Get a little bored of Bali, hate the massive crowds and jams that seem to be everywhere lately? Bali may be a great place to kick back and relax, but do remember that the world is your oyster, and there are always many more places to explore.

Just about a 40 minutes boat ride from Sanur harbor towards the southeast of Bali island, Nusa Penida is waiting for you. Totaling for 200 square kilometers, Nusa Penida is much larger than the other two islands near Bali, the touristy Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Traveling to Nusa Penida is like traveling back in time. You will find yourself in the middle of a sleepy slow rhythm fishing village life. The beach, which extends as far as the eye can see, is perfectly beautiful.

Nusa Penida is best known for Manta rays and Mola-mola giant sunfish, the diving, snorkeling, scuba here is actually great, both in terms of corals and marine life. Divers and snorkelers will get the unique opportunity to swim with giant Manta rays, you might even lay your eyes on the monstrous Mola-mola sunfish if you’re lucky.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Crystal Bay

A stunning white sandy beach at Banjar Penida, west of Sakti village on the north-western coast facing Nusa Ceningan. Perfect crystal-clear waters and excellent snorkeling spot. The snorkeling here is considered one of the best on the island due to its clarity, crystal-clear water. During the summer, Mola-mola are often spotted here.

Bukit Molenteng / Molenteng Hills

Dubbed by the visitors as Raja Ampat of Bali, Molenteng Hill is precisely located at Pelilitan hamlet, Pejukutan. It offers beautiful Hindia Ocean view, Atuh Beach, and a tree house on the cliff top that give satisfaction to lovers of natural beauty. Molenteng was taken from the local language “kamol” (farm) because a long time ago, it used to be a corn farm all along the hills.

Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is located in Pejukutan Village, Klungkung Regency. It has one of the most striking views you can ever imagine. Here you will find the shimmering turquoise waters juxtaposed against craggy mountain peaks, and stretches of white sands laid out perfectly in the curved beach. A photographer’s delight.

Angel’s Billabong & Broken Beach (Pasih Uuh Beach)

Broken Beach gives you stunning views from cliff tops that show off the natural hole. Watch from above as the water comes in with the tide, it has a small beach but this cannot be accessed by land. A great place to take photos and giant mantas can sometimes be seen swimming in the sea below. Angel billabong is about 200 meters away, it is a natural infinity pool. You can enter the infinity pool at low tide, but for safety reasons please do not enter at high tide when waves are crashing over the edge.

Toyapakeh

Toyapakeh means salt water in Balinese and is the richest diving site in Nusa Penida. It is a divers’ favorite as you often find various colorful fish, including the red tooth triggerfish, giant trevallies and batfish, pygmy seahorse, hammerhead sharks, Manta rays and Mola-mola. The density of coral, sponge and marine life is incredible here.

Gamat Bay

Gamat Bay is a tiny bay in this Island, it is where the Gamat River ends. Precisely, it is located in Toyapakeh channel and directly in contact with Nusa Ceningan. This site is well known among local divers in Bali but also safe for snorkeling activity. It has crystal-clear water, large amounts of stranded colorful corals decorating the seaside, and various marine life.

Kelingking Cliff Secret Point Beach

Kelingking Cliff view point is said as the most photogenic spot in the island. This entire coastal area is particularly beautiful, the white cliffs contrast dramatically with the turquoise blue waters. The cliffs formed in the shape of a Tyrannosaurus Rex at Kelingking Secret Point Beach are bound to be a crowd favorite.

Bali Bird Sanctuary

The Friends of the National Parks Foundation has set up a bird sanctuary on Nusa Penida, and its two sister islands, where many endangered Indonesian bird species are given a new lease of life and protection from poachers. Check out the sanctuary to catch a glimpse of some of the rarest birds in the world, including the Bali Starling – the second rarest type of bird in the world.

Giri Putri Cave Temple

Giri Putri Cave Temple in Nusa Penida is not just a regular temple. It Is located inside a cave, and you’ll even have to crawl through a 2-meter long tunnel to get inside. The temple is located in the Suana village, Karangsari, 10 kilometres east from the main harbor.

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Pictures from https://matta-tour.com/site/2017/08/03/nusa-penida-heavenly-beaches-words-cant-describe/