Nusa Penida: east, west or both?

Jump to: East or west compared · Island tour, snorkelling or boat ticket

The short answer

• Want a calmer day? Choose one coast. The west has Kelingking and Broken Beach; the east has Diamond Beach and the Tree House viewpoint.
• Want as many viewpoints as possible in one day? Choose both coasts. A full-day east and west tour covers the famous photo spots, but it means 8⁠–⁠10 hours, a very early start and a lot of time on bumpy roads.
• Two days? Stay one night on Nusa Penida and see one coast per day, with better light in the morning and late afternoon.

East or west: side by side

The west coast

• Kelingking Beach is the famous "T-Rex" cliff. Most visitors stay at the viewpoint at the top, which is enough for the classic photo. The trail down to the beach is narrow, steep and unshaded: allow about 20⁠–⁠30 minutes down and 30⁠–⁠60 minutes back up. Swimming at the beach has been banned since 2023.
• Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) is a natural rock arch with the sea flowing through, a short drive from Kelingking.
• Angel's Billabong is a natural rock pool right next to it. Admire Angel's Billabong from the viewpoint. Do not enter the pool; waves can reach it even at low tide.
• Crystal Bay is the west coast's swimming beach. Swim only inside the zone marked by flags.

The east coast

• Diamond Beach has white sand and limestone pinnacles. Getting down takes 15⁠–⁠25 minutes on several hundred steps, with a rope on the last steep section. The beach is in shade in the afternoon, so go in the morning. Swimming is not allowed. The swings and flying fox were shut in August 2026 for lack of permits; the beach and stairs stayed open.
• Atuh Beach next door is reached by 166 concrete steps and gets sun all day.
• Tree House (Rumah Pohon Molenteng) and the Thousand Islands viewpoint share a car park, about a ten-minute walk down.
• Teletubbies Hill is a landscape of round grassy hills, green roughly from December to April and brown in the dry months.

Both coasts in one day: what it really means

The full-day east and west tour we list looks like this, according to the operator: hotel pickup in Bali between about 5:00 and 6:00, the fast boat from Sanur at 7:00, the west-coast viewpoints in the morning, a 1.5-hour drive across the island, Diamond Beach in the afternoon and the boat back to Bali. Count on 8⁠–⁠10 hours, or about 12 with shared hotel transfers.

It is a good choice if you only have one day and want to see both sides. It is not a relaxed day: the island's roads are much worse than on Bali, the drives are long, and at the stairs you need to watch the time. If you get carsick, sit at the front.

Which option fits you

Three different things are sold as "Nusa Penida": an island tour, a snorkelling trip and a boat ticket. Here is what each one is.

Island tour: both coasts with a driver and guide

The fast boat, a car on the island, a local guide and the entrance fees for Kelingking, Angel's Billabong and Diamond Beach are included. According to the operator, it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems or high blood pressure, people with limited mobility, epilepsy or low fitness, or people prone to seasickness.

Snorkelling trip: manta rays and the Kelingking viewpoint

Most of the day is spent at sea: snorkelling at Manta Bay or Manta Point (conditions permitting), more bays, lunch and the Kelingking viewpoint. You need to be able to swim. The operator lists it from age 6 and as not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users or people over 70.

Boat ticket only: plan the island yourself

A fast-boat ticket from Sanur is transport only – good if you are staying overnight or hiring your own driver on the island. The operator lists it as not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems or people prone to seasickness.

Fees in 2026

• Foreign visitors to Nusa Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan pay an island levy of IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child aged 4⁠–⁠13 on arrival on the island.
• Since 1 September 2026, selected attractions also charge their own entrance fee of IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child, separately at each site. Named in the first phase: Kelingking, Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay, Teletubbies Hill and Molenteng; the list may still change.
• Both fees run on a digital system since September 2026: you buy a QR-code ticket online in advance or on the spot. Boat operators still mention cash for the island levy, so carry both cash and a card. A ticket bought in advance saves you the queue at the entrances.
• Check which fees your tour includes.

Going on your own

Fast boats from Sanur to Nusa Penida start at 6:30; the last departure is between 15:00 and 17:00, depending on the operator. The crossing takes about 45 minutes, and most boats arrive at Banjar Nyuh. On the island you can hire a car with a driver; scooters are only for experienced riders, as the roads are steep and in poor condition. If you go independently, staying one night gives you far more time than racing for the last boat.

Good to know

• From December to March the sea is more often rough and boats can be delayed or cancelled. Don't plan Nusa Penida for the day before your flight home.
• If you get seasick, pick a morning boat and take something for motion sickness before you board.
• Bring water, sun protection and shoes with grip for the stairs.
• At the cliffs, stay behind the barriers and on official paths.

Tours are run by local operators; booking and payment are handled by GetYourGuide. We earn a commission on bookings made through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Tags: Nusa PenidaBaliday trips

Sources and fact-check

We checked the facts in this text on 25 Oct 2026 against these sources. Rules, prices and timetables change, so check them before you travel.

1. nusapenida.org – Explore Nusa Penida: one or two days (31 Aug 2026) (opens in a new window)
2. nusapenida.org – Kelingking Beach: trail, swimming ban (updated 1 Oct 2026) (opens in a new window)
3. nusapenida.tours – Kelingking stairs and lift (Oct 2026) (opens in a new window)
4. nusapenida.org – Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong: swimming prohibited (updated 12 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
5. nusapenida.org – Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach (updated 13 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
6. nusapenida.org – How to get to Nusa Penida from Bali: timetables and harbours (updated 20 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
7. Bali.live – Nusa Penida safety measures, Crystal Bay swimming zones (16 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
8. Bali.live – swings and flying fox halted at Diamond Beach, the beach itself is open (25 Aug 2026) (opens in a new window)
9. Klungkung Regency – tourism retribution from 1 Sep 2026 (12 Aug 2026) (opens in a new window)
10. Sanur Harbour – Nusa Penida tourist fees in 2026 (1 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)
11. Bali.live – new tourist fee system running on Nusa Penida (4 Sep 2026) (opens in a new window)