BEAUTIFUL ATUH BEACH ON NUSA PENIDA, BALI

Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida or Pantai Atuh as it’s known in Bahasa, is one of the most epic beaches in Bali. It’s a rough drive and a short hike down to the beach but boy oh boy isn’t this incredible little bay worth it! Some of the photos in this post were taken at high tide and others at low tide. You will notice the difference.

How to get to Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida

Like many spots on Nusa Penida, the roads to Atuh Beach are unforgiving. Loose gravel and potholes are the enemies as you try and navigate your way to this epic beach. We zipped along in the dim morning light, hoping to reach Atuh Beach in time for sunrise.

One of the guys with us slid out on the gravel and did some minor damage to his knee. Always grab a helmet on Nusa Penida, the roads are improving very quickly but are still dangerous!

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.

The drive to Atuh Beach is quite scenic and best accessed by motorbike or Moped. The Google Maps location will take you to the left side of the bay. There are access stairs on both the left and the right but both times I have entered from the left. There is no parking fee on this side, while there is a 10,000 (1 USD) fee on the other side.

If you do park on the left-hand side you will have a great view down into the arch, whereas the right-hand side gives you great views but not of the iconic Atuh Beach arch. I hope that all makes sense as you plan your trip but follow the map below and you will arrive left, hike down to the beach and can then hike up and be on the right-hand side of the beach!!

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.

When to go to Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida

Atuh Beach is tidal. Why does this matter? Well, I’ve been two Atuh Beah twice and once it was low tide and the entire beach was just exposed rocks. The other time it was high tide and it looked amazing with just and the sea. It was cool to see the beach in both moments but if you can only visit once make sure you visit at high tide.

Sunrise is great for reflections on the water. If you get down on the beach, the sun rises right through the arch, long exposure photographers will froth over this location! You can get some nice scenes from the top of the hike also. As it is on the east coast, this isn’t really a great sunset spot.

If you go for sunrise you can hang at the beach and by 8 am the vendors will open their stalls on the beach. We had a cooked breakfast on our lounge chairs. Not another soul was on the beach and those morning chills are the ones you live for.

Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida is the type of place that takes your breath away at first glance. From the top of the stairs, the view is already pretty insane. The arch that runs along the rock formation out in the water, the huge sheer drop-off of the cliffs and the amphitheater-like white sandy beach at the base of it all is a sight to behold.

The hike down the stairs takes only ten minutes but is quite steep, which you will realize on the way back up. The density of the trees and vines hide the view from you for most of the short hike. At times a break in the foliage gives you a small window into Atuh Beach.

On the sandy shores of Atuh Beach are a number of small vendors who sell coconuts, nasi goreng, and other snacks and beers. The prices aren’t too expensive considering the location and the effort to get the goods down to the beach. I had a nasi goreng (rice and vegetables) for $2 USD.

Atuh Beach Cliff Jumping

We find the cliff jumps wherever we go. This is one of the more epic scenes we have ever jumped from. A few of the boys swam out to the arch and started checking the depths around the arch.

There were a few points that were about 3m deep. Not incredibly safe but good enough for a small jump. We scaled the arch and even just standing up the top was one of my favorite highlights of my trip on Nusa Penida.

After lengthy discussions, we sent a few backflips and jumps from the middle tier. It was at least 10 meters. I only encourage you to try if you personally do a depth check and are comfortable jumping. This isn’t a safe one I recommend! If you want a safer jump head across to Nusa Ceningan for the Blue Lagoon cliff jump.

Atuh Beach Viewpoint

Once you are down on the beach you can hike up the right-hand stairs as I mentioned earlier. Now you can look back down on to Diamond Beach from the other side. Additionally, you can head away from the beach up the hill and enjoy an epic view down towards the Thousand Islands viewpoint. Be prepared to pay 10,000 rupiahs to enter this area even if you don’t park your moped there.

Where to stay on Nusa Penida

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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.