Many places feature Instagram-worthy infinity pools overlooking the ocean, though amenities can be basic. Power outages are not uncommon and hot water isn't guaranteed everywhere. Booking ahead is essential during high season (June-September) as quality options are limited.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Pramana Natura Nusa Penida

9.2

Pemedal Beach Resort

8.8

Lembongan Beach Club & Resort

8.7

Semabu Hills Hotel Nusa Penida - Bali

8.6

MAUA Nusa Penida Bali

9.2

Batu Karang Lembongan Resort & Spa

9.2

Ora Resort Avia Blue Lagoon

8.9

Mahagiri Resort Nusa Lembongan

8.2

Hotel Arsa Santhi Nusa Penida

9.1

The Tamarind Resort - Nusa Lembongan

9.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Nusa Penida

Getting around Nusa Penida requires some planning as public transportation is virtually non-existent. Most visitors either rent scooters (IDR 70,000 – 100,000 (£2.91 – 4.16) per day) or hire private drivers with cars (IDR 500,000 – 700,000 (£20.78 – 29.10) for a full day). Be warned that roads can be extremely rough, narrow and steep in places, with limited guardrails on cliff edges. If you're not experienced with scooters or comfortable driving in challenging conditions, hiring a driver is strongly recommended. For visiting nearby islands like Nusa Lembongan, local boat services are available from the main harbors.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-71 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 71% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to IDR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Denpasar, Indonesia - 36 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£26	£60	£161
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£38	£90
🍝 Food per day	£9	£21	£66
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£2.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.19
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.90
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.55

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.60
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£13
🤧 Cold medication	£1.50
💇 Basic haircut	£2.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Nusa Penida is generally safe regarding crime, but natural hazards require caution. Cliff edges often lack safety barriers, strong currents affect some beaches and roads are hazardous. Exercise extreme care when hiking near viewpoints, swimming at beaches and when driving or riding scooters.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities on Nusa Penida are extremely limited, with only basic clinics available. Serious injuries or illnesses require evacuation to Bali. Bring all necessary medications, a comprehensive first aid kit and ensure your travel insurance covers emergency evacuation. Dehydration and sunburn are common issues.

Accessibility

Nusa Penida presents significant challenges for travelers with mobility limitations. Most attractions require navigating steep, uneven stairs or rough trails. Few accommodations or facilities are wheelchair accessible. The island's rugged terrain and limited infrastructure make it difficult for those with physical disabilities.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe for drinking on Nusa Penida. Bottled water is widely available and should be used for drinking and brushing teeth. Some accommodations provide filtered water refill stations. Stay well-hydrated, especially when hiking to viewpoints in the tropical heat.