Overview Compare Fast Ferry Slow Ferry Day Tours
COVID-19 Requirements: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan are part of Bali, which means there are no additional travel requirements if you take the ferry from Bali. When travelling from Lombok, there are additional requirements.
What to expect when visiting Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a captivating paradise island separated from Bali by the Badung Strait. It is the largest of a trio of small offshore islands, alongside Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, just 40 km from Bali’s east coast.
Towering limestone cliffs and pristine white-sand beaches dot the Penida coastline. It has been filling the Instagram feeds of a growing army of intrepid travellers. Dinosaur-shaped Kelingking Beach is the island’s most famous icon, but Nusa Penida’s allure extends far beyond this.
Expect secret castaway beaches and lagoons, crystal clear waters teeming with manta rays and awesome viewpoints high above the crashing waves. It definitely deserves much more than a fleeting day trip to really appreciate its charms. Give yourself at least a few days to really explore Nusa Penida Island.
How to get from Bali to Nusa Penida
There are 3 ways to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida. The best way is to take a 30 to 60-minute fast ferry with rates from $7 (110,000 IDR). You can also take a 2-hour slow ferry for $2 (30,000 IDR) or an 8-hour day tour with rates from $53 (785,000 IDR).
Several fast boat companies operate between Bali and Nusa Penida. Most ferries depart from Sanur and the journey takes about 30-60 minutes. There are also a few ferries departing from other ports in Bali, but travel time will be longer. Fares already start from $7 (110,000 IDR).
If you want to bring a vehicle to Nusa Penida, you’ll have to take the slow ferry from Padang Bai. Passenger tickets are as cheap as $2 (30,000 IDR), while vehicle rates start from $3.30 (50,000 IDR). These slow ferries take 2 hours from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida.
Although Nusa Penida is best explored over a few days, you can also book a day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida. This tour offered by Klook offers a great tour for only $37 (555,000 IDR). The ticket includes roundtrip tickets from the most popular destinations in Bali, as well as a tour guide who will drive you to the best hotspots of Nusa Penida.
Fast boat from Bali to Nusa Penida
With five different ports in Bali and three different ports on Nusa Penida Island, you have many ferry options for this route.
In the table below, we compare the duration and costs of the lowest prices tickets to Nusa Penida from each of the ports in Bali.
Fast boats from Bali to Nusa Penida (sorted by port)
Sanur Port has the closest proximity 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 two 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 Kusumba 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. Your ticket or boarding pass includes a barcode that will be scanned and checked at the port.
Fast boat schedule from Sanur Port to Nusa Penida
How to get to Sanur Port
UPDATE: In November 2022 — just before the G20 — Sanur opened a new port. It’s one of the most modern ports you’ll find in Southeast Asia and all boats now conveniently depart and arrive from a pier instead of from the beach. The new port is equipped with a digital ticketing system and an air-conditioned waiting area with clean bathrooms. Just be aware that the new port is about a 5-10 minute walk from the old port.
To get to Sanur Port, you have two options. You can take a minivan departing from Kuta or Ubud, or more conveniently, a taxi from your hotel.
Taxi fares and time to Sanur Port
Taxi fares to Sanur Port
You’ll find an estimation of the taxi fares from Bali’s most popular tourist destinations to Padang Bai in the table below. When sharing the costs with your travel buddies, it will be around the same price or cheaper than paying a higher-priced ticket that includes pick-up.
An important advantage compared to a shared pick-up service is that your transfer won’t be delayed by picking up other passengers. This alone could already add 1-hour extra time to get to Sanur Port.
Estimated taxi fares to Sanur Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from $6.50 (100,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from $7 (110,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from $12.50 (190,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from $13.50 (200,000 IDR) |
Minivan to Sanur Port
Minivan to Sanur Port
As an alternative, you can also take the minivan operated by Perama Tour & Travel. The minivans depart at 07:00 from their offices in Kuta and Ubud.
See here the costs of the minivan tickets:
- From Kuta: $4.30 (65,000 IDR)
- From Ubud: $6.50 (100,000 IDR)
Keep in mind that these minivans depart from Perama Tour & Travel Offices. This means you might need to take another taxi from your hotel to the departure point.
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, with more expensive ferry tickets.
Fast boat schedule from Serangan Port to Nusa Penida
How to get to Serangan Port
There is no regular public transport going to Serangan. This means your only options are hailing a taxi or booking a private car via taxi apps like Grab and Gojek. The prices and duration are more or less similar to the ones going to Sanur Port.
See here the travel time and taxi fares when going to Serangan Port:
– Taxi fares and time to Serangan Port
Taxi fares to Serangan Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 1-1.5 hours | from $6.50 (100,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 30 minutes – 1 hour | from $7 (110,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1-1.5 hours | from $12.50 (190,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from $13.50 (200,000 IDR) |
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.
There are two fast boat companies operating from this port and it offers tickets for the best price you can find on the island. 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. Because 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.
Fast boat schedule from Padang Bai Port to Nusa Penida
How to get to Padang Bai port
Padang Bai is located in the northwest of Bali and is the most popular ferry port for fast boats departing to the Gili Islands and Lombok. In addition, Padang Bai has a separate pier for large vehicle ferries which allows you to bring a motorbike or car to Lombok or Nusa Penida.
To get to Padang Bai Port, you have two options. You can take a minivan departing from Kuta or Ubud, or more conveniently, a taxi from your hotel.
– Taxi fares and time to Padang Bai
Taxi fares to Padang Bai
You’ll find an estimation of the taxi fares from Bali’s most popular tourist destinations to Padang Bai in the table below. When sharing the costs with your travel buddies, it will be around the same price or cheaper than paying a higher-priced ticket including pickup.
An important advantage compared to a shared pick-up service is that your transfer won’t be delayed by picking up other passengers. This alone could already add 1-hour extra time to get to Padang Bai.
Estimated taxi fares to Padang Bai Port
| Departure point | Travel time | Taxi fares* |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 2-2.5 hours | from $18.50 (280,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 1.5-2 hours | from $20 (300,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 1.5-2 hours | from $22 (330,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 2.5-3 hours | from $27 (400,000 IDR) |
– Minivan to Padang Bai Port
Minivan to Padang Bai Port
As an alternative, you can also take the minivan operated by Perama Tour & Travel. The minivans depart at 07:00 from their offices in Kuta and Ubud.
See here the costs of the minivan tickets:
- From Kuta $15 (225,000 IDR)
- From Ubud $11.50 (175,000 IDR)
To be fair, the price of this ride is quite high and you’ll be better off sharing a taxi when you are travelling with two or more people.
Option 4: Fast boat from Kusumba Port
A short 20-minute drive (10 km) southwest of Padang Bai, you’ll find Kusamba Port. Kusumba 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.
Fast boat schedule from Kusamba Port to Nusa Penida
How to get to Kusamba 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 $12 (185,000 IDR) |
| Kuta, Seminyak | 1-1.5 hours | from $13.50 (200,000 IDR) |
| Ubud | 45 minutes – 1 hour | from $15 (225,000 IDR) |
| Uluwatu | 1.5-2 hours | from $27 (400,000 IDR) |
Option 5: Fast boat from Pemelisan Harbour
Pemelisan Harbour is located 5 km away from Serangan Port. Only a few ferries operate 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 30 minutes. Tickets start from $11.50 (175,000 IDR) for foreign tourists.
Fast boat schedule from Pemelisan Harbour to Nusa Penida
Note that J Trip is a fairly new company, and based on reviews, the most recent travel experiences have been quite negative. Common complaints are about several hours of delays and cancelled ferry trips because there weren’t enough passengers.
Because of these negative reviews, we recommend taking a ferry from other ports like Sanur, where more reputable ferry companies operate from.
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
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
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: $2 (30,000 IDR)
- Motorbike: $3.30 (50,000 IDR)
- Car: $19.50 (295,000 IDR)
- Toll card: $2 (30,000 IDR) (can be shared with multiple people)
Slow ferry schedule
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 cruise 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 8-hour tour.
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 $53 (785,000 IDR) 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 Nusa 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
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.
Ferry ports in Nusa Penida
Planning your arrival port wisely can save you the unneeded taxi ride from one to the other port. The 20-minute taxi ride from Sampalan or Buyuk Harbour to Banjar Nyuh costs about $10 (150,000 IDR).
All ports are located on the 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, which is 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, Semaya One, Sanjaya Fastboat, Eka Jaya Fast Boat, J Trip Bali Speedboat
- Buyuk Harbour (northeast coast)
- Wijaya Buyuk, Gili Getaway, Bali Line Fast Boat
- Sampalan Harbour (northeast coast)
- Caspla Bali Sea View, Idola Express, Angkal Fast Cruise, Gangga Express, Surigwa Express
Here is an overview of the three different harbours on Nusa Penida:
Banjar Nyuh Pier
Banjar Nyuh Pier — Nusa Penida’s main ferry port
Banjar Nyuh Pier is arguably the best option as a base to explore Nusa Penida Island.
From here, you can easily go to 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
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 $6.50 (100,000 IDR) and $10 (150,000 IDR).
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
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 several bungalow resorts and hotels are located. These hotels include Penida Beach Hotel and Caspla Bali, the same fast boat company that you can take from Sanur.
You can also hail a private car or van from this port, but we suggest asking your accommodation if they offer pick-up services.
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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.
Hi guys
Hope you Can help med on this: our children are not very fond of rocky boats/speedballs therefore we consider taking the slow boat. Have you tried it and is it your impression this boat is bigger and therefore more steady on the water??
Hi Helene, the large cargo ferries go a lot slower and are indeed more steady that you’ll barely feel the shocks of the waves. From Padang Bai in Bali, it takes around 2 hours by slow ferry to Nusa Penida. The arrival point for the slow ferry is also in the same area as the ports for fast boats, with a number of accommodations nearby. If you don’t mind spending a little more time on a boat (compared to the fast boat of 30-45 minutes), then the slow ferry isn’t a bad option at all.
Alternatively, you might want to consider the Eka Jaya Fast Boat with departures from Serangan Port and Padang Bai. Eka Jaya is one of the largest fast boat operators in Bali with a capacity of over 200 seats. A large fast boat like this offers a calmer ride than smaller fast boats with only 100 seating capacity. Travel time with Eka Jaya is also only 30 minutes, compared to 2 hours by slow ferry.
If you’d like to know more about the Eka Jaya Fast Boat, you can read more on our Bali to Gili Islands page.
Bonjour,
Il y a t il un départ de ferry lent depuis Sanur ? Si oui ou ça ?
Merci d’avance
Hi Gely, the slow ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida operates only from Padang Bai. At Sanur Port, you’ll only find fast boats to Nusa Penida.
Hallo 🙂
Ist es möglich mit einem Koffer nach Nusa Penida anzureisen? So ein Schnellboot ist ja nicht sonderlich groß 🥲
Viele Grüße,
Sarah
Hi Sarah, it’s possible to bring a suitcase when travelling from Bali to Nusa Penida. The ferry staff will carry your luggage for you on board. They’ll stow it inside or on the roof of the fast ferry.
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.
Increíble el contenido de este post, muchísimas gracias.
Otra cosa para ir desde Bali a Nusa Penida hacen falta 3 vacunas? O para ir a Lombok?
Thank you very much Paco. Happy to hear you found our guide useful. Nusa Penida is part of Bali which means there are no additional requirements. If you travel to Lombok, however, you do officially need 3 vaccine doses (except when you received J&J). These requirements are subject to change and I recommend checking out this Facebook page about Covid updates in Bali for the latest news updates.
&bsp;
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hello there,
Thank you for your insights on how to get to Nusa Penida.
Since it’s really hard to get information about the schedule of the slow ferry (RoRo) from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida (even on the official website from ASDP there is nothing to find), I would like to ask you for help:
Is is definetly the case that the slow ferry from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida just leaves once a day at 10 as you mentioned? Could you tell me the point of time at which you got the information and, if possible, the source?
Thanks a lot! 🙂
Hi Ben,
Thank you for your appreciation. This keeps us motivated to keep on updating the routes and provide you with the best tips.
Slow ferries leaving from Padang Bai are often delayed, but sometimes they leave at the exact departure time. I always recommend to be at the port 20-30 minutes before as you also need to buy your tickets and potentially wait in line. If you arrive earlier, you an enjoy a nice coffee and very well priced breakfast in DSteel Cafe. Very nice place to wait before the ferrry leaves.
UPDATE: The owner of DSteel just texted me that there is also a ferry leaving at 3pm.
Loving your very helpful guides to getting between places in Bali. I have a little mobility scooter. How do I find out best places to stay and best ways to get to the islands and other locals I want to visit?
Hello Sharon, many thanks for your comment. I’m happy to hear you are enjoying our guides. I’m honestly not sure what the best addresses are if you travel with a mobility scooter in Nusa Penida. I would recommend contacting a travel agency in Bali which can tour you around the island with a private van. They can board the slow ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida in order to bring your mobility scooter to the island. Likely they will also know some addresses that are suited for your needs. Enjoy your trip and save travels!