Nusa Penida is a phenomenal, rugged island simply off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Taking a day journey to Nusa Penida is among the hottest issues to do for Bali holidaymakers who’re brief on time, however if in case you have a couple of further days in your Bali itinerary, then prolong your keep and spend 2-3 days exploring the pure gems across the island.
Nusa Penida actually is a phenomenal place and nicely definitely worth the journey from Bali!
Right here’s a whole information for planning your 2 day journey to Nusa Penida:
What number of days do you want on Nusa Penida?
In case you are brief on time, it’s attainable to do a day journey from Bali to Nusa Penida. When you resolve on this feature, it is strongly recommended to guide your journey upfront to avoid wasting time making preparations on the day, and there are various tour operators that supply day journeys.
Nevertheless, with a view to actually see what Nusa Penida has to supply, 2-3 days on the island can be preferrred.
How you can get to Nusa Penida
The one solution to get to Nusa Penida is by boat. You possibly can both take a bigger ferry or a smaller quick boat. The quick boats are barely costlier and get you there faster, however the journey is extra rocky than on the ferry. It’s strongly beneficial when taking both choice to take movement illness tablets earlier than you get on the boat as the ocean round Nusa Penida is famend for being uneven!
- From Bali: You’ve three principal departure ports for catching a ship from Bali throughout to Nusa Penida: Sanur, Padang Bai or Serangan Island. Sanur is the preferred departure level as it’s handy for Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu. From Sanur, the crossing takes roughly 45 minutes and prices roughly $7. You should buy your ticket from the counter on arrival on the port or upfront.
- From Nusa Lembongan: You can too catch a ship from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. The journey solely takes 10 minutes and you should purchase your ticket on the counter on the port for simply 50k IDR ($3.30). The boat departs Nusa Lembongan from the well-known yellow bridge which connects Lembongan to Ceningan island. The departures are unscheduled – the boat merely goes as quickly as there are 8 or extra individuals prepared to depart. You can too be a part of a snorkeling journey to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan.
- From Gili Trawangan: In case you are doing a little bit of island-hopping round Bali and Lombok, you too can catch a ferry from Gili Trawangan to Nusa Penida. This journey will take roughly 3.5 hours and prices between $16-22, relying on the corporate you guide with. Be aware that this crossing may be very uneven!
Nusa Penida has two principal ferry ports on the island: Toya Pakeh Harbour and Buyuk Harbour. Whichever port you arrive in, there are many tuk-tuk and taxis ready to take you to your lodging.
How you can get round Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is understood for having very tough driving circumstances. Lots of the ‘roads’ are extra like tracks and it is extremely rocky, uneven and hilly. Due to this, it is extremely standard to rent a driver for the day or for a few days that will help you get round. You possibly can both guide this upfront beforehand via websites like Klook, or GetYourGuide, or you may prepare a driver along with your lodging.
When you want to have your personal freedom, you may hire your personal scooter, however simply remember that even essentially the most assured scooter riders have been caught out by how dangerous among the street circumstances are.
The place is the very best place to remain on Nusa Penida?
The seashores, sights and sights are unfold out throughout Nusa Penida, so there’s no ‘one’ finest place to remain on the island. Nevertheless, a lot of the cafes, eating places and lodging choices are positioned round Toya Pakeh Harbour and Crystal Bay on the west facet of the island and alongside the northern shoreline.
How you can spend 2 days on Nusa Penida
A lot of Nusa Penida is roofed by thick forest with the vast majority of the sights located alongside the shoreline. There are few roads on the island and people who do exist are small and winding, which means that it’s going to take longer to achieve locations than you may initially suppose when trying on the map.
Due to this, it’s a good suggestion to interrupt your tour of Nusa Penida into two days: protecting the west facet and east facet on totally different days.
Day 1: Nusa Penida West
- Damaged seashore and angel billabong
- Keliking seashore
- Paluang cliff
- Crystal Bay & Pandan seashore
Damaged seashore and angel billabong
Damaged seashore is among the most lovely spots on Nusa Penida and is a must-visit when exploring the island. From the automotive park, make your solution to angel billabong first. Angel billabong is a pure infinity pool fashioned from the crashing of waves in opposition to the rocks. Many individuals are enticed by the clear turquoise water within the pool that they make their method down the rocks to swim within the pool. Nevertheless, that is extraordinarily harmful. The crashing waves will be unpredictable and a number of other individuals have misplaced their lives or been badly injured by the robust waves pushing them into the rocks, or sweeping them out to sea.
It’s higher to remain on the high and the view from above is simply as lovely, trying right down to the infinity pool and throughout the rocky shoreline to the ocean.
After taking within the views from angel billabong, make your method again in direction of the automotive park, and switch proper in direction of damaged seashore. Damaged seashore is a beautiful blue lagoon, separated from the ocean by a limestone arch, which creates a pure bridge over the water. You can’t stroll right down to the lagoon or seashore, however it’s spectacular to view from above. When you’re fortunate, you may also spot a few Manta Rays swimming simply off the shore!
Good to know: The monitor to the parking for Damaged seashore may be very rocky, so if in case you have your personal scooter, make sure that to take it very slowly. There are bogs right here and a number of other small warung’s the place you should purchase drinks or one thing to eat.
Keliking seashore
Keliking seashore is maybe essentially the most well-known location on Nusa Penida – largely because of Instagram. The view from the highest of the cliff is fairly spectacular, with lovely views right down to the cape (which some individuals say is formed like a T-Rex), and out to sea.
Sadly, the beautiful views and insta-fame have turned Keliking seashore right into a vacationer scorching spot and it might get extremely crowded right here. Attempt to get right here earlier than 9 am if attainable to keep away from the day journey crowds coming from the mainland.
To attempt to escape the crowds, you may stroll right down to the seashore, however be conscious that it might take between 40-60 minutes and durable sneakers are wanted because the trek down may be very steep and rocky. If you attain the underside, you may be rewarded with pristine gentle sand and lovely blue water. Nevertheless, swimming just isn’t beneficial as a result of robust currents.
The realm round Keliking seashore may be very touristic and you will see loads of native warungs to seize one thing to eat or drink in addition to a number of bogs.
Tip: When you don’t wish to hike all the way in which right down to the underside, however are competing with the crowds on the high for photograph – simply stroll about 5 or 10 minutes down the trail and take your photographs from there as an alternative.
Paluang cliff
Just some minutes from Keliking seashore is Paluang Cliff. This can be a nice viewpoint the place you may see the well-known Kelking cape from the opposite facet and luxuriate in uninterrupted views out to sea with out all of the crowds. There’s additionally a small shrine right here and a neighborhood warung too. This can be a great place to only sit and chill out after the busy crowds of Keliking seashore.
Crystal Bay
The final cease of the day is Crystal Bay. This is among the hottest seashores on Nusa Penida and you will see a number of warungs for lunch in addition to loads of parking and sunbeds to rent. Additionally it is probably the greatest spots on Nusa Penida to observe the sundown should you stick round!
The crystal-clear blue water within the secluded bay is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling and also you may even be capable of spot fish and turtles. If you wish to discover a extra peaceable spot, you may hike quarter-hour to the quiet cove of Pandan seashore. The hike just isn’t too strenuous however sneakers are beneficial to climb the uneven steps. There aren’t any amenities on Pandan seashore, however it’s good if you wish to get away from the crowds.
Day 2: Manta Ray snorkel and Nusa Penida East
- Swim with Big Manta Ray
- Diamond seashore
- Atuh seashore
- Goa Giri Putri Temple
Swim with Big Manta Ray
Nusa Penida is among the finest locations to see Big Manta Rays and there are various totally different excursions that function from the island. You possibly can choose a 2-hour, half-day or full-day tour and might select whether or not to affix a snorkeling or diving tour. Excursions will be booked upfront on-line, however there are additionally a number of operators positioned in Toya Pakeh Harbour and Crystal Bay who you may guide immediately with.
A lot of the excursions will take you to a few totally different websites across the island, together with the favored Manta Level on the south facet.
Snorkelling or diving with Big Manta Rays is protected as they aren’t dangerous to people, nonetheless, it is very important bear in mind to offer them area and respect and positively don’t contact them.
Diamond seashore
Diamond seashore is one other spot which is turning into extra recognisable from photographs on Instagram – and with good cause – it’s lovely!
There’s a 25k IDR ($1.70) cost to entry Diamond seashore, however this does additionally embody entry to Atuh seashore as nicely.
To climb right down to the seashore, you need to sort out a sequence of steep, uneven and sandy steps. There’s a rope that will help you, however take care as it may be slippery, so flip-flops usually are not beneficial for this. When you make it right down to the underside, the seashore is beautiful, and since not too many individuals select to hike to the underside, it isn’t that crowded both.
As with most seashores round Nusa Penida, it isn’t suggested to go swimming too far off the shore because the waves will be very robust, however you may wade in and paddle. When you don’t fancy the climb right down to the seashore, the point of view on the high is simply as spectacular.
Tip: Examine the tide instances earlier than deciding to hike right down to the seashore as it isn’t accessible at excessive tide.
Atuh seashore
On the alternative facet of Diamond seashore is Atuh seashore. As with Diamond seashore, the descent right down to Atuh seashore is through a sequence of steep, rocky steps. Nevertheless, the trail is barely wider right here, with a few little locations to face to 1 facet and catch your breath!
The secluded cove of Atuh seashore is a superb place to spend a couple of hours enjoyable on one of many sunbeds which you’ll be able to rent, or on the gentle sandy seashore. There are additionally a number of native warungs on the seashore so you should purchase one thing to eat or drink.
Regardless of the waves, this can be a beautiful, laid-back seashore, good for sunbathing, enjoyable and paddling.
Goa Giri Putri Temple
As you make your method again to your lodging on the finish of the day – if in case you have time, make a brief cease on the Goa Giri Putri Temple, positioned on the northeast facet of the island, simply off the primary street.
The small temple is hidden underground in one of many largest caves on Nusa Penida and might solely be accessed by a winding set of stairs descending down into the cave. There’s a charge of 50k IDR ($3.30), to enter the cave, which features a sarong that you should put on earlier than getting into the temple. You received’t want very lengthy right here, however it’s a distinctive spot to cease at as you move by.
Discover Nusa Penida at your personal tempo
Whereas there are various nice day journeys to Nusa Penida from close by islands, one of the best ways to actually discover the island is to take action at your personal tempo. Spend two nights and break up your days between the western and japanese facet of the island – hopping between the totally different seashores and snorkeling spots.