How to Explore Nusa Penida on Your Solo Trip to Bali | Solo Female Travel
While Bali is a beautiful island in itself, a relatively not so popular place, Nusa Penida Island, is another beautiful island located a few miles away from Bali. Now, it is entirely possible for you to explore Bali on your solo trip and head back home. But if you want to do something unique and explore more, you can head to Nusa Penida Island, which is quite a hidden treasure.
Even if you have got your itinerary to Bali full and you can only spare one day for Nusa Penida, don’t worry, that’s very doable! You can easily get to Nusa Penida in the morning and get back to Bali in the evening!
This blog is everything you need to know about exploring the hidden gem of a place, Nusa Penida Island, especially if you have just one day to make a visit here!
Best time to visit Nusa Penida Island
There is no best time as such to visiting Nusa Penida. It is beautiful all year long! However, in my opinion, the time between May and October will be perfect. This is because these are dry months and make it easier for you to explore the island.
How to get to Nusa Penida Island
The easiest way to get to Nusa Penida Island is through a speedboat or ferry. Well, there are three different destinations in Bali that let you get to Nusa Penida via the waters.
Taking a speedboat from Sanur beach is probably the easiest option, and it only takes about half an hour to reach Nusa Penida. You will find many speedboat operators at the beach, but a couple of popular ones are Angel’s Billabong Fast Cruise, Maruti Express, and Mola-Mola Express. They are all great, and you can take the speedboat operator that suits your timings the best.
To book tickets for the speedboat, do it one day in advance. But if you end up making a sudden plan, you can still get to the beach in the morning and directly buy the ticket from the speedboat operators.
The average price of your speedboat ticket one way – 300,000 – 350,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($20.57 – $23.99)
Things worth exploring on Nusa Penida Island
Considering you will be spending an entire day in Nusa Penida, you would want to do as many things as possible. Here are some of my top recommendations for things that you can do and explore on Nusa Penida Island.
Visit the Kelingking Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach, has a unique shape that most locals and tourists claim to be the head of a dinosaur, specifically the T-Rex. To view this shape and the whole of the beach, you can actually get to one of the high points at Kelingking Beach. Trust me, the beach looks nothing short of magical and is quite Insta-worthy as well!
If you want to spice things up a little, you can even hike down from the cliff point to the beach! Many locals say that although the hike may be quite difficult, it is totally worth the effort!
It’d be best to visit the beach early in the morning because it can get crowded in the late afternoon.
Visit the Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong is my favourite place to visit on Nusa Penida Island. It’s a tide pool that has stunning views and crystal clear water. You can either explore the pool and click pictures—highly recommended because it’s rare that you get to witness beauty like this—or go snorkelling in the pool!
And if you are lucky, you can even spot manta rays in the pool! But make sure you only visit Angel’s Billabong during low tide. Locals say that during high tides, many people have died from being pulled into the ocean.
Chill at Crystal Bay
Getting around Nusa Penida can get quite tiresome, and you would want to take a break at some point. The place to take a break is Crystal Bay. It is the perfect beach on Nusa Penida Island to have a relaxed time for an hour or so. You will see lounge chairs and bean bags on the beach where lots of tourists come to relax. The local stalls sell some amazing food, snacks, and drinks that you can enjoy while taking in the stunning view of the beach!
Visit the Seganing Waterfall
If you are a waterfall lover just like me, then Seganing Waterfall is going to blow your mind away! And I’m not even exaggerating. It is considered the most beautiful waterfall on Nusa Penida Island. Located on the outskirts of the island, you might need extra time to reach here. But you can make this thing work out in your favour and explore the waterfall with very little to no crowd. And hey, don’t forget to take pictures while you are here!
You can read my blog on Stunning Waterfalls to Visit on Your Solo Trip to Bali.
Visit the Pura Puncak Mundi Temple
Fancy getting to the highest point on Nusa Penida Island? Then Pura Puncak Mundi Temple is the perfect place for you to explore. It is situated at an altitude of 529 meters above sea level on the island, which is its highest point. Once you reach the temple, you can explore its architecture or just enjoy the stunning views and the cool breeze!
Since this is a religious site, I would recommend that you wear appropriate clothes. If you visit Nusa Penida for a day and are in your shorts and t-shirt, you can carry a sarong along with you. Once you reach the temple, you can drape the sarong over your shorts to make it look like a long skirt.
Amazing restaurants that serve delicious food on Nusa Penida Island
Well, food is one of the reasons we travel to a new location. If you are someone who loves Balinese cuisine, then you are in for a treat on Nusa Penida Island. There are some amazing restaurants that serve mouthwatering food on the island.
I understand that you may not be able to visit all the restaurants in one day, but you can pick the ones that look interesting to you!
Local Warung
Just like the name suggests, Local Warung is actually a tiny restaurant in a jungle. Don’t worry—it’s not too deep inside the jungle also! You may find it a little difficult to reach the restaurant, but trust me, you will love the food served here once you do.
Local Warung is run by a couple, owner Komang and his wife, and they make sure what they serve their customers is their best! The menu consists of a wide range of Indonesian dishes and seafood dishes. Their red snapper barbecue and lobsters with rice and vegetables are some of the restaurant’s popular dishes!
Ogix Warung
Do you love to have your meal with a stunning view? Then Ogix Warung is the place to be! This seafood restaurant has some amazing ocean views. Along with seafood, the restaurant also offers some delicious Asian and Indonesian cuisine as well. Oh, and if you want to try out something different, then you can check out their vegan and vegetarian options!
Ogix Warung is the best restaurant on Nusa Penida Island to have a lovely meal in the evening while watching the sun go down across the ocean!
Warung Legong Nusa Penida
If you are in the mood for some authentic Balinese cuisine, then Warung Legong Nusa Penida is the best option. Their cuisine is quite famous on the island, which attracts many tourists every day.
Another reason why tourists visit this restaurant is for its western cuisine. Well, this option is great if you are missing the food you used to have back home and want a change from having Indonesian and Balinese cuisine every day. My favourite at Warung Legong Nusa Penida were chicken skewers, steaks, and fresh juices.
The Krusty Krab Penida
With lovely live music, great hospitality, and peaceful ambience, The Krusty Krab Penida is one of the best restaurants to have a relaxed meal on the island. Their extensive menu offers amazing Balinese and other cuisines. Their famous dishes include seafood and pork varieties. You can even have refreshing smoothies, juices, and cocktails at the restaurant!
Warung Batan Sabo
A decent restaurant with some amazing food and great hospitality, Warung Batan Sabo specialises in Indonesian cuisine. And you get to have a lovely meal without burning a hole in your pocket, which makes a visit to this restaurant all the more worthwhile! One of their dishes that’s quite famous among the customers is the sweet potato burger with black garlic sauce!
Affordable Hostel Options in Nusa Penida
However, if you fall in love with Nusa Penida and decide to stay for one night, here are some top picks for affordable hostels that you can check out.
Camar Cottage and Hostel, Nusa Penida
If you end up renting a bike/car in Nusa Penida, then Camar Cottage and Hostel will be the right hostel for you to stay the night at. It offers free parking space for guests with their own vehicles!
Along with the parking space, you get an air-conditioner, a flat-screen TV, outdoor pool, garden, among other amenities. If interested, you can check out their breakfast buffet that serves delicious Asain cuisine.
Price of one day stay at Camar Cottage and Hostel – 130000 Indonesian Rupiah ($8.97)
Puri Hostel, Nusa Penida
A very simple yet comfortable hostel, Puri Hostel is equipped with all the basic amenities you can ask for. Some of these amenities are a shared lounge, flat-screen TV, an air-conditioner, free WiFi, a garden, and a terrace. The famous Broken Beach in Nusa Penida is at a distance of 12 kilometres from the hostel.
If you are staying in Nusa Penida for just one night and do not wish to spend a hefty amount on accommodation, then Puri Hostel can be the right pick for you.
Price of one day stay at Puri Hostel – 149491 Indonesian Rupiah ($10.31)
Write Hostel, Nusa Penida
Write hostel is quite a vibrant and quirky accommodation. It is located at a comfortable distance of 300 meters from the famous Batununggul Rastafara Beach. Here, the amenities are free WiFi, an air-conditioner, a shared lounge, a terrace, and room service at all times. The best part is that all hostel rooms have a flat-screen TV, wardrobe and shared bathrooms!
Price of one day stay at Write Hostel – 155525 Indonesian Rupiah ($10.73)
Disclaimer – Do note that the prices may change depending on the date and time you book the hotel/hostel!
Things to carry to Nusa Penida Island
If you are visiting Nusa Penida Island for a day and coming back to Bali in the evening, you will need to pack a few essentials. Since you will be leaving in the morning for the island, I would also suggest that you finish all your packing a night before itself to save time.
Here is a list of things that you need to carry in your backpack to the island.
Everything needed for sun protection
One of the essential things to carry is everything that can help you combat the heat! This includes sunglasses, a cute little hat, and sunscreen (at least SPF50). Trust me—all these things will be very helpful once you go about exploring the island.
A sarong and scarf
If you are considering visiting a religious site, then a sarong would be needed too. Packing one regardless would also be better instead of reaching Nusa Penida and buying one from a local store. If possible, carry a scarf as well. You can use it to cover your head when you visit the religious site (if needed). A sarong will also come in handy if you plan on visiting the beach.
A swimwear or bathing suit
It is not required to carry swimwear even if you plan to visit the beach, but carrying one anyway won’t hurt. When you see the crystal clear water of the beaches and pools on Nusa Penida Island, you might want to take a dip in it!
Sufficient amount of cash
Yes, the world is going digital, and most places accept card or mobile payments. But carrying a small amount of cash can be helpful in case you need some cash and don’t find an ATM nearby. And some local restaurants still accept only cash payments, so be prepared!
Appropriate footwear
While you are exploring the island, it is better to wear something comfortable that doesn’t tire your feet within a few hours. I would suggest that you wear comfortable shoes for a visit to the island and carry a pair of flip-flops for when you hit the beach.
It is usually very hot on Nusa Penida Island. And the chances of you getting slightly tanned, even after putting sunscreen, are quite high. To beat the heat, I would recommend that you wear a top that has full sleeves. And also, lighter or pastel coloured clothes would be better!
You can check out my blog on What to Wear on your solo trip to Bali for more tips on the same.
Are you all set to explore this hidden gem?
Alright, so these are some of the many things that you can do on Nusa Penida Island. If you leave in the morning around 9 AM, you should still have about a good five to six hours to explore the island before heading back to Bali.
Remember that the timings of the speedboats and ferries are quite strict, so make sure you reach the pick-up and drop-off points well in advance. I would say 20 minutes earlier should do the work!
Here is another thing that you need to remember before planning a trip to Nusa Penida Island. The speedboats and ferries can get a little crowded sometimes. So keep a reminder of the pick-up and drop-off times on your smartphone to ensure you reach on time!