Bali to Nusa Penida Day Trip: What to Know Before You Go

Posted on October 7, 2018May 23, 2025 by Auri by Auri

In case you haven’t heard, there are three Nusa Islands located southeast of Bali: Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan. Each has its own vibe, but Nusa Penida stands out as the most exotic and adventurous of the trio. Nusa Lembongan, the closest to Bali mainland, is connected to the petite Nusa Ceningan by an iconic yellow bridge.

On my second day in Bali, I ventured to Nusa Penida—and honestly, it turned out to be one of my absolute favorite stops on the entire trip. If you haven’t discovered this little slice of paradise yet, you’re missing out big time!

How to Get to Nusa Penida

To get to Nusa Penida, you need to take a speedboat from Sanur Port. I recommend leaving your hotel early and arriving at Sanur by 7:00 a.m. The port gets very busy, so an early start gives you a smooth head start before the tourist wave hits.

Important Tip: I don’t recommend buying tickets online, especially those that seem suspiciously cheap. You won’t know the condition of the boat or how reputable the company is. It’s better to buy tickets in person after checking things out for yourself. Thankfully, I didn’t have to deal with all that stress—I had arranged everything through my trusted Balinese guide, Pak Yanto, who handled the entire itinerary for me, from hotel pickup to boat transfers and even lunch.

At Sanur Port, my guide bought the tickets directly from the counter and guided me all the way to the speedboat. The journey to Nusa Penida takes about 40 minutes, and the boat chosen by Yanto was surprisingly clean (and even smelled nice!).

💡 Insurance Tip: Most boat ticket prices include basic insurance. You’ll likely be offered both local and tourist insurance options. Go with the tourist price—it’s only slightly higher and offers better coverage.

What to Wear on the Trip

Wear something light and comfortable—but the key tip here is: don’t wear shoes at the port!

Why?

Because you’ll need to walk through shallow seawater to reach the boat. Everyone leaves their slippers in communal buckets on the beach before boarding. So either you wear flip-flops and change into sneakers when you arrive, or bring your shoes in a bag. Just remember where you placed your slippers. Trust me, it’s a messy scramble if you forget!

My Nusa Penida Tour Experience

When I arrived at Nusa Penida, my local guide Madi, was already waiting with a big smile. He’s young, friendly, speaks excellent English—and yes, he’s kind of muscular too (hehe). He even joked and called me a “celebrity.” 😂 The day tour includes lunch (either nasi goreng or mee goreng).

Just so you know, the Nusa Penida day tour only covers the western part of the island. At first, I was considering doing the Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan tour, but my schedule was too tight, so I opted for the Nusa Penida day tour. If you want to do the Nusa Islands tour, Pak Yanto can arrange it for you too, but be prepared for a longer (and costlier) day.

📍Places I Visited in Nusa Penida

1. Kelingking Beach

This is the most Instagram-famous spot in Nusa Penida. The T-Rex-shaped cliff is absolutely surreal. Madi suggested I try walking down for better photo angles.

Warning: the trail is steep, slippery, and not very secure. Only bamboo railings and ropes guide your way. Everyone was helping each other down—it was that intense. I only went halfway but the view was totally worth it!

💡 Pro Tip: Wear sneakers or good hiking sandals here. Flip-flops are a big no.

2. Angel’s Billabong & Broken Beach

Next, we drove about 45 minutes to these two nearby natural wonders. Angel’s Billabong is a gorgeous, rugged infinity pool naturally carved between the rocks. You can’t always swim here—it depends on tide and safety.

Broken Beach, just a short walk away, is a collapsed cliff with a circular inlet and a natural arch connecting to the sea. Absolutely mesmerizing!

There’s a small warung nearby selling snacks and drinks—perfect for a break.

3. Crystal Bay

We wrapped up the tour at Crystal Bay, known for its clear blue water and soft white sand fringed by palm trees. It’s a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, though the waves were too strong for me to swim that day. Still, it was the perfect place to chill before heading back.

One thing I loved: Madi didn’t just guide me—he became my personal photographer! He took photos with his own camera and transferred them to my phone using a dual USB flash drive. Such a thoughtful touch!

💰 How Much Did It Cost?

Here’s what I paid:

💸 900,000 IDR/person (~RM270 / ~$60)

This includes:

✔️ Round-trip speedboat transfer
✔️ Full-day guided tour in Nusa Penida
✔️ Lunch (simple fried rice or noodles)

You can skip lunch and bring your own snacks if you prefer. Some people choose to rent scooters and explore on their own, but after seeing how bad the roads are, I don’t recommend that. It’s rocky, narrow, and potentially dangerous, especially for first-timers.

What to Expect

HOT weather: Make sure to wear appropriate clothing and bring sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
Crowds: Take some time for yourself to take good photos without other people in the background.
Rough roads: The roads in Nusa Penida can be bumpy and narrow, so be prepared for a potentially uncomfortable ride.
Motorcyclists: Since the road here is bumpy and narrow (it’s pretty bad, seriously), you need to be extra careful.
A lot of walking: There is a fair amount of walking involved in exploring Nusa Penida, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Bad toilets: Be mindful that toilet facilities may not be up to standard in some places, so it’s best to be prepared.
Entrance & parking fees: There may be an entrance fee for parking at certain sites, so carry small cash.
Lots of walking: Wear comfy shoes and stay hydrated!
Expensive drinks: Even mineral water costs more—bring your own if you can.