By air
Ngurah Rai, Denpasar (DPS), then ~45 min by fast boat from Sanur
Southeast Asia · Indonesia
Nusa Penida, Indonesia
Dramatic cliffs and manta-ray waters
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to October — dry season, calmer crossings
Don't miss
Kelingking Beach
Broken Beach
Atuh Beach
Crystal Bay
Things to do
Snorkelling with manta rays at Manta Point
The Kelingking viewpoint
Crystal Bay
Angel's Billabong
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Chainwit. · CC BY 4.0
What to pack
Sturdy shoes for steep beach paths, snorkel gear, a dry bag
A quieter corner
Diamond Beach's carved stairway, early before the crowds
Questions travellers ask
How do I get across to Nusa Penida?
Fly into Ngurah Rai, Denpasar (DPS), then take a fast boat from Sanur, which takes about 45 minutes.
When are the crossings to Nusa Penida calmest?
April to October, the dry season, brings calmer crossings.
Can I snorkel with manta rays at Nusa Penida?
Yes, at Manta Point. Bring snorkel gear, a dry bag and sturdy shoes for the steep beach paths.
When should I visit Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida?
Go early, before the crowds, to take in its carved stairway.
About Nusa Penida
- Island
Where it is
Nusa Penida is the largest of three islands off the south-east coast of Bali, Indonesia, in Klungkung regency, separated from Bali by the Badung Strait, with its smaller neighbours Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan to the north-west.
History
Nusa Penida appears in the Belanjong pillar inscription of 914, which records a military expedition against the island. The Gelgel dynasty conquered it in the second half of the 17th century, and it then passed to the kingdom of Klungkung, which used it as a place of exile for criminals and political opponents; it has remained part of Klungkung since Indonesian independence.
People
Nusa Penida's people are Balinese who speak Indonesian and their own dialect, Nusa Penida Balinese (Basa Nosa), which speakers from mainland Bali cannot understand. Batukandik is the largest village.
Known for
- Kelingking Beach and its T-rex headland
- Manta rays at Manta Point
- Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong
- Crystal Bay and Diamond Beach
- Pura Dalem Ped
Did you know?
Nusa Penida's villages protect wild birds under their customary law, and the island has become a refuge for the critically endangered Bali starling, released here by conservationists.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.