Off Bali's southeast coast, wild and beautiful islands, a bit rough around the edges, hold a cave temple, a yellow bridge linking two small islands, manta rays, rock pools by the sea and a dinosaur-shaped cliff.
A long, narrow headland that drops into the sea and looks like a dinosaur with its head raised, with a small white beach and bright blue water far below. It is the most photographed spot on Nusa Penida.
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon
Tip: The viewpoint is the safe and easy part. The path down to the beach is very steep, partly rough and slippery, and has hurt visitors - go down only if you are fit, wear proper shoes, and never in rain or when the sea is high. Midday is hot and crowded.
Two sights a short walk apart on the same stretch of cliff. Broken Beach is a round hole where the sea has worn through the rock into an open arch, and Angel's Billabong is a clear natural rock pool that sits right at the cliff edge.
Best time: Morning
Tip: Please treat the billabong as a place to look at. Waves can surge over the rock without warning and have swept people away, so swimming there is not advised, and access may be closed when the sea is rough. Rock edges are slippery and have no fences.
A pretty curved bay of pale sand and clear blue water, with a few small rocky islets offshore. It is one of the easier beaches to reach, good for a swim or a snorkel, and a favourite place to watch the sun go down.
Best time: Late afternoon, sunset
Tip: Currents and waves can be strong on this side of the island, so swim near the shore and check the sea first. Divers and snorkellers usually go with a boat operator.
A secluded cove on the east side, reached by a long stairway down a green cliff. A small rock island stands just offshore, and the beach is usually quieter than the famous spots on the west coast.
Best time: Morning, around low tide
Tip: The stairs are long and steep, and you climb all the way back up in the heat - bring water. The surf here can be strong, so paddle with care. Tides change how much sand you can walk on, so check them for your day.
A bright strip of white sand under tall limestone cliffs on the island's southeast tip. A stairway cut into the cliff leads down to turquoise water, and the view from the top is one of the best on Nusa Penida.
Best time: Morning
Tip: The steps are steep and can be slippery, with a handrail in places - go slowly, especially coming back up. The sea here is for paddling rather than swimming because of surf and currents. Combine it with Atuh Beach, close by.
A boat trip to a cleaning station on the south coast where large manta rays often glide past close to the surface. Snorkel trips usually pair it with another reef stop, and qualified divers can go deeper.
Best time: Morning, calm seas
Tip: Mantas are wild animals, so a sighting is likely but never promised. Swell, wind and strong currents can make it unsuitable or cancel the trip, and it needs confident swimmers. Keep a respectful distance and never touch the animals. Check conditions and operators for your dates.
On the southwest edge of Nusa Lembongan, big waves surge into hollows in the black cliff and burst up in sheets of spray. Dream Beach and a small sunset viewpoint sit close by, so it is an easy stop on a loop around the island.
Best time: Late afternoon, sunset
Tip: The show is best when swell is big, which is also when it is dangerous. Stay behind the railings, keep children close, and step back from wet rock - freak waves can reach further than they look. Spray can soak your phone and bag.
A green belt of mangroves on the island's quiet northeast side. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards glide through shaded channels, and the area is a good break from the busier beaches. Seaweed farms nearby show how many families here earn a living.
Best time: Morning, around high tide
Tip: Tides decide whether boats can get in, so time the visit for your day. Wear a hat and sunscreen, move quietly so the birds stay, and do not break roots or leave rubbish behind.
A narrow yellow suspension bridge links Nusa Lembongan with tiny Nusa Ceningan, and the lanes beyond it lead past seaweed farms, small cafes and cliffs. On the Ceningan side, the Blue Lagoon is a patch of deep turquoise water against the rocks.
Best time: Morning or late afternoon
Tip: The bridge is narrow and shared by scooters and walkers, so go slowly and give way. Ceningan's lagoon has strong currents and rocky edges - enjoy the view, and do not jump from the cliffs. Mind the sun and bring water.
A Hindu temple inside a large limestone cave. After a climb up a stairway, you squeeze through a small opening in the rock and find a tall chamber with shrines and quiet places to pray.
Best time: Morning
Tip: It is a working place of worship, so wear a sarong and sash (often lent at the gate), speak softly and follow local custom. The entrance is tight and the cave is dim, so skip it if you are claustrophobic. It may be closed during ceremonies.
Airports
Denpasar I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport DPS
Kuta, Badung, Indonesia
It is about 40 km in a straight line from Nusa Penida & Lembongan.
Lombok International Airport LOP
Mataram (Pujut, Lombok Tengah), Indonesia
It is about 82 km in a straight line from Nusa Penida & Lembongan.
Banyuwangi Airport BWX
Rogojampi, Banyuwangi, Indonesia
It is about 139 km in a straight line from Nusa Penida & Lembongan.
Long-term averages from NASA POWER; the area covered is large, so local weather can differ.
Costs
Prices here are about 29% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Practical information
Getting there
Both islands are reached by boat from Bali, mostly from Sanur, and also from Padang Bai. Ngurah Rai airport (DPS) is the usual starting point on Bali. Boats depend on sea conditions, so crossings can be delayed or cancelled when swell and wind are up - check conditions for your dates, and keep a spare day around flights.
Best time
The dry season, roughly April to October, usually gives clearer skies and calmer crossings, though it is also busier, especially in July and August. Seas can still be rough in any month, and the wetter months bring heavier rain and more cancellations. Manta rays can be seen through much of the year; the ocean sunfish is usually a mid-year visitor.
Respect & dress
Wear a sarong and sash at temples, step around the small offerings on the ground, and keep voices low during prayers. The coast is wild, so respect fences and warning signs at cliffs and rock pools - they are there for a reason. Please take your rubbish with you and use reef-friendly sunscreen near the coral.
Getting around
Nusa Penida's roads are rough, narrow and steep in places, and journeys take longer than the map suggests. A car with a local driver is the safest and most comfortable choice; scooters are only for experienced riders, with a helmet and care on wet or sandy bends. Lembongan and Ceningan are small enough to explore by scooter, bicycle or on foot.
Who can help
Emergency numbers in Indonesia
112 - general emergency (free, works from any phone where the service is live). 110 - police. 118 / 119 - ambulance and medical emergency. 113 - fire. 115 - search and rescue (BASARNAS). English is understood in the main tourist areas; elsewhere ask your hotel to call for you.
Report a lost passport to the nearest police station (get the police report), then contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. Keep a photo of your passport in your e-mail or phone - it speeds everything up. The official embassy list linked here shows where to find your country's embassy or consulate.
Big cities and Bali have international-standard private hospitals (e.g. Siloam, BIMC in Bali, Mayapada, RS Pondok Indah in Jakarta). Public referral hospitals are cheaper but busier. Ask your hotel or travel insurer for the nearest suitable hospital.
local government
Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia (Kementerian Pariwisata)
Helps with: Indonesia's national tourism ministry. Its contact page lists a call centre, a WhatsApp contact centre, an email address and its office in Jakarta for tourism enquiries.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Indonesia or planning a trip there.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Indonesia
Helps with: The UN migration agency, operating in Indonesia since 1979. It works with governments and partners on migration management and crisis response.
Who qualifies: Migrants, governments and partners working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Helps with: The ICRC says it works with the society on training first responders in pre-hospital care, reuniting separated families and emergency preparedness. No contact details are given, so use the society's website.
Who qualifies: The page does not say who can use it. It names the society as the ICRC's partner in Indonesia.
