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Nusa Penida Island is a must-see on any trip to Bali. You might be wondering if it’s even possible to go to Nusa Penida for the day from Seminyak and how exactly you get there.
Well, Nusa Penida island is one of the best places to go if you want to get away from the busy streets of Seminyak and have a great, quiet journey.
Well, there are a few choices, but the best one is to go on a day trip to Nusa Penida, a beautiful island off the coast of Bali.
With its beautiful cliffs, white-sand beaches, and clear, blue waters full of sea life, Nusa Penida is a tropical paradise.
I hope this post will help you make the most of your day trip from Seminyak to Nusa Penida by taking you through the highlights of this fascinating place.
A Day Trip to Nusa Penida from Seminyak
To really fall in love with Bali, you need to get away from the unclean beaches and busy tourist areas like Kuta.
Go on an adventure on the (kind of) untouched islands in the middle and out to sea. The best way to do that is to take a day trip to Nusa Penida.
A day trip can be planned from most of Bali’s beach suburbs on the main island, like Kuta, Seminyak, and others.
Alternatively, you can book online at least one day ahead of time. You can make reservations online with a different of ferry companies.
It might not be the cheapest day trip in Bali, but it might be the most memorable.
I would recommend booking through Klook. We never had any issues, and you can trust them.
How to Get to Nusa Penida from Seminyak
Most boats leave from Sanur Harbour, which is the best place to start your trip to Nusa Penida.
Private and public boats look alike, so if you don’t have time to stay on the island for a few days like we did, I suggest you go on an epic day trip. It looks like there are two main-day trips.
BEST NUSA PENIDA DAY TRIP TOURS
These are the two most well-known Nusa Penida tours. We took the Bali Nusa Penida Tour, meeting at Sanur Harbour.
Please keep in mind that this only includes the ferry ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida. You will need to rent a motorcycle or private car to get around the island on your own.
- Nusa Penida Tour from Bali (Meet Up at Sanur Harbor). It is a popular day trip from Bali to Penida, with all the highlights.
- From Bali: Swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida. The most incredible experience was swimming with giant mantas.
The first tour is called the BEST Nusa Penida Tour from Bali (Meet Up at Sanur Harbor).
It basically goes to all the best beaches and view points on both the East Tour and the West Tour in one day.
Which includes snorkelling opportunities. This is the one we took.
WANDERING IF NUSA PENIDA IS WORTH VISITING? Check out this One Week Bali Itinerary guide featuring Nusa Penida island.
A DAY TRIP TO NUSA PENIDA: THE DETAILS
As long as you get to Sanur Harbour on time, getting on the ferry is pretty quick.
We reserved our ferry tickets two days ahead of time, so we didn’t have to worry about finding the right tour on the spot.
Instead, we went straight to the tour company to get our tickets.
(This tour did not operate in the same manner as other locations where you had to present your QR code before proceeding.)
You will need to get a bracelet or ticket in person, and you will need to keep it safe until you get back to Sanur.
Otherwise, you might not be able to get on the ferry. Make sure you remember this, even if you book ahead of time.
Taking a Day Tour to Nusa Penida from Bali
Also, please remember that the Nusa Penida day trip tour we booked did not include getting to and from our hotel. Those things will need to be arranged separately. I suggest taking a Grab taxi or a scooter to get to Sanur Harbour.
The boat ride from Bali’s Sanur Harbour takes 30 minutes, so if you’re staying in Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta, getting to Nusa Penida quickly for a day trip is easy.
We stayed in Ubud during our day trip to Nusa Penida, so we left our villa an hour early and got to the harbour by 8:45 am.
EXPLORING NUSA PENIDA: What you can expect to see on a Day Trip to Nusa Penida
We arrived early and reached Nusa Penida island by 10:15 a.m.
You’ll have to explore the island on your own using a motorcycle or a private car once you get there.
Just keep in mind where the tour company spot is, and pay close attention to the time when you need to return to board the boat to return to Sanur Harbour.
The Best and cheapest way to have a great day trip on Nusa Penida
To get a better bargain, move a little further towards the waterfront boat stalls from the tour companies’ booths.
Most importantly, you should know which side of Nusa Penida island you want to explore, the east or the west.
This will tell you how much a taxi or scooter ride will cost.
If you don’t have experience riding, I don’t suggest getting a scooter because the roads on the island are a bit bumpy.
Do not think you can see both sides of the island in one day; that is impossible on a day trip. If you genuinely want an entirely immersive experience, you must choose one or the other. Most importantly, bring cash because Nusa Penida doesn’t have many ATMs.
Nusa Penida Highlights Tour
- Kelingking Beach (West side)
- Angel’s Billabong (West side)
- Broken Beach (west side)
- Diamond Beach (East side)
- Crystal Bay Beach (West side)
- Treehouse (East side)
- Many panoramic viewpoints (East side)
- Teletubbies Hill (East side)
Natural attractions of Nusa Penida
KELINGKING BEACH
You have probably seen a lot of pictures of Kelingking Beach on Instagram, even if you don’t use it. When you visit the viewpoint above the beach, you will understand why it’s a travel blogger’s dream location on Instagram.
However, it’s also a great place to visit for those who don’t feel the need to make their friends envious of their beautiful travel photos.
It’s pretty amazing to look at, even in real life.
The path down to the beach wasn’t very safe, but most people, including my husband and me, were happy with the view from above.
I wouldn’t suggest going down unless you are a fitness expert. It’s not for everyone.
After enjoying the breathtaking views of Kelingking Beach, we had lunch at one of the eateries that are close to the cliffs that overlook the shore.
There aren’t many restaurants around, so this is an excellent place to eat if you want to see the highlights of the side you’ve selected and save time.
Naturally, Kelingking Beach is the first thing you see when you get there.
Next, we visited Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong on Nusa Penida’s western side (I can only vouch for the side we visited).
Our driver took us there. The fact that these two are in the same place and can be reached in five minutes is fantastic. There’s no reason to worry about driving in a hurry.
You would probably need an hour to see both and enjoy the incredible natural formations.
BROKEN BEACH
When you get to the places where Broken and Angel’s Billabong are, it’s up to you which one you would love to see first—they are 5 minutes apart! Broken Beach is on your left.
It looks like a round pond with the ocean rushing below a rock bridge.
The name comes from the way the rocks around this beach are shaped, which looks like an arch.
This arch-shaped thing looks like a hole in the wall at first glance, which makes it look like it’s broken.
READ MORE ON THE REASONS BEHIND ITS NAME HERE
It’s a great place to stroll around, but if you want to see more of the ocean, make sure to stroll around the nearby rocks.
You should know that there might be other tourists there depending on when you get there, so be ready to wait a little while to take pictures.
ANGEL’S BILLABONG
To the right of Broken Beach, around the coast, is Angel’s Billabong, a beautiful natural feature on Bali, Indonesia’s island of Nusa Penida.
This one-of-a-kind rock formation on the southwest coast of the island forms a peaceful natural infinity pool with a view of the huge Indian Ocean.
The pool’s clear water makes it a safe and peaceful place to swim at low tide, revealing a fascinating underwater world.
READ MORE WAYS TO EXPERIENCE ANGEL'S BILLABANG HERE!
CRYSTAL BAY
Our day trip to Nusa Penida ended with a visit to Crystal Bay Beach. It looks like this is where most tours end, whether they are private or with a group.
If I’m being honest, though, this beach wasn’t very interesting. As you might guess, it was very crowded, and we didn’t like it at all.
There was no shade at all, but they did have sunbeds with umbrellas that I think you could rent.
At this point, though, you won’t have time to rest because you need to get back to where the tour company is on the harbour so they can take you back to Sunar.
We did go swimming, though, because it was too hot and we needed to cool off. They also have some simple shower rooms that cost less than £1 or $1.
Tips for a successful day trip to Nusa Penida
This island, Nusa Penida, is one of the most beautiful spots in Bali. If you’ve read this far, you probably already know why you shouldn’t miss this place.
If you choose to go, you should know that it is a fantastic location for unwinding and taking in Indonesia’s breathtaking scenery.
Also, to help you get ready for the perfect day trip to Nusa Penida, here are some essential travel tips for visiting the island:
Packing Essentials for Nusa Penida
- Sunscreen: It can get boiling, so bring water and sunscreen. We went in September, especially if you want to lay in the sun on the beach or swim with Mantas.
- Hat/cap: As previously mentioned, wear a hat to protect your face and neck from the sun.
- Comfortable shoes: Comfortable shoes are key when exploring Nusa Penida in a day! The ground can be rough, so wear shoes that are made to last. It’ll keep you going as you hop from beautiful sight to beautiful sight.
Planning an itinerary to make the most of the limited time
Your day trip to Nusa Penida will go much more smoothly if you plan your schedule.
With a plan, you won’t waste time figuring out where to go next and will get to see the places you want to see.
It makes your day trip even more remarkable by allowing you to see and experience more!
Researching and booking boat trips to Nusa Penida
Planning and researching boat schedules for a day trip to Nusa Penida is crucial for a smooth experience. Here’s why:
- Limited Availability: Boat services to Nusa Penida have limited schedules, especially for day trips. Making reservations ensures you secure a spot on the desired departure.
- Avoiding Delays: By booking in advance, you minimise the risk of last-minute hassles or waiting for availability. It helps you stick to your planned itinerary without unexpected delays.
Daily Schedules from Sanur Harbour to Nusa Penida:
- Morning Departure: 8:00 AM
- Midday Departure: 11:00 AM
- Afternoon Departure: 3:00 PM
Return schedules from Nusa Penida to Sanur Harbour:
- Morning Return: 9:30 AM
- Midday Return: 1:00 PM
- Afternoon Return: 4:30 PM
To be sure, you should check for any updates or changes to the schedule closer to the time you plan to travel. Booking your day trip to Nusa Penida early will give you peace of mind and a spot!
FOR FAST-BOAT TIMETABLE on Popular Ferry Operators for Sanur-Nusa Penida, - Check here!
Is going to Nusa Penida worth it?
Absolutely! A day trip from Seminyak to Nusa Penida is an adventure you will never forget, full of amazing views and one-of-a-kind activities.
The natural beauty of this island paradise will take your breath away, from the stunning Kelingking Beach to the mesmerising Broken Beach.
Many people visit Nusa Penida to explore hidden caves, snorkel with colourful marine life, or just relax in the calm waters.
While a day trip may not cover everything this island offers, it is a great way to get away from Seminyak’s busy streets and take in the wonders of nature.
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