Nusa Penida

Why Nusa Penida works

Nusa Penida remained largely undeveloped until recently, and its rugged, undramatic infrastructure is part of the appeal — this is an island best explored by scooter or hired driver along winding coastal roads. Kelingking Beach's clifftop viewpoint, overlooking a promontory shaped like a dinosaur, has become one of Indonesia's most recognisable images, though the steep descent to the beach itself demands sturdy footwear and a head for heights. Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) is a natural rock arch enclosing a turquoise lagoon connected to the open ocean, best photographed from the clifftop rim above. Angel's Billabong, a short walk from Broken Beach, forms a natural infinity pool in the rock shelf, swimmable only at low tide. Crystal Bay offers the island's best snorkelling and one of its few proper swimming beaches, with a chance of spotting mola mola (sunfish) between July and September. Atuh Beach on the island's eastern side, reached down a long staircase, rewards the effort with white sand, dramatic sea stacks, and far fewer crowds than the western clifftop sites. Most visitors day-trip from Bali via fast boat from Sanur, though staying overnight allows time to properly cover the island's spread-out highlights.

Trip Snapshot

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