ANGEL'S BILLABONG ON NUSA PENIDA, BALI

Angel’s Billabong is one of the magical spots you can’t help but marvel at. A crystal clear tide pool cascades into the ocean on the east coast of Nusa Penida. Out in that ocean, Manta Rays cruise the coast at leisure. In the blog post, I’ll give you all the details about Angel’s Billabong but also the secret Manta Ray viewpoint around the corner!

How to get to Angel’s Billabong

Angel’s Billabong is on the West Coast of Nusa Penida. The island is quite big and it can take over an hour to cruise from one side to another depending on where your accommodation is located. The roads are improving very quickly throughout Nusa Penida as tourist traffic increases but if you are a novice scooter driver this is gonna be an interesting journey for you!

Wondering about the best way to visit all of the amazing spots on Nusa Penida. If you are based in Bali you can join a customizable tour from Bali with Four Elements Adventure Tour Company (the best tour operator on Nusa Penida) that lets you pick the beaches spots you want to visit. They will pick you up in the morning from your hotel in Bali, take you across to Nusa Penida by fast boat, and then bring you back after an incredible day of adventures.

I recommend choosing the Nusa Island Epic Tour or Nusa Penida East Tour if you are keen to check out the best beaches, and viewpoints or want to snorkel with Manta Rays. Remember to tell them which spots are on your Nusa Penida Bucket list and they will make it happen!

Remember to use the code ‘JACKSON‘ to get 5% OFF YOUR ENTIRE TRIP.

RENTING A MOTORBIKE ON NUSA PENIDA

A motorbike costs a little bit more than on Bali mainland. We got ours for 70,000 rupiah per day with a full tank of gas. It wasn’t deal of the year but don’t expect to haggle down to 40,000 rupiah like you might manage on the streets of Canggu or Kuta.

Parking at Angel’s Billabong cost 40 cents USD, which is 5,000 rupiah. From this parking lot, you can walk to Angel’s Billabong by following the signs. The signs will then lead you to Broken Beach, which is another popular tourist attraction nearby. On the walk from Angel’s Billabong to Broken Beach, you will pass by the Manta Ray viewpoint!

Best time to visit Angel’s Billabong

As with all tidal pools you need to arrive at the right time of day. If you visit Angel’s Billabong during high-tide you will experience a very different pool than the one you see in photos. You will need to check the tide using a site like Magic Seaweed.

Once you figure out when the low tide is, you should plan your itinerary around that. On the day we wanted to visit Angel’s Billabong the low tide was at 8 am so we arrived right at 8 am and it was perfect.

Another thing to consider about Angel’s Billabong is that it is very, very popular. This spot is on the itinerary for all the guided tours that take groups around in vans. If you visit during the middle of the day you can expect to share the spot with hoards of tourists.

However, if you come in the morning, most tourists are still eating their breakfast or in bed, so you can enjoy this tranquil place all to yourself. But remember you need to time your trip with the tide, which usually changes about an hour every day. So if you only have one day to visit Angel’s Billabong and the low tide of that day is at midday, then get ready for the crowds. As you can see this spot comes with an element of foresight and planning.

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Angel’s Billabong

The Billabong is a remarkable formation. The crystal clear water allows you to see the patterns and textures beneath the surface. In some areas, the water is deep enough for a little dip! It is a highly photographed spot on Nusa Penida because of how unique the landscape is.

Depending on the time of day you visit and whether or not the sun is shining will impact the color of the water, rocks and what type of reflecting the pool gives. That is the beauty of mother nature, she is always changing and surprising us.

Manta Ray Viewpoint

As you finish up at Angel’s Billabong it is common to walk around the corner to Broken Beach. The walk only takes 5 minutes but halfway through the journey is an archway made of trees. When you reach this archway don’t go through immediately! Head up the hill towards the coast on your right and look down into the ocean.

This is where the Giant Manta Rays hang out. We sat on the cliffs watching the Mantas cruise around and surface time and time again. It was a pretty awesome discovery and we have aptly named the cliff, ‘Manta Ray Viewpoint’.

Where to stay on Nusa Penida

Save money on Nusa Penida by staying at an Airbnb! Get a FREE $40 Airbnb Coupon by using my code when you book!

I’m going to recommend three places to stay on Nusa Penida. All three of these spots are in great locations but each one is a little different. One is a luxury pick, one is a value selection and the last recommendation I have for you is where I recommend for the budget backpackers.

Ananta Bungalow – Value: The Ananta Bungalow is an awesome location right next to Crystal Bay, which is the best sunset beach on Nusa Penida and where the Manta Ray and snorkel trips launch off from. Basing yourself where you want to spend every sunset is a great idea.

The beautiful bungalows have a thatched roof, terrace and combine the island life with modern facilities. The bungalows how WiFi and air conditioning. These are iconic looking bungalows and for less than $25 a night they really are the best value place to stay on Nusa Penida.

Semabu Hills Resort – Luxury: Semabu Hills is definitely the best pick of the luxury options. It has an epic infinity pool that looks out over the ocean, which is an amazing spot to relax after adventuring around the island. With breakfast included each morning and luxury rooms, this is the kind of place you treat yourself to as a family or a couple.

Hostel Nusa Penida – Budget: There’s always a good hostel when backpacking in Indonesia and on Nusa Penida, this is your pick. Hostel Nusa Penida has free WiFi, is in a good central location, which is close to most of the main attractions, beaches, and hikes. It’s clean, modern and the staff are legends.