The Perfect 3-Day Trip to Penida Island

Creating the perfect itinerary to get to Penida Island can be tricky. The island is large, but still on the fringes of mass tourism. This means that much of the infrastructure has not been built to support the growing number of tourists visiting this Indonesian paradise.

The beauty of Penida Island is undeniable. Much of the island's coast consists of steep limestone cliffs with white beaches and crystal clear waters. Sure, Bali is beautiful, but Penida is just another level.

The popularity of the island is only going to increase in the coming years and although it is crowded with tourists now, there is no doubt that it will get worse. As more infrastructure is put in place, many of the tourist attractions lose their charm and you won't get the experience you want.

So come to Penida now and make the most of it!

About Penida Island Itinerary

It's time to visit Penida Island, and we don't think a day trip is enough! There is so much to see that we think you should stay for at least three days.

If you must, you can shorten the itinerary to two days and use the day of arrival to explore the northern part of the island (as we suggest the second day). However, I do think that two days is essential for this itinerary to see everything that Penida Island has to offer, and even then, there will always be more to do.

I also highly recommend visiting the neighboring islands of Lammaon and Cunningham. If you don't have enough time, you can take a day trip there. Simply take an early morning ferry from Toya Pakeh Harbor on Penida Island and return in the evening. Blue Dream Island is famous for its beautiful beaches, and you'll love Cenningan's famous Yellow Bridge.

What you need to know before you go

The key to seeing the best of Penida Island is to leave early in the morning. Very early. That way you can avoid the two worst things about being a tourist in Southeast Asia; the relentless sun and the other tourists.

It also means you can end your day early and enjoy some downtime in the evening.

Save time when planning a trip to Bali!

What should I bring?

One of the main benefits of touring Penida Island with a driver is that you can leave all your belongings in the car. You don't have to worry about carrying everything.

Make sure you bring plenty of water (you can always buy more on the way if you need it) and of course sunscreen and sunglasses. Especially in high season, the sun on Penida will absolutely burn you. There is little to no shade at most sightseeing spots, so be prepared.

Don't forget to bring any camera equipment with you, including a drone, Insta, or any carry-on device. Nusa Penida is perfect for this purpose.

What are you wearing?

Wear light clothes that you don't mind getting dirty (sweat, sunscreen and dust). If you plan to climb to Kelingking Beach, be sure to wear sneakers or other types of closed shoes. The descent is no joke and it is dangerous to try to descend in flip-flops or sandals.

Most other beaches have stairs and can be reached without sneakers.

If you are planning to go swimming at one of the beaches, it is a good idea to bring a change of clothes and a bathing suit. Often, you will be able to find a place where you need to change. If you want to sit down somewhere on the beach, it's a good idea to bring a cage. However, you don't necessarily need one to cover up. The temples on this itinerary provide these.

How to get around in Penida: motorcycle or car?

Penida is known for its bad roads and unfortunately, grab and gojek don't work on the island (Blue Dream is another story). Even if you are an experienced motorcyclist, I would not recommend renting one here. The road is steep, mostly gravel, and the local drivers drive roughly with no regard for the safety of motorcycle tourists.

Tourists usually overestimate their abilities and end up either pushing their bikes uphill in the heat or having to be picked up by their accommodation.

Driving here can be especially tricky if you're carrying a passenger on a bicycle, as you'll have to travel at high speeds to get up the hill.

If you're not very confident on a scooter, then do yourself a favor and get a driver. You'll spend a lot of time getting from place to place on this island, and you'll have a much better experience if you're sitting in an air-conditioned van rather than getting sunburned on a bike.

You can regain the freedom to explore by bike on the next island you visit.

Hired drivers

Many people choose to explore Penida Island by car. Many locals make a living by providing cabs and day trips. You can hire a driver for 10 hours for around IDR 500,000 to IDR 700,000 (around €32 to €46), including parking and gas. During this time, the driver will take you wherever you want to go, within reason of course. Be sure to tell them about your trip in advance and they will let you know what is realistic. 

You can find more information on the Facebook Groups Find the driver's phone number online or on Google. If you give me a personal message, I will be happy to recommend a driver.

You can also ask the residence to arrange a driver for you, however, it will be difficult to bargain.

Make sure you don't overpay, and tip your driver at the end of the day if they've done a good job. It is also customary to pay for lunch. Popular Tours

Klook.com

Penida Island Accommodation Tips

There is no shortage of hotels on Penida Island,Hotels and villas.In any case, if you live somewhere on the north coast of the island, preferably near one of the harbors, you can't go wrong. Stay as far away from the center of the island as possible, there is nothing there. The beach is the way to go!

Penida Island Itinerary

Click on the links for each trip activity for more detailed information and all the instructions you need to know about the location before you go.

Day 1 - East Coast

6:00 AM - Starting a new day

You need to start this trip early to avoid at least some of the crowds. Remember that most drivers consider 10 hours as a "full day", not 12 hours. This means you have to be home by 16:00 or you'll have to pay an extra fee.

Depending on where you are staying on the island, it will take you about an hour (maybe a little less) to reach the first Thousand Islands Observation Deck.

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM - RUMAH POHON Tree House and Thousand Island Observation Deck

Your Nusa Penida itinerary starts at Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Thousand Islands Observation Deck. Arriving early is key if you want to have a great experience. The space is small, and with all the tourists around, it's hard to get the shots you want.

After a short walk down the stairs, you'll be able to enjoy the spectacular view from the Thousand Islands Observation Deck. A few minutes further down is the famous Rumah Pohon tree house (and its lesser known neighbor). Another amazing photo spot.

Once you've climbed back up the cliffs, you can treat yourself to breakfast at one of the little snack bars. But don't stay too long. The sun rises quickly and you'll be sweating by the next stop.

8:30am - 11:00am - Diamond Beach

In fact, you can see Diamond Head Beach from the Thousand Islands Observation Deck. Despite its proximity, you'll still have to drive for a while to get there due to the disastrous road system on Penida Island.

Diamond Beach and Attu Beach (your next stop) are right next to each other and are not to be missed. Start at Diamond Beach. It's one of Nusa Penida's most famous beaches and arriving early pays off.

Don't be afraid to climb down the limestone stairs. If you're careful, it's safe and you won't be disappointed with the view. The beach below is stunning and unique. Keep an eye on the tides as Diamond Beach may not be accessible during high tide. Click on the link above for more details.

Once back at the top of the cliff, you can continue to walk a little further and enjoy the amazing views from the viewpoint.

11:00am - 13:45pm - Attu Beach

After all that hard work climbing the cliffs, you should take a break at Diamond Beach. The stairs to Atuh Beach are much easier and less steep.

This beach can be enjoyed during any tide and you can sit in the shade under one of the many umbrellas. It's a great time to stop for lunch and a cold drink at the snack bar before calling it a day!

2:45 p.m. - 13:30 p.m. - Giriputri, Goa

The last stop of the day is a little less well known amongst tourists, but after a day of sun and sand, it's a welcome change. You won't find this place on a typical day trip to Penida Island.

Goa Giri Putri is a Hindu cave temple and a fascinating place to visit. The entrance fee is IDR 20,000 (about €1.30) per person, and if you want to enter, you need to wear a sarong (for both men and women). You can bring your own or borrow one at the entrance.

This cave can only be entered through a very narrow gap in the rock. If you're afraid of being cramped, you might want to skip this. It is dimly lit and very spacious. It's beautiful and mysterious and definitely worth a visit.

Please be respectful and don't forget that you are visiting a place of worship.

4:00 p.m. - Home

You should be home around 4:00 a.m., which sounds early, but in reality you've been exploring since 6:00 a.m., which isn't really the case.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon on the beach with some sunset beers. You'll probably be exhausted.

Day 2 - Relax and Explore

I recommend taking a rest day on Penida Island to get rid of the stress and tension of a day trip. On this day you can sleep in or watch the sunrise from the beach if you wish.

This would be a great day to rent a scooter (against my own advice!) and explore the northern coastline of the island, where the roads are more manageable. You can head east to Tamarind Beach if you wish.

Really, this day is all up to you. I highly recommend you have a lazy beach day and find some of the best restaurants and cafes on the island. In the evening, head to Penida Colada Bar, Sangabu Beach Bar, Full Moon Bungalows or Coco Penida for live music and cocktails.

If you're short on time, you might be tempted to skip the day, but you should also consider that not having a definite plan is sometimes better than checking things off a list. Penida is a big island with a lot to see. Make the most of it while you're there.

Day 3 - West Coast

6:00 AM - Starting a new day

Once again, the Nusa Penida itinerary requires you to start your day early. But it's worth it!

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Angel's Dead Pool and Broken Beach

Start the day at some of the most famous attractions on Penida Island; Angel's Dead Pool and Broken Beach. Both are right next to each other and are best visited early in the morning. If you arrive at 7:00 am, you won't have to share these beautiful spots with a few other tourists.

Be sure to take some time to walk around and explore the area. Keep your eyes peeled for the manta lookout and you may be lucky enough to spot one in the crystal clear waters below.

It's also a great place to grab a quick bite to eat if you're looking to save time. There are plenty of snack bars to choose from in the surrounding area.

These two attractions can vary greatly depending on the tidal conditions at the time of your visit. Click on the links above to learn more about the dangers of Angel's Dead Pool and why you should avoid swimming there.

9:00am - 12:00pm - Keling Beach

Unfortunately, Kelingking Beach is never really deserted. No matter how early you get there, there are always crowds of people waiting to take the perfect photo. And who can blame them? This beach is probably the most amazing spot on Penida.

If you're brave enough, you can try climbing along the 400m cliffs all the way to the beach. This is possible if you are healthy, wear sturdy shoes and are not afraid of heights (or getting dirty). But be warned, this climb is no joke. You'll be going straight down, with only a few ropes and wooden rails to hold you up.

If you're in doubt, then why not just go halfway, where there are still manageable steps. The view is fantastic!

If you don't choose to go to the beach, you probably don't need to spend much time here. If you just want to take some photos from above, an hour will be enough.

Have a cold drink and enjoy the view. There's no need to rush.

12:45 PM - 3:00 PM TEMBELING Beach and Natural Pools

The last stop on the Penida Island itinerary is probably one of my favorites. While it's no secret that Tembeling Beach and its natural swimming pools are not to be missed, they are often avoided by the large crowds heading to Kelingking or Diamond beaches.

The walk to the beach takes a while, but the path is flat and can be done easily. It passes through thick forests and protects you from the sun. It's a nice walk if you still have energy. Alternatively, you can pay for a motorcycle to take you down the hill.

Tembeling Beach is beautiful, but the real star of the show is the natural pool. Do some (gentle) cliff diving or just relax in these clear, cool waters after a long day. Take some time to explore this secret little cave spot (click on the link above for more info) and don't miss the real beach.

4:00 p.m. - Home

You're back again.Hotel.Just perfect to spend 10 hours with the driver. Be sure to give them a good recommendation.

Enjoy your last night on this paradise island with a cold beer on the beach. Or extend your stay. There is so much more to see.