Is Nusa Penida worth visiting? Pros and Cons of visiting Nusa Penida

Is Nusa Penida worth visiting? Yes, but! After spending about five days on the island off the coast of Bali, our answer is: Nusa Penida is worth visiting only for a day trip. Yes. We never regret spending more time in one place, especially if it is filled with adventures, unique things to do, and hidden places to discover.

Actually, visiting Bali, you might expect pure contact with locals, which enriches your overall journey. Well, Nusa Penida left us a bit sour, as apart from the astonishing sightseeing, it is a popular destination made great by the Instagram hype.

While we always try to find some reasons to stay in Nusa Penida, it is not the case at the moment. Is it worth a day trip to Nusa Penida? Yes, definitely worth it and actually unmissable. Considering that Nusa Penida is just about 15 miles from the coast of Bali, it’s easily reachable by ferry or boat from Sanur, the main port in the south of the island of God, it’s understandable why it is a popular day trip. Let’s dig into why you should visit Nusa Penida!

Pros of Visiting Nusa Penida

Breathtaking Natural Landscapes

Is it worth visiting Nusa Penida? Absolutely. The island’s landscapes are nothing short of enchanting. Jagged cliffs dramatically drop into the sapphire sea, creating vistas that seem straight out of a fantasy novel. Each twist and turn in the hiking trails reveal hidden sandy shores, lush forests, and awe-inspiring panoramas that will leave you breathless.

Iconic Kelingking Beach

Regarding reasons to visit Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach attracts tourists and day trips through the island’s allure. With its distinctive T-Rex-shaped cliff, this iconic destination offers a mesmerising view and a thrilling descent down to the pristine beach below. Kelingking Beach has inspired travellers to visit Balioff the island of Nusa Penida, and it did stand out in our itinerary too.

The effort to get down the cliff and touch the soft pristine sand is rewarded with a beachside experience that feels like a well-earned secret. Even if everyone gets to see the shaped T-Rex, only a few walk down the cliff.

Actually, it is steep and difficult, and you should carry enough water for the way up as well. News wants a lift in construction, which will make for sure this place even more popular. We hope that mass tourism doesn’t destroy the pristine environment, and there are some regulations about that.

Best tours to Kelingking Beach | T-Rex Cliffs Bali

Diverse Snorkelling and Diving Opportunities

We love snorkelling and have done it a hundred times while exploring Asia backpacking. It was our favourite activity in Phuket, Phi Phi and also Nusa Penida. 

The crystal-clear waters host a kaleidoscope of marine species, making it a haven for snorkelers and divers alike. Swimming alongside majestic manta rays and encountering playful reef sharks is an opportunity you want to miss. Am I right?

Also, consider that while visiting Kelingking Beach, we could see the cliffs from above. The water was so clear that we spotted four mantas going around. Well, a few days later, on our snorkelling trip the sea was so rough that we didn’t spot any.

Best Snorkelling trips in Nusa Penida

Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach: Natural Wonders

Is Nusa Penida worth it? Undoubtedly, especially for those seeking unique high cliffs that seclude natural wonders. Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are Mother Nature’s artwork, featuring a natural infinity pool and a stunning rock arch that frames the turquoise sea beyond.

Chance to explore Crystal Bay

It is one of the most popular shores in Nusa Penida, definitely the most accessible one. The bay’s tranquil waters are ideal for snorkelling, immersing yourself in an underwater wonderland of colourful corals and curious fish.

The beach’s serene ambience is perfect for unwinding and watching the sunset paint the sky with hues of gold and pink. If you are planning activities in Nusa Penida, chances are that your tour starts in Crystal Bay.

Best tours including Crystal Bay | Nusa Penida Tours

Best beaches in Bali

We are not fond of Bali’s beaches; you can clearly read it in this guide. However, when in Nusa Penida, you can’t miss these fantastic shores. Actually, the best highlight of our entire itinerary of Nusa Penida were the beaches.

Atuh Beach is on the opposite side of Diamond Beach, and even though it is less popular, it is frankly the best. Atuh beach is accessible, with a few huts offering drinks, fresh coconut and food. You must pay a fee to get a sunbed and an umbrella, which are necessary because it is too hot.

Best beaches in Nusa Penida

Atuh Beach | More accessible than T-Rex Beach and Diamond Beach. The enclosed shore boasts calm water, soft sand and very few rocks. There is an easy path of about 120 steps to get to the beach.

Crystal Bay Beach | As said, Crystal Bay is the most accessible and entry point for snorkelling tours and manta tours.

Diamond Beach | This is another popular beach in Nusa Penida, but yet very difficult to get down the cliff. The rocky staircase is steep and difficult to climb, but it gives access to a gorgeous bay. We were astonished by the picture-perfect palms, the calm sea and the soft sand, with in the background the diamond-shaped rocks into the water.

Secluded and tranquil atmosphere

We have to be honest, apart from the fantastic natural wonders of Nusa Penida, we didn’t appreciate a lot the whole island a lot. However, if you are seeking a tranquil atmosphere with little or no noise, well it might be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Canggu.

Overall, everywhere there was a quiet atmosphere. We sat on a rock to admire the sea, which was awesome because nobody was around. The island is barely noisy, apart from the port side.

The island’s untouched landscapes and limited tourist infrastructure create an environment where you can truly escape and reconnect with nature. The absence of large crowds allows for intimate moments with the island’s beauty. Also, you will see later, but the lack of a stable internet connection might place you out of this world, which, after all, is not that bad if you stay in Nusa Penida for just a few days.

Adventure-Packed activities

Wondering if Nusa Penida is worth it for adventure seekers? The island offers a plethora of adrenaline-pumping activities. From cliff jumping at Angel’s Billabong to exploring hidden caves and hiking through lush forests, there’s no shortage of heart-racing experiences for those seeking an active getaway.

Best tours in Nusa Penida

Easy to reach by ferry from Bali

We sat on a fast boat from the port of Sanur, and even though we have a little story about the tickets (which, by the way, are cheapest if purchased online here), it was smooth and overall a pleasant journey. Bali is the island of surfers, influencers, digital nomads, and a little bit ours as well, storytellers and travel bloggers.

It’s not a secret that seeking a disconnection from the world, many staying long-term on the island escape for a weekend in Nusa Penida. After all, the little gem off the coasts of Bali is easy to reach and cheap too. The tickets cost anything between 120K-150K, booking in advance. If you catch a calm sea, it is even easier, but once in Nusa Penida, there is nothing more than to get on an adventure.

Check tickets for the ferry to Nusa Penida from Bali

Cons of visiting Nusa Penida

Limited infrastructure and amenities

While Nusa Penida’s lack of development adds to its charm, it also means limited infrastructure and amenities. While we aim for a frugal lifestyle, minimal commodities, we always look for basic things. We are not far from reality when we say that Koh Lanta, in Thailand, was far better than Nusa Penida, even though not having such tropical beaches, paradise vibes, restaurants or beach clubs.

Accommodation options in Nusa Penida are more basic, and the availability of modern conveniences can be sporadic. Well, this is what we were looking for, that’s why we stayed in a local guest house, away from the main road and on the hills.  Check our accommodation in Nusa Penida.

Challenging roads and lack of transportation options

Is it worth a day trip to Nusa Penida? Consider the island’s challenging terrain. While it’s navigable, the rugged landscape requires careful navigation, especially if you want to discover the island by riding a motorbike. 

Roads can be bumpy when there is asphalt and very bad when there is not. Some areas of Nusa Penida are accessible only through unpaved paths, jungle passages, side roads on cliffs, and narrow paths that the gods know how we made without a scratch. Well, this is part of the adventure we were looking for.

Seasonal Crowds

Nusa Penida is popular because of Instagram and tik tok. Let’s be honest; without influencers posting all over the web about beautiful beaches and unique lush greenery, you were not here. Well, we posted some photos, too; go and check it out.

Just like any paradise, Nusa Penida has its peak seasons. While this means more fellow travellers to share the experience with, it also implies larger crowds at popular spots. We arrived at Kelingking Beach by 8.00 am, and there were about 20 people with us; within one hour or so, we could barely walk around the cliffs.

The same was for Diamond Beach, which is unmissable, by the way; it was already crowded before midday. So, learn a lesson from us. If you want to enjoy the unique Nusa Penida places, get there as early as possible, even if it means staying overnight on the island.

Rough Waters for Boat Travel

Arriving at Nusa Penida involves a boat journey from Bali, and the sea conditions can be variable. During the rainy season, the waters can be rough, potentially causing discomfort for those prone to seasickness. Bring motion sickness remedies and choose a larger, more stable boat if you’re susceptible to this.

We had rough seas while returning to Bali, and oh man! It was amazing but scary; I hadn’t seen waves so high in my life. The boat seems to be down the hole with a huge 20 metres high wave on the side. The captain was great and went left and right, depending on the conditions. Well, nobody felt sought, and it was fun.

Inaccessibility to Some Areas

After Covid, part of the island has been abandoned and without care by locals. After all, Nusa Penida lives off frugal tourism, and with no tourists coming every day, there is no money going around. With that in mind, consider how many places are now in danger or without roads. We visited the Tembeling Natural Pool, and it was challenging. No surprise that a few people were hanging out there.

To get to Tembeling Natural Pool, you have to drive for about 20 minutes on a dirt road through the jungle. Rocks, uneven paths, and dangerous cliffs, which placed me to the max mind strength to the point to stop the motorbike and walk toward the point. In the meantime, Ale was at the back of a local’s motorbike waiting for me. I was so scared and tired that I paid a local to ride my bike to the entrance.

Venturing off the beaten path might require more planning and, in some cases, the guidance of a local who knows the lay of the land. Check all the tours in Nusa Penida with a local.

Lack of Nightlife and Entertainment

If your idea of a vacation includes vibrant nightlife and entertainment, Nusa Penida might not meet your expectations. The island’s evenings are tranquil and best spent soaking in the beauty of the starlit sky or sharing stories around a bonfire on the beach. It’s a different kind of magic that captivates the senses.

Internet is slow

It might pull us off from adventures; internet connection could be better in Nusa Penida. We could barely send a WhatsApp message while in the front of our accommodation. However, sometimes you look for that, and even without looking for a complete disconnection from the world, we embrace it pleasantly.

The lack of a proper connection, sometimes even the minimum for a call, is one of the challenges of staying in Nusa Penida for a bit.

Is it worth going to Nusa Penida?

Having explored the nooks and crannies of Nusa Penida, we can firmly answer: yes, it’s worth it. The island’s untamed landscapes, rare natural wonders, and authentic jungle experiences are a breath of fresh air if you are seeking discomfort of living with barely enough.

We have to be honest; after spending about 5 days in Nusa Penida, we had enough and were actually pleased to travel to the nearby Nusa Lembongan. Well, our job requires constant connection to the internet, and the lack of it almost drove us crazy.

Apart from that, the lack of proper nightlife, with a few lights that might lead to restaurants and bars, leaves you with a few adventures during the day. Also, consider that the disastrous roads lead people to book guided tours, as I was stressed after a whole day driving on a zig-zag through potholes.

Even though we are still suggesting people discover Nusa Penida, and for the less adventurers, go for a day trip, or stay overnight, just one day.

Visa for Bali

If you plan to visit Bali, you can get advantage of the VOA (visa on arrival). Well, you will face a queue at either Denpasar (The Bali airport) or others within the country. If you hold US, UK, Australian, or EU passports, you can easily apply online and travel, like we did. You can stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days with a VOA, online or on the spot.

Actually, doing the online procedure might save you money and time. Having just a VOA gained at the airport on your arrival, you must proceed to Denpasar immigration two times to gain a right to stay for another 30 days. Instead, doing the procedure online gets off the hassle of going back and forth between the immigration and doing all the necessary paperwork just online. You can submit an application for an Indonesia Visa on this website.

Don’t drink tap water in Nusa Penida

During our trip to Asia, we consciously decided to avoid drinking tap water. This was especially important in Bali, where it is not recommended to drink tap water due to its high mineral content, which can cause digestive issues commonly known as “Bali Belly”. To ensure our health and hydration, we always opted for bottled water instead.

ATMS and Currency in Nusa Penida

We suggest withdrawing money in Bali before embarking on the ferry to Nusa Penida. On the little island, there is a lack of ATMS, and we heard a lot of scams with cards lost, fake money and more that pulled us off from taking cash out in Nusa Penida. The island has the same currency as the whole of Indonesia, and the exchange rate is approximately $1 = 17,400 Rupee. Check the current exchange rate.

However, we could use cards in some restaurants. However, when visiting popular spots, they accept only cash. You can withdraw anywhere in Bali Island; the most convenient ATM we found is Maya Bank which allows you to withdraw up to 5 Million at once, about $340, with no fees.

Bali Travel Insurance

During our time in Bali, we never experienced any safety concerns. However, we want to caution you about driving in certain areas such as Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta due to heavy traffic. If you plan on renting a bike, we highly recommend getting travel insurance that covers any potential incidents. REQUEST A QUOTE.

During our stay in Bali, we witnessed several accidents that could ruin one’s holiday due to the costs of medical expenses, repairs, and other related expenses. Besides that, Ale always says that Bali is as safe as Chiang Mai, and she can walk alone even after a night out.