An island still left unexplored by many tourists who visit Bali every year, the beauty of this place is phenomenal.
I wanted to go to Nusa Penida with all my heart even though it meant waking up at 6 am and catching the first boat from Sanur harbor, which would take us to Nusa Penida. It is the largest of the three islands located off the southeastern coast of Bali, the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. The roads here are still not well developed and thus leading to limited tourism. Also, little can be grown or produced here due to the lack of natural fresh water. The locals have to rely on getting even the basic foodstuffs by boat.
After what seemed like a 50-minute bumpy speedboat ride, we finally reached there, ready to explore its awesomeness. Every view here is breathtaking, and it will leave you in awe of this place.
Here are four things to see in Nusa Penida:
1. Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong was our first stop. En route is a beautiful point to watch the waves crashing against the cliffs, the sound of which is very soothing. Walking along the stone stairs, the beauty of the ocean surrounding us was stunning.
After a few minutes of walking, we saw a naturally formed infinity pool with crystal clear water. Not sure what led to the term Angel’s Billabong. I assume that this place is where people believed Angels took their bath in old times.
The emerald-green water is so clear that once you get into it, you would want to take a swim here. Additionally, there is a soft green carpet made of sea moss. Walking bare feet was not a problem once we got in.
2. Broken beach
As the name rightly suggests, the road to the Broken beach was not in good condition. So, be prepared for a bumpy ride. Both Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach are just 200 meters apart. After taking a dip in the infinity pool, you can walk there.
Again this place left me spellbound. Azure water and an arch-shaped rock make a natural passage for the ocean underneath it. Nusa Penida is a hidden paradise. Some people were snorkeling. We didn’t see but have heard that you can spot and swim with giant Manta Rays here.
3. Kelingking beach
Kelingking beach is where we stopped for a lunch break. I was looking forward to the Indonesian food. I always try to eat local food as much as possible while traveling. We had the options of Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng as vegetarians. These two became my staple food when I was in Bali. And yes, jumbo-sized, sweet coconut water too.
After lunch, we walked to the most-awaited view. It was how I had envisioned it to be. White sand beach, blue waters, and a piece of land peeping out into the ocean shaped like a Dinosaur head. Pure paradise!
4. Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay is a perfect place to relax after a full day of island exploration. This place has relatively more people than the other spots. People snorkeling, sunbathing, sipping coconut water, playing in the white sand, or just chilling. You can combine your adventure with spirituality by snorkeling at an underwater Buddha temple near Nusa Ceningan, between Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.
Here’s a map of the entire Nusa Penida area for your convenience:
Nusa Penida is the best-kept secret of Bali. It’s best to book a tour for exploring this nature’s masterpiece.
A few practical tips for Nusa Penida:
1. How to book:
We booked our trip with Bali friend tour for 800000 IDR per person after reading good reviews about it on TripAdvisor. The price included private car and boat transfers, a guide to show us around the island, Indonesian lunch, and water. The trip starts at 7 am, and you are back in Bali at 5 pm.
2. What to wear:
You need to dip your feet in water to get into one of those speedboats. So try to wear something above your knees. Carry an extra pair of clothes, a swimsuit, and slippers if you can.
Hope this article inspired you to travel to Nusa Penida. Let me know if you have already visited it. How was your experience?
