Nusa Penida is the biggest of the three Nusa Islands just off from mainland Bali. Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan make up the trio of islands, each with uniquely breath-taking landscapes. There are so many awesome things to do on Nusa Penida Island BUT you are probably looking for 3-day itinerary that packs the best stuff into just a few days.
The Perfect Nusa Penida 3-day Itinerary
If you are looking for a huge list of all 27 places I’ve visited on Nusa Penida, you can check that out. If you want an epic 3-day Nusa Penida Itinerary, that is what this blog post is all about. I’ll give you a few different options of 3-day plans and also detail the activities within those itineraries. I’ll also share tips on how to get around, how to get to Nusa Penida, where to stay and a few tours I actually do recommend like the Manta Ray Nusa Penida Tour.
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.
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY: 3-DAY PLAN
Okay, so when I made the plan for you of what to do each day, I chose locations near each other but also in a specific order so that you aren’t just at lookouts all day in the hot sun. You need to break up the day with hikes and viewpoints followed swims at the beach. So this is a mixture of activities followed by refreshing dips in the water. That’s how I usually try and plan otherwise you run out of energy by midday because Nusa Penida gets HOT! One of the best ways to visit lots of highlights in a day is on this Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali or you can rent a car on Nusa Penida with private driver.
I went to all of these spots with a motorbike but please, please drive carefully. I railed myself once on Nusa Penida pretty bad and the island has claimed so many victims with its slippery and gravel roads. You will do a bit of driving getting to and from each spot but that is just par for the course. I’ve added quite a bit to each day below but if it is a bit overwhelming just remove one location. This isn’t a competition to collect bucketlist spots, feel free to remove a few spots to have a more relaxing day.
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.
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY DAY 1:
- Enjoy Sunrise at Atuh Beach
- Walk down the stairs to Diamond Beach
- Tembeling Forest, Pool & Beach (If you want to pack a lot in)
- Thousand Island Viewpoint and the famous Nusa Penida Treehouse (for sunset if you want to drive back in dark)
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY DAY 2:
- Angel Billabong (Check tide times as it is important to be at low tide when you visit)
- Broken Beach
- Kelingking Beach
- Kelingking Cliff viewpoint
- Crystal Bay for sunset
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY DAY 3:
- Snorkeling with the Manta Rays morning tour
- Snorkel at Gamat Bay (included in the tour)
- Peguyangan Stair Trek
- Banah Cliffs for sunset
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)
So that is the basic itinerary I would suggest for three full days on Nusa Penida. Obviously, you need to take into account the travel from Bali will take about half a day so you need almost 5 days in total to complete this 3-day Nusa Penida itinerary as you need a day of transit on either end. Below, I’ll detail each location listed in the itinerary with photos and information.
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY: DAY 1
This is the first day of the itinerary and it starts with sunrise at a beautiful beach before checking out a few viewpoints along the coast.
Enjoy Sunrise at Atuh Beach
Atuh Beach is one of the most picturesque and beautiful beaches on Nusa Penida, an island off the southeastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. It’s s a stunning white sand beach surrounded by the huge cliffs and remarkable rock formations. An arch sits directly out from the shore while several islets string off in the distance.
Read the full blog post: Beautiful Atuh Beach on Nusa Penida
Walk down the stairs to Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach, found at the easternmost point of Nusa Penida Island in Indonesia, is well-known for its stunning look. With its white sandy beach, clear blue-green water, and massive cliffs, the beach is a sight to behold. The place got its name from the diamond-like rock structures scattered around, but there’s one rock that stands out. Diamond Beach is also one of the spots on the Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali.
Right in the shallow waters, there’s a rock shaped like a diamond, and it’s probably the reason why the beach is named ‘Diamond Beach’. To get down to the beach, you’ve got to use a set of stairs carved straight out of the cliffs. And trust me, the panoramic views you get during that descent are worth every step.
Read the full blog post: Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida
BEST CAMERA FOR BALI
The GoPro Hero11 is the BEST camera for traveling around Bali and Indonesia.
- Waterproof for snorkeling, island-hopping, hiking and beach days.
- Built-in stabilization for filming your travels and adventure activities
- 5.3K video and 27MP Photo to capture awesome memories of friends and family
Tembeling Forest, Pool & Beach
Tembeling Beach, tucked away at the end of a thrilling motorbike journey through the woods, is a secret gem worth exploring. It’s a place you’d like if you’re up for an adventure that’s not crowded with tourists. On the way, you’ll come across Tembeling’s natural pools.
Imagine a scene straight from a jungle film – that’s what the Tembeling Forest looks like from inside the canyon. After soaking in that sight, you can move down the winding stairs leading to the Tembeling Natural Pools. There are two pools, with the first one being the largest. Despite being surrounded by orange and brown cliffs, the water in the pool is surprisingly clear and blue.
Follow the trail further and you’ll reach Tembeling Beach. Although it’s not the best beach on Nusa Penida, it’s worth a visit. The beach is flanked by towering cliffs and has a small stretch of sand. While the sea here can be a bit rough, the natural pools offer a safer option for swimming. Be sure to keep an eye on the currents and stay safe.
View full blog post: TEMBELING BEACH, NATURAL POOL & FOREST ON NUSA PENIDA
Thousand Island Viewpoint & The Nusa Penida Treehouse
To get to the first viewpoint you need to climb down the steep stairway for about 10 minutes. Once we reached this first viewpoint we were pretty awestruck. The view is incredible! We could see a small little empty beach sitting at the bottom of the cliff. It was paradise.
We continued on to the second viewpoint and then to the Instagram famous Tree House. There was nobody inside but the door was locked. We took a few photos here and debated whether or not we would stay out here. We all concluded it would be worth it for the feeling of enjoying the sunrise on the balcony of the treehouse!
Read the full blog post: Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) Viewpoint
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY: DAY 2
Hopefully, you aren’t too tired from your first day of exploration on Nusa Penida because there are some awesome sights to see on todays’ itinerary.
Angel’s Billabong
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. Angel’s Billabong is also one of the spots on the Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali.
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.
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.
Broken Beach
Broken Beach is an incredible little cove on Nusa Penida island. The highlight of the cove and the reason it is called Broken Beach is due to the archway that wraps around the bay allowing water to flow in and out from the ocean.
The arch at Broken Beach has been formed over many, many years and is now a true spectacle. From above the cove appears almost circular and closed in, however, at eye level the arch is quite high. Unfortunately, there is no way down into the cove for a refreshing dip but some boat tours do cruise into the cove if the tide is right.
Read the full blog post: Broken Beach
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
Kelingking Beach
The famous cliff scene that strikingly resembles a T-rex, popularized by Instagram, lives up to the hype. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Kelingking Beach, with its pristine water forming into waves and crashing below in what seemed like a slow-motion display.
We hiked a short way down the T-rex’s ‘spine’, taking in the stunning views of the steep cliffs on either side. It’s hands down my favorite spot on Nusa Penida. The place has a way of making you feel small amidst its grandeur. No wonder it’s the most visited beach on the island, and deservedly so. Kelingking Beach is also one of the spots on the Ultimate Nusa Penida Day Trip Tour from Bali.
Choosing a favorite view on Nusa Penida isn’t easy, given the island’s many breathtaking sights. But the cliffs at Kelingking Secret Point Beach, forming what looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, are sure to steal your heart. Interestingly, ‘Kelingking’ translates to ‘Pinkie’ in English, referring to the smallest finger on your hand.
Read the full blog post: Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Cliff Viewpoint
Here is a great little tip for enjoying Kelingking Secret Point Beach from a unique angle. Instead of hiking down the stairs, head to the right along the cliffs. There is a worn path along the cliff edge but no railing so be careful. Here you can find multiple epic viewpoints, with arguably a better look at the beach than the hike.
It’s an awesome spot for sunset and doesn’t involve any hiking for those of you out there looking for the easy option. We came back two nights later after our beach session down at the bottom and just caught the sunset up on these cliffs. Definitely one of the best sunset spots on the island of Nusa Penida and a unique angle of Kelingking Secret Point Beach.
Crystal Bay for sunset
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.
Read the full blog post: Crystal Bay
NUSA PENIDA ITINERARY: DAY 3
There’s one final day for this Nusa Penida Itinerary. You’ll be motivated to get up and going this morning because one of the most popular activities on Nusa Penida is on the agenda. You’ve got snorkeling with Giant Manta Rays, an epic stairway hike on the side of a cliff and then an awesome sunset spot lined up.
Snorkeling with the Manta Rays morning tour
Snorkeling with Manta Rays at Manta Point on Nusa Penida is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nusa Penida is an island just off the coast of mainland Bali, which takes just 35 minutes to reach by fastboat. The Manta Rays are majestic and very friendly. With a wingspan of 5m, these gentle giants cruise around you while you snorkel amongst them. This Nusa Penida Manta Ray Snorkel Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Bali and all transport and tickets included or if you are already in Nusa Penida this Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour is a bit cheaper.
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)
Snorkel at Gamat Bay (included in the tour)
We jumped off the boat, and immediately realized the water at Gamat Bay is much colder than at Manta Point and Crystal Bay. I’m not sure why that is. The second thing we noticed was the incredible coral structures and rock formations beneath the surface. The depth ranged from a few meters closer to shore all the way down to a perfect free-diving depth of 5-20 meters.
Our guide told us this is where you can see a turtle if you are lucky. We looked long and hard and finally, we found a turtle who let us chill near him for ten minutes as he went about his business. The water clarity at Gamat was perfect!
Peguyangan Waterfall Stair Trek
Peguyangan Waterfall is one of my favorite spots on Nusa Penida because it has a mix of everything. Up and down those steep blue stairs is a workout. Then you add in the spectacular coastal cliff views that are the trademark of the island. Finally mix that in with the tradition and culture of the sacred temple and the waterfall, which is a pilgrimage site and you have this awesome blend in one spot!
The hike down takes about 20 minutes, leading you down to the pilgrimage site. The sacred temple is based on the water blessing. I spoke to one of the locals who was going through his ritual. There are three spouts.
Read the full blog post: Peguyangan Stair Hike
Banah Cliffs for sunset
Banah Cliffs is another epic viewpoint on Nusa Penida. The view down the coast at Banah is striking. As we sat on the edge and looked down we couldn’t even figure out how big the drop was.
Banah Cliff Point in Nusa Penida is a hidden gem that showcases the unspoiled beauty of nature. Nestled along the rugged coastline of the island, this magnificent cliff offers awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. If you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, Banah Cliff Viewpoint should be at the top of your bucket list.
The cliffs are known as a great sunset spot just like Kelingking, which is just down the road! There are two defined ‘spots’ at Banah Cliffs, one involves a short walk and one is right next to the parking lot. The highlight at Banah Cliffs is the arch out in the ocean. A small rock arch sits out in the crystal clear water. We spent a couple of hours at both sites at Banah Cliffs taking in the epic coastline.
Read the full blog post: Banah Cliff Point
I hope you enjoyed those daily plans I created for you in this 3-day Nusa Penida Itinerary. Be sure to check out my complete list of all the things to do on Nusa Penida or even the island’s best beaches.
BEST INSURANCE FOR TRAVELERS
Don’t wait for an accident to happen… get insured! My travel insurance is HeyMondo which offers low-cost travel & medical insurance. That’s me on the left with three teeth knocked out after a motorbike crash in Bali!
You can click to read my Full Review of the Best Travel Insurance.
I’ve made several successful claims with HeyMondo and find their customer service very quick and helpful. Click the button below to get a 5% DISCOUNT
Nusa Penida Transport
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. For this Nusa Penida itinerary, you will need a bike (or renting a van and driver) although the roads are improving very quickly throughout Nusa Penida as tourist traffic increases if you are a novice scooter driver this is gonna be an interesting journey for you!
A motorbike costs a little bit more than on Bali mainland. We got ours for 70,000 rupiahs 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 rupiahs as you might manage on the streets of Canggu or Kuta.
Warning: this island is notorious for bike crashes due to the bad roads. I railed myself here going around a corner. Drive slower than normal. Trust me.
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
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
Chester
Saturday 8th of February 2020
Traveling full time and I’m always looking at itineraries This is one of the best I’ve seen. Love the place and then a photo of the place. Also reccos for different hotels.
Awesomeness!
Ariana
Friday 24th of January 2020
Hey there! I was wondering where you stayed at during this 3 day itinerary. I want to try to minimize my driving and stay at accommodations that end where I will start again the next day so its not back and forth across the island every day. If you could help, that'd be great, Love your blogs! Thanks.
Monica Nargassans
Wednesday 13th of May 2020
Did you ever get a response on this? I am wanting to know the same
Thursday 26th of December 2019
Thank you very much. We plan to take a trip there
Faye
Wednesday 2nd of October 2019
Awesome blog!! Can you tell me the tour guide's name (or the company) that you took for the trip? Do you think it is necessary to take tour guide or just be independent? I read many stories of how bad the roads were and the confusing street signs. So I need your advice. Thanks!
nate
Thursday 19th of September 2019
wow. thanks a ton for this.