Heaven On Earth Nusa Penida
Updated: Apr 7, 2018
Nusa Penida is the best-kept secret of Bali. The island is way larger than Nusa Lembongan, still, the infrastructure isn’t as developed. Nusa Penida should not be visited as a beach destination, you should visit this it for its incredible high coastal cliffs and yet untouched nature. It’s best to organize a Nusa Penida tour.
If you are going on a trip to Bali and you want a slice of real island life then must visit Nusa Penida. In this blog post I tell you everything you need to know about this magical island and while reading and looking at the pictures you will understand why this is one of my favorite places.
This island is so much more than beaches and exploring Nusa Penida on a motorbike is a must. Please only take a Nusa Penida day trip if you have very limited time, otherwise reserve 3 days and take a trip to Nusa Penida. You will thank me later for my tips, trust me!
This island is all about exploring its great nature and rough terrain. Almost all the amazing places to see in Nusa Penida are either on the coastline or underwater.
Things to know before visiting Nusa Penida
Tourism on Nusa Penida has just been started. The government is repairing the roads as we speak, but most of the roads are undoable by car. We would recommend doing a motorbike tour.
This huge island only has 14 villages! People mainly farm cassava and corn but due lack of getting fresh water little can be grown outside the rain season. We were told Nusa Penida generates all the power for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
Things to do on Nusa Penida
Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are the most popular destinations for a Nusa Penida tour because they’re close to the Nusa Penida Port, but you will still experience so little tourism compared to Nusa Lembongan.
KelingKing beach
KelingKing beach is 100% sure the most spectacular place we have ever seen, no doubt. When you’re planning to go down to the beach, please think twice because the hike is at least a 30-minute incredible steep path. But do go halfway down and take a moment to be amazed by what Mother Nature created here. Pure paradise, incredibly white sand and a piece of land shaped like a dinosaur head.
When it comes down to most instagrammable spots in Nusa Penida the dinosaur shaped Kelingking Beach or Secret Point Beach is for sure number one. When I reached this spot I had no clue what was coming and then I suddenly looked down on that beautifully green rock-formation sticking out of the deep blue ocean, the white sand beach 100 meters down below and the massive limestone cliffs on my right! Damn I totally understand why this is one of the best places to see in Nusa Penida. Take a look at the breathtaking photos…
Peguyangan waterfall
On the South East cliffs of Nusa Penida, there is a hike where you can’t be afraid of heights. The hike is a 150-meter iron blue stairs, which takes you to the bottom of the cliff and shows you the most scenic areas. A temple and small waterfall with fresh water are located here. But the views from the hike are way more spectacular.
This is more famous for the Blue Stairs of Nusa Penida. This amazing photo spot is one of the best places to see in Nusa Penida when you ask me. The narrow and steep blue stairs will lead you all the way down to the the ocean about 80 meter below where they built a temple. There is an underground river that drops into the ocean and there are a couple man made pools to chill in. When I climbed down the stairs I saw over 50 manta rays from up here! Stay focused on the ocean and you will for sure spot a couple if they are around.
Crystal Bay Nusa Penida
This is one of the few beaches where you can easily get to on Nusa Penida. Incredible white sand and a perfect place to snorkel.
This is one of those things to do in Nusa Penida. This is the number one place on the island to relax in style. A picture perfect white sand beach, tall palm trees, hammocks, fresh coconuts and there can even be found local Nusa Penida accommodation. Definitely a winner!
Angel’s Billabong
A 150-meter walk from Broken Beach is a natural infinity pool where you can dip in and enjoy the clearest water you’ve ever swim in.
To get here is a pain in the ass, but after you suffered for at least an hour on your motorbike you found a magical spot. This natural pool seems the perfect spot to swim but be careful. Unfortunately a bunch of people died here already when massive waves slam into the natural pool and drag people back into the ocean down below. Try not to come here in the morning or at the end of the day as this spot is always part of a Nusa Penida day trip, around mid day this place is not too busy.
Broken Beach
Nusa Penida is full of spectacular shaped locations. Broken Beach is one of them. A 45-minute bumpy ride from KelingKing takes you to this spectacular gate
Just a couple minutes walk from Angel’s Billabong you will find the remains of what once was a massive cave. Long time ago the roof collapsed and now this walled bay can only be accessed through a hole in the rockformation. This spectacular place is definitely one of the best places to see in Nusa Penida. If you have time continue your hike along the rough coastline with its massive cliffs.
Snorkeling with Manta Rays
We didn’t have the chance to do this, but we do want to recommend this because it is so easy to find them around the Nusa Islands. There are some famous Manta Ray points around the island. Ask a local where you should go snorkel/dive
Nusa Penida west coast tour
When doing a west coast tour you will visit:
Waterfall
Kelingking Beach
Broken Beach
Angel’s Billabong
Crystal Bay
The tour usually takes from 8 AM until 16 PM. But when the tide is too low you have to wait an extra hour before you can get back to Nusa Lembongan. Which we didn’t hate because Penida is awesome!
