Bali Part Four: 3 Days in Nusa Penida – Beaches and Dramatic Cliffs
Last updated on : November 4, 2025
Part Four : Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is one of the three islands off coast of Bali. Known for its beaches and spectacular cliffs, it was, after Ubud, the other destination I simply couldn’t leave out of our itinerary.
We spent 3 nights there during our trip in March 2025, so we would have time to explore the island’s most famous spots, some very touristic, yes, but still absolutely unmissable.
What I loved about Nusa Penida was the wild and raw beauty of its beaches. The breathtaking viewpoints from the top of the cliffs. And above all, the feeling of having the time to slow down, breathe and truly be in the moment.
Each day spent on Nusa Penida was an adventure in itself. In the following sections, I share with you how our days unfolded: between beaches, cliffs, and winding coastal roads. And, as always, at the end of this article, you’ll find a short video montage to help you fully sink into the atmosphere of the island.
Day 9 : Arrival in Nusa Penida, First Impression & Massage
This day began with our guide in the Sidemen area, before saying our goodbye at Kasumba Port, just as we were about to board the ferry to Nusa Penida.
We purchased our tickets through our guide Made (IDR 150,000 per person with Angkal Fastboat), but you can easily book them online via 12go.asia or Bookaway.
There are several ports to transit to Nusa Penida. We left from Kasumba Port (a more local, less touristy departure point) and arrived at Sampalan Port, which was closer to our accommodation. Our villa even offered a free pickup due to the short distance, which was very convenient.
After settling into our little villa, we took a walk around the area to get familiar with our surroundings and find something to eat.
I then treated myself to a 60-minute Balinese massage with Aloe Vera, a small indulgence for my slightly sunburned skin, for about $15. For those visiting Nusa Penida, I highly recommend this treatment at Yasmin Spa Massage.
However, as I left the spa, the weather suddenly changed – torrential rain and thunder. We were about a fifteen-minute walk from our villa, it was getting dark, and that’s when I manage to injure myself by accidentally stepping into a deep hole. I scraped the top of my toe quite badly. Fortunately, we always carry a small first-aid kit with us when we travel. My husband clean the wound, disinfected it, and applied an antibiotic ointment, and everything healed well afterward.
(Travel tip: always carry a tiny first-aid kit – it can save a lot of stress.)
Day 10 – Beaches & Breathtaking Views
For the next two days on Nusa Penida, we hired Pak, a driver-guide recommended by Made (our first guide in Bali). His car was a bit older and the ride sometimes a little bumpy, but honestly, it did the job. The service wasn’t as optimal as with Made, but we weren’t picky, as long as we could reach the places we anted to see.
We began our day with Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, which are located side by side. Broken Beach is a natural cove carved by the ocean into the cliff. You can’t swim there, but the contrast of the crystal-clear water, in different shades of blue, and the sculpted rock formations is definitely worth the stop. Angel’s Billabong, just next to it, is a natural infinity pool overlooking the sea, although access depends greatly on the tides.
Next, our guide took us along one of the bumpiest raods we experienced on the island to reach Kelingking Beach – the famous view point of Nusa Penida, with its cliffs shaped like a T-Rex. From the top, the view is spectacular… but also very busy. We stayed just as long enough to appreciate the landscape, then continued on. And, we chose not to make the descent descent to the beach, which is steep and physically demanding. (Note: at the time of our visit, they were building an elevator to make access to the beach easier in the future).
To end the day, we visited Tembeling Beach & Forest. Despite the spectacular views from the previous attractions, let me tell you that this was my highlight of the day.
To get there, we paid local residents to take us through the forest on scooters. The round trip cost IDR 100,000 per person, and the access fee was IDR 10,000 per person.
At the end of the path, we continued on foot to reach the natural pool, then the beach and the sea. It was magnificent… A quiet and intimate place, srrounded by immense cliffs – the kind of place that takes your breath away and stays with you long after you leave. This is one of the memories from Nusa Penida that touched me the most.
Day 11 : Viewpoints, Beaches & Temple
For our last day on Nusa Penida, our guide picked us up early in the morning to take us to the Tree House (Rumah Pohon) and the Thousand Island Viewpoint.
Once again, it was a real highlight! From here, you get breathtaking panoramic views of the turquoise sea, dramatic rocky islets and steep cliffs. You can also see Diamond Beach a little further away. Entrance Fee: IDR 25,000 per person.
Note: There are many stairs to climb up and down at this site, but the views from the Thousand Island Viewpoint are absolutely worth the effort. If you want to take the famous photo from the little tree house itself, there is an additionnal fee – we chose not to, and have no regrets.
We then continued to the stunning Diamond Beach (IDR 45,000 per person). The view from the top of the cliff is amazing. You can access the beach via a steep staircase carved into the rock. We didn’t go all the way down, and even if we had, swimming is not recommended anyway due to the strong currents.
From the same viewpoint, it’s also possible to walk down to Atuh Beach, located other side of the cliff. This beach is calmer and better for swimming, so we decided to make the descent. We were happy we did but regretted it later when we had to climb back up.
To end the day, we visited the Goa Giri Putri, a templehidden inside a vast underground cave. It was a perfect way to conclude our time on Nusa Penida. I share more about this temple in the article dedicated to the temples.
👉 Read the detailed article on Bali’s Temples
If I Had More Time
I believe that three nights in Nusa Penida is enough to get a good feel for the island.
But if we had had a little more time, I would have loved to visit Crystal Bay. I also would have loved to see manta rays and, who knows, maybe even swim with them.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida
For our stay in Nusa Penida, we chose Singabu Bungalows, in a Twin Bungalow with breakfast included.
The place was small and simple, but it met our needs. The bathroom was, once again, outdoor – a concept we’re still not entirely used to, but one that we now know we prefer only in certain contexts. On the positive side, we had access to a beautiful pool, which we enjoyed several times, often accompanied by Lucy, the local dog who quickly became our little friend.
Among all the accommodations we stayedat during our trip to Bali, this one was the one we connected with the least, not because it wasn’t adequate, but simply because the others offered more charm or comfort.
However, for the price, it was absolutely perfect! And we have nothing but good things to say about the service and cleanliness of the place. So, I still recommend it if you’re looking for a budget-friendly accommodation in this area.
💲Rates in March 2025: around IDR 413,270 (≈ $38) per night for a Twin Bungalow, breakfast included.
Where to Eat in Nusa Penida
We ate our breakfast at Singabu Bar & Grill, the restaurant attached to our accommodation. The menu was limited and the food was just okay, but included in the price of the villa.
We also had breakfast at BLACK WHITE Cafe Bakery, which we really enjoyed, with good service and a beautiful setting.
We went to Warung Lonto a couple of times as well. The place was nice, the atmosphere relaxed, and the food was good.
Finally, we we treated ourselves to pizza at Artrolling Bistro, located right next to our accommodation, and it was delicious!
In conclusion
We feel incredibly fortunate to have visited Nusa Penida during a quieter time of year. Even though many of the places we saw are well-known and often crowded, the views still took our breath away.
Nusa Penida also taught me about stepping back and gaining perspective, not only in literal sense, but also in a inner way. It was a reminder that taking height, just like observing from a clifftop, allows us to change our perspective and see things differently.
And you, have you ever felt that sensation of being so small in front of nature, yet so deeply alive, at the very same time?
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