TRAVEL GUIDE TO NUSA PENIDA (BALI)

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Bali is magical, it has something special. Few people question this. However, it is also noisy, chaotic, has a hellish traffic and is full of tourists practically throughout the year. Perhaps these are sufficient reasons for more and more travelers to explore the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. So if you are also thinking of including it in your travel itinerary in Indonesia, do not miss the following Guide with all the info you need to travel to Nusa Penida.

Located in the southeast of Bali and separated from it by the Strait of Badung, this beautiful and wild island emerges from incredibly turquoise waters. With a population of 7,000 inhabitants and an area of approximately 200 square kilometers, it is the older sister of nearby Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. A small great paradise still far from reaching the tourist development of the Bali law. In Nusa Penida you will have to inhale deeply because you will find endless places that will leave you breathless.

Although it is possible to visit Nusa Penida throughout the year, the best period is the one included between May and September. The wind and the dry season allow you to comfortably explore the island avoiding rainfall and extreme humidity during the rainy season. Although, the months from July to August are the ones that receive the largest influx of tourists and when finding accommodation can be more complicated.

There are four ways of get Nusa Penida from Bali:

→ The PUBLIC FERRY. It leaves every day at 12.00 from the port of Padang Bai southeast of Bali, arrives at the port of Sampalan (north of the island). It is the cheapest alternative, it costs about € 2, but also the slowest and subject to delays (the journey is an hour and a half). The perfect option for those who have a tight budget, but have plenty of time. If you are traveling by motorcycle in Bali you can embark with you on the ferry (at an additional cost) and avoid having to rent another one when you arrive in Nusa Penida.

→ PUBLIC FAST BOAT. It leaves every day at 6.30 am from the port of Sanur and it takes about an hour and a half to reach Penida. It costs about € 2.50.

→ SPEED BOAT or speedboat. Different local companies offer this service several times a day from the port of Sanur, covering the route to the different ports of Nusa Penida (most arrive at Toyapakeh) in about 30-40 minutes. Prices may vary depending on the company you choose and the ability you have to negotiate with them, but around € 12-15 per route. The ticket price usually includes pick-up from your hotel in Bali and transportation from the port of arrival to your accommodation (as long as it is within the radius that they have set, but you will have to pay a plus or hire your own transport). You will have a small discount if you buy the round trip ticket.

Check prices and schedules here
Buy the tickets here.

→ TOUR from Bali: There is also the option to travel to Nusa Penida on tour, includes transportation, guide and tickets. More info here.

For get from Nusa Lembongan there is a speed boat from the port of Jungut Batu which covers the brief route to the ports of Toyapakeh Y Buyuk regularly. It costs about € 4, without fixed schedules, when there are enough people to make the journey profitable.

The same Speed Boat companies that cover the route from Bali to Nusa Penida also operate the route from the Gili Islands to the island with different daily departures and prices that vary between € 30-40.

Here you have all the companies that operate and their schedules

Crystal Bay, in Nusa Penida

Move in motorcycle by Nusa Penida is not easy. The roads to reach many of the places of interest are in poor condition and if you are not an expert driver, adventure can become a nightmare. Rent your own motorcycle It will cost you between 3-5 € per day and you can do it directly at the port of arrival or at your accommodation (most offer this service). Do not forget to ask for a helmet!

If you are not used to driving a motorcycle or you are not sure that you can deal with the continuous potholes and holes of the island's roads, it is best to hire a private driver (car or motorcycle) and literally get carried away. A car with driver You can leave for between € 35-50 a day, so a good idea is to share vehicle and expenses with other travelers!

The possibility of rent bicycles, but unless you have Induráin's legs and are willing to sweat the fat drop, it is not a feasible option to tour the entire island!

Although it is true that Nusa Penida does not yet have a large hotel infrastructure, it is possible to find decent accommodation options and even special places such as those known among the instragramers tree houses of Atuh Beach: Rumah Pohon Tree Hous.

Near the port of Toyapakeh, where most of the speed boats arrive, there are a good number of simple and inexpensive accommodations. In the North Coast you will find alternatives a bit more expensive, but in return it is quite likely that you have beautiful views of the sea. You will also find a handful of accommodations scattered around other areas of the island and some close to the main attractions.

If you visit the island during the months of greatest influx of tourists (July-August), it is recommended that you book in advance.

Although it is best to enjoy the tranquility of the island, there are some places you can not miss. This is the best thing to see and do in Nusa Penida:

- Visit the beaches of the island. One of the main attractions that Nusa Penida has are its beaches. The most famous of the island are:

Crystal Bay, where you can enjoy unforgettable sunsets.
Atuh Beach, a wilder beach that is reached after a pretty bad road.
Suwehan Beach, Be careful because the access stairs are damaged after the Lombok earthquake in August 2018.
Kelingking Beach, spectacular and photographed beach west of the island.

All these beaches are white sand and ideal for relaxing and taking a bath. Keep in mind that it will not be easy to reach them many times, so good footwear will make the way easier.

Atuh Beach, Nusa Penida

- hallucinate with the impressive cliffs, waterfalls and natural pools of the island. On the spectacular coast of Nusa Penida, in addition to beaches, you will find incredible cliff areas such as Broken beach, freshwater waterfalls like Peguyangan Waterfall, Seganing Waterfall and natural pools like Tembeling or Angel's Billabong (Avoid bathing in it when there is high tide!).

- Contemplate magical sunsets since Saren Cliff Point or Karang Dawa View Point just above Kelingking beach.

- Visit the temples most important of the island, such as the impressive Pure Goa Giri Putri (Temple of the Mountain Cave) and the curious Pura Paluang (Temple of the Car).

- Diving. Nusa Penida is known throughout Indonesia for its dives, its funds are rich in life and famous for being visited by the spectacular Manta Raya, the whale shark and the nurse sharks, not forgetting the turtles. If you do not have a diving title, you can go snorkelling and with a little luck, live the experience of swimming with Mantas Raya. You can also see them from the Point Lookout Blanket without even having to get your feet wet!

Broken Beach from the air, Nusa Penida

Here we leave you a map with all the points of interest of the island of Nusa Penida.

The beautiful Nusa Penida has a lot to offer and now is the time to do it !! It is fair to dedicate at least a couple of days to live the adventure of exploring virgin nature in its purest form ...

We hope our travel guide to Nusa Penida Help you organize and enjoy your next trip to the island!

* Photocredit: Shutterstock