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Is Nusa Penida worth visiting? It’s one of the most common questions I got after visiting for the day during my recent trip to Bali—and I can see why. This island looks like a tropical dream on Instagram, but what’s it actually like to visit, especially on a private day tour? After my firsthand experience in 2025, I’m sharing exactly what to expect, the pros and cons, and whether Nusa Penida really lives up to the hype.
This guide aims to help you decide if Nusa Penida is somewhere you want to visit, and if it is, how long you should spend there and the best way to get around based on your travel style.
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Where Is Nusa Penida & Why Is It So Popular?
Nusa Penida is an island located just off the southeast coast of Bali, Indonesia. It’s part of a group of 3 islands (along with Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan), but is the biggest of the three. And why is Nusa Penida so popular? Honestly, one word: Instagram. The dramatic coastline, the bright turquoise water, and unique sites like Kelingking Beach. It’s no surprise it’s become a regular feature on travel creators’ highlight reels, so now even more people are eager to see it for themselves.
Another reason Nusa Penida attracts so many visitors is how easy it is to get to from Bali. Fast boats leave from Sanur multiple times a day and only take 45 minutes to reach the island. (And just so you know, older blog posts might say you need to wade through the water to board at Sanur, but that’s outdated. There’s now a proper harbour and pier at both Sanur and Nusa Penida).
You can visit Nusa Penida as a day trip, or stay a few nights if you want to explore the island a little deeper, but everything is very spread out, so you would need transport.
Private Day Tour of Nusa Penida: What to Expect
If you’re short on time or planning to stay on mainland Bali, and still want to catch a glimpse of possibly the most Instagrammed place in Indonesia—yep, I’m talking about Kelingking Beach, a private day trip to Nusa Penida is probably your best option. It’s the easiest way to experience the island without having to pack up and move hotels.
But with its popularity exploding in the last few years, you can probably guess how crowded it’s become. So, is a private day tour of Nusa Penida still worth it? The good news: you won’t be stuck on a tour bus with 40 other people. You’ll have your driver and car, following a set itinerary.
Sounds ideal, right? Well… there are a few things you’ll want to know first.
Booking a Day Trip to Nusa Penida
When planning your private day trip, you can choose to explore either the east or west side of Nusa Penida, or both. Some tours (like this one on GetYourGuide) offer a combined East + West itinerary, covering all the big-name spots in one day. But keep in mind Nusa Penida is a big island, and trying to do both sides in one day means you’re signing up for about 10 hours of travel, with lots of driving on winding roads.
I wasn’t keen on cramming it all into one day, especially in the heat. I preferred a more relaxed pace. So I chose the West Nusa Penida tour and focused on seeing the most iconic places (like Kelingking Beach) without feeling rushed. If you’re someone who gets travel fatigue easily, or you’re visiting during peak dry season when it’s super hot, it’s worth thinking about how much time in a car you actually want.
The east side is all about viewpoints and dramatic landscapes, including Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach, the Rumah Pohon Treehouse & Raja Lima. On the west side, you’ll see: Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, and Crystal Bay (or Bubu Beach). I chose the west because, well, Kelingking Beach. I’d been admiring it on Instagram for years and finally wanted to see it for myself.
I booked the trip through a local travel agency in Bali and paid 870,000 IDR (around AUD 85 at the time). That price included the fast boat transfers, a private driver, and lunch at a local restaurant.
One thing to know in advance: the roads on Nusa Penida aren’t the best! They’re narrow, winding, and filled with potholes. Having a private car made the ride more comfortable compared to being on a scooter or in a packed van.
Pros & Cons of a Private Nusa Penida Day Trip
Pros
✅ Flexibility: no rushing through spots or waiting for others.
✅ Comfort: your own car, private driver and of course – AIR CON.
✅ Convenience: everything is organised for you: ferries, transfers, transport, and lunch.
✅ More enjoyable experience at crowded locations.
✅ Your own guide to take photos for you and point out the best viewpoints
✅ See the highlights easily: you’ll tick off famous spots like Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong in one day.
✅ Perfect introduction to the island: You’ll get a real feel for Nusa Penida’s incredible landscapes without committing to a multi-day stay.
Cons
❌ More expensive than a shared tour.
❌ Still a long day with lots of travel time.
❌ Limited time: You’ll only scratch the surface of Nusa Penida; don’t expect to see everything or spend hours at each stop.
❌ Visitors are fueled by social media, and a day trip lacks any kind of local culture.
❌ It may be a “private tour”, but hundreds of others are doing the same thing, so each stop will be busy.
❌ A day trip means you can’t visit these sites during sunrise or sunset.
❌ Weather can be punishing: Nusa Penida gets hot and humid, and much of the day is spent outdoors with limited shade.
This one is a pro & con: regular ferries between Bali and Nusa Penida make it very easy to get to the island, but also very easy for everyone else too.
Is Nusa Penida Worth Visiting for a Day Trip?
In my opinion, YES, a day trip to Nusa Penida is absolutely worth it. It’s the perfect way to get a taste of the island. If you’re not too worried about a few crowds, a day trip is incredibly convenient. You’ll get to see a lot without the stress of organising ferries, transfers, and accommodation yourself.
And then if you decide you’d like to come back and stay longer, the biggest benefit would be that you’d get the chance to experience places like Kelingking Beach before the day-trippers arrive and the crowds build up, which would be so nice!
Nusa Penida is big and has many windy roads, so it’s not somewhere you can easily walk around. You’ll need your own transport or a private driver to get between locations.
Even with its popularity, I was pleasantly surprised that it never felt overwhelmingly busy. Apart from lining up once for a photo at Broken Beach, most spots were well spread out, and people were generally respectful, waiting to pass by so you could get the perfect Insta shot!
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Nusa Penida Day Trip: FAQs
Is a day trip to Nusa Penida enough?
A day trip is enough to see the most iconic sights like Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong. Plus, get a feel for the island and how it differs from Bali and Nusa Lembongan.
If you’re happy with a quick view of the island and don’t mind a full day of sightseeing, it’s perfect. Although if you want to explore less-visited spots, relax on the beaches, or avoid the midday crowds, staying a night or three would be even better.
Is Nusa Penida suitable for kids?
It can be, but with caution. I took my toddler and we had a great day. But I was very mindful of the heat, we had lots of breaks in the shade and drinking water was always available!
Many of the viewpoints and beaches have sheer cliffs and minimal safety barriers. If you’re visiting with young or active kids, you’ll want to keep them within arm’s reach at all times. A private tour makes it a lot easier to set your own pace with children.
Will I regret not visiting Nusa Penida?
If you love epic landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and jaw-dropping photo spots, you’ll probably regret missing it!
I know with a lot of places we see on social media regularly, it can feel a bit “old” or “overdone”. I kind of felt like this with Kelingking Beach, but my god, I’m so glad I’ve finally seen it for myself.
Kelingking Beach is not overrated at all… It’s absolutely stunning. Even though I’d seen so many photos, I was blown away when I saw it with my own eyes. AMAZING.
And, if you think it’s busy now, believe it or not, they’re building an elevator from the top of the cliff down to the sand. (What a way to ruin a good thing.) I’m sure once this is complete, tourist numbers will increase. This thankfully doesn’t obstruct the view of the beach (t.rex’s head), but soon enough, the beach below will be covered in people.
How long is the boat ride from Bali to Nusa Penida?
The fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes around 45 minutes, and boats run frequently throughout the day.
Will I have to walk through water to board the boat?
No! There’s now a new harbour and pier at both Sanur and Nusa Penida, so you can board directly without getting your feet wet (unlike the old days).
Do I have to do a day tour to visit Nusa Penida?
No, a private day trip to Nusa Penida is just one option and one I found very convenient and stress-free.
If you’d prefer to explore the island independently, you would need to rent a scooter. Nusa Penida is rather big, and many of the sights are spread out. Renting a scooter can easily be done once you arrive on the island.
Even if you’re experienced riding a scooter in Southeast Asia, be warned that the roads on Nusa Penida aren’t very good! There are lots of sharp bends in the road and plenty of bumps. So, I would highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as a precaution.
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Also, there are many beautiful hotels to choose from on Nusa Penida.
Here are a couple I saw during my day trip that are in awesome locations.
Kelingking Green Village – This is the closest accommodation to Kelingking Beach. It’s a new property and has an outdoor pool. Plus, I read that the staff can organise your scooter rental. As this property is so close to Kelingking Beach, it would give you a great opportunity to visit the beach during sunrise and sunset.
Mambo Beach Resort – A highly rated dive resort located on the north of the island. The resort is beachfront and has an onsite restaurant. Plus, from here you could walk to the main street, and find restaurants, bars, yoga studios and very close to other beaches on Penida.
Final Thoughts: Is Nusa Penida Worth Visiting?
If you’ve been wondering, is Nusa Penida worth visiting? I hope this guide has made your decision a little easier. For me, it was absolutely worth it! Even with the windy roads and a few crowds, the landscapes were some of the most incredible I’ve seen anywhere in Southeast Asia.
A private day tour made the whole experience simple, comfortable, and stress-free. Especially if you’re short on time or just want a hassle-free adventure in Bali. And who knows, after seeing a few of the highlights, you might find yourself planning a longer trip back to explore even more of what Nusa Penida has to offer.
So, what do you reckon? After reading this, would you say it sounds like Nusa Penida is worth visiting? Comment below!
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
