You can visit Nusa Penida without a tour package, but it’s more complicated. You’ll need a speedboat ticket, your own transportation, and more time.
You should start your day early if you want to avoid sharing the attractions with too many other tourists. First up is Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach.
Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach
The awe-inspiring Kelingking beach (or ‘T-Rex’ as it is commonly known) is the highlight of Nusa Penida for many visitors. Although climbing down to this incredible spot is challenging, the views from the top are worth it. Visiting the nearby Broken beach and Angel’s Billabong on a nusa penida tour is another must-do.
These two natural attractions are located next to each other and they can be visited in one day if you are not staying overnight on the island. Having said that, we recommend you split your tour into three days to see all the best things on both sides of Nusa Penida. Day 1 will include all the most popular attractions on the west side of the island, day 2 will focus on the east and finally day 3 can be spent exploring both sides.
If you want to go swimming at Angel’s Billabong then it is crucial that you visit during low tide. This is because crashing waves can make this gorgeous natural pool unusable and dangerous.
If you are not looking to swim at this location, then a trip to Broken Beach is still worthwhile as it has a cool rock arch in the water and it’s also a beautiful tidal pool. It is also a great spot for photos. The road to this attraction can be quite tricky as it includes huge potholes and inclines so we would recommend hiring a driver for your Nusa Penida Tour if you are not comfortable driving yourself.
Kelingking Beach
Visiting Kelingking Beach is a must-do on your Nusa Penida day trip. It’s an incredibly beautiful natural rock pool and arch, so it will be a highlight of your day out on the west coast of the island! Getting to Kelingking is easy, but it does require a bit of planning and effort. You can rent a scooter or book a private car with driver and tour company, which will take care of the ferry tickets and more, making it a very convenient option for day visitors from Bali.
The view from the main viewpoint is pretty incredible as well, with the T-Rex cliff and turquoise waters looking absolutely stunning! You can admire the view from here, but if you’re feeling brave (and are wearing proper footwear), you can also hike down to the beach. If you do so, you’ll be one of the lucky few to actually touch that soft and pillowy sand!
Another cool place to visit on the east side of the island is Broken Beach, a circular cove with a leftover arch and some great snorkeling. It’s one of the favorite places for manta rays, so you might be able to spot them here!
Kelingking ‘T-Rex’
Located on the West side of Nusa Penida, Kelingking ‘T-Rex’ beach is a gorgeous hidden gem. Its epic grassy peninsulas and unapologetic cliff faces overlooking turquoise waters are jaw-dropping. It’s one of the most Instagrammable beaches on the island, so it’s flocked by tourists and locals alike trying to get their best shots.
The view from the top is beautiful but the real magic happens when you hike down to the beach itself. The water is azure and crystal clear, and the beach itself looks like a shipwreck from a movie. A group of cheeky monkeys have started to hang out here as well, hoping for handouts from tourists.
If you don’t want to take the long hike down and back up, you can always hire a motorbike taxi driver to take you down and back up again for 50,000 IDR per person. It’s definitely worth the money, especially if you’re traveling with a larger group.
Located directly between Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, Tembeling is another beautiful spot to check out on your Nusa Penida tour. A cool circular cove with a leftover arch, it’s home to a large natural pool and also offers views of a “secret beach.” There are a few warungs around where you can eat mie goreng or nasi goreng for 15,000-25,000 IDR.
Atuh Beach
Atuh Beach is one of the best attractions on Nusa Penida’s east side. This secluded beach is flanked by magnificent green cliffs with limestone rock formations dotting the coast. It welcomes few visitors and you can enjoy this beautiful spot to yourself. The beach has gorgeous rock pools and the water is crystal clear and turquoise. You can even swim to the deeper parts of the ocean if you wish.
A must-visit destination for all Nusa Penida visitors, this amazing beach is located next to Diamond Beach and can be reached by descending a number of stairs. The walk down is well-paved and not as steep as some of the other stairways on Nusa Penida. It takes about ten minutes to reach the beach. If you have a little extra time, then I would recommend exploring the area on foot for a bit.
This is a great spot for a sunset stroll with your friends or partner, since you will have the place almost all to yourselves. There are a few warungs nearby that serve delicious food, such as grilled fish and fruit juice. You can also find some pretty spots for a good photo opportunity, as the beach is surrounded by cliffs and hills that create a perfect backdrop.
Want to experience two incredible beaches in a single visit? You can book this Bali East Nusa Penida Private Tour, which includes a trip to Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach and Rumah Pohon Molenteng (Tree House at Molenteng). It also includes door-to-door transportation from your hotel in Bali.