Nusa Penida is a relatively undeveloped island southeast of mainland Bali. You won’t find Bali’s glamorous beach clubs, organic cafes, or trendy restaurants there, but the natural attractions of Nusa Penida are just amazing. There you can find some of the most photogenic places in Indonesia and the world. It will possibly be one of the most beautiful places of your vacation.
The sun in Nusa Penida shines pretty much all year round, and there are many empty beaches hidden behind walls more than 100 meters high. Those are the types of beaches you only see in Hollywood movies. All of this is only 30 minutes away by boat from Bali. Nusa Penida is certainly a place that should be on the itinerary of any person visiting Indonesia.
However, it is by far the largest island of all the Nusa islands, and it’s a rustic and challenging destination to visit, so it is important to have an organized itinerary to help you enjoy the most of it. The roads that lead to the main tourist attractions on the island are narrow, bumpy, and often unpaved. Riding a scooter, one of the main means of transportation in Indonesia, can be an adventure. And, to make things worse, access to some tourist spots includes going down very steep cliffs – sometimes even with the help of ropes!
But don’t be intimidated. All the effort to explore the island will be worth it! After all, it is not by chance that Nusa Penida has become one of the main reasons tourists from all over the world visit Indonesia. The place is paradise.
Nusa Penida is an island located on the southeastern Indonesian island of Bali and a district of Klungkung Regency that includes the neighboring small island of Nusa Lembongan and twelve even smaller islands. The Badung Strait separates the island from Bali. The interior of Nusa Penida is hilly, with a maximum altitude of 524 meters. It is drier than the nearby island of Bali. It is one of the major tourist attractions among the three Nusa islands.
There are thirteen small islands nearby—Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and eleven even smaller—which are included within the district (kecamatan). Administratively, the kecamatan of the same name had a population of 45,110 at the 2010 census, covering 202.8 km2, very little changed from 10 years prior.
As you set your foot on Nusa Penida, several exciting destinations are waiting to be discovered. One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Nusa Penida that you have to visit is Broken Beach, a magnificent cove featuring an eye-catching turquoise pond located at the southwestern tip of the island. Also known locally as Pasih Uug, the name was coined from the giant tunnel found in the wall of the cove, which was formed due to centuries-long abrasion.
Around Broken Beach, you’ll be able to capture plenty of amazing pictures, thanks to the cove’s marvelous landscape. Other than the cliff’s enchanting scape and its lush surroundings, from this cove, you can also witness the distant open sea, which definitely will be stamped into your memory forever.
After having fun taking a bunch of lovely pictures, now it’s time for you to take more pictures around another gem of Nusa Penida, located about three kilometers to the southeast of Broken Beach. Known as Kelingking Beach, this place features a truly unique landscape. Seen from the heights, the beach features vast, beautiful sands swept by captivating waves.
The cliffs near the beach also resemble a T-Rex with its mouth open. The landscape of Kelingking Beach is adored by countless travelers around the world. According to Money.co.uk, there are about 338.000 photos featuring this beach on Instagram, cementing Kelingking Beach as the Most Instagrammable Beach in 2021.
Have enough pictures of the charming coastlines on the edges of Nusa Penida? Then, head over to Teletubbies Hill, a vast open green hill situated about 11 kilometers southeast of Kelingking Beach.
Named after the famous children’s show, this place is worth a stroll if you’re on the hunt for excellent photo spots. The vibrant shades of Teletubbies Hill are perfect for any kind of photoshoot, whether it’s selfies, group photos, or wedding photos. The peaceful atmosphere around the hills can also ease your mind, making the place even more phenomenal.
The only way you can reach this amazing island is by taking sea transportation. Below are the available sea transportation options from Bali to Nusa Penida.
Fast boats from the piers of Sanur, Kusamba, Pesinggahan, or Padangbai. Other options include taking a traditional boat, which has a lower price point.