How to get from Bali to Nusa Penida
Why visit Nusa Penida?
Kelingking Beach is one of the most iconic sites not just in Nusa Penida but in the whole of Indonesia. The distinctive T-rex-shaped cliffs have become an iconic backdrop for many travellers’ photos and a place to witness some of Mother Nature’s finest work.
Beyond this tourist hotspot, Nusa Penida’s underwater world leaves little to be desired. It’s a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Prefer to stay on land? The beaches will leave you in awe with their golden sands that run off into brilliantly turquoise waters.
Ferry ports in Nusa Penida
Planning your arrival port wisely can save you the unnecessary taxi ride from one port to another. The 20-minute taxi ride from Sampalan or Buyuk Harbour to Banjar Nyuh costs about 150,000 IDR ($8.90).
All ports are located on Nusa Penida’s northern coastline, which is also where you’ll find most accommodations. We recommend checking out the Google Maps links for each of the ferry ports to see which port is closest to your accommodation.
Most of the ferries from Bali to Nusa Penida arrive at Banjar Nyuh Pier, a convenient harbour to arrive in Nusa Penida.
See here the ferries on this route and the ports in Nusa Penida that they arrive at (sorted west to east):
- Banjar Nyuh Harbour (northwest coast)
- El Rey Junior Fast Cruise, Starfish Fast Boat, Axe Stone Fast Cruise, Angel Billabong, Idola Express, Sanjaya Fastboat, Eka Jaya Fast Boat, J Trip Bali Speedboat
- Buyuk Harbour (northeast coast)
- Caspla Bali Sea View, Semaya One, Wijaya Buyuk, Gili Getaway, Bali Line Fast Boat
- Sampalan Harbour (northeast coast)
- Angkal Fast Cruise, Gangga Express, Surigwa Express
Here is an overview of the three different harbours on Nusa Penida:
Banjar Nyuh Pier — Nusa Penida’s main ferry port
Banjar Nyuh Pier is arguably the best option as a base to explore Nusa Penida.
From here, you can easily visit several must-visit natural attractions, such as Crystal Bay, Broken Beach and the astounding Kelingking Beach.
The area near Banjar Nyuh has infrastructure improving all the time and a growing selection of restaurants and beach bars. It also has the most transport and tour companies.
Most facilities are close to the centre, including many hotels and guest houses. There are several dive operators here too.
While it’s possible to include a hotel pick-up from Bali in the ferry ticket, it normally does not include hotel drop-off from the port to your Nusa Penida hotel. Still, some hotels nearby do offer a free or paid transport service.
These hotels include Perak Cottages and Serambu Hills Resort, among others. It’s best to check with your hotel in advance.
Buyuk Harbour
Buyuk Harbour is located about 7 km east of Banjar Nyuh Pier. The drive from Buyuk Harbour to Banjar Nyuh takes about 20 minutes by car, with fares ranging between 100,000 IDR ($5.90) and 150,000 IDR ($8.90).
Also around Buyuk, you’ll find a good range of accommodation for most budgets.
If you’re staying somewhere a little further away or travelling with bulky baggage, there are always private cars or vans waiting close to the harbour to whisk you away to your desired hotel.
Sampalan Harbour
About 2 km further from Buyuk Harbour is Sampalan Harbour towards the northeastern corner of Nusa Penida.
From Sampalan beachfront, it is a quick 100-metre stroll to Jalan Nusa Indah, where you’ll find several bungalow resorts and hotels, like Penida Beach Hotel.
You can also hail a private car or van from this port, but we suggest asking your accommodation if they offer pick-up services.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida?
There are 3 ways to travel the 31 kilometre (19 miles) distance from Bali to Nusa Penida. You can choose between the ferry, slow ferry and Day tour. The journey takes 30 minutes - 8 hours and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by slow ferry with tickets starting at 30,000 IDR ($1.80).
Bali to Nusa Penida by Ferry
With five different ports in Bali and three different ports on Nusa Penida, you have many ferry options for this route.
In the table below, we compare the duration and costs of the lowest priced tickets to Nusa Penida from each of the ports in Bali.
Fast boats from Bali to Nusa Penida (sorted by port)
Sanur Port is closest to the Nusa islands. Conveniently, it’s also the closest port to the most popular destinations in Bali (including Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud).
Serangan is about 10 km south of Sanur. There are three fast boat companies leaving from this port, but we don’t see an advantage of leaving from Serangan compared to the new harbour in Sanur. Tickets are more expensive here and the port is harder to reach.
If you’re coming from Sidemen or around Padang Bai, it’s easier to take a ferry from Kusamba or Padang Bai (depending on the availability of the ferries).
Only a few ferries depart from Pemelisan Harbour since it’s not quite as popular as the other ports in Bali. This port is located across from Serangan Port, and we also don’t see an advantage of taking a ferry from Pemelisan.
Option 1: Fast boat from Sanur Port
Sanur Port is located on the east coast of Bali and is the closest port to many of the main destinations in Bali — including Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua.
Note that the new port in Sanur has a digital ticketing system, so you are required to buy your tickets in advance. You can pre-book your tickets online through BookAway, which we recommend for its excellent customer service.
Your ticket or boarding pass includes a barcode that will be scanned and checked at the port.
Option 2: Fast boat from Serangan Port
Although the journey time from Serangan to Nusa Penida is about the same as from Sanur, it’s a less popular port and thus harder to get to. Also, ferry tickets are more expensive from Serangan.
Option 3: Fast boat from Padang Bai
Although Padang Bai is mainly used for fast boats to Lombok and the Gili Islands, you can also take a ferry from this port to Nusa Penida.
Eka Jaya operates larger fast boats from this port, a good choice for passengers who are prone to motion sickness. However, travel time from Padang Bai can take a bit longer (1 hour) compared to fast boats departing from Sanur (30-45 minutes).
Padang Bai is also the only harbour that allows you to bring a vehicle (car or motorbike) to Nusa Penida. As this 2-hour slow ferry takes considerably longer and often experiences long delays, we don’t recommend the slow ferry if you’re not planning to bring a vehicle.
Option 4: Fast boat from Kusamba Port
A short 20-minute drive (10 km) southwest of Padang Bai, you’ll find Kusamba Port. Kusamba is a traditional sea salt-producing community and has the shortest distance from Bali to Nusa Penida.
Angkal Fast Cruise and Gangga Express have regular departures from this port.
How to get to Kusamba Port
There is no direct public transport from the main destinations in Bali to Kusamba Port. Your best option is to take a taxi or a private car directly from your hotel to the port.
See here the estimated travel time and taxi fares going to Kusamba Port:
Estimated taxi fares to Kusamba Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1.5-2 hours | from 185,000 IDR ($11) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 1-1.5 hours | from 200,000 IDR ($11.90) |
| Ubud | 45 minutes – 1 hour | from 225,000 IDR ($13.30) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from 400,000 IDR ($23.50) |
Option 5: Fast boat from Pemelisan Harbour
Pemelisan Harbour is located 5 km away from Serangan Port. Only one ferry company from this port because it’s not as popular as the other ports in Bali.
Same as the ferries from Serangan, travel time from Pemelisan Harbour to Nusa Penida takes about 30m. Ticket prices start from 175,000 IDR ($10.40) for foreign tourists.
For the latest schedules, it’s best to contact J Trip on WhatsApp at least a day before your trip. It’s worth noting though that J Trip is a fairly new company, and it got quite negative reviews from some travellers. Some complaints include several hours of delays and cancelled ferry trips because there weren’t enough passengers.
Given these negative reviews, we recommend taking a ferry from other ports like Sanur, where you can find more reputable ferry companies.
If you still want to check out this route, the most convenient way to get to Pemelisan Harbour is by taking a taxi from your hotel. Taxi fares are more or less similar to taxi fares to Serangan Port.
Bali to Nusa Penida by Slow Ferry
An alternative to the fast boat is the slow ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida. We recommend this option only if you want to bring a vehicle to Nusa Penida.
The KMP Nusa Jaya Abadi ferry has 1-2 trips daily and travel time is about 2 hours. Online booking is not available for the slow ferry, so you need to be at the port early.
Departure and arrival ports
The slow ferry departs from Padang Bai and arrives at its own port in Nusa Penida. This port is right between Buyuk and Sampalan Harbour.
How to buy slow ferry tickets
You need to be at the port at least 30 minutes before departure because you will need to buy a toll card.
To register this card, they will ask for your name(s) and address. You will also need to register your licence plate if you bring a vehicle. Upon getting the toll card, you need to load it with money and use the card to buy your ticket at the ticket office.
See here the costs for the slow ferry:
- Adult: 30,000 IDR ($1.80)
- Motorbike: 50,000 IDR ($3)
- Car: 295,000 IDR ($17.50)
- Toll card: 30,000 IDR ($1.80) (can be shared with multiple people)
Slow ferry schedule from Padang Bai, Bali to Nusa Penida
Note that despite this schedule, the ferry can sometimes be delayed by several hours.
Bali to Nusa Penida by Day Tour
If you only have a day to explore Bali’s offshore islands, your best option is to book a day tour. But note that you’ll only get a brief experience of Nusa Penida with this tour for 8 hours.
Quiksilver runs all-inclusive day trips on a 40-metre catamaran from Bali to Nusa Penida. With this tour, you’ll get to visit Kelingking Beach, Angel Billabong, and Broken Beach.
The tour also includes a buffet lunch and access to various water sports activities from a huge pontoon off the Nusa Penida coastline.
A day trip cruise from Bali to Nusa Penida costs 785,000 IDR ($46.50) per person when booked with Klook.
When booking this day tour, you can choose to depart from Sanur Port or Tanjung Benoa Harbour.
Tanjung Benoa Harbour
Tanjung Benoa is located a little south of Serangan. This destination is famous for its water activities and it is also the main departure point for day trip cruises to neighbouring islands.
There are no regular ferries at this port going to Nusa Penida. If you book a day trip with Quiksilver, then your journey starts at Tanjung Benoa.
How to get to Tanjung Benoa Port
The port is located on the northern end of a little peninsula connected to Nusa Dua. To reach this northern end, the taxi will first need to head towards Nusa Dua, making it a longer drive than going to Sanur or Serangan.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bali to Nusa Penida. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Bali to Nusa Penida
How to get from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida?
Paradise Island has hourly departures from 07:30 to 16:00 and tickets cost 100,000 IDR ($5.90). It takes only 15 minutes from the Yellow Bridge in Nusa Lembongan to Toya Pakeh Harbour in Nusa Penida. You can book your tickets online on 12GoAsia.
Public boats from Lembongan to Penida are cheaper at 60,000 IDR ($3.60). You can just go to the Yellow Bridge and look for the public boats. Tickets can be bought on the boat.
Note that there is no set schedule for these public boats. Instead, they simply leave once the boat is full (14 passengers + 1 captain). Waiting time can be 30 minutes or more.
PRO TIP: Check Tideschart for the tides of the day. Tides change each day and boats can’t leave from the Yellow bridge with low-tide. In that case, you’ll have to arrange a private boat further on the river, which will be more expensive.
Coming from Lombok? Check out our guide on how to get from Lombok to Nusa Penida.
Should I visit Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or Gili Islands?
Nusa Penida — most adventurous
With limestone cliffs filling up the coastline, Nusa Penida Island is known for its spectacular landscape. Days will likely be spent exploring the islands’ hotspots by car or motorbike. Even better, exploring the coastline with a boat trip and snorkelling with Manta Rays!
On top, Nusa Penida offers some incredible accommodations that can become one of the highlights of your stay.
Nusa Lembongan — a combination between adventure and relaxation
Although not as spectacular as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan also offers several viewpoints around the island. Thanks to its flatter landscape, Nusa Lembongan is a bit more developed. It offers more places to stay, restaurants to eat, and more accessible beaches.
The famous yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan to its little sister Nusa Ceningan. The landscape of Nusa Ceningan comes closer to Nusa Penida with high cliffs along the coastline.
The Gili Islands — laid-back beach vibe and nightlife
The Gili Islands are a group of three islands in the north of Lombok. The main transport to get around the islands is by bicycle. None of the three islands permits motorized traffic.
This certainly retains the laid-back vibe of the island. You will likely spend your days relaxing on the beach, snorkelling, diving or partying in one of Gili Trawangan’s or Gili Air’s beach bars.
How to get around in Nusa Penida?
When you arrive in Nusa Penida, drivers will offer you a ride to your accommodation on the island. You can check with your hotel if they offer pick-up at the port. If not, you can ask them instead for a fair price between the port and the accommodation.
If you are staying in the northern part of Nusa Penida, a taxi ride to your accommodation will likely cost somewhere between 50,000 IDR ($3) and 150,000 IDR ($8.90).
How to rent a car in Nusa Penida?
If you are not confident with riding a motorbike, you can also hire a driver with an air-conditioned car for around 600,000 IDR ($35.50) per day.
Better yet, check the offering of Klook to book a car with a driver for only 575,000 IDR ($34).
Check Car Rental with Klook
How to rent a bike in Nusa Penida?
Instead of taking a taxi, you can start your adventure right away and rent a motorbike directly from the harbour. There is much to see and experience in Nusa Penida and renting a motorbike gives you the freedom to explore the island all at your own pace.
Bike rental in Nusa Penida normally costs around 100,000 IDR ($5.90). But if you book with Klook, you can get a discounted price of 82,000 IDR ($4.90). The renter will also be waiting for you at the harbour with your bike.
Check Motorbike Rental with Klook
Of course, it’s still required to have a valid driver’s license and you should be comfortable driving a bike. If you don’t want to drive a bike in Bali, it’s also better to not drive it in Nusa Penida.
How are the road conditions in Nusa Penida?
You might have read in some travel blogs that the roads in Nusa Penida are terribly bad. Luckily, we have good news to share about that. Since 2020, road conditions improved tremendously. Thanks to the improved roads, it’s now easy to get to most hotspots in Nusa Penida by motorbike.
Some of these include the roads going to Diamond Beach, Kelingking and Broken beach. On the other hand, the road to Crystal Bay can still use some renovation.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
