Nusa Penida is a beautiful island of incredible beaches and dramatic cliffs that promises—and genuinely delivers—on expectations. Even so, picking the right area to stay completely changes the travel experience. Below, we break down the best areas to stay in Nusa Penida based on what you’re looking for:

1. North Coast: The Practical Choice (Near the Port)

• Pros: Convenience due to its proximity to the port, plenty of restaurants, warungs, cute coffee shops with good Wi-Fi for working, pharmacies, supermarkets, and scooter rentals.

• Cons: Constant car and scooter traffic during the day; long drives to reach key tourist spots. Quite dusty (not all roads are paved), with a slightly more “Indonesian city” feel.

• Ideal for: Those taking a quick trip who want convenience and a good selection of evening dining options.

• Where to stay, our recommendations:

  • La Marrocco Villas: Resembling a fairytale, this Moroccan-style palace with a pool and ocean view offers total comfort, a spacious area with a kitchen and living room, a private pool, and a small garden (adults only).
  • Suda Cottage: An option with ocean views and a cozy room, accessed through an internal hallway and located within walking distance of nice restaurants and cafés like “Secret Penida.”

2. East Coast (Peace and Local Quiet)

• Nearby tourist attractions: Diamond Beach / Atuh Beach.

• Pros: Our personal favorite for its absolute peace, cliffside landscapes, and incredible sunrises with ocean views.

• Why we loved setting up base here: Sleeping on Nusa Penida’s east coast allowed us to enjoy the island in silence and connect with Balinese culture in a traditional village. On this side of the island, the pace is generally slow, and you can wander through small streets, meet locals, and walk along the coast in the afternoon.

• Cons: Fewer evening dining options and longer distances to watch the sunset or travel to tourist spots on the west coast.

• Ideal for: Slow travelers, couples, digital nomads, and anyone prioritizing peace and quiet.

• Where to stay on the east coast, our recommendations:

  • Kabeh Jati Garden: We planned for 3 days and ended up staying 12; the place is lovely with a pool, the family running it is absolute sweethearts, and the breakfast is generous and delicious.
  • Seven Dreams: Another excellent option for those looking for a relaxing vacation with ocean views, a great restaurant, and a massage spa all in one place.

3. West Coast: The Tourist Hub (Crystal Bay / Kelingking)

• Pros: Close to the best spots for watching the sunset (Crystal Bay, Amok Sunset) and quick access to the most famous cliffs. Wide and varied range of stays and restaurants.

• Cons: Slightly higher prices and heavy vehicle traffic on main roads during peak hours.

• Ideal for: Those wanting epic sunsets every day near their hotel, going to restaurants with live music, drinks, and sunset vibes, and staying just steps away from major tourist attractions.

• Where to stay:

  • Crystal Bay Bungalows: This hotel stands out for its proximity to Crystal Bay Beach (a great beach for swimming and snorkeling). It’s an affordable option built in a traditional style, featuring a pool and lush green surroundings.
  • Mimpi Villas - Boutique: For those seeking comfort and proximity to the beach, a place that comes pretty close to paradise.

What to See in Nusa Penida

If you choose to stay in Nusa Penida, you can visit these beaches and points of interest at your own pace. Besides making for beautiful photos, they are truly enjoyable. Here are our favorites:

1. Kelingking Beach (The Famous T-Rex Beach)

• Our Rating: 9/10

• Cost: Entrance fee: 10,000 IDR (includes parking)

• Best time to go: After 4:00 PM.

• The Experience: The island’s iconic postcard. The view from atop the cliff is beautiful. The trek down to the beach goes through a steep rocky staircase; the descent is demanding and takes about 30 minutes of walking down a fairly rugged trail. We don’t recommend doing it during peak heat, but it is entirely worth it. Although not suitable for swimming, the beach below is incredible; in the afternoon, shaded areas form under a natural rock cave structure.

  Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, in Bali, Indonesia

2. Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach

• Our Rating: 10/10

• Cost: Combined entrance fee that varies depending on where you enter: from Atuh Beach approx. 25,000 IDR; from Diamond Beach approx. 45,000 IDR.

• Best time to go: From 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM or after 3:30 PM.

• The Experience: Two of Bali’s best beaches, located right next to each other. Diamond Beach stands out for its white stone cliffs and bright turquoise water (not suitable for swimming); Atuh Beach is our favorite beach on the island, offering calmer waters and peaceful warungs to relax on sun loungers with umbrellas on a paradisiacal beach.
  Note: The trek down involves many steps: both to descend to each beach and to cross from one to the other (it’s accessible, not as many steps as Kelingking, but steep and with almost no handrails).

  Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali Indonesia

3. Swimming with Harmless Giant Manta Rays

One of the island’s most unforgettable experiences is the opportunity to swim with harmless giant manta rays measuring up to 4 meters wide. There are two spots accessible only by boat where you can do this activity: Manta Bay and Manta Point. The main differences are:

Manta Bay is a deep bay surrounded by cliffs. It has waves, but not as much swell as Manta Point. We were lucky enough to see them here, and it was truly a unique experience. Additionally, the tour includes two more snorkeling stops where you can see tropical fish, turtles, and lively coral reefs. The experience includes life jackets and GoPro photos; it is suitable for ages 11 and up. You can book your 3-spot island snorkeling experience here.

Nusa Penida has several snorkeling spots. The main ones are: Crystal Bay, Manta Bay, Manta Point, Gamat Bay, and Wall Point. Out of all these, only Crystal Bay can be accessed directly from the beach.

Manta Point is a “cleaning station,” an open-ocean site where mantas gather so smaller fish can pick parasites off them. Chances of seeing mantas: 80% to 90% throughout most of the year. Things to keep in mind: It is an open-sea experience, usually quite rough, and the water is colder. The boat ride is a bit longer and bumpier, but the experience is incredible. You can reserve your spot for this option here.

4. Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) and Angel’s Billabong

• Our Rating: 8/10 (Note: for crowd levels, we give it a 5/10)

• Cost: Combined entrance fee: 10,000 IDR | Parking: 10,000 IDR.

• Best time to go: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.

• The Experience: A natural rock bridge over a sea arch and a natural tide pool made of volcanic rock. Highly photogenic, but with very little shade; it gets packed after 10:00 AM as it is the first stop for day tours. Water access is not permitted.

  Broken Beach Nusa Penida, in Bali, Indonesia

  5. Crystal Bay

  • Our Rating: 7/10
  • Cost: Free entrance | Parking: 5,000 IDR.
  • Best time to go: Before 9:00 AM for a quiet swim, or after 4:30 PM to enjoy one of the island’s best sunsets.
  • The Experience: A sheltered bay with dark sand and palm trees. Excellent for swimming and snorkeling in calm waters.

These are just some of the 9 main spots to see in Nusa Penida. If you’d like to read more detailed information on what to do, costs, and tips to avoid the crowds, we suggest checking out our Complete guide to visiting Nusa Penida in 2026

If you like the idea of snorkeling at quiet beaches, we also recommend reading Amed, Bali: A Real Guide to Slow Travel