Best Things to do on Nusa Penida Island, Bali, Indonesia

14 Incredible Things to do in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Nusa Penida is an island located just off the southeastern coast of Bali. It takes just 30 minutes by fast ferry to get there, but it feels completely different than the crowded beaches and Instagram cafes of Bali. If you are tired of fighting traffic in Bali and are craving some real adventure, Nusa Penida is the place to do it!

Pack a small backpack, catch the ferry, and once you arrive you can cruise around the island on a motorbike. It’s full of beautiful beaches, hidden waterfalls, rugged hikes, gorgeous views, underground temples and so much more.

While many people just visit Nusa Penida for the day, we recommend spending at least three days exploring this unique island paradise. That will give you enough time for all 14 of these incredible things to do on Nusa Penida.

And be sure to check out our comprehensive Nusa Penida 3-Day Itinerary to help you plan your trip!

Nusa Penida, Indonesia: The Best 14 Things To Do

1. Angel’s Billabong

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Angel's Billabong

Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are two of the most popular things to do on the island of Nusa Penida and they happen to be right next to each other. They are also the most challenging to get to. The road is full of rocks and ruts and it will probably take you a full hour to drive just 11 miles from Crystal Bay. If you’ve never driven a motorbike before, this is not the road to learn on.

It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to Angel’s Billabong. You’ll find yourself on a rocky ledge overlooking a swimming hole overlooking the ocean. The water here is gorgeous and so inviting. But beware, you are only allowed to swim during low tide as the waves can be quite dangerous. Be sure to check the tide report prior to visiting as you don’t want to miss the opportunity to swim here!

Entrance Fee: 5,000 IDR per person
Parking Fee: 1,000 IDR for your motorbike
Amenities: There are several small warungs serving up delicious local favorites as well as selling ice-cold beer and water.


2. Broken Beach

If you continue along the trail from Angel’s Billabong, you’ll come to Broken Beach. If you were to view Broken Beach from above, it would look like a cliff with a giant round hole in it and a small beach at the bottom. In reality, the cliff wall on the ocean side is a natural sea arch that allows the seawater to pass freely below.

A walking trail allows you to get all the way around Broken Beach, with unparalleled views of the steep cliff walls, the beautiful (but unreachable) beach below, and the spectacular sea arch. There are even a few platforms that have been built to allow photographers to get some height and capture more of the view.

This is one of the top places to visit on Nusa Penida so expect crowds. You’ll also need to queue up to take a photo in the most popular spots unless you arrive before or after the guided tours descend. Fees to enter Broken Beach are included in the fees to visit Angel’s Billabong, outlined above.

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3. Kelingking Beach

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Kelingking Beach

You’ve probably seen photos of Kelingking Beach on Instagram. It’s a massive cliff that resembles a T-Rex, jutting out into the ocean. A steep, rocky trail runs down the T-Rex’s back, leading down to the secluded beach, far below. Kelingking Beach is probably the most famous place in Nusa Penida.

Most people who visit Kelingking Beach don’t make it past the lookout at the top of the cliff. Here you can get a gorgeous, unobstructed view of the cliffs below. But if you continue down the stairs, that’s where the real adventure begins. You’ll see fewer and fewer people, and the views actually get better.

The trail down to Kelingking Beach follows the ridgeline of the cliff. It is steep and rocky but a railing has been installed on either side of the dirt trail so you’ll have something to hold onto. It also keeps you from feeling like you’re going to tumble off the side at any moment.

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Kelingking Beach

The trail takes a sharp right to continue down the cliff and here is where it gets even steeper. The handrails also get more questionable the further down you go. Expect to do some rock scrambling and if you’re afraid of heights, this section probably isn’t for you. The total hike from top to bottom takes about 45 minutes to hike down, and about an hour to get back up. Wear tennis shoes! If you try this hike in flip-flops, you’ll regret it. And bring plenty of water, especially if you’ll be hiking back up in the heat of the day.

Kelingking Beach is well worth the effort to get to. It is a totally secluded white sand beach that doesn’t get crowded due to the intense effort that it takes to get there. The waves here are quite big with an aggressive beach break so be careful when entering the water.

Be sure you leave yourself enough time to get back to the top before dark!

Entrance Fee: 5,000 IDR per person
Parking Fee: 1,000 IDR for your motorbike
Amenities: There are several small warungs at the top of the cliff serving up delicious local favorites as well as selling ice-cold beer and water. There is often one small stand on the beach with water and snacks for sale, but don’t count on it.


4. Tembeling Beach and Forest

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Tembeling Beach

Tembeling Beach and Forest is a really beautiful area to visit with two freshwater swimming holes and a secluded beach that doesn’t attract crowds. You can lounge in the refreshing pools that are shaded by trees while enjoying views of the sea. It might just be the best place to visit Nusa Penida!

To reach Tembeling Beach, you’ll have to drive about two miles down a steep concrete trail just wide enough for a motorbike. The drive is quite beautiful as you’ll be surrounded by lush vegetation, so thick that if you got lost you’d never be found again. Just be careful as there is a steep drop-off on one side so you’ll want to stay away from the edge.

If you would rather not navigate this stretch of road on your own or if you’re touring Nusa Penida by car, you can hire a motorbike taxi to take you down the road to the Tembeling parking lot. There will be several motorbike drivers waiting at the turnoff from the main road. A roundtrip ride should cost 50,000 IDR.

Once you reach the parking lot, it’s just about a 10-minute walk down the stairs to the beach.

Entrance Fee: None
Parking Fee: None
Amenities: There is often a lady with a small shop right on the beach. She has some snacks, cold drinks, and hot coffee or packaged soup.


5. Peguyangan Waterfall

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Peguyangan Waterfall (Blue Stairs)

The hike to the Peguyangan Waterfall is perfect if you’re craving some adventure, but probably not a great option for anyone who is afraid of heights. You’ll begin at the top of a sheer cliff and descend a set of stairs that are at times simply bolted onto the side of the cliff. You can look through the gap between each stair and see the waves crashing far below.

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Peguyangan Waterfall

Once you reach the bottom you’ll come to a temple (hence the need for the sarong). And just beyond that, down a set of precarious, slippery steps is the “bathing area”. These man-made pools are filled with natural spring water from the mountain and overlook the ocean below. It’s the perfect spot to hang out for a bit and recover from that stressful hike. This was one of our favorite spots on Nusa Penida!

But beware, the hike back to the top is exhausting!

Entrance Fee: 10,000 IDR per person to rent a sarong which is required for both men and women.
Parking Fee: 5,000 IDR to park your motorbike
Amenities: There is a warung at the top of the stairs with cold beverages for sale.

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6. Diamond Beach

Speaking of stairs, Diamond Beach is another must-visit destination on Nusa Penida that involves descending a set of stairs that run down the side of a cliff. These are a bit less treacherous but may still prove to be challenging for anyone who is afraid of heights.

Once you park, you can head down the stairs on the right to Diamond Beach, or the stairs on the left to Atuh Beach. There is also a cliff straight ahead with a temple on top offering nice views of the coastline.

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Diamond Beach

The view of Diamond Beach from the top of the stairs is absolutely incredible! Be sure to stop here and snap some photos. It’s a popular Instagram spot so get there early if you don’t want other people in your photo. At the bottom of the stairs is a woman who is selling cold drinks and coconuts. She also has a swing and two nests that you can use for a fee. They are so picturesque that it’s hard to pass up the opportunity.

Just past her shop, you will need to scramble down the rocks to reach the beach. It is a gorgeous white sand beach surrounded by towering cliff walls. But you won’t find a lot of shade here or any lounge chairs. So it’s worth the hike down for the photos, but if you want to relax for an afternoon, Atuh Beach is a better bet.

Entrance Fee: 10,000 IDR per person for both Diamond and Atuh Beach
The fee to Use Swing: 100,000 IDR per person
The fee to Pose in Nests: 50,000 IDR per person
Amenities: The woman who manages the swing and nest also has cold beverages for sale


7. Atuh Beach

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach isn’t nearly as picturesque as Diamond Beach, but you’ll have access to far more amenities. The beach is lined with warungs serving up tasty Indonesian dishes and ice-cold beers. You can rent two lounge chairs with an umbrella between them for 50,000 IDR.

Plus, the water here is much calmer than at Diamond Beach so you can actually go for a swim. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon basking in the sunshine and a top beach destination on Nusa Penida.

As with so many of the other beaches on Nusa Penida, you’ll have to descend a set of stairs to get to Atuh Beach. These aren’t nearly as steep or scary as some of the others on the island. But they are just as exhausting to climb back up like the others.


8. Manta Point

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Manta Point

One of the most popular activities on Nusa Penida is actually under the water. The island is swarming with big, beautiful manta rays and you can have the opportunity to dive or snorkel with them at Manta Point.

You’ll want to book a boat trip from one of the many dive shops in town. If you’re staying nearby, they’ll likely provide transport and the boats usually leave from Crystal Bay. It’s sure to be one of your most unforgettable experiences on Nusa Penida Island!


9. Banah Cliff Point

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff Point is a lookout that is located between Kelingking Beach and Tembeling Beach. This spot offers really gorgeous views of the sheer cliffs in both directions. The reason we left it off our list of must-visit highlights is that the road to get there is really rough. We actually ended up parking our bike about 1,500 feet from the point because we found it faster (and easier) to walk.

Plus, the views aren’t any better than what you can see at any other cliff lookout on the island.

Entrance Fee: None
Parking Fee: None
Amenities: There is a very small shop with a limited menu as well as snacks and drinks


10. Saren Cliff Point

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Saren Cliff Point

Saren Cliff Point is another viewpoint that offers nice views of the dramatic coastline but you’ll need to drive on an awful road to get there. We thought that the nice views did not outweigh the hassle of getting there.

Entrance Fee: None
Parking Fee: None
Amenities: None


11. Rumah Pohon Tree House

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Rumah Pohon Treehouse

This famous treehouse on Nusa Penida is a photographer’s dream! Perched on the edge of a tall sea cliff overlooking Diamond Beach, you’ll be hard-pressed to find more Instagram-worthy accommodation on the island.

You can actually spend a night in the Rumah Pohon Tree House if you book way in advance and don’t mind the bare-bones amenities and the fact that people will be climbing up your steps at sunrise to snap the perfect Instagram photo.

These tiny tree houses are built in the trees on a cliff overlooking the dramatic coastline below. Inside is just a small bed and a fan, but no bathroom. You’re paying for the view from your balcony, not the lavish accommodations.

Check Availability on Booking.com

If that doesn’t suit you, or you don’t plan your trip far enough in advance, you can simply pay a small fee and check them out; these tree houses are on most people’s must-see list for Nusa Penida!

Entrance fee: 10,000 IDR per person

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12. Pura Puncak Mundi

The Pura Puncak Mundi temple is located at the highest point on the island. We left it off the list of highlights since the temple is nothing special and there aren’t really views of the island from the top. The drive up to the temple is beautiful, with bright green vegetation as far as the eye can see.

Both men and women need to wear a sarong to enter the Pura Puncak Mundi temple and they don’t have any on loan. Plus, foreigners aren’t allowed in the inner sanctuary. The people hanging around the temple will probably seem very confused as to why you are there.

Entrance Fee: None
Parking Fee: None


13. Goa Giri Putri Temple

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Goa Giri Putri Cave Temple

The Goa Giri Putri Temple is a large cave temple located on the Northern end of the island. It’s a good stop on your way back to the ferry if you have some extra time. The entrance is a narrow opening in a rock face that you’ll have to squeeze through. But once inside it opens up to a large cavern full of thick incense smoke and Hindu worshippers. It’s one of the more unique things and spiritual things to do on Nusa Penida.

As with all Hindu temples in Bali, you’ll need to be wearing a sarong to enter the temple. There are a few shops by the road where you can park your motorbike and rent a sarong if you don’t have your own.


14. Penida Colada Beach Bar

Best Things to do on Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia: Penida Colada Beach Bar

The best place on the island to have a cocktail while watching the sunset is at Penida Colada Beach Bar. Not only do they have delicious food and drinks, but they also have happy hour 2-for-1 cocktails from 4 pm – 7 pm every evening and a really chill vibe. Make sure you try the dragon fruit daiquiri, and since it’s the happy hour you might as well have two!

Penida Colada also promotes sustainability by discouraging plastics and promoting beach clean-ups. It’s definitely worth a visit during your trip to Nusa Penida!

Do you have a favorite spot on Nusa Penida? Let us know in the comments!


Planning a trip to Indonesia? Check out our favorite travel guides!


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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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