Fancy an island-hopping journey from Bali? Tick off all one of the best issues to do in Nusa Penida – from exploring underground temples and hidden seashores, to recognizing Manta Rays within the deep!
Whereas we love Bali’s stunning seashores, superior island adventures and numerous wining and eating locations, typically we’d like just a little escape from the each day hustle and bustle. Fortunate for us, Bali is fringed by three ‘little sister’ islands, particularly Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and the most important: Nusa Penida.
Only a hop, skip and a 45-minute boat experience away from Bali’s foremost harbour in Sanur, you’ll end up in Nusa Penida, a comparatively untouched island that appears like one thing out of Jurassic Park. With its awe-inspiring pure landscapes, hidden seashores, vibrant marine life and breathtaking cultural sights, Nusa Penida is a must-visit vacation spot, and one among our absolute favorite locations to discover over a protracted weekend.
On account of its measurement, you’ll wish to spend at the very least two nights on the islands, ticking off all one of the best locations to go to in Nusa Penida. Deliver your digicam – and a way of journey – as a result of a visit to Nusa Penida is an otherworldly expertise that’s undoubtedly worthy of your Bali bucket listing.
TOP 12 THINGS TO DO IN NUSA PENIDA
Excursions, points of interest and finest locations to go to
1. Set sail on a cushty tour and see all of it!
With so many issues to see and do on Nusa Penida, exploring all of it ain’t straightforward. So we are saying, go away it to the specialists to tailor a tour particularly for you, one that permit’s you see all of it in essentially the most comfy means potential. If crusing Nusa Penida on a personal yacht floats your boat, a tour with Day Journey Bali is our prime decide. Not solely a trendy method to cruise Nusa Penida’s shoreline, it’s essentially the most comfy choice to discover the island, each by sea and on land. Merely select which vessel is best for you (from smaller commonplace boats to bigger premium yachts), then let the professional workforce personally curate an itinerary that fits you – from snorkelling and swimming with the majestic Manta Rays, to heading inland to go to Nusa Penida’s most scenic viewpoints. And one of the best bit is, each boat is totally decked out with luxe, family-friendly facilities to ensure utmost consolation. All you need to do is sit again, loosen up and let the journey start…
2. Go to Kelingking Seaside… and hike down if you happen to dare!
Yep, you’ve seen it on everybody’s Instagram feed: the T Rex-shaped cliff that stands tall and proud on the western coast of the island. Kelingking Seaside (“kelingking” that means “little finger”) is a Nusa Penida icon, recognized not just for its spectacular rock formation but in addition its white sandy seaside… that’s, if you happen to dare to hike down the just about vertical, barely-there stairs! However, those that are courageous sufficient will certainly be rewarded. As you step onto the pristine seaside, you’re immediately transported to paradise, with powder-white sands and wild crashing waves. It’s effectively well worth the adrenaline rush, and a much-needed respite from the crowds of vacationers on the prime!
3. Go diving with Manta Rays!
With 296 reefs and 576 species of fish, snorkelling or diving in Nusa Penida’s waters is a must-do when visiting this magical island. You’ll have the prospect to stand up shut with a spread of marine life, from sea turtles and dolphins, to dugongs, and essentially the most well-known of all of them, Manta Rays. The biggest households of Manta Rays will be discovered at Manta Level, however you’ll additionally wish to discover Crystal Bay with its vibrant reefs, and Gamat Bay which is finest for underwater caves. Different in style snorkelling and diving spots embrace Penida Bay, Toyapakeh, Batu Meling, Batu Abah, Malibu Level and Batu Lumbung.
4. Scale the cliffside stairway to Diamond Seaside
One other Insta-famous spot in Nusa Penida is Diamond Seaside, aptly named due to its diamond-shaped rock formations. It’s most well-known for the epic views, finest loved from the majestic clifftops, or on the steps that lead right down to the pristine white sand (these stairs are a lot safer in comparison with Kelingking!)). It’s additionally the place you could find hovering swings that make for nice photo-ops in opposition to a panoramic backdrop of glittering ocean and diamond-shaped rocks. Prime tip: earlier than you permit, head over to Atuh Seaside (beneath) – it’s simply footsteps away!
5. Discover the beautiful Atuh Seaside
Only a quick stroll from Diamond Seaside (or a 30-minute scooter experience round) is likely one of the island’s most stunning seashores, Atuh Seaside. With its sweeping views of the ocean and the enduring arch-like rock formation within the distance, it’s a photographer’s dream. You’ll wish to go to at excessive tide if you happen to’re hoping to swim, or lease a sun-bed on the sand to make a day of it.
6. Courageous the rickety stairway to the Peguyangan pure swimming pools
In case you’re afraid of heights, this one isn’t for you! However belief us once we say, it’s value it. At this well-known Nusa Penida vacation spot, a brilliant blue staircase hangs precariously on the aspect of the cliffs, with large gaps that imply you possibly can see the waves crashing lots of of toes beneath you! However what’s ready on the finish is a hidden gem that immediately calms your racing coronary heart price. You’ll be greeted by Peguyangan ‘waterfall’, a secret oasis with water trickling down the rocks and right into a pure pool the place you possibly can take a dip and watch the breathtaking waves over the sting… All earlier than a scary climb again up!
7. Awe at Angel’s Billabong, Nusa Penida’s pure infinity pool
Image this: a pure infinity pool framed by vibrant rocks, and an countless backdrop of turquoise ocean out yonder… Angel’s Billabong is as stunning as you possibly can think about. Nonetheless, you’ll wish to go to at low tide solely, as a result of when the tide is excessive right here, wild waves crash up and over the rocks, turning this dreamy spot into a really harmful cave with loopy currents. Swimming isn’t permitted because of this, however the views from above are well worth the journey, and as a bonus, Damaged Seaside is simply 100 metres away (one other must-see!).
8. Go to Pura Goa Giri Putri –a sacred, underground temple in a cave
Hidden away within the largest collapse Nusa Penida is Pura Goa Giri Putri, a sacred, underground temple. Squeeze down into the key slender entrance (which appears to be like extra like a gap within the floor!), and also you’re transported to a different world. Goa Giri Putri, which interprets to “the Goddess of the cave and hill”, is house to 6 pura (AKA “temples”), one situated outdoors and the remaining contained in the cave. This cultural vacation spot is incessantly flocked by native Balinese in conventional clothes for each day prayers. The excellent news is, it’s open for guests too, both to easily stroll via the cave, or to participate in a purification ritual, which lasts for roughly two hours and makes use of holy water from the cave’s pure springs. Simply you should definitely cowl up and costume appropriately earlier than you enter this area for prayer, and comply with the steerage from the temple clergymen.
9. Eat at Nusa Penida’s finest eating places and bars
Don’t be fooled by its untouched landscapes – Nusa Penida can be house to scrumptious cafes and eating places that will match good in Canggu. We begin day-after-day at Secret Penida for its superior espresso and yummy breakfasts, then for lunch or mild tapas, we make our method to the seaside shack stylish Coco Penida. Because the solar units, we make a beeline to the beachfront Penida Colada for a sundowner by the ocean, full with a cocktail in hand and stay music, earlier than grazing on the delectable dinner menu.
10. Island hop to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
In case you’re staying in Nusa Penida for quite a lot of days, you’ll wish to save a while for a day journey to the neighbouring islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. You’ll be able to catch a small boat (which leaves each hour) for a brief 10-minute sail to Nusa Lembongan, the place cute cafes, boho seaside golf equipment, beachfront spas and much more island adventures await. And whilst you’re at it, rent a scooter and cross the yellow bridge (AKA The Bridge of Love) to Nusa Ceningan for a full-day island itinerary.
11. Scooter across the island
With no site visitors and breathtaking views, Nusa Penida is an superior place to rent a scooter and discover the island. Like in mainland Bali, you possibly can rent a scooter for a day, with costs starting from IDR 80,000 to IDR 200,000, relying on the kind of scooter. Simply be weary that a few of the roads will be extraordinarily bumpy and harmful to experience on, so solely lease a scooter in case you have a licence and have ridden earlier than!