9 Essential Tips Before Going to Nusa Penida

Klungkung Regency has the smallest area among eight regencies on the island of Bali. There are four sub-districts in Klungkung, namely, Klungkung, Banjarangkan, Dawan and Nusa Penida sub-districts. The Nusa Penida sub-district is also known as the Nusa Bali archipelago. It consists of three small islands located in the southeastern part of the island of Bali. Those islands are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

 

Unlike the tourist areas in Bali, Nusa Penida has many natural hills and cliffs scenery, making this island rather unique and has different atmosphere compare to most of the tourist attractions in Bali Island.

 

If you are looking for natural beauty, like water sports activities such as snorkeling/scuba diving or other activities on the beach as well as have an adventurous spirit, then a vacation to the Nusa Islands, is perfect for you.

 

But before you go there we have 9 essential tips before going to Nusa Penida Island and here are they.

 

 

1. Departing through Sanur port

 

departing to nusa penida from sanur port

Credit: GiliIslandFastBoats

 

The easiest and cheapest way to reach Nusa Penida is through Sanur Port. When you are in Bali and have a plan to visit Nusa Island, it is better to stay first in Sanur area. In Sanur Harbor, you will find so many boats depart every hour transporting tourists across the Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan. The cost of a speed boat ticket is around IDR100,000 for each person and take time about 30-40 minutes before reaching the Nusa Islands.

 

Other than Sanur Harbor you can also reach Nusa Penida through Padang Bai port, Benoa port and Nusa Lembongan port as an alternative.

 

 

2. Use a waterproof backpack, flip flops and shorts

 

cara ke nusa penida melalui sanur port

Credit: Klook

 

The condition of the port in Sanur is not like other ports in general. There is no beach deck to maka you easily jump to the boats. The boats are waiting the passengers in a distance farther from the coastline in order to float. You need to walk towards those boats that will transport you to Nusa Island.

 

Therefore, you must be ready with clothes and luggage that won’t bother you later. Make sure you are wearing the right clothes and if it possible bring only a backpack and a small sling bag while you are there. If you don’t have a waterproof bag, wrap your bag with a plastic bag first if you bring valuable electronic devices because the waves towards Nusa Penida are very high and the splash of sea water is inevitable.

 

 

3. Create a clear itinerary

 

nusa penida itinerary

Credit: WanderersAndWarriors

 

Nusa Islands presents so many different natural beauty and you might be confused on what places should be visited. Tourist spots in Nusa Island are divided into three regions, which are Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. Make sure you already know where to go. So, your time and energy are allocated efficiently.

 

Each region can take a whole day, so if you really want to explore all the regions of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan you need to spend at least three days there because those regions have their own difficulties and challenges.

 

 

4. Bring enough money

 

prepare money for traveling

Credit: PassportSymphony

Nusa Penida is not growing as fast as the other tourist destinations in terms of infrastructure. The fact is that Nusa Penida land is still like a swamp forest and very difficult to reach one place to another. ATM is very difficult to find and even if there is, the location is quite far. So, you have to estimate how much cash you have to bring in your pocket.

 

 

5. Hire a tour guide

 

hire a tour guide in nusa penida

Credit: NusaPenidaTour

Make sure to hire a tour guide if you take the Nusa Penida trip package. This is a must! Nusa Penida is like a virgin island which is beautiful and untouched. The existing roads are still very bad, especially in the western and southern area. You can’t rely on yourself by just renting a motorbike and using GPS, then the problem is solved.

 

You also need to know that telecommunications signals are not strong and even not exist in some part of the areas. In an open area only Telkomsel signals are detected and there are only a few spots with weak 3G signals. For your safety and comfort of your trip, it’s a good idea to find a tour guide and packages they offer while on Nusa Island.

 

 

6. Choose hotels that provide breakfast or at least have a restaurant

 

hotel with restaurant in nusa penida

Credit: TheLembonganTraveller

Choosing a hotel to stay depend on the area where your boat will be landed so you don’t have to worry about transportation issues. Hotels with decent facilities are very rare on this island as well as the restaurants. For this reason, you need to find a hotel that has breakfast service or at least have a restaurant in it. So when you have a dinner you don’t have to go outside. Even at the touristy location there are only small shops sell fried noodles, fried rice, water and soft drinks.

 

 

7. Use motorcycles in the west and cars in the east

 

renting a bike and guide in nusa penida

Credit: UltimateDetours

Popular touristy areas in Nusa Penida are available in the west and east part of the island. In the west area, tourist spots from one to another are not so far. Even though the area is closer, the streets are broken and rough so better to use a motorcycle accompanied by a tour guide.

 

Tourist attraction in the east part are far and take much energy than the west area because you have to trekking to reach some good spots. The distance from one spot to another is also quiet far. So, while heading to another spots you can take a rest in the car. The considerations are not only about distance and safety, but also about the energy you need to save for your next journey.

 

 

8. Bring Useful Stuff

 

useful stuff for travelling

Credit: NiceBaliDriver

Don’t forget to bring your traveling equipment such as hats, flip flops, sunblock, UV glasses and hoodies as well because the wind on the island is so strong and the sun is so hot. Considering this is a natural journey, then if it possible you also need to change clothes more often to avoid illness such as flu or colds due to dry sweat on your body or wet clothes after playing on the beach.

 

 

9. Make sure your body is fit

 

body fit to travel

Credit: Wanderersandwarriors

Your physical condition will tested here so make sure you are in good condition. You will do a lot of trekking to reach great objects in this beautiful island, especially in the eastern region. Bring personal medicines as well as vitamins and avoid spots that you feel impossible to reach and don’t push yourself.