8 Best Beaches on Nusa Penida

This article highlights 8 of the best beaches on Nusa Penida, from popular hangouts to secluded gems accessible only by foot!

Nusa Penida is a small island just off the southeastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. Although Nusa Penida has become a popular tourist destination over the last few years, it remains a quieter and more rugged counterpart to the super crowded Bali.

While the beaches on Nusa Penida are incredibly picturesque, many require more effort to reach than is usually involved in a relaxing beach day. It’s also important to be aware that swimming is prohibited or not recommended on many of these Nusa Penida Beaches.

Keep reading to learn all you need to know about visiting Nusa Penida’s beaches.

Best Beaches on Nusa Penida

1. Crystal Bay Beach
2. Pandan Beach
3. Diamond Beach
4. Kelingking Beach
5. Tembeling Beach
6. Atuh Beach
7. Mahagiri Beach (Nusa Lembongan)
8. Dream Beach (Nusa Lembongan)

Map of the Best Beaches on Nusa Penida

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1. Crystal Bay Beach

• Why you’ll love it | Stunning sunsets; easy to access (no hiking required) with wide sandy beach great for spending the day relaxing
• Entrance Fees | None
• Parking | As of 2023, parking costs 5,000 IDR per motorbike. There is a large parking lot just in front of the beach. 
• Swimming | Calm waters in a protected cove make it a good spot to swim
• Difficulty to access | Easy
• Location | Crystal Bay Beach

Crystal Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Nusa Penida, known for its epic sunsets and easy access. 

Unlike most other beaches on Nusa Penida, there is no hike or stairs required to access Crystal Bay Beach. The beach is just a few steps away from the parking lot! 

Crystal Bay Beach is also unique in that it is located on the western side of Nuse Penida, meaning that the sunsets are especially amazing. But be warned – Crystal Bay Beach is the most popular sunset spot on Nusa Penida! 

The beach here is long and wide, meaning that even when it gets crowded at sunset, there is plenty of space to spread out. 

Because the beach is set back in the bay, it’s protected from some of the stronger currents and larger waves, making it one of the best beaches for a leisurely dip in the water. 

Pandan Beach

• Why you’ll love it | A quiet, secluded beach experience that requires a short hike to access
• Entrance Fees | None
• Parking | Park at Crystal Bay Beach and hike over to Pandan Beach.  As of 2023, parking costs 5,000 IDR per motorbike. There is a large parking lot just in front of the beach. 
• Swimming | Calm waters in a protected cove make it a good spot to swim
• Difficulty to access | Moderate (3km roundtrip hike)
• Location | Pandan Beach

Pandan Beach can only be accessed via a short but steep, 20-minute hike. The trail to Pandan Beach leaves from the southern boundary of Crystal Bay Beach, making it easy to combine the two beaches into one stop. 

Pandan Beach is small but very quiet, as few people choose to hike up and over the cliffs to reach it. 

Diamond Beach

• Why you’ll love it | Tropical vibes and picturesque beach with coral pink sand and beautiful sea stacks
• Entrance Fees | 35,000 IDR per person ($2.20 USD)
• Parking | 5,000 IDR per motorbike ($0.32 USD)
• Swimming | Prohibited due to strong currents and large waves
• Difficulty to access | Hard (steep stairs and rock scramble using a rope)
• Location | Diamond and Atuh Beach Parking Lot

Diamond Beach is one of the most iconic beaches on Nusa Penida, featuring soft, pink sand, turquoise water, and uniquely shaped sea stacks just off the coast. 

While most visitors choose not to make the steep and precarious journey all the way down to Diamond Beach, those who brave the trek are rewarded with perhaps the most beautiful beach on Nusa Penida. 

But don’t underestimate the hike! It’s short but very steep and includes some rock scrambling while holding onto a rope. 

Pro Tip | Parking and the entrance for both Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach are at the same place. The parking fee and entrance fee covers both beaches

Kelingking Beach

• Why you’ll love it | Iconic Nusa Penida views and a challenging adventure to get to
• Entrance Fees | None
• Parking | 10,000 IDR per motorbike
• Swimming | Not recommended due to strong currents and large waves
• Difficulty to access | Hard (steep stairs and rock scramble using a rope)
• Location | Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach is the most iconic spot on Nusa Penida and absolutely cannot be missed. It’s located at the base of the amazing T-Rex Viewpoint, which has to be one of the best views in all of Indonesia. 

To reach Kelingking Beach, you’ll leave the crowds behind and hike down along steep stairs that follow along the ridge heading out towards sea. 

After a few minutes, the trail cuts back sharply to the right and the stairs all but disappear. Soon, you’ll be clambering down nearly vertical rock, scooting on your butt, and clinging onto ropes to keep you steady. 

Despite the treacherous journey, Kelingking Beach is absolutely magical, with towering cliffs in all directions and powerful waves crashing down on soft, pink sand. Make sure you check out the small cave on the far side of the beach for some of the best picture opportunities. 

Tembeling Beach

• Why you’ll love it | Great for getting away from the crowds; chance to also swim in two bright blue natural pools
• Entrance Fees | Small donation requested at entrance to pools (we donated 10,000 IDR)
• Parking | 10,000 IDR per motorbike
• Swimming | Not recommended due to large cliffs and strong waves
• Difficulty to access | Hard (steep 5km roundtrip hike)
• Location | Tembeling Beach and Forest

Tembeling Beach and natural pools sit at the bottom of Tembeling Forest, one of our favorite adventures on Nusa Penida. 

To access Tembeling Beach, we recommend hiking down the steep, unpaved path from the parking lot at the top of the hill. You can also hire a local driver to take you down but we actually enjoyed the short hike through the jungle.

Along the way, you can stop to cool off at the two Tembeling Natural Pools. 

Atuh Beach

• Why you’ll love it | The less beautiful but more relaxing neighbor of Diamond Beach, perfect for beach bumming 
• Entrance Fees | 35,000 IDR per person ($2.20 USD)
• Parking | 5,000 IDR per motorbike ($0.32 USD). Parking and the entrance for both Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach are at the same place. The parking fee and entrance fee covers both beaches
• Swimming | Prohibited due to strong currents and large waves
• Difficulty to access | Moderate (steep concrete staircase)
• Location | Diamond and Atuh Beach Parking Lot

Atuh Beach is located right next to Diamond Beach and is often overlooked for its more picturesque neighbor. 

While Atuh Beach doesn’t quite live up to Diamond Beach in terms of all around beauty (to be fair, not many beaches in the world can live up to Diamond Beach), it’s definitely one of the best beaches on Nusa Penida nonetheless. 

To reach Atuh Beach from Diamond Beach, you’ll need to hike down the other side of the cliff (yes, more stairs!) just off to the left from the parking lot. 

Atuh Beach is especially nice at high tide when the underlying rocks and coral are covered with water and swimming is easier. 

From the Atuh Beach, you can see some nice sea stacks just off the shore. The beach is also lined with warungs (family-owned restaurants) selling local food, cold beer, sodas, and offering beach chairs for rent. 

Mahagiri Beach (Nusa Lembongan)

• Why you’ll love it | Easy to access, and white sand beach is great for sunbathing
• Entrance Fees | None
• Parking | Free; street parking
• Swimming | Swimming is possible, but the water is shallow with many seaweed farms just off shore
• Difficulty to access | Easy
• Location | Mahagiri Beach

Mahagiri Beach is our favorite beach on Nusa Lembongan, a small island just off the northwestern corner of Nusa Penida. Taking a day trip to the twin islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan is one of the best things to do on Nusa Penida. 

While you’re on Nusa Lembongan, we highly recommend spending some time at Mahagiri Beach, a long, flat stretch of beach that is easy to access (no stairs or hiking required) and is perfect for beach bumming and sun bathing. 

Dream Beach (Nusa Lembongan)

• Why you’ll love it | Free to access, small beach with soft sand and strong current
• Entrance Fees | None
• Parking | Free
• Swimming | Swimming is permitted, but use caution due to strong waves.
• Difficulty to access | Easy
• Location | Dream Beach

Dream Beach is probably the most popular beach on Nusa Lembongan. It is free to access and conveniently located close to popular resorts and restaurants. Dream Beach isn’t very long, but its sand is very soft and is great for sunbathing. 

While you definitely can cool off in the water at Dream Beach, the current is very strong and there are some large rocks close to the shore so don’t expect to be swimming laps.

Nusa Penida Beaches | Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to swim at Nusa Penida Beaches?

Unfortunately, at many Nusa Penida beaches swimming is strictly prohibited or at least strongly discouraged. We actually saw beach officials blow their whistlers and call out to beachgoers who tried to go swimming at Diamond Beach.

Please abide by posted signs that strictly prohibit swimming as the strong currents are no joke on the beaches at Nusa Penida! Several tourists have died after being swept out to sea here.

On other beaches, there are no posted signs prohibiting swimming, but large waves and rocky shorelines make it dangerous to get in the water.

How do I get to Nusa Penida from Bali?

• Cost | 100,000 to 150,000 IDR per person from Bali (one way)

If you’re planning to visit Nusa Penida independently and stay overnight on the island, the best way to get there is by booking a fast boat from Bali on 12GoAsia. Most boats depart from the Sanur Harbour in Bali and arrive at Banur Nyuh Harbor on the western side of Nusa Penida. 

We used the company Angel Billabong Fast Cruise because it was the cheapest option, and we had a fine experience. Don’t expect any luxuries: the A/C won’t work, it’s hot, bumpy and the choppy seas may induce seasickness for some!

But we’ve come to find that these conditions are the standard for traveling by boat in Southeast Asia.

How do I get to the beaches on Nusa Penida?

• By motorbike | 100,000 – 150,000 IDR per day
• By private driver | 600,000 – 1,000,000 IDR per day

There are two ways you can get around to all the best beaches on Nusa Penida: by renting a motorbike or hiring a private driver for the day. 

Renting a motorbike

We stayed on Nusa Penida for about a week and rented our own motorbike to get around. Motorbike rentals on Nusa Penida tend to cost more than mainland Bali, so expect to pay between 100,000 and 150,000 IDR per day.

You need to make sure you rent a motorbike with at least 125cc if you’re sharing the motorbike with a travel buddy in order to make it up the steep hills across Nusa Penida. Despite the island seeming relatively small, it takes about 1 hour to get from one side of the island to the other, so be prepared for some extended time spent on your motorbike!

Pro Tip | Despite its increasing popularity with tourists, much of the infrastructure on Nusa Penida remains underdeveloped. Roads are narrow, and bumpy, and are often under construction. That being said, a lot of the roads have been fairly recently paved and were in better condition than we expected.

Hiring a private driver

If you’re staying on Nusa Penida but aren’t comfortable zipping around on a motorbike, your best bet is to hire a private driver for the day. Expect to pay between 600,000 and 1,000,000 IDR for the day in total.

You can book a driver in advance or ask your hotel to help you book one once you arrive. 

When is the best time to visit?

• Rainy season | November to March
• Dry season | April to October

Nusa Penida has two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Dry season is the most popular time to visit for obvious reasons, so if you want to avoid the crowds you may prefer to visit during the rainy season. Just be prepared to plan your day around the weather if you do visit during the rainy season. 

Where should I stay on Nusa Penida?

The best area to stay on Nusa Penida for exploring the best beaches is just inland from the western side of the island. Below are a few great places to stay:

• Budget | The Dagan Bungalow. Private and clean bungalows in a convenient location with prices starting at $35 USD per night.
• Mid-range | Bagia Bungalows. This is where we stayed and we had a great experience. Our host was super helping in helping us plan out our days, and giving us the inside scoop on which attractions are suitable to get to by motorbike.
• Luxury | Penida Bamboo Green Suites. Stunning luxury bungalows featuring hammocks with views overlooking the island, if you stay here, you just might not want to leave!

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