HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM BALI VIA FERRY/BOAT

Nusa Penida has become one of the most popular places to visit for those on a vacation in Bali. With its epic cliffs, beautiful beaches, and manta-ray experience, it’s starting to become more of a must-do than Bali itself. Getting to Nusa Penida from Bali by ferry takes about 30-minutes on the actual boat but a bit longer with transit and waiting times.

BEST WAY TO BOOK BALI TO NUSA PENIDA FERRY

Don’t have time to read the whole post? No problem! I’ll jump to the important bit. The best, easiest, most reliable way to book a ticket for the ferry to Nusa Penida from Bali is to book online with 12GO. This way you book at the correct price, have online proof of ticket, and don’t need to wait to book in person at the dock.

HOW TO TO GET FROM BALI TO NUSA PENIDA

In this blog post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about catching the ferry to Nusa Penida from Bali. I’ll cover ticket prices, how to book, whether you need an open ticket or not, and also the different routes and options available. I’ve personally made the journey 6 times on the ferry to and from Penida so I know the drill from all locations and have got you covered with this blog post about how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali and other locations.

KEY POINTS: NUSA PENIDA FERRY FROM BALI

Firstly a few key points…

• Bali is a large island, comprises of many different regions so depending on where you are staying in Bali, will depend on how long it takes to get to the port. All of the transits leave from the port of Sanur which is in Southeast Bali (Some do also leave from Padang Bai). It is approximately 45 minutes driving from Seminyak or 35 minutes driving from Kuta. Often traffic and multiple pick-ups from your van/taxi service will make that time a bit longer. 
• You can head down to the port and book your ticket there but from my experience, it is always cheaper to book in advance online. Otherwise, you will arrive at the port, line up for a ticket then have to wait for the ferry whenever that is. If you book online you can simply arrive just before your ferry leaves. So best to book online with 12GO.
• If you travel to Lombok, it can be important to take a speed boat instead of a ferry. This can save you more than 3 hours in transit time. From Bali to Nusa Penida the distance is much shorter and a speedboat isn’t paramount due to the short distance.
• You can get from Nusa Penida to Nusa Lembongan and vice versa and you don’t need to book that in advance. There is a small boat leaving every hour.
• I always book online as the price is fixed and there are guarantees. I prefer not to have to haggle with the vendors on the street in Bali when I don’t have to.

Okay, so those are a few tips now let’s look at how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali via ferry or boat.

HOW TO GET FROM SANUR (BALI) TO NUSA PENIDA

The ferry leaves multiple times per day from Sanur (South-east Bali). To book it online in advance for the guaranteed lowest price you can click the link below to reserve your ticket via the booking company I use for all of my train and boat tickets in Southeast Asia called 12GO. This online booking agency is generally pretty reliable all over Asia, so I stick with what works to avoid issues with new websites and agents. Below I have put the link to the search page for Sanur to Nusa Penida where the tickets are usually around $10 one way.

Book your ticket with 12GO: Sanur(Bali) to Nusa Penida Ferry

BOOKING WITH YOUR HOTEL OR STREET VENDOR

If you prefer to have everything handled in a package deal, you will pay a bit extra but it can be convenient. Generally, at your hotel, hostel, or at a vendor on the street you can book a ferry ticket to Nusa Penida that includes a return ticket and pick-up and drop-off from your hotel. It will cost around $30-$40.

The ticket is an ‘open ticket’. This means when you want to return back to Bali from Nusa Penida, you go to the office in Nusa Penida with your ‘receipt of purchase’ (or Nusa Lembongan) and ask for an ‘actual ticket’ for the next day. Pretty simple process.

The pick-up will get you from your hotel and is often a big van that is making several stops along the way. They are always full by the end so don’t think you have hit the jackpot with a full back-row to yourself. Enjoy it while it lasts. You will organize the pickup from your hotel when you make an online booking.

The journey from Canggu takes about an hour, from Seminyak 45 minutes, from Kuta 35 minutes, and Ubud well just cross your fingers and hope for under an hour depending on traffic. Once you arrive at the port, the driver will hand you over to the representative who takes you straight to the office and they will tag your bag and give you a sticker so the boatmen know you are on the right boat. 

It’s likely you will have to wait about an hour (possibly more) before your actual ferry leaves but that is just how it goes. Your big luggage will be put below the deck by the staff and you will take a seat. Tip: grab a window seat as it can often get stuffy and hot inside the cabin. Depending on the boat you may be able to get onto the roof and enjoy the wind. Keep your small bag with personal belongings with you during the trip.

When you arrive you will depart the boat and wait for the boys to pass your luggage down the chain until it is clear of the water. Welcome to Nusa Penida you have made it!

Best Nusa Penida Day Tours

If you are staying in Bali.. but still want to spend a day or two experiencing how epic Nusa Penida is, you can take a day trip on a speedboat to Nusa Penida. Yep, in just one day you can snorkel with Manta rays and visit lots of the best beaches and viewpoints.

The best tour company on Nusa Penida is Four Elements Adventure because they do custom-built itineraries where you get to tell them which spots are on your bucket list and then they will create a personalized tour just for you! Trust me, they are gurus. I have been on the tour with them personally, which is why they have given me a discount code for my blog readers.

You can Click Here to visit the Nusa Penida section of their website to view all their tours, prices, and details, and remember to use the code ‘JACKSON‘ to get 5% OFF YOUR ENTIRE TRIP.

They have two different tours, which cover the two different sides of Nusa Penida.

NUSA PENIDA EAST TOUR – Pick-up from Bali and fast boat to Nusa Penida and then hit the best spots in the east of the island including:

• Atuh Beach
• Diamond Beach
• Rumah Pohon Treehouse
• Thousand Island Viewpoint
• Teletubbies Viewpoint
• Fast boat back to Bali and drop off at your hotel.

NUSA PENIDA EPIC TOUR – Pick-up from Bali and fast boat to Nusa Penida and then hit the best spots in the east of the island including:

• Snorkeling with Manta Rays
• Crystal Bay
• Kelingking Beach (T-Rex Beach)
• Atuh Beach
• Rumah Pohon Treehouse
• Thousand Island Viewpoint
• Fast boat back to Bali and drop off at your hotel.

You can check that guide out here: NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP TOURS FROM BALI – EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE OR MANTAS?

 HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM NUSA LEMBONGAN

If you are on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan and want to transfer between the two it is quite easy. There is a small boat operating pretty much every hour that you will pay about $4-5 for a ticket to ride across the channel. It is only about a 10-minute ride but you can take your full luggage if you want.

Many will leave their big luggage at their hotel on Nusa Lembongan and just take an overnight bag with a change of clothes for 1-3 days on Penida so they aren’t limited by too much luggage. It’s a good idea.

If you are on Nusa Lembongan trying to go to Nusa Penida the best place to get the boat is from the yellow bridge. There is a small unofficial-looking building there where you buy your ticket and wait. On the Nusa Penida side just head down to the Toya Pakeh Harbor and that will shuttle you across to Nusa Lembongan.

 HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM BALI AIRPORT

The best way to get to Nusa Penida from Bali Airport (Ngurah Rai Airport) is to get a taxi or a Grab (like an Uber) at the airport to the harbor in Sanur called ‘Sanur Beach Harbor’ on Google Maps. It will take about 30-40 minutes from the Bali Airport to the Sanur Beach Harbor. I suggest not booking your ticket in advance in case you have a plane delay. The best thing to do is just get down to the harbor and then ask at any of the booths for a ticket to Nusa Penida.

HOW TO GET FROM NUSA PENIDA TO LOMBOK

It is possible to get from Nusa Lembongan to Lombok but not currently possible directly from Nusa Penida. That just means you take the 10-minute boat trip to Nusa Lembongan from Nusa Penida and you can skip across to Lombok without having to go all the way back to Sanur, Bali, which is pretty convenient.

CAN YOU GET TO THE GILI ISLANDS FROM NUSA PENIDA

It is possible to get from Nusa Lembongan to the Gili Islands but not currently possible directly from Nusa Penida. That just means you take the 10-minute boat trip to Nusa Lembongan from Nusa Penida and you can make your way over to the Gili Islands without having to go all the way back to Sanur, Bali.

Where to stay on Nusa Penida

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, and 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 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, and is in a good central location, which is close to most of the main attractions, beaches, and hikes.

MORE NUSA ISLANDS BLOG POSTS

There are a ton of epic things to do on Nusa Penida, but I also wrote detailed guides for all of the adventurous things to do on Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and the Nusa Islands as an overall guide.

• NUSA ISLANDS GUIDE: LEMBONGAN, PENIDA, CENINGAN
• 27 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA PENIDA
• 9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA LEMBONGAN
• 5 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON NUSA CENINGAN
• BEST CLIFF JUMP SPOTS IN BALI, INDONESIA
• WHERE TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA: EAST & WEST REGION
• 3-DAY NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY: A DETAILED ADVENTURE TRAVEL GUIDE
• NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP TOURS FROM BALI – EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE OR MANTAS?
• HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM BALI VIA FERRY/BOAT