We spent several weeks in Nusa Penida over the last year. The island has become a very personal refuge for us. We have truly seen everything there is to see. And that is a lot!

Nusa Penida - Bali's Unknown Neighboring Island

Does Nusa Penida not ring a bell yet? No surprise. So far, this paradise island has largely escaped mass tourism. This will undoubtedly change in the coming years. Meanwhile, the fact that the island has much more to offer than most people think has also spread among some investors. In the last 1-2 years, a significant amount of land has been purchased on the island. If you want to experience Nusa Penida in its original beauty, now is the best time to do it! Nusa Penida Consequently, we now share some expert tips about Nusa Penida that certainly not everyone knows who has been there.

How to Get to Nusa Penida

To get to Nusa Penida, you first need to travel to Bali. Of course, flying is the first option from Europe or other Asian countries. These include, for example, Emirates from Dubai, Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong, Thai Airways from Bangkok, and many more. There are also flights from many cities in Indonesia to Bali. To find the best and cheapest flights for your trip to Bali, we recommend checking out Skyscanner. There you can get all the information about prices, schedules, flight times, and the different airlines to find the best deal for you. This way you can get a good overview.

Accommodation in Nusa Penida - Our Hotel Recommendation

La Roja Bungalows is a lovely small design resort located almost directly on the beach. There is also a pool. The bungalows have a unique style and, of course, are clean inside and well-equipped. To explore Nusa Penida on your own, the property also offers scooter rentals. We recommend it! You can find more accommodations in Nusa Penida here.

1. Kutampi Beach

Kutampi Beach is one of the most underrated beaches in Nusa Penida. It is only popular among locals. Every evening, countless fishing boats leave from here to go out to sea and return in the morning with their buckets full. What almost no one knows: Right at Kutampi Beach is one of the most beautiful diving and snorkeling areas in Nusa Penida! You can dive directly from the beach and suddenly find yourself among thousands of fish and completely intact corals! Just bring your mask and fins, and you can start right from the beach.

2. Penida Colada Bar

Looking for cool beach bars in Nusa Penida? Absolutely no chance. The island is simply too non-touristy. There is a small but good exception: the Penida Colada bar in the small village of Ped. The bar is located right on the beach and is run by an Australian married to an Indonesian. The food selection is relatively small but extremely special and delicious. The dishes change regularly and are usually a mix of Western and Asian or Indonesian cuisine. By the way, the cassava chips are one of the spiciest things we have ever eaten! You can also order delicious cocktails and smoothies. Get comfortable on one of the many cushions and enjoy the chill-out atmosphere.

3. Pandan Beach

Pandan Beach is possibly the most secret beach in Nusa Penida. We have been there several times and have never encountered other people at the spot. Although the beach is secluded, it is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The sand is extremely fine and bright. The water is turquoise blue. As you would imagine a secluded beach. You might be wondering: "And why is so little happening here?" Well, beauty often comes at a price. The beach is not easily accessible. Although Pandan Beach is right next to the well-known Crystal Bay, it is separated from it by a relatively high mountain. To get there, you have to climb the mountain and come down the other side. At first, there are stairs, then it becomes a path. Of course, all the fun starts from the beginning if you want to come back. The hike takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and you will sweat a lot. But it is still worth it!

4. The Night Food Market in Sampalan

Sampalan is the second capital of the island, alongside Toyapakeh. Besides some accommodations, you will mostly find only local people there. There is also a small night food market every night, open from 6 PM to 11 PM. Several Warungs offer local dishes such as Mie Goreng, Nasi Goreng, Bakso, Sate skewers, and much more at incredibly low prices. You shouldn’t pay more than €1 per dish here. A little tip: try the sweet Martabak with chocolate, cream, and peanuts. Although it is very unhealthy, it is also very delicious!

5. Karang Dawa Viewpoint

In many other places, viewpoints are often nice but never really impressive. Sometimes we have the feeling that nowadays everything that is 10 meters off the ground gets the stamp of “viewpoint.” It’s a bit different in Nusa Penida. Here, every viewpoint is truly amazing and will leave you breathless. One of the less noticed is the Karang Dawa viewpoint. In our opinion, it is a must-visit. It is about 150 meters high, and from the top, there is an impressive view of the cliffs. Additionally, at the end of the cliffs, there is a small tongue of rock with a beautiful beach that extends into the sea. Unfortunately, the beach cannot be reached. Going down would be too dangerous. Enough talk: now just enjoy the pictures: Nusa Penida

6. The Best Time to Visit Nusa Penida

Many hotels and websites will give you false information. Especially December and January are promoted as the absolute high season. That is completely wrong. Exactly in these two months, the weather is extremely inconsistent. Finally, it is also in the middle of the rainy season. Of course, there are also beautiful days, but it can rain quite frequently. Additionally, the months of July to September fall into high season. This is really the driest weather, but it is also very hot! 35 degrees and above is the standard temperature. For a beach holiday, that’s fine. For an island like Nusa Penida, where you want to discover and see a lot, it is definitely too much. Our recommendation: April and May, as well as October and November. Hotel prices have dropped again, the weather is a bit "milder," and the chance of rain remains relatively low. In general, the weather in Nusa Penida is drier than next door in Bali. Our personal tip at the end: driving a scooter in Nusa Penida is mostly very exhausting. The further you get away from the northern side of the island, the worse the roads become. And by bad, we mean really bad. Potholes as far as the eye can see. Sometimes you can’t even call it a road. If you have little experience with scooter driving or haven’t driven in a long time, we recommend hiring a private driver for excursions. Better safe than sorry!