This complete guide to the best things to do in Nusa Penida covers the island’s top beaches, cliff viewpoints, snorkeling spots, natural pools, ideal visiting times, and essential travel tips to help you plan the perfect trip. Nusa Penida is the kind of place that makes you stare out the window of your fast boat ride and think, “This is going to be amazing.” As one of Bali’s most stunning islands, Nusa Penida offers dramatic landscapes and thrilling experiences for all types of travelers. This guide covers the best things to do in Nusa Penida, plus insider info on the best times to go, how tough the hikes really are, and what you absolutely shouldn’t miss.

Kelingking Beach – The View That Made Nusa Penida Famous

Start your exploration with the island’s biggest icon, Kelingking Beach. From above, the cliff resembles a T-rex curled around bright turquoise water, one of the most photographed landscapes in Indonesia. The hike down is intense and not for everyone, but even the viewpoint alone is worth the visit. 

Strong waves make swimming risky, so think of this as a “come for the view” destination. Kelingking Beach is best visited in the morning when the light is soft and the crowds haven’t arrived yet, making the T-rex cliff view look even prettier.

Location: Bunga Mekar, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Broken Beach – A Natural Marvel You Can’t Swim In

Just a short distance away, Broken Beach offers something completely different. Instead of sand, you’ll find a circular cove surrounded by cliffs and a massive natural arch where the ocean flows through. You can’t access the water here, but the scenery is unreal. It’s one of the island’s most surreal landscapes. Broken Beach is ideal around late morning to midday because the sun shines directly into the cove, bringing out the blue tones of the water.

Location: 7F82+R4, Sakti, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Angel’s Billabong – Crystal Pools With a Cliffside Backdrop

Right next to Broken Beach is Angel’s Billabong, a shimmering natural lagoon surrounded by jagged volcanic rock. Waves crash dramatically into the cliffs, filling the pool with water. While you can’t swim here anymore, it’s still an incredible photo stop and a must-see for its unique shape and color. Angel’s Billabong is safest and most beautiful during low tide, preferably in the morning, when the natural lagoon looks the clearest.

Location: 7C8X+HHX, Sakti, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali

Atuh Beach – White Sand and Dramatic Rock Formations

Switching to the east coast, Atuh Beach is where you’ll find postcard-perfect scenery. The beach sits below towering cliffs, with offshore rock formations that look like they’re straight from a fantasy novel. The trek down is steep, but once you reach the sand, you’ll find a calmer atmosphere, sun loungers, coconuts, and simple local food. Visit during high tide for the best experience. Atuh Beach shines during mid-morning to early afternoon, especially at high tide, when the shoreline looks fuller and photogenic. 

Location: Pejukutan, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Diamond Beach – One of the Most Photogenic Spots in Nusa Penida

Just next door to Atuh, Diamond Beach is easily one of the most photogenic places on the island. The carved cliffside staircase leading down to the sand is iconic, and the viewpoint at the top is breathtaking. 

The turquoise water, beautiful landscape, and soft sand make this destination impossible to skip. Diamond Beach is best early in the day to avoid long photo queues on the cliffside staircase and to get that perfect bright-turquoise water. 

Location: Pejukutan, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Crystal Bay – The Perfect Snorkeling & Sunset Spot

For something more relaxing, head to Crystal Bay. The water is incredibly clear, making it one of the best places in Nusa Penida for snorkeling, whether you join a boat tour or simply rent equipment on the beach. It’s also one of the few places where you can safely swim. 

Warungs line the beach, so it’s a great place to grab food, chill, and wait for the sunset. Crystal Bay is ideal from noon to sunset, the  visibility for snorkeling is great, and it’s one of the best places on the island to end your day with a gorgeous sunset. 

Location: Crystal Bay Nusa Penida

Tembeling Natural Pools – A Jungle Hideaway

Smack in the middle of the forest, Tembeling feels like a secret get-away. The natural pools here are cool, clear, and invitingly refreshing after exploring cliff tops and beaches on this island. The place is serene and untouched with its walls of limestone and big trees surrounding it.

Although the waterfall might dry up in the dry season, the pools are something to behold. The Tembeling Natural Pools feel most refreshing in the early afternoon during the sweltering weather, making a dip in the cool water even better.

Location: 6GV4+7JX, batumadeg Kelod, Desa, Batumadeg, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Goa Giri Putri Temple – A Sacred Cave With Deep Cultural Roots

The Goa Giri Putri Temple is probably one of the strangest spiritual spots that Nusa Penida has in store. While it may look small at the entrance, it opens into a huge chamber used for Hindu ceremonies. The atmosphere inside is cool, dimly lit, and filled with chanting and offerings that make for quite a unique cultural experience.

Visitors must wear a sarong, and a small donation is asked for at the entrance. The best time to visit Goa Giri Putri Temple is in the morning or late afternoon when the cave feels calmer, and you're able to more fully appreciate the spiritual atmosphere.

Location: 7HRP+CC9, Suana, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Rumah Pohon Molenteng – A Cliffside Treehouse With Iconic Views

Rumah Pohon Molenteng is one of the most cinematic viewpoints you can find in Nusa Penida. Nestled on the edge of the cliff within the Thousand Islands Viewpoint area, this wooden house gives you great sweeping views of rugged limestone formations and bright blue waters beneath.

People line up every day for photos on this staircase to the treehouse behind which the background is insanely beautiful. Whether you're a photographer or want this memorable moment, the scenery here promises to be postcard-worthy. The best time to visit Rumah Pohon Molenteng is in the morning: you won't find a crowd, and the Thousand Islands viewpoint will be under even light.

Location: 6JC8+HPW, Pejukutan, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Peguyangan Waterfall – A Scenic Descent on Bright Blue Stairs

Peguyangan Waterfall is not a typical waterfall; it is not about the fall but about how you get there. This means going down the striking blue staircase that was built along the face of a cliff and leading down to the site, with a view of the ocean stretching endlessly beside you. At the bottom, you come to a small freshwater spring and a sacred area locals use for purification.

The spectacular views along the route make it worth taking, though the hike can be challenging for those who experience vertigo. Peguyangan Waterfall is best visited at the start of the day when the iconic blue stairs along the cliff face are shaded, which makes the descent easier.

Location: 6G99+FRR, Batukandik, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771

Manta Point – Your Chance to Swim With Giant Manta Rays

Manta Point is one of the most famous dive sites in Indonesia, and for good reason: the waters here attract huge mantas that cruise gracefully through the ocean, often coming incredibly close to divers and snorkelers. The experience is peaceful, humbling, and unforgettable.

Water conditions can occasionally be rough, and tours depend upon the weather. However, when the ocean cooperates, seeing mantas in their natural element is something special that you will remember for a long time after your trip is over. The best time at Manta Point is in the morning when sea conditions are usually calmer and mantas are more active.

Location: Batukandik, Nusa Penida, Bali 80771

Teletubbies Hill – Landscapes That Feel Like Another World

Named after the green rolling hills from the Teletubbies TV show, Teletubbies Hill offers a softer, more peaceful side of Nusa Penida. You won't find cliffs and crashing waves here, but rather smooth round hills covered in lush vegetation, especially during the wet season.

It's a great place to have quiet moments, take panoramic photos, or simply enjoy a break from the more rugged attractions this island has to offer. The landscape is almost surreal, perfect for those wanting to witness a different take on the natural beauty of Penida. Teletubbies Hill looks magical at sunrise or late afternoon when the rolling green hills are bathed in golden-hour light.

Really, Nusa Penida is the kind of place that leaves you wanting more, with a massive number of unique spots packed onto one island. Whatever your thing is, culture, adventure, or dreamy ocean views, each stop gives you something fresh to fall in love with. Whether it's a needed break from the usual routine, every corner of this island seems to remind you to slow down and move at a relaxed and easy pace, taking in every view and admiring the beauty around you. If you were thinking of going on a getaway, well then, here's a sign for you; it's really worth the trip.

Location: Tanglad, Kec. Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771

FAQ