On the southeast coast of Nusa Penida, Peguyangan Waterfall sits at the bottom of some pretty epic cliffs. It’s not of the most popular things to do on Nusa Penida but one of my personal favorites. The iconic blue stairway leads you down a cliffside pathway to a sacred water temple, a pilgrimage site for locals.
Peguyangan Waterfall Hike Entrance Fees
As of 2021, admission to Peguyangan is complimentary, and there are no entrance charges. However, as the site is a sacred temple, it is mandatory to wear a sarong while visiting. You can rent a sarong from the parking area at a nominal fee of 15k Rupiah, equivalent to approximately $1 USD. Alternatively, you are welcome to bring and use your own sarong at no additional cost.
Peguyangan Waterfall & Blue Stairs
Peguyangan Waterfall is a unique and sacred site located on the island of Nusa Penida in Bali, Indonesia. Unlike traditional waterfalls, Peguyangan is a cascading waterfall that flows directly into the vast Indian Ocean. The sight of clear, freshwater meeting the blue sea at the cliff base is a sight to behold.
To reach the waterfall, visitors must descend a steep series of blue stairs built into the cliffside, known locally as the ‘Blue Stairway to Heaven.’ The trek down these stairs provides breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean but it’s not for the faint-hearted due to the steepness and height.
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.
How to get to Peguyangan Waterfall
The accommodation is quite spread out on Nusa Penida so it’s hard to guess where you might be based. Nonetheless, the map below has an accurate pin to help guide you. The drive to Peguyangan is on a nice road for most of the way but it does end with 10-15 minutes of bumpy, potholed gravel roads. 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! 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.
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.
Peguyangan Waterfall on Nusa Penida
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 all in one spot!
There is just one Warung at the top of the stairs in the parking lot (there may be more now) We had a Mie Goreng for just 10,000 rupiah, which is less than $1 USD. Granted it was just packed noodles mixed with a small amount of chicken and sauce, but $1. The point is, you can buy drinks, snacks, and even a Mie Goreng before or after your hike. The parking lot has a 5,000 rupiah fee and then you will need to hire a sarong from the parking lot attendant.
The hike begins underneath a little arch and then you begin your journey down the blue stairs. I’ve no idea why they are blue, but just like the yellow bridge of Nusa Ceningan, it is something that you remember! From here, the blue stairs wind down the side of the cliff cutting back and forth. The stairs seem pretty sturdy and didn’t feel unsafe, although I am sure there are safer places to spend your day!
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- Waterproof for snorkeling, island-hopping, hiking and beach days.
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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. In order, they must shower underneath each and then use the fourth main spout to finish. This is how they cleanse themselves and receive blessings.
I didn’t go under the three smaller spouts but the local guys who were dressed in just a sarong or underwear, invited me to shower under the main spout.
Peguyangan Natural Pools
Shrines and trinkets are spread throughout the sacred site, which eventually leads you down to cascading pools. These pools have the purest of water, it looks like bottled water it’s so clear! The rock pools are tiered down until they eventually flow out into the ocean.
It’s a really beautiful area and has so many different things going on. As we left there was a ceremony taking place with 20 locals sat on the ground being led through a prayer.
The walk back up the stairs was an effort, especially in the hot sun. However, at a decent pace, it took us less than 25 minutes. We arrived at the top covered in sweat but that’s how all good adventures on Nusa Penida end! Just around the corner is Kelingking Beach, the famous T-Rex cove, which is my favorite spot for sunset on Nusa Penida.
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
Melissa
Monday 24th of April 2023
Rented scooter! Awesome service! Thank you so much! So kind!