3 Days on Nusa Penida
Logistics:
Before we get into the fun stuff let's talk about how we got to Nusa Penida, where we stayed, and how we got around while we were there.
Getting There:
To get to Nusa Penida you will need to take a Fast Boat from Sanur. The Terminal is called "Matahari Terbit Port". There are several different fast boat companies to choose from. We used Idola Fastboat to Nusa Penida (Angel Billabong). You can book online using the link below:
Be prepared, you may be required to pay an Island Retribution Fee of 25k/person by the government when you arrive on the island. Best to keep exact change for this in case asked.
When you arrive in Nusa Penida there will be no shortage of taxi options (don't worry you will not have to look for one, they will find you). Expect to pay around 150k. They will give you a higher price than this but try to haggle the price down,
Where to Stay:
This bungalow was a great budget option. It was quiet, private, and a quick scooter ride to most of the restaurants of the coast.
We rented our scooters from our hostel.
If you're looking for something a little higher scale, check out these unique stays:
Getting Around:
Scoots! The best way to get around Nusa Penida is to rent a scooter. There is no Grab or Gojek (uber equivalent) on the island. I'm sure there are options to hire a car, however, if you want the freedom to be on your own schedule, scooter is the way to go.
We rented our scooters from our hostel (around $8 a day). You can find places to buy gas all around the island. They sell it in plastic bottles or from the pump.
As someone who was very nervous to ride a scooter in Bali, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The roads are not busy at all and the drive was very scenic!
Make sure to download your maps before you set out for the day because service is very spotty around the island.
Day 1
Breakfast:
I'd recommend a big breakfast! There aren't a ton of options to eat where you'll be adventuring. We often skipped lunch and had a big dinner instead.
Activities:
Kelingking beach is the iconic photo you will see anytime you google Indonesia. I really thought this would be one of those sights that looks better in other people's photos - you go to just to say you did, and then head out.
I WAS WRONG. This was one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. If you aren't big on hiking, please try and change your mind for this one because it's really worth it.
That being said, the hike down is no joke. It starts as a set of pretty steep stairs, and eventually turns into a straight up rock climbing adventure. There is a bamboo railing to hold on to and this will be your lifeline. I know at this point I'm not really selling it anymore, but trust me it is so worth it.
On the beach there is a small stand where they sell coconuts, cold beer, coke, and snacks like Pringles. It is a little more pricey for these items but after you do this hike it is so justified.
Here are some action shots of us heavy breathing our way back up from the beach.
We didn't think we would be spending the whole day at Kelingking so we had a couple more activities planned. While we didn't get around to doing anything else, I'll include our proposed itinerary in case I didn't sell you on the hike.
Extras:
These locations are both very close to each other, and just North of Kelingking Beach. You should be able to get to them all in the same day!
Manta Ray Viewpoint
Head over to the Manta Ray Viewpoint: Halfway between the walk from Angel's Billabong to Broken Beach (about 5 mins), you will see an archway of trees. Don't go through this archway immediately! Go up the hill towards the ocean on your right and look down! This is where the big boy Mantas hang out.
Dinner/ Nightlife:
Nightlife isn't exactly bumping on Nusa Penida, but the go to thing to do is watch a live band.
Head back to our breakfast spot to catch the live band starting from 7pm onwards.
Day 2
Breakfast:
Activities:
Guyangan Waterfall is another place that I expected to go for a quick visit, and yet again I was so wrong, we loved it so much we stayed all day.
You will be walking into a temple so be respectful in the way you act and present yourself. Dress modestly to get there, wear a sarong - there are rentals at the entrance if you do not have your own (this is a requirement).
Despite its name, Guyangan isn't much of a waterfall. It's more of an area with little secluded pools that look so magical this guide won't describe them in justice.
By this point we realized that everything beautiful on this island requires a treacherous climb down. I won't sugar coat it, there are a ton of stairs and some of them are a little scary if you're afraid of heights. Similar to Kelingking, just do it, you won't regret it. I know you're not meant to say it, but in this case it's less about the journey, more about the destination.
When you get to the bottom of the stairs you will get to a temple. Walk a little further, down some steps, and you'll get to the pools. Sit back and enjoy the view of the waves crashing against the rocks!
Seriously, how insane is this place.
Extras:
Just like Day 1, we bit off more than we could chew. Here was the rest of our plans for the day that we didn't get around to doing!
Check out the details on both posts for more info on how to get to these spots!
Dinner/ Nightlife:
Head over to Full Moon Bungalows after dinner to check out the live band.
Day 3
Changing it up today and starting off with an activity rather than breakfast!
Snorkelling with MANTA RAYS! You'll want to do this activity first thing in the morning with a guide.
We did our snorkelling tour with Boney, a private guide on Nusa Penida. I've included all his contact info (Whattsapp and Instagram) in the details under Manta Point.
Boney takes you to 3 sites:
1. The Manta Rays: I was shocked at how many Manta Rays we were able to see. They swim so close to you and will sometimes come in groups.
2. Colourful Fish: The next spot is full of colours from healthy corals to big schools of fish. Expect an underwater rainbow.
3. Sea Turtles: The third spot is good for spotting sea turtles. We only saw 1 on our trip but apparently there are usually more in the area.
You are welcome to bring your own GoPro, however, Boney has his own and is a dedicated videographer. I've attached some of the shots he took on our trip! He'll airdrop these to you at the end of the trip free of charge.
Some fishy friends from site #2
Say hello to the underwater birds!
Little bonus: Boney has a great singing voice and serenaded us on our way home 🎤🎸🚤
Breakfast:
This place has incredible food made by the kindest people. They sat down at our table while taking our order and made us feel like we were family.
Seriously, if you want a warm fuzzy, read their online reviews. You'll find countless stories about how kind they are - they even helped out a traveler who got sick and ran out of money.
If you still need a coffee top up or snack:
Activities:
After breakfast we headed out to Diamond Beach. Once again, you're looking at a bunch of stairs to get to this iconic beach. Out of all the other hikes, I would say this one was the easiest. The stairs are carved out of the side of the cliff which is pretty impressive in itself.
Take a pause about halfway down the steps to appreciate the view! It really is something else.
Rumah Pohon is a really unique stay but it does require some very advanced planning. There are only 3 treehouses and they get booked months in advance. It costs around $40 a night.
The treehouses sit on the Thousand Islands Viewpoints which gives you a view of the coastline in either direction, as well as Batupadasan and Batuabah islands.
On our drive home we detoured to go through Teletubbies Hill. You won't find giant colourful creatures running around, bummer I know, but you will see some really unique land formations.
We pulled off on the side of the road to take some photos and stopped some passerby's to ask for a photo - Thanks guys!
Dinner:
It's your last night, treat yourself to a nice dinner!
Check out my other guide for the ultimate month in Bali!
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