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Nusa Penida

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Overview

Nusa Penida is the largest of three islands off the south eastern coast of Bali, the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. It is an island of outstanding natural rugged beauty.

Wikivoyage guide · 25 sections

▸Introduction185 chars

Nusa Penida is the largest of three islands off the south eastern coast of Bali, the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. It is an island of outstanding natural rugged beauty.

▸Understand1,562 chars

With an area of 247 km², Nusa Penida is much larger than the better known Nusa Lembongan. However, tourist infrastructure is not as advanced as Lembongan. The north shore is the most densely populated part of the island and is where most tourism is based. This is also where the beaches are and where the seaweed farms are. Seaweed farming started on the island in the 1980s as a way for locals to get an income. Sadly prices are declining and so is production. Most locals still derive their income from subsistence farming.

The west and south side of the island is carpeted with limestone cliffs and magnificent views but not many beaches that can be accessed by land.

Due to a lack of natural fresh water, little is grown or produced on Nusa Penida outside of the rain season, and even a lot of produce comes in by boat.

Nusa Penida has become an unofficial bird sanctuary for endangered Balinese and Indonesian bird species, including the critically endangered Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). In 2004 the Friends of the National Park Foundation (FNPF) started an introduction program onto Nusa Penida of the near-extinct Bali Starling.

The waters around Nusa Penida are part of a marine park authority (MPA) and are home to diverse corals and fishes. Nusa Penida is part of the coral triangle which is a massive area renowned to be "the amazon of the sea" as it provides habit for the many fishes to breed in. Nusa Penida is renowned as one of the best diving sites in the world and is also home to the giant manta ray and mola mola (oceanic sunfish).

Facts

Rank

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage

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From Wikipedia1,083 words

Introduction

Island in Indonesia Nusa PenidaNative name: ᬦᬸᬲᬧᭂᬦᬶᬤNickname: Blue Paradise IslandGolden Egg of BaliFrom top, left to right: Broken beach, Ngaben ceremony in Nusa Penida, Atuh Beach, Kelingking beach [id], and Diamond Beach.Nusa PenidaGeographyLocationSoutheast AsiaCoordinates8°44′0″S 115°32′0″E / 8.73333°S 115.53333°E / -8.73333; 115.53333ArchipelagoLesser Sunda IslandsArea202.84 km2 (78.32 sq mi)Highest pointMount MundiAdministration IndonesiaProvince BaliRegency Klungkung RegencyDistrictNusa PenidaLargest settlementBatukandik (pop. 6,500)DemographicsPopulation65,820 (mid 2024)Pop. density324.5/km2 (840.5/sq mi)LanguagesNusa Penida Balinese, IndonesianEthnic groupsBalinese and other minority ethnic groups Nusa Penida (Indonesian pronunciation: [nuˈsa pəˈnida]; Balinese: ᬦᬸᬲᬧᭂᬦᬶᬤ, romanized: nusa pĕnida) is an island located near the southeastern Indonesian island of Bali, which forms a district of the same name in Klungkung Regency. The Badung Strait separates the island and Bali. The interior of Nusa Penida is hilly with a maximum altitude of 524 metres, and the climate is drier than Bali. Like Bali, it is a major tourist destination. In addition to Nusa Penida, the administrative district of Nusa Penida includes the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, plus eleven even smaller islands. The district had a population of 45,110 at the 2010 census, covering 202.84 km2 (78.32 sq mi), and the official estimate as of 2024 was 65,820.

More in sights0

▸Speedboats2,026 chars

Nusa Penida is about 30 min away from the east coast of Bali by speedboat. Operators and timings change constantly, but booking engines Skypenida , 12go and Ferryhopper offer reasonably up-to-date schedules and online booking options. Most leave from Sanur port (Sanur Beach Pelabuhan Rakyat) and head to one of the many ports on the north coast — check carefully to see where you'll end up. The boats are cramped, occasionally unsafe, and depending on the tides you can expect to get wet boarding and disembarking, so dress accordingly!

Speedboat Safety

In rough seas, wear the lifejackets. They are usually on a rack above you. Just because others are not, does not mean you should throw caution to the wind. There have been several recent instances of tourist fast boats capsizing. Do not let the size of the fast boats and distance of only 25 km between Sanur on Bali and Sampalan Beach on Nusa Penida fool you; this is the open ocean in between the two islands. Even if the weather seems fine at port, these can be very rough waters with strong currents, and waves sometimes reaching between 6-10 meters. Sit towards the back of the boat for less turbulence and on the aisle for easier evacuation access in case of emergencies.

Angel Billabong, Sanur to Banjar Nyuh, ☏ +62 853 333 99175. 07:00. Angel billabong have 10 departures a day from 07:00: 5 times a day from Sanur and 5 times from Nusa Penida. One-way fare Rp 150,000/person and return Rp 300,000/person. Depending on who is staffing the ticket desk, they will ask for much more but stand your ground. Locals pay Rp 100,000. (updated Jan 2017)

Caspla Bali Boat, Sanur to Buyuk, ☏ +62 361 7912299. Speed boat service, 3 times daily to Nusa Penida. Scheduled departure from Sanur Beach at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30. Departure from Buyuk, Nusa Penida at 08:00, 12:30 and 16:00. One way fare Rp 125,000/person and return Rp 250,000/person. (updated Jan 2017)

Idola Express, Sanur to Sampalan, ☏ +62 878 62251815.

Starfish Fast Cruise, Sanur to various ports.

▸Get around1,190 chars

As of summer 2023, there were no ride share apps operating on the island. Taxis are safe and easy to find at the harbor you'll arrive at (Banjar Nyuh, or less commonly, Buyuk Harbour). If you're staying at a hotel, ask them about pickup service.

If you are comfortable driving a scooter on narrow, bumpy, uphill, and potentially dangerous roads, renting a motorcycle is the most practical option, and this will cost you between 50,000 and 100,000 IDR per day as of August 2024. Look for vendors in Toyopakeh and Sampalan (or more likely, they will find you!). Beware that small capacity scooters may have trouble getting two passengers uphill. Car rentals are available but very expensive (about Rp 650,000 per day as of August 2024).

Some visitors from Nusa Lembongan arrive with rented pushbikes - make sure you get permission to take the bike off Nusa Lembongan first. Roads in Nusa Penida are rough, hilly away from the north coast, and in remote areas no more than stone-strewn tracks.

Local public transport is in small old bemos (minibuses) or on the back of a truck. These vehicles ply the north coast road with some regularity, but elsewhere on the island do not bank on anything.

▸Springs809 chars

1 Tembeling Rainforest & Spring. The whole southern coast of Nusa Penida has spectacular, high white limestone cliffs. Tembeling rainforest is the last remnant of rainforest that covered the island many years ago. Green, leafy and cool there are also two natural springs that you can bathe in. Continue your walk down to the beach for spectacular views. (updated Jan 2017)

2 Peguyangan Spring (Peguyangan Waterfall). Set on the south side of the island the spring is at the bottom of 700 blue stairs. The spring at the bottom is small but the scenery on the way down and at the bottom is magnificent. Wear proper shoes as footings can be a little precarious. This climb down and up is not for everyone especially those that do not like heights as the steps are set at the side of the cliff. (updated Jan 2019)

▸Beaches1,355 chars

3 Atuh Beach, Pejukutan, ☏ +62 818-793-913. At the east side of the island Atuh beach welcomes the sun first every morning. Walk along magnificent limestone cliff tops and if you are up for a bit of exercise climb down the steps to the beautiful white sand beach. A photographer's delight. Food and refreshments are available, and there is good snorkelling for small fishes.

4 Suwehan Beach, Tanglad, ☏ +62 822-3617-6345. Set in the south east corner of the island, Suwehan is one of the most remote beaches. The steps down (and up!) are a little strenuous but worth it for the beautiful, secluded white sand beach and magnificent scenery. The beach is not necessarily swimmable, depending on tides. The scenic drive to Suwehan takes one through farming communities, although the road is poor and quite steep in parts.

5 Kelingking Beach, Bunga Mekar Village, ☏ +62 818-793-913. A hidden beach in the village of Bunga Mekar, with iconic views over the hills. The sight features a limestone headland covered in green, against the deep blue waters of the ocean. This unique formation is reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus Rex head, hence its nickname ‘T-Rex Bay’. The secluded beach itself is down a rugged 400-m cliffside hike, recommended only for the fit and adventurous. (updated May 2018)

6 Diamond Beach, Pejukutan. A beautiful beach. (updated Nov 2019)

▸Temples1,775 chars

7 Pura Goa Giri Putri / Goa Karang Sari (Giri Putri Cave Temple / Karangsari or Karangsari Cave), Karangsari / Suana. Large limestone caves on the east coast about 4 km north of Suana village, near the village of Karangsari. The entrance is a short, vertical climb from the road level, and leads to the temple; you will need to be suitably clad in a sarong (can be rented for Rp 5,000 from the shop at the roadside), sign the visitor book, and make a donation. Of great religious and cultural significance, there are Hindu and Buddhist temples and worshippers may be present. Photography is allowed. Along with bats, various cave insects, and whipscorpions, the cave is the only known habitat in the world of two species of freshwater crab, Karstama emdi and Karstarma balicum. Both crab species are critically endangered and threatened by the increasing development of the cave for worship and tourists. Rp 5,000 to hire a sarong, and a temple donation of Rp 20,000 or so. (updated Jan 2017)

8 Pura Ped, Ped village (at Ped village on the main north coast road between Toyapakeh and Sampalan). An extremely important temple to the Balinese Hindus many of whom make an annual pilgrimage to Nusa Penida specifically to pray here. Worth a visit especially at full moon for the ceremony which goes on into the night. Entry in full ceremonial dress (sarong and sash) for both men and women is required. (updated Jan 2017)

9 Pura Batu Medahu and Pura Batu Kuning. Two interesting and stunningly located temples on the east coast road south of Suana. Instead of taking the main road from Suana heading south west, continue on the coast road towards the tiny village of Semaya. You will come to the two temples (Pura Batu Madan first) after about 1.5 km and before you reach Semaya.

▸Others1,164 chars

10 Crystal Bay, Sakti (take the only small road which heads west from the main road at Sakti village and keep going until you hit the coast). A stunning white sand beach at Banjar Penida west of Sakti village on the north western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. Perfect clear waters and excellent snorkelling. Lovely white sand beach and a great place for a picnic. A truly idyllic spot and you are likely to have it to yourself apart for the odd local villager and maybe a diveboat offshore. (updated Apr 2022)

11 Puncak Mundi (Mundi Hill), Klumpu. The highest point of Nusa Penida at some 521 metres above sea level. Great views from here. This area is also home to now defunct alternative energy facility with wind turbines and a solar panel farm. Puncak Mundi temple perches high on the hill. (updated Jan 2017)

12 Broken Beach & Angel Billabong (Pasih Uug) (in the southwest, walking distance from Angels Billabong). Stunning views from cliff tops show off the natural hole that encompasses Broken Beach. You can enter the infinity pool at low tide, but for safety reasons please do not enter at high tide when waves are crashing over the edge. (updated Jan 2017)

▸Do1,407 chars

This is a wild, rugged and largely untamed island which offers plenty to those with an adventurous spirit.

Trekking and mountain-biking are rewarding with amazing coastline views. The terrain away from the coast is hilly rising to nearly 521 m and the vista back to Bali is stunning. Camping is a wise option for those who really want to explore this wild island away from the populated northern coast.

Absorb the culture. The native people are Hindu as in Bali. Locals speak Nusa Penidan, an ancient dialect of Balinese no longer heard elsewhere, younger locals speak Bahasa Indonesia also. The architecture and dance is also distinct to the island. There is also a Muslim village in Toyapakeh on the north west shore which faces Nusa Lembongan. A drive through the smaller roads that cross the island will pass through many small villages where you can glimpse the locals' life.

Birdwatchers who find themselves with the opportunity to visit Nusa Penida should know that a thriving population of the superb white-tailed tropicbirds breeds on the south and southeastern cliffs of the island. Keep your eyes peeled. Nusa Penida has been designated an island-wide bird sanctuary by Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF). Various endangered Indonesian bird species have been released onto the island, including the Bali Starling, Java Sparrow, Mitchell's Lorrikeet, Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.

▸Diving1,348 chars

Nusa Penida is best known as a world class diving destination. There are more than 20 identified dive sites around the island, the most notable including Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Toyapakeh, Suana Bay and Malibu Point. The rich waters around the three islands support no less than 247 species of coral and 562 species of fish.

Many dive operators based in Bali and neighbouring Nusa Lembongan offer specific dive trips to Nusa Penida. Special attractions include fabulous Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) in season and large Manta Rays year round. Mola Mola are migratory fish and most likely from July to October although sightings are reported all year round. There is diving available here for beginners but most of the dives require a decent level of experience as currents are strong and unpredictable.

Freediving the rich waters around the island is one of the most satisfying ways of exploring the underwater world. Several locations provide great opportunities to see the abundant corral and marine life. Going with a knowledgeable operator is important as the currents around the island are quite strong and in places unpredictable. Fancy to see sharks in Malibu point or dive with Mantas away from the snorkeling hotspots? Take a course with one of the freediving schools and learn more about your hidden abilities to dive deep without a tank.

▸Sleep2,260 chars

Most holiday accommodation is to be found between Toyapakeh and Sampalan although accommodation is opening up in other areas too.

Visitors wishing to explore the remote, rugged areas of the island in the high centre and south may be able to find informal accommodation with a local family by asking a head of village (Kepala Desa). The only other alternative away from the north coast is camping.

Friends of National Parks (FNPF), Ped, ☏ +62 361 977978. FNPF's centre offers simple accommodation. (updated Jan 2017)

Losmen Trang, Toyapakeh, ☏ +62 852 37643649. Rooms are on the beachfront in Toyapakeh (updated Jan 2017)

Penginapan Jose Homestay, Toyapakeh. 6 rooms located right on beach road in Toyapakeh. Great views and affordable.

Ari La Casa, Toyapakeh.

Namaste Bungalows, thatched bungalows, Sakti Village, on the way to Crystal Bay.

Bintang Bungalows, thatched bungalows, Sakti Village. Locally owned.

Coco Resort, thatched bungalows, Sakti Village.

Full Moon Bungalows, Ped

Nusa Garden Bungalows, Sampalan (near the hospital on the main road), ☏ +62 812 39901421 (WatsApp & Tel), andriec.as@gmail.com. Bungalows set across a nice garden complex are decorated in Balinese style, a 5-minute walk to the beach. The staff are very sociable and are happy to take guests to various interesting parts of the island (temples/waterfalls etc). Free Wi-Fi. (updated Jan 2017)

Ring Sameton Inn, Ped near FNPF, ☏ +62 361 7853464, +62 821 46763612, +62 813 37985141, +62 813 51542596, fax: +62 361 7853465, info@ringsameton-nusapenida.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 13:00. 12 A/C rooms with hot-cold water shower/satellite LCD TV/restaurant/24 hr security, laundry service, wide parking area and garden.

1 Rumah Pohon "Tree House", banjar pelilit - Atuh, ☏ +6281239901421, andriec.as@gmail.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Rp 300,000. (updated Nov 2016)

Mae Mae Beach House, Kutampi.

Caspla Bali Beach Club, Buyuk

Nusa Penida Beach Club, Buyuk

2 Hostel Nusa Penida, Br. Sampalan, Batununggul (near the hospital on the main road, on the territory Nusa Garden Bungalow), ☏ +6281239901421, nusapenidahotels@gmail.com. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 10:00. Nice place, free Wi-fi, with a restaurant serving European food. From Rp 85,000. (updated Sep 2017)

History

[edit] See also: History of Bali Map of the nine Balinese kingdoms, circa 1900. On this historical map, Nusa Penida is written Bandieten eiland in Dutch which means "Bandit Island" because of the exile of criminals, political opponents, or convicts to the island. The history of the island of Nusa Penida in Bali began in the 10th century. The earliest writings about Nusa Penida have indeed been found on the Belanjong pillar, which dates back to 914 AD. This pillar contains an inscription that mentions the military expedition of the first Balinese King, Sri Kesari Warmadewa, to conquer Nusa Penida. The people of Nusa Penida was long able to fight off Balinese kings who organized many military expeditions. However, in the second half of the 17th century, the island of Nusa Penida was conquered by the Gelgel Dynasty expedition. The last king of Nusa Penida, Dalem Bungkut, was killed in battle. Nusa Penida then became part of the Klungkung palace, one of the nine kingdoms in Bali. After the integration of Bali into the Dutch East Indies in 1908 which later became Indonesia, Nusa Penida remained attached to Klungkung Regency. A Dutch map made in 1900 refers to Nusa Penida as Bandit Island because the Klungkung Kingdom once deported criminals, political opponents and black magic experts to Nusa Penida.

Conservation

[edit] See also: Conservation in Indonesia Bali Bird Sanctuary[edit] This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (May 2026) A Bali Myna, is a protected bird species in Nusa Penida and was once the last habitat of this bird. Nusa Penida, together with neighbouring Lembongan and Ceningan Islands, forms a bird sanctuary. The island communities have used traditional Balinese village regulations to create the sanctuary. The idea of a sanctuary came from the Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) (now known as the Friends of Nature, People and Forests). In 2006 all 35 villages (now 41 villages) agreed to make bird protection part of their traditional regulations (Balinese: ᬳᬯᬶᬕ᭄ᬳᬯᬶᬕ᭄, romanized: awig-awig). Since then, the FNPF has rehabilitated and released various Indonesian birds, most notably the critically endangered Bali starling/Bali myna which is endemic to Bali but whose numbers in the wild had declined to less than 10 in 2005. After a two-year program by FNPF in which 64 cage-bred birds were rehabilitated and released onto Nusa Penida, their number had increased to over 100 in 2009. Isolated from the mainland of Bali, Nusa Penida and its neighboring island of Nusa Ceningan have advantages compared to their natural habitat on the island of Bali. From the results of the evaluation of vegetation and abundance of food on this karst island, Nusa Penida is quite abundant with various types of fruits, insects and various foods that are suitable for the living space of the Bali starling. An adult macaque monkey in Nusa Penida. A young macaque monkey in Nusa Penida.

Tourism

[edit] Destinations[edit] Points of interest on Nusa Penida include: Kelingking BeachKelingking Beach Broken BeachBroken Beach, Nusa Penida Angel Billabong Crystal Bay Atuh Beach Diamond BeachDiamond Beach Suwehan Beach Peguyangan Waterfall Tembeling Forest Segening Waterfall Dive sites[edit] Nusa Penida covers a wide area of diving locations, including Penida Bay, Batu Lumbung (Manta Point), Batu Meling, Batu Abah, Toya Pakeh, and Malibu Point. The flow through the Lombok Strait is, overall, south-tending, although the strength and direction of the tidal streams are influenced by the monsoon seasons. During the southeast monsoons, the tidal flow tends south; during the northeast monsoons, the tidal flow tends north. In the area of the strait north of Nusa Penida, the pattern is relatively simple, with a flow, at peak tide, of about three-and-one-half knots. Tidal streams in Badung Strait are semi-diurnal, but the character of the stream is very complicated because its direction runs obliquely to the general south-to-north direction of Lombok Strait, and the channel has a curved shape. Based on a survey in 2009, there were about 1,419 hectares of coral sites with 66 percent covering the sites in 3 metres depth and 74 percent covered the sites in 10 metres depth. In December 2024, a colony of Galaxea astreata, one of the largest coral colonies in the world, was discovered, covering an area of approximately 4000 m2 with dimensions 34 m (width), 32 m (length) and 5.5 m (height).