by “You have to stay there for 1 week!” was what most of my friends who’s been to Nusa Penida would tell me. Nusa Penida is yet a very busy island but still never fails to amaze its visitors. Its stunning and breath-taking views magnets tourists from Ubud to come over and explore the magnificent island! (Nusa Penida DIY)
Moreover, Nusa Penida is a great place to explore the island side of Bali. It’s the perfect destination after temple-hopping in Ubud. So if you’re planning to visit Nusa Penida anytime soon, you’ve come to the right blog! Learn how to explore Nusa Penida DIY way, perfect for solo travelers and first time travelers!
Table of Contents
Helpful Links
- RELATED TRAVEL GUIDE: SNORKELING WITH MANTA RAYS & DOLPHINS IN NUSA PENIDA TRAVEL GUIDE
- ” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” title=””>SEARCH FOR BUDGET HOTEL DEALS HERE
- BOOK DISCOUNTED FAST BOAT FARE TO NUSA PENIDA HERE
- BOOK NUSA PENIDA DAY TOUR FROM BALI HERE
- DISCOUNTED NUSA PENIDA PRIVATE CAR CHARTER
- SCOOTER RENTAL IN NUSA PENIDA
Understanding Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a small island located in the South-Eastern part of Bali and it is roughly 40 minutes sea travel away from the mainland Bali. The island is known for its majestic beaches, collection of unique Hindu temples, breath-taking views, picturesque features of cliffs and natural pools from waterfalls.
Despite the above mentioned descriptions about the beautiful island, sadly it is also known for its underdeveloped roads.Lots of areas in the island are still rough road which makes it difficult to majority of the tourists to drive a motorbike around the island. Good news is there has been a significant change to its rough roads since 2018. And I reckon it will be of great change in the succeeding years considering the massive amount of tourists coming to the island.
Language, People, Currency
Bahasa Indonesian is the official language in Indonesia but English is widely spoken in the country so no need to worry about language barrier. Here are a few words to learn before you visit Indonesia:
Halo = Hello
Terima Kasih = Thank You
Moreover, Indonesia is a spiritually religious country. For instance, Hinduism and Buddhism are practiced up to this day with a fusion of animistic rituals and folklore. Roughly 90% of the population in Bali are identified as Balinese Hindu — the most predominant religion on the island.
The official currency in the country is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). There are ATM machines and Money Changers around the country in case you need to withdraw cash.
ATM Machines, Money Changer & Convenience Stores
There are ATM Machines, Convenience Stores and Gas Stations located in the city center of the island. Just search on your Waze app or Google Map “Toko Kayun” and it will take you to Kayun Convenience Store. In front of the store there are ATM Machines and Money Changers available. The gas station is also nearby Kayun Convenience Store.
Important note: make sure that you have activated the international withdrawing option for your ATM cards. If you haven’t, you can call your bank to activate it or just simply navigate to you bank’s app.
Pre-Travel Guide
Here are the necessary things you need to know for a Nusa Penida DIY trip. Again, Nusa Penida is perfect for solo travelers and budget DIY travelers. Learn how to rock-DIY it below!
How to Get to Nusa Penida DIY Way?
Getting to Nusa Penida DIY way is easy peasy. Most tourists opt for arranged tours from travel agencies without knowing that DIY is easy even for first time travelers. Below are the options you can choose from depending on where you are coming from.
Option 1: From Bali
There are 2 ports in mainland Bali that can take you to Nusa Penida: (1) Sanur Port and (2) Port Padang Bai. If you are staying in Ubud, just book a Gojek taxi to either of these ports. Gojek taxi to Port Padang bai from Ubud will costs around 200K-230K IDR while Gojek taxi to Sanur Port from Ubud is 100K-120K IDR.
Subsequently, from the port ride a fast boat to Nusa Penida. Take note that walk-in tickets are expensive compared to discounted tickets booked online.
BOOK DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR PHP333 (SANUR PORT TO NUSA PENIDA)
Option 2: From Gili Islands
Just proceed to the port of Gili Trawangan and board a fast boat to Banjar Nyuh Harbour in Nusa Penida. It will take 2-3 hours sea travel and again depending on sea tides. Similarly, walk-in tickets are expensive compared to discounted tickets booked online. I highly recommend booking cheaper tickets below:
BOOK DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR PHP874 (GILI TRAWANGAN TO NUSA PENIDA)
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida? Budget DIY Travelers
BOOK ROOMS AT DRAGONFLY BED AND BREAKFAST FOR PHP410/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2
BOOK ROOMS AT AGUNG PRING HOMESTAY FOR PHP350/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2
We stayed at Agung Pring Homestay and booked a fan room for 2 nights. It’s the cheapest room in Nusa Penida and it is actually a Hindu home. The owners were very kind to us and the place was clean. Good place to stay if you are on a budget.
BOOK ROOMS AT SAWIT GARDEN COTTAGES FOR PHP1750/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2
BOOK ROOMS AT BLUE HARBOR BEACH FRONT FOR PHP3800/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2
RESERVE ROOMS AT GREEN HILL COTTAGE FOR PHP395/NIGHT GOOD FOR 2
How to Get Around in Nusa Penida DIY Way?
There are 2 ways you can get around Nusa Penida if you are planning to do a DIY trip.
Option 1: Rent a Motorbike
The most common way to get around the island is to rent a motorbike. Frankly speaking, it is very easy to rent a motorbike in Bali even without an International Driver’s Permit. Most motorbike rentals only require any Asian Driver’s License.
To give you an idea of how much the rental is, it costs 80,000IDR/24 hours for an overused motorbike and 100,000IDR/24 hours for a new motorbike. But then again this depends on your haggling skills. They started to offer it to us for 150,000IDR and we were able to negotiate it down to 100,000IDR.
Is it difficult to drive a motorbike in Nusa Penida?
Honestly speaking, my partner and I did it for 3 days and we didn’t encounter that much of a trouble. If you are careful in driving then there will be no problem. The rough roads in Nusa Penida are slowly being developed so I reckon that the roads will be better in the near future. Just be on the lookout for potholes!
Friendly Reminders:
- Avoid renting motorbikes with wheels that are worn-out. Some roads in Nusa Penida are slippery and contains small grains of rocks.
- Some areas like Broken Beach doesn’t have signal reception or streetlights. So be careful not to drive at night if you’re coming from the Broken Beach.
Option 2: Car Rental With Driver
Another option is to rent a car with driver. This is a very common option in Nusa Penida especially for group of travelers. In some cases, the driver will serve as your tour guide too.
Moreover, I also noticed that there are no vans, pickups and sedan cars in Nusa Penida. Only SUVs. You can book discounted car charters on Klook below:
DISCOUNTED NUSA PENIDA PRIVATE CAR CHARTER
Top Tourist Spots to Visit in Nusa Penida + Entrance Fees For DIY Travelers
Below are the top tourists destinations to visit on the island. You’ll be surprised by how much you can do on this beautiful island!
West Coast Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach – Probably one of the most famous beaches in Nusa Penida! It has white sand beach and a stunning overlooking view. Kelingking beach also resembles the head of a dinosaur. There is no entrance fee here, you only have to pay for 5,000IDR/motor and 10,000IDR/car parking fee. You can also fly your drone here for free.
Additionally, you have to walk down the beach which will take approximately 40 minutes. Just be very careful because the stairs down to the beach are extremely steep.
Broken Beach – one of the best spots to spend sunset is at Broken Beach. It’s a circular cove that consists of natural rock formation and it forms what it seem like a huge hole in the middle. Pretty magnificent actually! You can walk around its circular cove and appreciate the view below. The cliff view from the very top is not for the faint of heart!
There is no entrance fee, only the parking fee of 5,000IDR/motor and 10,000IDR/car. You can also fly your drone here for free. Additionally, there is about 700m rough road before getting here.
Angel’s Billabong – located stones throw away from Broken Beach is another stunning rock formation known for its natural infinity pool. The infinity pool is perfect for a dip after a long drive.
Tembeling Natural Pool & Forest – highly recommended by the locals! According to them this natural pool & forest will take you to a different kind of adventure in Nusa Penida. Tembeling Natural Pool & Forest is tucked in the lush greenery forest of Nusa Penida. Visitors only have to pay the parking fee of 5,000IDR/motorbike and 10,000IDR/car.
Gamat Bay – the beach is not that famous compared to iconic Kelingking and Diamond beaches. But this beach offers a different kind of snorkeling adventure! The reef here is colorful and a number of marine species flourish to this area.
Manta Point Snorkeling with Manta Rays & Dolphins – this activity should never go unchecked if you are visiting Nusa Penida! I created a separate travel guide about this one of a kind experience of snorkeling with Manta Rays & Dolphins.
East Coast Nusa Penida
Rumah Pohon Treehouse – this should be the first destination on your list. The best time to visit this iconic treehouse is during sunrise. You can get unlimited photos and videos from 6-9AM. From 10AM-3PM, day tour tourists from the mainland Bali start to arrive so expect the queue to be longer. Thus, giving tourists only 4 shots of photos and 1 video.
Furthermore, there is about 5-10 minutes walk down to the treehouse. The entrance fee is 15,000IDR which includes a bottled water and additional 75,000IDR per person if you want to get a photo of you in the treehouse. Just like the other tourist destination, there is a parking fee of 5,000IDR/motor and 10,000IDR/car.
Thousand Islands Viewpoint – after visiting the treehouse, the Thousand Island Viewpoint is just on top of it. It gives you a breath-taking panoramic view of Nusa Penida’s East Coast.
Diamond Beach – just like Kelingking Beach in the West Coast, Diamond Beach is another stunning cliff beach! This is one of the IG-worthy shots you see online. Just like Rumah Pohon Treehouse, this place start to get crowded from 10AM-3PM. So make sure to go to this place during sunrise or after a trip to Rumah Pohon Treehouse.
The entrance fee is 25,000IDR and the parking fee is 5,000IDR/motor and 10,000IDR/car.
Atuh Beach – a quiet destination and a small beach for people who wants to skip the crowded beaches in Nusa Penida. So if you’re looking for a less crowded beach, Atuh is for you!
Additionally, this is located just beside Diamond Beach. The entrance fee is an additional 25,000IDR.
Nusa Penida DIY Itinerary & Budget
Below are sample DIY Itinerary & Budget for a solo traveler or budget travelers. Note that the estimated budget may differ from your budget total cost due to price change.
3 Days Nusa Penida DIY Sample Itinerary & Budget
This itinerary is assuming that you will take the first schedule of fast boat to Nusa Penida from Sanur Port at 7:30AM on Day 1. If you will follow this itinerary, you will be renting a motorbike for transportation. If not, change the mode of transportation below to car rental.
| DAY 1: UBUD TO NUSA PENIDA TEMBELING NATURAL POOL & FOREST | ACTIVITY: | PRICE: |
| 5AM | Wake up time, prepare, check out | PHP350/USD7 |
| 6AM | Gojek taxi from Ubud Hostel to Sanur Port | 80K-100,000IDR |
| 7AM | ETA Sanur Port, board the FAST BOAT TO NUSA PENIDA | |
| 8AM | Rent a motorbike at the port for 2 days | 100,000IDR/PHP350/USD7 per day |
| 9AM | Breakfast, early check in at Agung Pring Homestay | 123,000IDR/PHP440/USD9 per night for 2 pax |
| 10AM-12NN | Explore Tembeling Beach, Natural Pool & Forest | |
| 12NN | Lunch | |
| 2-5PM | Explore Kelingking beach | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee |
| 6PM | Dinner at City Center Full tank gas | 16,000IDR/PHP58 @ JFC fastfood 50,000IDR/PHP180 |
| 7PM | Freshen up, free time, lights off | |
| DAY 2: EAST & WEST COAST TOUR | ||
| 4:30AM | Wake up time, prepare | |
| 5AM | ETD to Rumah Pohon Treehouse | |
| 6AM | Sunrise at Rumah Pohon Treehouse & Thousand Islands Viewpoint | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee 15,000IDR/PHP54 entrance fee 75,000IDR/PHP270 Treehouse Photo Fee |
| 8AM | Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee 15,000IDR/PHP54 entrance fee |
| 12NN | Lunch | |
| 2PM | Crystal Bay snorkeling in front of the beach | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee |
| 5PM | Sunset at Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee |
| 7PM | Dinner at City Center Full tank gas | 16,000IDR/PHP58 @ JFC fastfood 50,000IDR/PHP180 |
| 9PM | Freshen up, lights off | |
| DAY 3: MANTA RAY SNORKELING | ||
| 7AM | Wake up time, prepare, check out | |
| 8AM | Proceed to Captain Dolphino office near the port, leave your baggage and start Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour | 175,000IDR/PHP626 each |
| 12NN | End of snorkeling tour, wash area near the office, lunch | 5,000IDR |
| 1PM | Fast boat back to mainland | PHP350/USD7 |
2 Days Nusa Penida DIY Sample Itinerary & Budget
This itinerary is assuming that you will take the last schedule of fast boat to Nusa Penida from Sanur Port at 5PM on Day 0. If you will follow this itinerary, you will be renting a motorbike for transportation. If not, change the mode of transportation below to car rental.
| DAY 0: SANUR PORT – NUSA PENIDA PORT | ACTIVITY: | PRICE: |
| 5PM | Fast boat from Sanur port to Nusa Penida | PHP350/USD7 |
| 6PM | Rent a motorbike at the port for 2 days | 100,000IDR/PHP350/USD7 per day |
| 7PM | Dinner and late check in at Agung Pring Homestay | 123,000IDR/PHP440/USD9 per night for 2 pax |
| 9PM | Lights off, rest | |
| DAY 1: EAST COAST & WEST COAST TOUR | ||
| 4:30AM | Wake up time, prepare | |
| 5AM | ETD to Rumah Pohon Treehouse | |
| 6AM | Sunrise at Rumah Pohon Treehouse & Thousand Islands Viewpoint | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee 15,000IDR/PHP54 entrance fee 75,000IDR/PHP270 Treehouse Photo Fee |
| 8AM | Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee 15,000IDR/PHP54 entrance fee |
| 12NN | Lunch | |
| 1PM | Kelingking Beach | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee |
| 4PM | Sunset at Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong | 5,000IDR/PHP17 parking fee |
| 7PM | Dinner at City Center Full tank gas | 16,000IDR/PHP58 @ JFC fastfood 50,000IDR/PHP180 |
| 9PM | Lights off | |
| DAY 2: MANTA RAY SNORKELING | ||
| 7AM | Wake up time, prepare, check out | |
| 8AM | Proceed to Captain Dolphino office near the port, leave your baggage and start Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour | 175,000IDR/PHP626 each |
| 12NN | End of snorkeling tour, wash area near the office, lunch | 5,000IDR/PHP17 |
| 1PM | Fast boat back to mainland | PHP350/USD7 |
Day Tour Nuda Penida Sample Itinerary & Budget
For day tour trips in Nusa Penida, I highly recommend booking a tour on Klook. This will minimize the hassle of doing a DIY trip if you are only planning to do a day trip in Nusa Penida. It will be more cost efficient compared to doing a DIY trip.
BOOK DISCOUNTED NUSA PENIDA DAY TOUR FROM YOUR HOTEL IN BALI
BOOK DISCOUNTED NUSA PENIDA DAY TOUR FROM SANUR PORT
FAQs Tips From Joan’s Footprints
- Make sure to be on the lookout for potholes if you are going to rent a motorbike or drive a car.
- Is there Grab/Gojek in Nusa Penida? No, Gojek or Grab hasn’t come to Nusa Penida yet.
- Try the Gellato — a locally Bali made ice cream.
- Can you do a day trip from Ubud to Nusa Penida? Yes. BOOK DISCOUNTED NUSA PENIDA DAY TOUR FROM YOUR HOTEL IN BALI
- To avoid fewer crowds in any tourist destination, start your tour at 6AM. Day trip tourists from mainland Bali arrives at 9AM so expect the tourist destinations to start getting crowded. I highly recommend visiting Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Diamond Beach at 6AM so you can get that IG-worthy shot without the crowd in the background.
| Help me improve my article: Nusa Penida DIY Travel Guide! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas. Drone shots by Milo Quinantoto. Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions. For proposals: email me at jpiann4@gmail.com |
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