Crystal Bay is probably the most popular beach on Nusa Penida for a number of reasons. It is the best sunset beach, facing directly west. This alone makes it a winner for people trying to have a sunset beer and watch the sun go down. It’s also the jump-off spot for snorkel tours and is only a 30-minute drive from the main port, Toyapakeh. Most importantly, unlike many of the crazy beaches on Penida, you can snorkel and swim with relaxing conditions.
CRYSTAL BAY: A COMPLETE GUIDE
Crystal Bay Beach is a beautiful little bay known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and breathtaking panoramic views. Situated on the western coast of Nusa Penida, this secluded beach offers a great place for sunsets, snorkeling and boat tours. In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know about Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida.
HOW TO GET TO CRYSTAL BAY
If you are staying near Toyapakeh, like most tourists on Nusa Penida, it is just a 30-minute drive to Crystal Bay. This is why it’s so popular for sunset. The roads to Crystal Bay are also in pretty good condition in comparison to many of the shocking routes around the island, which can make it a bit dangerous for mopeds. If you aren’t confident in driving, you can rent a car on Nusa Penida with private driver, which is a good option to visit multiple spots safely in a day with a group of friends.
Day Trip: One of the best ways to visit many of the best Nusa Penida beaches in one day is on this Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali.
I have included a map below with the location of Crystal Bay so you can find your way.
BEST NUSA PENIDA TOURS!
These are the four most popular Nusa Penida Tours. I’ve done all four and they are AWESOME!
- Manta Ray Snorkel Tour (from Bali) – Most amazing experience to swim with Giant Manta’s.
- Manta Ray Snorkel Tour (from Penida) This is the cheaper option if already on Nusa Penida.
- BEST of Nusa Penida Day Tour (from Bali) Most booked day trip fro Bali to Penida with all highlights
- Nusa Penida Car Rental with Driver: Great way to see all the highlights and tourist spots.
THE PALM ROAD
On the drive to Crystal Bay, you may notice some stunning palm trees. If you drive all the way down the hill towards the parking lot but take a left just before you arrive you will end up in an awesome round that is lined by palm trees. It really did remind me of Siargao in the Philippines.
I was by myself when I visited, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a palm tree and motorbike combo so I shot some photos of myself with my drone while driving through. Not easy. Here’s a look at the epic palm road.
CRYSTAL BAY BEACH
I then headed down to the beach. You can just park your bike and walk straight on in. I’ve never paid to park at Crystal Bay. It is pretty touristy but things can change over the years. There are lots of little bars and stalls selling beers and snacks. For a small fee, you can rent a chair or lounge with an umbrella. Crystal Bay Beach offers ample opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Feel the soft sand beneath your feet as you bask in the warm tropical sun, or take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters to cool off from the tropical heat.
SNORKELING AT CRYSTAL BAY
Crystal Bay Beach is a haven for water enthusiasts, especially snorkelers and divers. The calm and clear waters provide excellent visibility, making it the perfect spot to explore the mesmerizing underwater world. Discover vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the majestic Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) during the right season.
If you arrive during the day you are in for a treat. Crystal Bay is actually a snorkel spot on many boat tours. Luckily for you, it’s possible to swim out 30 yards and then you are on top of a coral reef.
With coral fish plentiful and the possibility of turtles, enjoy some world-class underwater action. The water quality at Crystal Bay is usually pretty good too.
SUNSET AT CRYSTAL BAY
If you arrive later in the day, pull up a chair or set down in the sand and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Without a doubt, a local vendor will offer you a beer for $1-2 and you will remember the moment for the rest of the year. You are watching the day finish in paradise. Savior it.
Crystal Bay is one of the few beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida that face west for the sunset. Beaches near Toyapakeh aren’t as pretty so this is one of the better places to have a sunset beer on Nusa Penida.
HIKING NEAR CRYSTAL BAY
Around the left side of the bay there is a little trail that will actually take you to the next bay over. A guy told me about it as I was leaving last time and said it was nice, so if you are restless like me head over the left hill and check out the beach that I did from the air. It’s even possible to do a longer hike all the way to Broken Beach, although a guide is suggested for that walk.
SNORKELING TOURS FROM CRYSTAL BAY
All of the tours usually leave from Crystal Bay. I’ve done the tour and it is pretty damn epic. We saw turtles at Gamat Bay, snorkeled with Manta Rays at Manta Point and floated over some amazing coral from Toyapakeh. You can book in advance through your hotel or head down to Crystal Bay and ask if any boat driver is up for it. It usually costs about $20 or so per person.
MANTA RAY TOURS FROM CRYSTAL BAY
Many of the Manta Ray tours leave directly from Crystal Bay. This means a couple of things. You can either save some money by driving yourself to Crystal Bay OR you can check out Crystal Bay after your Manta Ray tour for sunset.
Book your tour: This is the Best Manta Ray Tour leaving from Nusa Penida
SWIM WITH MANTA RAYS ON NUSA PENIDA!
BEST TOUR: Enjoy swimming with Manta Rays on Nusa Penida Island with the most popular tour in Bali.
Option 1: Manta Ray Nusa Penida Tour (from Bali)
Option 2: Manta Ray Snorkel Tour (from Penida)
HINDU TEMPLE AT CRYSTAL BAY
When you sit on the beach you may notice a Hindu Temple on top of the small island in Crystal Bay. There are stairs that come out of the water and lead to the top of the temple but I’ve never seen anyone up there or climbing the stairs. It may be for religious events only and you would have to ask a local about the rules on that one to be safe.
BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TOURS
If you are staying in Bali.. take a day trip on a speedboat to explore the highlights of Nusa Penida. It takes just 35 minutes to get from Bali to Nusa Penida by speed boat. Yep, in just one day you can snorkel with Manta rays and visit lots of the best beaches and viewpoints.
Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour
Manta Ray Nusa Penida Tour (from Bali): Snorkeling with Manta Rays is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best wildlife encounters I’ve had in my life. The Manta Rays are majestic and very friendly. With a wingspan of 5m, these gentle giants cruise around you while you snorkel amongst them. The Nusa Penida Manta Ray Snorkel Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Bali and all transport and tickets included.
Nusa Penida Highlights Tour
Nusa Penida Highlights Tour: Get picked-up from your Bali hotel, take a 35-minute fast boat to Nusa Penida and then visit the most popular viewpoints, beaches and snorkel spots on the island. This small Nusa Penida Highlights Tour group tour is the most highly reviewed day trip for Nusa Penida Island. You’ll visit all the most popular spots and can request certain viewpoints on your itinerary. Places you will visit are sites like the ones listed below:
- Angel’s Billabong
- Kelingking T-Rex Beach
- Broken Beach
- Rumah Pohon Treehouse
- Snorkeling at Crystal Bay
- Thousand Island Viewpoint
TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA
I’ve written a massive, detailed guide about the Best Places To Stay on Nusa Penida….BUT If you just want me three favorites right now, here they are!
- My TOP Pick: Atalaya Villas – Bungalow Style, Beautiful Palm Trees, Great Location.
- Beach Bungalow: Santen Bungalows– Stay on the beach, Best Value for Money
- Luxury: Nay Palad Hideaway – Oceanfront, Beach Access, Beautiful Pool
How to get to the Nusa Islands
There are three main options to get to Nusa Penida depending on your budget and how many logistics you want to manage. Here are the three options with the cheapest first:
- Book your ticket: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Lembongan – Book a regular ferry that leaves from Sanur to Nusa Penida on the reliable website 12go. You then need to moped or taxi across to Nusa Penida via another ferry/boat.
- Book a fast boat: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option is great as you go direct from Bali to Penida without having to stop in Lembongan. This option is only slightly more expensive than stopping in Lembongan. This is my favorite option of the three and can be booked on Klook.
- Book a fast boat with hotel pick-up: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option includes a fast boat from Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida but also includes pick-up from your hotel in Bali in a van. This option from GetYourGuide is a bit more expensive but takes all the hassle out of the transit from Bali to Nusa Penida.
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. You can explore more of my guides by clicking one of the links below.
- 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
- THE PERFECT 3-DAY NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY
- BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP TOURS FROM BALI
- HOW TO GET TO NUSA PENIDA FROM BALI VIA FERRY/BOAT
Dimitri
Friday 10th of May 2019
Hi Jackson,
Your website is very cool ! much information and helpfull especially I am planning to visit nusa penida and this is gonna be my first time. I was just wondering, Have you been Gamat bay ? I just want ask your opinion if we do snorkeling which one is better spot between Gamat and Crystal bay ?
Thank you