Nusa Penida: the island, its two coasts and how to plan a day

The Nusa Penida island lies southeast of Bali across the strait, and Indonesia.Travel calls it a stunning island with dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear water, with many temples and sacred sites that still play a part in local life.⁷ It is the biggest of the three Nusa islands, which also include Nusa Lembongan and the smallest, Nusa Ceningan.¹ The island belongs to Klungkung Regency, the same authority that sets its visitor levy.

That mix of cliffs and temples is why a day here feels different from a day in Bali's resorts. The same ministry names a handful of things to do: trekking to Teletubbies Hill for its wide green scenery, diving at Manta Point, a visit to the cave temple of Goa Giri Putri, and trips to Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach for ocean views.⁸ Most of those spread across the whole island, which is why planning matters.

For a first visit the island splits neatly into two halves, a west with cliffs, an arch and a hidden spring, and an east with a staircase beach and a less-visited shoreline. Between them runs the interior, where the roads are the slow part of any itinerary. The map above places the pieces so you can see the distances before you pick a base or a tour.

On the west coast, Kelingking Beach sits in Bunga Mekar village, and Broken Beach, or Pasih Uug, a cove with a natural archway and turquoise pond, lies about 3 kilometers to its northwest.^19,21 About 3 kilometers along the coast southeast of Kelingking you reach Tembeling Springs, a 30-minute walk down through forest.²² Each of the first two has its own page on this site, with the safety notes that matter.

On the east, Indonesia.Travel describes Diamond Beach on the eastern tip of the island with a staircase carved into the limestone cliff and diamond-shaped rocks on the sand.²³ The same ministry's Nusa islands guide suggests Suwehan Beach, on the eastern edge, for people who prefer a less-crowded shoreline.²⁴ A viewpoint called Molenteng sits 4 minutes from Diamond Beach, open around the clock, at Rp10,000 a person according to detikBali.¹⁰

In the middle sits Teletubbies Hill, a green hilltop the ministry names for trekking.⁸ One plan is to take the east in the morning and the west in the afternoon, or the reverse, but never both in a hurry. detikBali's sample day starts with Diamond Beach from 9:00 and ends with Broken Beach at 14:30, which gives you a feel for the pace.⁹

Start with the island levy. In April 2022 the regent said it is Rp25,000 per adult and Rp15,000 per child, paid once and valid for the whole stay, covering the destinations the regency manages.^4,5,35 It is sold at four posts: Sampalan harbor, Buyuk harbor, Banjar Nyuh harbor and Devil's Tear.²⁹ Keep the ticket, since it stays valid for the whole stay.

Some sites sit on private land and ask for their own price. In September 2023 detikTravel reported that Diamond Beach's landowner was raising its fee from Rp25,000 to Rp35,000 from 1 October 2023, which a regency councillor called an illegal levy.³⁶ Indonesia.Travel lists IDR 25,000 for Diamond Beach,³³ and detikBali's December 2025 guide shows Rp25,000 plus Rp5,000 parking.²⁸ Ask what you are paying for.

The province adds its own charge for visitors from abroad: Rp150,000 per person, paid once, only by cashless means, either online with Love Bali ahead of the trip or at its counters in the airport and the harbors.³⁷ A fast boat ticket is quoted at Rp80,000 to Rp200,000 one way.³⁸ On the booking side, listings start at $31 for a shared east and west day and $73 for the premium yacht day. Rupiah amounts are the sources' figures, not converted.