A Perfect Nusa Penida Day Trip (2 Itinerary Ideas)

Just a short ferry ride from mainland Bali lies the famous Nusa Penida, the largest of the three Nusa Islands. Known for its beautiful white beaches, iconic viewpoints, and dramatic coastline, Penida has become one of Bali's best-known and most photographed tourist destinations.

While staying for a few nights is the best way to experience the island’s beauty, those pressed for time can still enjoy Penida on a day trip from Bali.

Nusa Penida is much larger than most people realise, so seeing all of the highlights in one day is difficult due to the long travel times. That’s why it’s best to split the island into separate east and west day trips to make the most of your visit.

In this guide, we’ve curated two unique itineraries for each half of the island based on our own experiences. Go east for beaches and beach clubs, or try our west itinerary for iconic photo spots and snorkelling.

Summary

Itinerary One: East Penida Day Trip

Itinerary Two: Snorkelling & West Penida Day Trip

Getting To Nusa Penida

The best way to reach Nusa Penida is by taking a ferry from Sanur Port. While the journey itself is around 30-40 minutes, it typically takes closer to an hour including waiting, boarding, and disembarking at the other end.

Here’s a quick summary of the steps involved:

• Pre-book your ferry at 12go.asia

• Go to Sanur Port

• Check-in at the correct office (detailed on your booking confirmation)

• Board via the ferry terminal

• Arrive on Nusa Penida and pay the arrival tax (cash required)

The boats from Bali to Nusa Penida are pretty similar so it doesn’t matter which company you choose. We tend to use Angels Billabong or Semabu Hills and have always had a good experience.

Both of our day trip itineraries assume you’ll catch a 7:30am ferry to Penida and a 5pm return to Bali.

Choose a ferry that docks at Penida's main harbour called Banjar Nyuh (also known as Toyapakeh). A few ferries drop off elsewhere on the island so double check this detail.

Most ferry companies advise checking-in 60 minutes before departure, but this is excessive. We'd suggest 30 minutes before departure. On one occasion, we managed with 10 minutes to go, but this was cutting it fine.

How To Get Around Nusa Penida

The two main ways to get around on Nusa Penida are by hiring a private driver for the day or renting a scooter and driving yourself.

Private Driver – Make sure you pre-book a private driver as it can be difficult to find one when you arrive. We recommend using this booking form to arrange one. Let them know which boat you’re arriving on and send them your proposed itinerary in advance. A standard day is 8 hours so there shouldn't be extra charges for either itinerary in this guide.

Renting a Scooter – This is our preferred method as we like the freedom (and it’s more affordable). We hire a scooter from Doel Hadi Scooter Rentals which is a short walk from the ferry port. We usually pay on arrival but you can also pre-book on their website to guarantee the model you want.

Itinerary One: East Penida Day Trip

7:00am – Arrive at Sanur Port

For this itinerary, pre-book one of the ferries that depart Sanur Port at 7:30am via 12go.asia.

Arrive around 30 minutes early to check in for your boat at the correct office as detailed on your booking confirmation. Then head straight over to the ferry terminal for boarding.

8:35am - Breakfast at Sunny Café

Most of the best food spots on Nusa Penida can be found near Tojapakeh Harbour so we recommend grabbing a bite to eat before heading off as your options will be limited later on.

Sunny Café is one of our favourites and it’s just a few minutes walk from the port. The semi-outdoor café has a casual atmosphere with lots of comfy seating and excellent service.

They have lots of breakfast and brunch dishes fit for foodies. We love the pancakes which are drizzled with dragon fruit and topped with granola.

The food always comes quickly so you won’t need longer than 45 minutes to order, eat, and be on your way. If you’re getting a private driver, ask them to collect you from Sunny Café around 9:20am.

10am - Goa Giri Putri

For your first stop, head to Goa Giri Putri Temple, a larger-than-expected cave that contains a series of Hindu and Buddhist shrines. It’s around a 35 minute drive from the port.

Despite being a popular pilgrimage for Balinese Hindus who believe its spring water has healing powers, the temple remains somewhat a hidden gem among tourists.

When you first reach the entrance, everything seems normal. But after making a donation (50,000 IDR per person is recommended), you’re directed to climb through a small hole in the rocks to reach the cave and temples.

The first few metres of the passage is narrow and low so you need to duck to get through. But it soon opens up into an enormous underground cavern with a dimly lit path down the middle that seems to go on as far as the eye can see.

Following the path leads you to several shrines, including the main Hindu shrine where we were lucky enough to witness a purification ceremony taking place.

A one-way system leads through the 300m long cave and out of the back exit, taking us around 35 minutes in total to get back to the parking area again.

Along the route, look out for the stalagmites and stalactites, sacred items draped in checkered cloths, and the unique species of crab that is endemic to the cave (we didn’t spot any unfortunately).

This is one of the few temples in Bali where a sarong is required but isn’t included in the ticket price. You can hire one from a small shop in the parking area for around 10,000 IDR.

11:15am - Diamond Beach & Atuh Beach

Next, head across to the most easterly part of the island where you’ll find Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach, two of the most beautiful beaches in Bali.

Both share a parking area and an entry ticket so are easy to visit together. You’ll have a couple of hours here, so decide whether you’d like to spend the entire time at one of the beaches (we’d recommend Atuh) or split it between the two if you’re feeling fit enough to tackle two sets of steep steps.

Diamond Beach

Named after the diamond-shaped rock that pokes out of the turquoise blue water, Diamond Beach has quickly become one of Penida’s most popular destinations.

The beach has only been accessible since 2018 when a staircase was carved into the cliffside. And with several hundred steps down to the bottom, it’s hard work getting there. But the journey is worthwhile and the picturesque views along the way are a great distraction.

At the bottom, you’ll find a stunning untouched white sand beach. There are no sun beds, no warungs or cafes, and no annoying vendors here – just a small slice of paradise that’s perfect for relaxing in the sun. However, the waves can get pretty strong, so swimming is prohibited.

Atuh Beach

Adjacent to Diamond Beach is Atuh Beach, which is most notable for the small limestone arch that sits just offshore.

The picturesque white sand beach has a row of sunbeds and parasols and a few tiny warungs selling cold drinks and snacks. But don’t expect any fancy or modern facilities.

Like Diamond Beach, you’ll have to conquer a steep descent down a long staircase to reach the beach. But unlike its neighbour, you can cool down with a dip in the water after your trek down. The beach sits within a sheltered bay and the waves are usually pretty calm, making it a popular spot for swimming.

Watch out for the mischievous monkeys that sometimes hang out near the steps. They’ve never caused us any problems but hold your valuables tightly to be safe.

1:15pm - Thousand Islands Viewpoint

Just around the corner from the two beaches, you’ll find the Thousand Islands Viewpoint, which offers amazing panoramic views across the ocean and a glimpse at the handful of tiny islands sitting just offshore.

The viewpoint entrance fee is 15,000 IDR, which can be paid near the parking area. You’ll then have to descend a short set of steep steps to the main viewpoint which takes about 10 minutes. It’s an easy walk by Penida standards but still requires moderate fitness and mobility.

Along the route are a handful of photo opportunities, including the Instagram-famous Rumah Pohon Treehouse. Some of these photo spots are free and some you have to pay to use.

Unfortunately, there won’t be time for a photo at the main treehouse (you could wait 2-3 hours on busy days so we’re told). However, there’s another treehouse opposite that doesn’t have the same dramatic backdrop but still makes a cool photo without too much of a wait.

2:30pm - Cactus Beach Club

With east Penida’s highlights out of the way, spend what time you have left at one of the island’s newest beach clubs, Cactus.

This huge, modern beach club was barely a year old during our last visit. The venue has a stylish minimal design with ocean views and an enormous infinity pool complete with floating bean bags.

But it’s not just the aesthetics we love. The food arrived quickly and was delicious, especially the Pesto Gnocchi which we could have eaten a thousand times over.

Best of all, we didn't need to book ahead and there was no minimum spend, so we enjoyed a big comfy daybed to ourselves.

5pm – Board a ferry back to Bali

Leave Cactus by 3:50pm to allow time for the 35-minute drive back to the harbour, dropping off your scooter (if required) and checking in for your boat at the relevant office.

You'll arrive back at Sanur Port in Bali around 6pm.

Itinerary Two: Snorkelling & West Penida Day Trip

7:00am – Arrive at Sanur Port

For this alternative itinerary, also pre-book one of the ferries that depart Sanur Port at 7:30am via 12go.asia.

Arrive around 20-30 minutes early to check-in for your boat at the correct office as detailed on your booking confirmation. Then head straight over to the ferry terminal for boarding.

9am - Snorkelling trip

Some of our favourite snorkelling experiences have been here in the Nusa Islands. The waters are teeming with life and you’ll have the chance to swim with some of Bali’s most unique underwater species such as Manta Rays.

These majestic giants can reach up to 9m in diameter and can be spotted swimming just a few metres beneath the surface. They are present year-round and tend to congregate around Manta Bay or Manta Point, so your chances of encountering one are quite high.

Emily and I went on separate days and both managed to see them, but it’s never 100% guaranteed.

How To Book? If booking a driver for the day through the private driver booking form, just select the snorkelling add-on to ensure everything runs smoothly.

If you’re using a scooter to get around, book this separate snorkelling trip and select a start time of 9am at checkout. Meet at their office on Virgin Beach as detailed in the confirmation.

Snorkelling tours last around 2hrs30. You’ll visit several snorkelling spots including Manta Bay. The guides are all equipped with a GoPro to capture footage and share it with you afterwards for free.

11.30am - Brunch at Penida Colada

Once you’ve been dropped off from the snorkelling trip, we recommend heading to Penida Colada which is a few minutes’ drive from the drop-off point.

Penida Colada is an aesthetic bar and restaurant overlooking the ocean. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy some of the best food on the island. They have an extensive brunch menu, as well as burgers, salads, pastas, and some local dishes.

True to its name, the décor is reminiscent of a tropical beach hut with pineapples everywhere you look. Even the coconuts are shaped like pineapples!

1:30pm - Angels Billabong & Broken Beach

After lunch, you’ll drive for an hour or so across to the western tip of the island. Here, you’ll find Angels Billabong and Broken Beach.

Angel’s Billabong is an iconic natural infinity pool along the coast of Nusa Penida. It’s formed where the strong tides surge over the cliff, filling a small crater formed by erosion in the volcanic rocks around the cliffside.

When the water is still, Angels Billabong blends seamlessly with the ocean making it almost impossible to distinguish one from the other.

Next to Angels Billabong is Pelinggih Beach, a white sand beach at the bottom of a giant cove. It’s more commonly known as Broken Beach because of the ‘broken’ hole in the side of the cove which forms a natural land bridge.

The beach is inaccessible on foot, but you can enjoy a walk around the top of the cove and over the bridge.

Angels Billabong and Broken Beach are right next to Manta Bay where you went snorkelling earlier in the day. Head over to the cliff edge to see if you can spot the giant Manta Rays from a different angle.

Visiting Angels Billabong and Broken Beach is free, but you might need to pay for parking if you have your own scooter. We recommend allowing around 30 minutes here.

2:30pm - Kelingking Beach Beach & Paluang Cliff

The next stop is Kelingking Beach, one of Bali’s most iconic attractions. Here, a giant limestone headland protrudes out into the ocean resembling a T-rex with its mouth wide open. Once you’ve seen the dinosaur, you can’t unsee it!

At the bottom of the headland is a beautiful secluded cove with yet another untouched white sand beach. And this beach really is untouched as the path leading down to it is probably the hardest of all of Nusa Penida.

The hike down to the beach includes hundreds of steep and uneven steps winding their way down the cliff, with some parts where you actually have to climb down with the help of a rope. Emily has done this and described it as “one of the toughest things she’s ever done!”.

Given that it takes 30 minutes each way, you’ll probably have to skip the hike on this itinerary. But you won’t be alone. Most people visiting Kelingking don’t venture down to the beach but come to enjoy the iconic view from the clifftop.

After seeing Kelinking, walk around to Paluang Cliff, which takes 10 minutes on foot (or you can drive). This is another stunning viewpoint that’s a little less busy than Kelinking. It costs 30,000 IDR.

Look out for the small local temple near the viewpoint called Pura Paluang. It’s nicknamed the Car Temple because there’s an unusual shrine in the shape of a car.

5pm – Board a ferry back to Bali

Leave Kelinking/Paluang Cliff by 3:30pm to allow time for the 45 minute drive back to the harbour, dropping off your scooter (if required) and checking in for your boat at the relevant office. Catch one of the 5pm ferries back to Bali.

You'll arrive back at Sanur Port in Bali around 6pm.