You’ve probably seen photos of this unique curved coastline before, but nothing compares to experiencing it yourself. It’s also home to Manta Bay, a protected marine area that’s saturated with plankton, drawing in majestic manta rays with wing spans up to five meters!
Renting a motorbike is the best way to get around the island. This 1 day nusa penida tour covers all of the main attractions on the eastern side of the island.
Angel’s Billabong & Broken Beach
Located on the west side of Nusa Penida, Angel’s Billabong is one of the most impressive natural sights on the island. This tidal pool overlooks the ocean and is best visited during low tide. However, swimming here is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of freak waves that can pull people in and drown them.
Even though the pool is not safe to swim in, you can still enjoy its serenity if you come here during the right time. It is also a great spot to take photos because the rocks and the seaweed-covered beach are pretty photogenic. You can even see some manta rays hanging out near the water if you are lucky enough to visit during their season.
The best way to reach this gorgeous natural landmark is by renting a scooter from your accommodation or from the many rental shops at the harbor port in Toya Pakeh. The price for a scooter is around 50,000 to 70,000 rupiah per day, depending on the type and quality.
On the eastern side of the island, you can find another cliff-hanging beach called Diamond Beach that was recently made accessible since 2018. This cliff-top beach is famous for its pointy diamond-shaped rock formations and stunning vistas. It is a must-visit spot for all photography lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is an incredibly dramatic T-Rex-shaped beach with a rock arch that stretches out to the sea. This place has become super popular since late 2018, when a path was carved into the side of the cliffs to allow access. The beach is often crowded, but the views from up top are still breathtaking. This is a great spot for photos, especially when the sun is setting. It’s also a good spot for hiking, although the steep path can be quite dangerous in spots.
If you want to avoid the crowds, try visiting at a time other than sunrise or sunset. The best times to visit are early morning before the tour groups arrive or late afternoon after they’ve left.
The hike down to the beach isn’t easy, and it’s best to have some kind of protection for your feet. Water shoes are a good idea, as the rocks can be rough on your feet. It’s also a good idea to wear a snorkel and mask if you plan to swim at the beach.
After descending to the beach, be sure to stop for lunch at a local cafe. A couple of options include Penida Colada or Next Level Café, which both offer great food and fantastic views. They’re a little more expensive than some other places, but they’re worth the extra cost for the views.
Diamond Beach
Probably the most iconic of all of Nusa Penida’s sights, this incredible beach is located on the south coast of the island. It’s a stunning location that really gives you a feeling of beauty, tranquillity and serenity. The huge cliffs that surround it offer a beautiful backdrop and the beach itself is just as amazing as you’d expect.
If you’re lucky enough to come here when the weather is good then you can see a huge number of manta rays floating around in the water below! It’s also a great spot to see the Banah Rock, which is a doughnut shaped rock that sticks out of the water.
While everyone goes to Kelingking, if you head slightly further west along the cliffs then there’s another gorgeous beach that doesn’t get as much attention called Paluang Cliff. This is a great alternative spot that offers views of Kelingking without the crowds and it also has some cool swings and a quirky car temple.
After leaving Paluang you can visit the Cave Temple (Goa Giri Putri). This isn’t your typical temple and requires some serious maneuvering through a hole that has been cut into the side of the mountain! This is one of the best experiences on the island and definitely worth a visit.
The final stop of the day is at Atuh Beach which sits right next to Diamond Beach. This is an awesome little beach that has some warungs residing down on the edge of it where you can grab a cold drink or some lunch.
Goa Giri Putri Cave Temple
Bali is the island of a thousand temples, and one of the most unique ones you can visit on your nusa penida tour is Goa Giri Putri Cave Temple. It’s a very special place that has gained the nickname “the temple in the mountain.” It’s not just because of its location, however. It’s because this temple is built inside of a huge cave!
From the main road in Toyapakeh, you can walk up to this temple following a steep staircase. Once you reach the top, you will need to sign a visitor’s book and leave a small donation (it’s best not to accept the single-use plastic cup of water they offer). After that, you will be shown into the entrance by white-garbed priests who will sprinkle you with holy water.
This is a huge cave, and it’s easy to see why people say it feels like entering another world. The first section of the cave is very narrow and claustrophobic, but after that the cavern opens up into a large corridor-like space. As you continue to walk through the cave, you’ll find more and more sections that are just as huge.
As you walk through the cave, you’ll see several different religious spaces that are dedicated to various goddesses. The most interesting, in our opinion, is the space for the Chinese Buddhist goddess of compassion, Guanyin.