Nusa Penida

A rugged island south-east of Bali with towering limestone cliffs, turquoise bays and some of the best snorkelling in the region, including manta rays.

History

Nusa Penida is part of Klungkung Regency, with an area of about 200 km². It is first mentioned on the Belanjong pillar of 914 AD, which records an expedition by Bali’s first known king, Sri Kesari Warmadewa. In later centuries the Klungkung kingdom sent exiles here, and a Dutch map of 1900 even called it “Bandit Island”.

Its isolation kept old traditions alive. Many islanders still speak their own dialect, Basa Nosa, which mainland Balinese find hard to understand.

Meaning and culture

The name is often explained as “island of priests”, and the island is home to important temples visited by pilgrims from Bali. Since 2006 the villages have also protected birds through their customary rules, helping the rare Bali starling return to the wild here.

The surrounding waters are rich in coral and are famous for manta rays at Manta Point, which makes the island as special under the water as it is from the cliffs.

What to see

• Kelingking Beach and its T-Rex shaped headland
• Broken Beach, a natural arch over the sea, and Angel’s Billabong
• Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach on the east coast
• Snorkelling with manta rays at Manta Point and Crystal Bay

Good to know

• The path down to Kelingking Beach is steep and slippery; only go with good shoes and stay on the trail.
• Do not swim at Angel’s Billabong when waves are high.
• Roads are narrow and slow; a full day covers only one side of the island.
• Boats may be cancelled in rough seas, so keep your plans flexible.