Nusa Penida is an island southeast of Bali, separated from it by the Badung Strait: you get there by boat from Bali’s southeast coast, then get around by car or two-wheeler rented on the island, as the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism explains. There is no single ticket for the island, but the Bali tourist levy (IDR 150,000) applies to foreign visitors.
Kelingking cliff, the Broken Beach arch, the Tembeling springs: the island is known for its coastal scenery. This page brings together what can be verified (official Indonesian sources, the UK FCDO and the U.S. State Department), the safety points to know and our sunrise and sunset table. For the rest of the main island, see our guide to visiting Bali.
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Nusa Penida: key facts
- Location: southeast of Bali, across the Badung Strait (Indonesian Ministry of Tourism).
- Access: boats, fast boats and traditional boats from Bali’s southeast coast; car or motorbike to rent on the island.
- Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, payable on the official Love Bali website — checked on 24 October 2026 on lovebali.baliprov.go.id
- Site hours and prices: no official price list published online; local fees may be requested on site.
- Safety: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) warns that boat travel can be dangerous and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) reports frequent boat incidents and drownings (see below).
- Duration: doable as a day trip; a night on the island lets you avoid the busiest hours at the viewpoints.
What to see on Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach (southwest coast)
This is the image of the island: a vegetation-covered cliff plunging towards a white-sand beach. From the viewpoint called T-Rex Cape, the cliff recalls the silhouette of a tyrannosaur with its mouth open, hence the nickname. The Ministry of Tourism places the beach in the village of Bunga Mekar, on the southwest coast.
Broken Beach (Pasih Uug)
A cove closed off by a natural arch, with a turquoise pool, about 3 kilometers (2 mi) northwest of Kelingking according to the Ministry of Tourism. Stay behind the marked areas: cliff edges are not protected everywhere.
Tembeling springs and Guyangan waterfall
About 3 kilometers (2 mi) southeast of Kelingking, the Tembeling springs form small natural pools in the forest, reached by a walk of about 30 minutes according to the Ministry of Tourism. Further still, Guyangan is reached by a blue staircase fixed to the cliff, down to a small temple and a pool facing the ocean.
East coast
The east coast (Diamond Beach, Atuh, the treehouse) is often visited on a second day. Access to the beaches often goes by steps cut into the cliff: closed shoes are essential.
How to get to Nusa Penida
Crossings leave from Bali’s southeast coast. The operators are private and their schedules change: we give no duration or price, for lack of an official source. What matters for your safety:
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) says that travelling by boat or ferry can be dangerous, as sea conditions can change rapidly, safety standards vary between providers, and vessels can be crowded, overloaded and poorly maintained. Check that safety equipment such as life jackets is available before you travel, and avoid travelling after dark unless you are satisfied the vessel is suitably equipped. The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) likewise says boat and ferry incidents are frequent and vessels often lack adequate safety vests, so passengers should bring their own.
On the island, the Ministry of Tourism says you need to rent a car or a two-wheeler (with or without a driver) to reach the sites. The roads are narrow and steep: if you are not used to two-wheelers, take a driver. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) says traffic discipline is very poor and there has been a large increase in moped and motorbike accidents in Bali; wear a helmet in good condition. It adds that you cannot drive in Indonesia on a UK licence but can with an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the UK. According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026), helmets are required by law.
Day trip or independent visit?
Day trips sold in Bali often bundle the boat, a driver and several viewpoints into one day. Before booking, check the name of the boat company, whether life jackets are provided, what is included (local entry fees, meals, snorkeling) and the cancellation policy in case of rough seas.
Independent travel (boat and driver booked separately) lets you choose your times, useful for reaching the viewpoints early.
Swimming, snorkeling, currents
The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) notes that several U.S. citizens have died in the past year due to scuba diving, surfing and drowning incidents at sea, and the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) advises checking a dive operator’s credentials, making sure you are insured and that safety equipment, particularly oxygen, is on the boat. On Nusa Penida, several beaches at the foot of the cliffs are exposed to swell: admire them rather than swim there, unless local instructions say otherwise.
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) also notes that Indonesia regularly experiences natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis; if a major earthquake occurs close to shore, follow the instructions of local authorities, bearing in mind that a tsunami could arrive within minutes. Locate evacuation routes where they exist.
What time to go to the viewpoints
Low morning and late-afternoon light suits photos, and midday heat makes the descents tiring. Here are the sunrise and sunset times on the island, calculated for the 15th of each month (Bali and Nusa Penida are on WITA time, UTC+8, with no daylight saving time).
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:09 am | 6:44 pm | 12 h 35 |
| February | 6:20 am | 6:43 pm | 12 h 23 |
| March | 6:22 am | 6:31 pm | 12 h 09 |
| April | 6:20 am | 6:15 pm | 11 h 55 |
| May | 6:22 am | 6:05 pm | 11 h 43 |
| June | 6:29 am | 6:06 pm | 11 h 37 |
| July | 6:34 am | 6:13 pm | 11 h 39 |
| August | 6:27 am | 6:17 pm | 11 h 49 |
| September | 6:11 am | 6:14 pm | 12 h 03 |
| October | 5:55 am | 6:12 pm | 12 h 17 |
| November | 5:47 am | 6:17 pm | 12 h 31 |
| December | 5:53 am | 6:31 pm | 12 h 38 |
Key takeaway: day length varies by only about 61 minutes over the year (from 11 h 37 to 12 h 38), because of the proximity to the equator. The sun sets around 6 pm all year: plan your return boat accordingly.
When to go
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism says the dry season in Indonesia runs from April to October. For climate normals on the main island and the month-by-month detail, see our page on the best time to visit Bali. On the main island, our page on the Uluwatu temple gives sunset times month by month.
Preparing your trip
- Entry requirements: see entry requirements for Indonesia on our country page.
- Tourist levy: pay it on the official Love Bali website (beware of sites imitating the official portal).
- Connectivity: mobile coverage can be patchy; see our travel eSIM guide.
- Health: see our dengue page and our travel insurance guide.
Common mistakes
- Boarding a boat without a life jacket or in rough seas.
- Swimming at the foot of cliffs without local information on currents.
- Renting a two-wheeler without experience or a valid license.
- Paying the Bali levy on an unofficial website.
- Planning your return after sunset.
What to see nearby
- Ubud, in central Bali.
- Lombok, the neighboring island to the east.
- Indonesia and its map.
- To compare: Bali or Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Nusa Penida from Bali?
By boat from Bali’s southeast coast (fast boats or traditional boats), then by car or two-wheeler rented on the island, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.
Do you have to pay a tax for Nusa Penida?
The Bali tourist levy, IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, is paid on the official Love Bali website. Local fees may also be requested at some sites.
Can you swim at Kelingking Beach?
The U.S. State Department reports drowning incidents at sea in Indonesia. Ask locally and stay out of the water in heavy swell.
Is Nusa Penida possible in one day?
Yes, by concentrating on the west coast (Kelingking, Broken Beach). The sun sets around 6 pm all year: time your return boat.
Are the boats to Nusa Penida safe?
The UK FCDO says boat travel in Indonesia can be dangerous and safety standards vary: choose an operator with life jackets and do not travel in rough seas or after dark.
Our sources
- indonesia.travel (Indonesian Ministry of Tourism): page « Kelingking Beach, A Marvelous Wonder in the Southwest of Nusa Penida » and Komodo guide (dry season), consulted on 24 October 2026
- Bali Provincial Government, Love Bali portal (tourist levy), consulted on 24 October 2026
- UK FCDO, Indonesia foreign travel advice (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026): sea travel, road travel, diving, natural disasters (text read on 26 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, Indonesia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026): safety, boating, traffic (text read on 26 October 2026)
- Sunrise and sunset: Destination de Voyage calculation, NOAA solar algorithm, Asia/Makassar time zone, coordinates of Nusa Penida, on the 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and safety advice change: check the official websites before you go.
