How to Spend 2 Days on Nusa Penida: A Complete Guide

Nusa Penida is an attractive, rugged island simply off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. Taking a day journey to Nusa Penida is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do for Bali holidaymakers who’re quick on time, however in case you have just a few further days in your Bali itinerary, then lengthen your keep and spend 2-3 days exploring the pure gems across the island. 

Nusa Penida actually is an attractive place and effectively well worth the journey from Bali!

Right here’s a whole information for planning your 2 day journey to Nusa Penida:

What number of days do you want on Nusa Penida?

If you’re quick on time, it’s attainable to do a day journey from Bali to Nusa Penida. When you determine on this feature, it is suggested to book your trip in advance to save lots of time making preparations on the day, and there are numerous tour operators that supply day journeys.

Nonetheless, to be able to actually see what Nusa Penida has to supply, 2-3 days on the island can be perfect. 

Tips on how to get to Nusa Penida

The one method to get to Nusa Penida is by boat. You possibly can both take a bigger ferry or a smaller quick boat. The quick boats are barely costlier and get you there faster, however the journey is extra rocky than on the ferry. It’s strongly beneficial when taking both choice to take movement illness tablets earlier than you get on the boat as the ocean round Nusa Penida is famend for being uneven! 

• From Bali: You could have three most important departure ports for catching a ship from Bali throughout to Nusa Penida: Sanur, Padang Bai or Serangan Island. Sanur is the preferred departure level as it’s handy for Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu. From Sanur, the crossing takes roughly 45 minutes and prices roughly $7. You should buy your ticket from the counter on arrival on the port or upfront. 

• From Nusa Lembongan: You too can catch a ship from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida. The journey solely takes 10 minutes and you should purchase your ticket on the counter on the port for simply 50k IDR ($3.30). The boat departs Nusa Lembongan from the well-known yellow bridge which connects Lembongan to Ceningan island. The departures are unscheduled – the boat merely goes as quickly as there are 8 or extra folks prepared to depart. You too can be a part of a snorkeling trip to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan.

• From Gili Trawangan: If you’re doing a little bit of island-hopping round Bali and Lombok, you may also catch a ferry from Gili Trawangan to Nusa Penida. This journey will take roughly 3.5 hours and prices between $16-22, relying on the corporate you e-book with. Be aware that this crossing may be very uneven! 

Nusa Penida has two most important ferry ports on the island: Toya Pakeh Harbour and Buyuk Harbour. Whichever port you arrive in, there are many tuk-tuk and taxis ready to take you to your lodging. 

Tips on how to get round Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is understood for having very tough driving circumstances. Most of the ‘roads’ are extra like tracks and it is extremely rocky, uneven and hilly. Due to this, it is extremely widespread to rent a driver for the day or for a few days that will help you get round. You possibly can both e-book this upfront beforehand via websites like Klook, or GetYourGuide, or you’ll be able to prepare a driver together with your lodging. 

When you favor to have your personal freedom, you’ll be able to lease your personal scooter, however simply bear in mind that even essentially the most assured scooter riders have been caught out by how dangerous a few of the street circumstances are. 

The place is the very best place to remain on Nusa Penida?

The seashores, sights and points of interest are unfold out throughout Nusa Penida, so there’s no ‘one’ greatest place to remain on the island. Nonetheless, a lot of the cafes, eating places and lodging choices are positioned round Toya Pakeh Harbour and Crystal Bay on the west facet of the island and alongside the northern shoreline. 

Tips on how to spend 2 days on Nusa Penida

A lot of Nusa Penida is roofed by thick forest with the vast majority of the sights located alongside the shoreline. There are few roads on the island and those who do exist are small and winding, that means that it’s going to take longer to succeed in locations than you would possibly initially suppose when wanting on the map.

Due to this, it’s a good suggestion to interrupt your tour of Nusa Penida into two days: protecting the west facet and east facet on totally different days. 

Day 1: Nusa Penida West

• Damaged seashore and angel billabong
• Keliking seashore
• Paluang cliff
• Crystal Bay & Pandan seashore

Damaged seashore and angel billabong

Damaged seashore is without doubt one of the most lovely spots on Nusa Penida and is a must-visit when exploring the island. From the automobile park, make your method to angel billabong first. Angel billabong is a pure infinity pool fashioned from the crashing of waves towards the rocks. Many individuals are enticed by the clear turquoise water within the pool that they make their means down the rocks to swim within the pool. Nonetheless, that is extraordinarily harmful. The crashing waves could be unpredictable and a number of other folks have misplaced their lives or been badly injured by the sturdy waves pushing them into the rocks, or sweeping them out to sea. 

It’s higher to remain on the prime and the view from above is simply as lovely, wanting right down to the infinity pool and throughout the rocky shoreline to the ocean. 

After taking within the views from angel billabong, make your means again in the direction of the automobile park, and switch proper in the direction of damaged seashore. Damaged seashore is a beautiful blue lagoon, separated from the ocean by a limestone arch, which creates a pure bridge over the water. You can’t stroll right down to the lagoon or seashore, however it’s spectacular to view from above. When you’re fortunate, you may additionally spot a few Manta Rays swimming simply off the shore! 

Good to know: The monitor to the parking for Damaged seashore may be very rocky, so in case you have your personal scooter, be certain to take it very slowly. There are bogs right here and a number of other small warung’s the place you should purchase drinks or one thing to eat.

Keliking seashore

Keliking seashore is maybe essentially the most well-known location on Nusa Penida – largely due to Instagram. The view from the highest of the cliff is fairly spectacular, with lovely views right down to the cape (which some folks say is formed like a T-Rex), and out to sea. 

Sadly, the beautiful views and insta-fame have turned Keliking seashore right into a vacationer scorching spot and it may get extremely crowded right here. Attempt to get right here earlier than 9 am if attainable to keep away from the day journey crowds coming from the mainland. 

To try to escape the crowds, you’ll be able to stroll right down to the seashore, however be aware that it may take between 40-60 minutes and durable sneakers are wanted because the trek down may be very steep and rocky. While you attain the underside, you may be rewarded with pristine tender sand and lovely blue water. Nonetheless, swimming is just not beneficial as a result of sturdy currents. 

The world round Keliking seashore may be very touristic and you’ll find loads of native warungs to seize one thing to eat or drink in addition to a number of bogs. 

Tip: When you don’t need to hike all the way in which right down to the underside, however are competing with the crowds on the prime for a great photograph – simply stroll about 5 or 10 minutes down the trail and take your pictures from there as an alternative. 

Paluang cliff

Only a few minutes from Keliking seashore is Paluang Cliff. This can be a nice viewpoint the place you’ll be able to see the well-known Kelking cape from the opposite facet and revel in uninterrupted views out to sea with out all of the crowds. There’s additionally a small shrine right here and a neighborhood warung too. This can be a great place to simply sit and chill out after the busy crowds of Keliking seashore. 

Crystal Bay

The final cease of the day is Crystal Bay. This is without doubt one of the hottest seashores on Nusa Penida and you’ll find a number of warungs for lunch in addition to loads of parking and sunbeds to rent. It is usually probably the greatest spots on Nusa Penida to observe the sundown should you stick round! 

The crystal-clear blue water within the secluded bay is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkelling and also you would possibly even be capable of spot fish and turtles. If you wish to discover a extra peaceable spot, you’ll be able to hike quarter-hour to the quiet cove of Pandan seashore. The hike is just not too strenuous however sneakers are beneficial to climb the uneven steps. There are not any amenities on Pandan seashore, however it’s good if you wish to get away from the crowds. 

Day 2: Manta Ray snorkel and Nusa Penida East

• Swim with Large Manta Ray
• Diamond seashore
• Atuh seashore
• Goa Giri Putri Temple

Swim with Large Manta Ray

Nusa Penida is without doubt one of the greatest locations to see Large Manta Rays and there are numerous totally different excursions that function from the island. You possibly can choose a 2-hour, half-day or full-day tour and may select whether or not to affix a snorkeling or diving tour. Tours can be booked in advance online, however there are additionally a number of operators positioned in Toya Pakeh Harbour and Crystal Bay who you’ll be able to e-book instantly with. 

A lot of the excursions will take you to a few totally different websites across the island, together with the favored Manta Level on the south facet. 

Snorkelling or diving with Large Manta Rays is secure as they don’t seem to be dangerous to people, nonetheless, you will need to keep in mind to offer them house and respect and undoubtedly don’t contact them. 

Diamond seashore

Diamond seashore is one other spot which is changing into extra recognisable from pictures on Instagram – and with good motive – it’s lovely! 

There’s a 25k IDR ($1.70) cost to entry Diamond seashore, however this does additionally embrace entry to Atuh seashore as effectively. 

To climb right down to the seashore, it’s important to deal with a sequence of steep, uneven and sandy steps. There’s a rope that will help you, however take care as it may be slippery, so flip-flops will not be beneficial for this. When you make it right down to the underside, the seashore is beautiful, and since not too many individuals select to hike to the underside, it isn’t that crowded both. 

As with most seashores round Nusa Penida, it isn’t suggested to go swimming too far off the shore because the waves could be very sturdy, however you’ll be able to wade in and paddle. When you don’t fancy the climb right down to the seashore, the perspective on the prime is simply as spectacular. 

Tip: Verify the tide occasions earlier than deciding to hike right down to the seashore as it isn’t accessible at excessive tide. 

Atuh seashore

On the alternative facet of Diamond seashore is Atuh seashore. As with Diamond seashore, the descent right down to Atuh seashore is through a sequence of steep, rocky steps. Nonetheless, the trail is barely wider right here, with a few little locations to face to 1 facet and catch your breath!

The secluded cove of Atuh seashore is a good place to spend just a few hours stress-free on one of many sunbeds which you’ll be able to rent, or on the tender sandy seashore. There are additionally a number of native warungs on the seashore so you should purchase one thing to eat or drink. 

Regardless of the waves, it is a beautiful, laid-back seashore, good for sunbathing, stress-free and paddling.

Goa Giri Putri Temple

As you make your means again to your lodging on the finish of the day – in case you have time, make a brief cease on the Goa Giri Putri Temple, positioned on the northeast facet of the island, simply off the principle street. 

The small temple is hidden underground in one of many largest caves on Nusa Penida and may solely be accessed by a winding set of stairs descending down into the cave. There’s a charge of 50k IDR ($3.30), to enter the cave, which features a sarong that it’s essential to put on earlier than getting into the temple. You received’t want very lengthy right here, however it’s a distinctive spot to cease at as you move by. 

Discover Nusa Penida at your personal tempo

Whereas there are numerous nice day journeys to Nusa Penida from close by islands, one of the best ways to actually discover the island is to take action at your personal tempo. Spend two nights and cut up your days between the western and jap facet of the island – hopping between the totally different seashores and snorkeling spots.