Nusa Penida Itinerary For 3 Days: Tips + Best Places!

The other day someone asked me what my favourite place in Indonesia had been and I said ‘Nusa Penida!’ without thinking twice. I can’t wait to share my Nusa Penida itinerary with you because I know you’ll love it as much!

Yes, Nusa Penida has its touristy highlights but if you stay overnight (rather than taking a day trip by speedboat from Bali), you’ll see so much more. Follow this 3 day Nusa Penida itinerary and you won’t miss a thing!

The middle of Nusa Penida is one giant mountain peppered with local villages. Driving is a bumpy nightmare with many of the sights very far from one another. It all added to the adventure as we explored the island by bike.

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I’d recommend at least three days on Nusa Penida. If you truly only have one day to spare, I’d suggest doing a Bali boat trip because it’s quicker and easier to reach the main attractions via the coast than it is the inland roads.

Broken Beach and Crystal Bay might look moments from each other on a map, but the drive totalling 1-hour meant we split them between separate days.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do on Nusa Penida so you can get a feel for what you want to see. Then I’ll suggest an itinerary with an add-on if you have an extra day to spare. I’ll finish with places to sleep and eat (my favourite topic).

Visiting other countries in Asia? Read my 3 month Southeast Asia itinerary

The best things to do in Nusa Penida

First up, activities. If you’re following my Nusa Penida itinerary rather than taking a Bali speedboat trip, there are plenty of wonderful places to visit on Nusa Penida. Some of the spots below get visited during Bali boat trips but many of them don’t, meaning they’ll be way more secluded for you.

I’m definitely not saving the best for last here. Atuh Beach is undoubtedly one of the most stunning beaches in Nusa Penida. It’s a long, bumpy drive from anywhere else on Nusa Penida which means many people miss it, and those who do make the pilgrimage find it a little more secluded.

Of course you’ll see other Western tourists there but it’s a bit of a hidden gem. For lunch you should tuck into the fresh fish and nasi goreng being served at the beachfront warungs  – they’re tasty and cheap.

Check the stunning blue and green colours in this water! Angel’s Billabong is an enormous natural rock pool that fills up with crystal clear seaspray every time the waves come in, sometimes with an enormous salty splash.

I’ve seen countless photos of people swimming in the water but when we visited (September 2018), it was a viewpoint only. Apparently, people have died being swept out by the waves so I think (and hope) it’s closed off for swimming now.

One of the most popular things to do on Nusa Penida is watch the waves swirl inside the cliff bowl that is Broken Beach. It’s right beside Angel’s Billabong so you can easily combine the two. Broken Beach was once a cave but after the roof fell in, it became a unique natural feature with an arched entrance.

No boats or people go inside – the powerful waves are something you wouldn’t want to reckon with! Park your scooter up for 11,000 IDR and see Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach at once.

This is an essential! Can you see the T-Rex yet? Apparently I’m the only one who can’t. Kelingking is one of the best things to do on Nusa Penida and although you’ll be surrounded by crowds, it’s no less impressive. From the parking lot it’s a long climb down to this point pictured.

I’d say it took around 15 minutes, clutching at roots and branches the whole way. I bottom-shuffled down and clung to things on the way up. I joked after that other people were looking cute ‘n’ beachy while I looked like I was returning from war!

Right at the very bottom is Kelingking Beach, an absolutely stunning white expanse of sand. It required an even longer climb than the one we’d already done and I dread to think about the way up. We didn’t make it all the way but some braver folk did.

The views from the halfway point do not underwhelm if you can only be bothered with half the climb.

There are thought to be around 700 manta rays in the Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan region. Each one is estimated to be worth US$15 million dollars due to the amount of tourist expenditure involved in coming to see them. Of course, seeing wild animals is never guaranteed but there’s a very high chance of it.

Book on any snorkel or diving trip from the agencies dotted around Nusa Penida. For snorkelling, you can expect to pay around 150,000 IDR for a morning trip including equipment hire. It’s worth it; snorkelling with mantas is one of the very best things to do in Southeast Asia.

The golden rule of Nusa Penida is that if it’s not exhausting/treacherous, it’s not worth doing 😉 Getting up and down Peguyangen Waterfall required some stamina and a definite ‘legs day’. You also might want to avert your eyes from the sheer drop below the rickety wooden stairs holding your weight.

All this said, the views at Peguyangen Waterfall are stunning and we watched turtles riding the waves below us. It’s a holy spot for locals and many a procession passed us, clad in white and carrying offerings to the gods.

The views probably outshone the waterfall itself which was a small one at the very bottom. It trickles from the rocks out to the ocean. Factor 20 minutes for getting down, a little longer to get up, and a further 10 or so minutes at the bottom.

Crystal Bay is described by every travel blogger and his aunt one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida. Honestly? I wasn’t blown away. After Atuh Beach, it felt kind of boring. It’s more touristy, less dramatic… meh. But for a chill session, you might enjoy it.

I didn’t snorkel at Crystal Bay during my stay on Nusa Penida but I’ve since visited again as a boat trip from Nusa Lembongan. The gorgeous coral and wide variety of marine life can be seen by swimming in from the shore – they stole the show for me.

One thing I did on Nusa Penida that was totally different was visit Goa Giri Putri Cave. We did this en route to Atuh Beach which only required a 20-minute stop off. I didn’t have huge expectations but was truly amazed by what we found. We climbed a flight of stairs to a small shrine which seemed like all there was.

After a 20,000 IDR entrance fee, I thought it was a bit of a rip-off especially as there didn’t even seem to be a cave. Then, someone directed us to a small hole in the ground which we were instructed to climb through. Not knowing what to expect, we obeyed.

On the other side was a cave the size of a football stadium filled with locals at worship. The low chanting in the semi-lit cave felt eerie yet intriguing. Quite different to the beaches and waterfalls on the island but just as interesting!

3 days in Nusa Penida itinerary

So, how best to fit these attractions into a short trip? Don’t underestimate the driving distances and try to squeeze too much in. Next, I’ll share our tried-and-tested 3 day Nusa Penida itinerary…

Day 1 – the big names: Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach and Kelingking

Avoid peak times for these attractions if you can. I hear the speedboat tours from Bali visit Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong in the morning so it’s best if you visit later in the day. If you have 3 days on Nusa Penida, you can afford to be more leisurely.

After a relaxed breakfast and slow, bumpy ride on the terrible road, we arrived at 12pm then visited Kelingking Beach between 2 and 3pm.

For two people and one scooter, we paid just 11,000 IDR at both Broken Beach and Kelingking Beach for the ticket and parking, so it’s a cheap day out. After the bumpy roads and strenuous climb at Kelingking Beach, I was exhausted by the end of it.

Day 2 – Atuh Beach and Goa Giri Putri Cave

Reward yourself for your busy adventures on day two of this Nusa Penida itinerary. Spend a day at beautiful Atuh Beach, relaxing on the fine sand or drinking from a coconut. Drive along the north of the island, heading east, and you’ll pass Goa Giri Putri cave en route.

Start your day early when there’s the highest chance of seeing manta rays from the clifftop. This day will begin in the south of the island where you’ll find Manta Point and Peguyangan Waterfall just a seven-minute drive from each other.

The road to Manta Point is particularly rocky and awful so go slow. Don’t miss the gorgeous white Hindu temple at the top.

Then, prepare for the climb of your life at Peguyangan Waterfall! The blue wooden staircase curves down the cliff face to bring you to the waterfall at the bottom.

Once you’ve seen these attractions, drive back over the hump of the island and spend the afternoon relaxing at Crystal Bay.

Got an extra day? Swim with manta rays!

If you can add to your 3 day Nusa Penida itinerary, explore the craggy coastline by boat during your fourth day on the island. I actually did this at a later date from neighbouring island, Nusa Lembongan, but it’s easy to do from Nusa Penida too. In fact, it’s easier here because they’re most commonly found around Manta Point.

Snorkelling trips are very affordable, starting at 150,000 IDR for a half-day. If you have time, do it!

Where to stay on Nusa Penida

During 3 days in Nusa Penida, we stayed in a cosy cabin at You & We Bungalows. We paid $20 a night including breakfast and coffee served on our balcony. While you can’t rent a scooter there, the friendly staff will direct you up the road where you can. Book You & Me here.

Where to eat on Nusa Penida

During 3 days on Nusa Penida, we made it around plenty of restaurants. There’s a mix of Western and Indonesian options and the prices are reasonable compared with Bali and Nusa Lembongan.

Here, in my opinion, are some of the best restaurants on Nusa Penida…

Penida Espresso

This bright yellow open-fronted cafe, Penida Espresso, serves Western-style coffees and smoothie bowls in a local setting. There’s no use for aircon when there’s only two walls, so sit back and look out over palm trees as you sip your flat white.

Kekinian

Kekinian Cafe on the main road serves something for everyone. I had a local Indonesian dish (tuna curry and rice) and there were also lots of veggie options including a tempeh/tofu/aubergine platter that looked divine. They serve everyone’s favourite Bali breakfast of smoothie bowls, plus there’s a happy hour from 5-8pm.

Penida Colada

My favourite dinner on Nusa Penida was at Penida Colada restaurant. I’d recommend booking a table as we arrived at 7pm and the only one available was reserved from 8pm. I had some of the freshest calamari of my life which was soft and freshly battered.

The bill came to 180,000 IDR ($10) for two seafood mains and two amazing smoothies which is pretty decent.

Papila’s Coffee House

The only airconned cafe on Nusa Penida (that I know of anyway) is Papila’s Coffee House. I believe they also serve Western and Indonesian food, and I know for sure they serve doughnuts because we accidentally ate 10. Long story with a miscommunication and a subsequent sugar coma!

Warung Batan Sabo

This is one of the best restaurants on Nusa Penida for tasty local fare. The mains start at 20,000 IDR ($1.50) and on Sunday nights they have live music and an open mic night.

Nusa Penida Night Market

We never ate a full meal at Nusa Penida Night Market but you totally could. We headed there after dinner to pick up dessert but on both occasions, I ended up snacking on a second chicken satay dinner. Everything was so affordable so there’s no reason not to squeeze it in your 3 day Nusa Penida itinerary.

The fried loaf stand at Nusa Penida Night Market is not to be missed! An absolute genius of a man creates the most caloric desserts, often with an hour-long queue. I watched in awe as he layered chocolate and condensed milk between each slice of bread in a loaf then fried the whole thing.

He also makes the most amazing gooey chocolate cakes fried in a pan and stuffed with banana and sweet milk. On the first night we waited almost an hour for one, then on the second night realised there was a lady making the exact same with no fuss or queue… So that’s your top tip from me. Look for the stand on the other side of the square branded ‘murtabak’.

Make sure to seek out some street art during 3 days in Nusa Penida! In my opinion, the best art, always tells a story or highlights a struggle: in the case of Nusa Penida, it references the marine animals and their fight against pollution.

New bits are popping up all the time, for example this colourful turtle image which was being painted during our visit. Due to the ever-changing nature of street art, I can’t promise what you’ll spy. I hope you find some good bits!