Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Natalia
Located just southeast of Bali, the beautiful island of Nusa Penida has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years. Thanks to stunning attractions like Kelingking beach and Angel’s Billabong, the island is now an essential inclusion on any Bali itinerary. It’s a short distance from Bali to Nusa Penida, and you can easily get a ferry to the island, with daily boats from a number of different ports including Sanur, Serangan and Padang Bai, as well as from the neighbouring island of Nusa Lembongan. With the island being so easy to get to, there’s no excuse for missing it out of your trip! Read this guide to find out exactly how to get from Bali to Nusa Penida.
Wondering what to do in Nusa Penida? Check out our Nusa Penida travel guide to find out the best things to do on the island!
How to get to Nusa Penida from Bali
Fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida
The best fast boat to Nusa Penida from mainland Bali is the ferry from Sanur. Ferries make the journey from Sanur to Nusa Penida multiple times a day, with the earliest being at 8am and the last being at around 5pm.
There are various departure times throughout the day depending on your preference and the ferry company you decide to travel with. The majority of ferries leave in the morning in order for people to visit Nusa Penida on a day trip, but it’s definitely worth spending a few days exploring the island.
It’s a relatively short distance from Sanur to Nusa Penida and so the crossing only takes around 30-45 minutes, with fast boat ticket prices starting at 140,000 Rupiah for a one-way journey. Some operators charge up to 300,000 Rupiah for a one-way ticket, so it’s best to book in advance if you want to get the best deal.
Fortunately, it’s easy to book your tickets online even if you’re not in Bali yet. We recommend booking through 12go Asia as they have a number of different departure times and operators to choose from, and you can also see how well the operator is rated before booking.
Click here to book a ferry from Sanur to Nusa Penida on 12go Asia!
Different operators depart from different areas along the seafront in Sanur. Make a note of which operator you book with and contact them if you’re worried about being able to find them.
Alternatively, make your way to Ananda Beach Hotel and as you wander the area you should be able to find your operator. If you’re still struggling then just ask one of the other operators or locals and they should hopefully point you in the right direction.
As the port isn’t the most organised it’s worth arriving a minimum of 30 minutes in advance of your departure to make sure everything goes smoothly. That way you have plenty of time to find your operator and get your luggage onto the boat before departure.
It’s also worth noting that you may not be able to board your boat at an actual pier, so you may have to wade through shallow water before climbing aboard. Unfortunately this is the case for most operators, so make sure to wear flip flops or other suitable footwear!
Some operators are quite helpful and will carry large suitcases on board to avoid you having to carry them to the boat, but others will expect you to do this yourself. Your ferry should dock at Toya Pakeh harbour in Nusa Penida, and from there you will need to find your way to your accommodation or begin exploring the island if you’re visiting on a day trip.
Padang Bai to Nusa Penida
It’s also possible to travel from Bali to Nusa Penida on a ferry from the small town of Padang Bai. Located in East Bali, Padang Bai is one of the island’s main ferry ports with daily departures to Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands and more.
Tickets from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida start from 145,000 Rupiah, with the journey taking approximately 30 minutes. Some ferries are located around a 10 minute drive outside of Padang Bai so double check where your ferry departs from.
As always, we recommend booking in advance to make sure you can travel on your desired date(s).
Click here to buy tickets from Padang Bai to Nusa Penida!
Ubud/Canggu/Airport to Nusa Penida
If you’re not staying near any of the ferry ports then thankfully it’s easy to get from places like Ubud, Canggu, Kuta and Denpasar airport to Nusa Penida. It’s easy to get around Bali using taxis, so you should be able to easily get to one of the ferry ports in order to travel to Nusa Penida.
The main decision you have to make is whether to book your ferry ticket online and then make your own way to the ferry port, or whether to book through a travel agent in Bali as they should arrange a transfer to the port as part of the price. If you only want to do a day trip then you also have the option of doing a Nusa Penida tour.
As you’d expect, you will generally end up paying more if booking through a travel agent as they also have to cover the cost of the transfer. On the other hand, if you’re booking your ferry ticket online you will have to pay for your transport to the ferry port. If you’re going to arrange your own transport we recommend using Grab or GoJek.
Click here to book ferry tickets to Nusa Penida!
Alternatively, if you’re pushed for time then you may prefer to take a day trip to Nusa Penida. Tours to the island run from a number of spots around Bali, including Ubud, Canggu, Kuta and more.
Klook offer a wonderful day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida, with prices starting from just 525,000 Rupiah per person. Considering this includes a return ferry trip as well as transport around the island it works out as pretty incredible value!
Click here to book a day trip to Nusa Penida through Klook!
If you do have the time we definitely recommend staying at least one night on Nusa Penida, but if not then the above tour is the next best option!
Fast boat from Gili Islands to Nusa Penida
Boats also run directly from the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida, which is extremely convenient if you want to visit without having to go back via mainland Bali. Thankfully it’s possible to get a boat from all 3 of the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida, so it’s an easy enough journey regardless of whether you stay on Gili Trawangan, Gili Air or Gili Meno.
The journey should take around 2-3 hours depending on the operator and how calm the sea is. Tickets from the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida start from 250,000 Rupiah per person, with prices reaching 670,000 Rupiah per person depending on the operator.
It’s best to book in advance as there are only 2 ferries from the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida each day, so availability is limited. Booking in advance is even more important if you’re visiting in July or August, as this is the peak season in Bali.
Both boats depart around midday, so there is no real advantage of paying for the more expensive boat. If you want to guarantee a spot on the cheaper ferry then it’s important to book in advance as it’s likely to sell out first!
Click here to book tickets from the Gili Islands to Nusa Penida!
Not sure how to get to the Gili Islands? Read our guide on getting from Bali to the Gili Islands!
Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida
Technically the quickest way to get from Bali to Nusa Penida is to take the boat from Nusa Lembongan. The Nusa Islands are actually part of Bali, so getting the ferry from Nusa Lembongan is the fastest way there as it only takes around 10 minutes.
To get the ferry from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida you need to make your way to the yellow bridge, which connects the island with Nusa Ceningan. Boats run from nearby the bridge every morning once they have eight or more passengers looking to make the journey to Penida.
There is a ticket booth close to the bridge which sells fixed price boat tickets for 60,000 Rupiah one-way from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida, or 120,000 Rupiah for a return trip. The boats run to and from Toya Pakeh harbour on Penida Island, so you’ll need to figure out transport from there.
It’s possible to rent a bike/scooter near the harbour, but we personally don’t recommend this option as the roads on Nusa Penida aren’t in great condition. Even experienced drivers can have accidents on the island due to the bad roads, so we personally suggest getting a taxi. Alternatively, if you’re staying on the island then your accommodation may be able to help arrange transport for when you arrive.
If you want to book transport in advance then we recommend booking a private car through Klook. You can either head to your accommodation to drop off your bags and then begin exploring the island, or alternatively just drop off your bags later in the day and start discovering what Penida has to offer straight away!
Click here to book a private taxi on Nusa Penida through Klook!
Toya Pakeh harbour is conveniently located on the west side of the island, which is home to some of Nusa Penida’s top attractions including Kelingking beach and Angel’s Billabong. This means if you’re only visiting on a day trip you should have the time to visit these beautiful spots before returning to Nusa Lembongan.
Where to stay in Nusa Penida
Budget
To check out budget options in Nusa Penida click here!
Mid-Range
Govardhan Bungalow
Govardhan Bungalow is one of the best value properties on the island that offers a swimming pool. Having a pool is perfect if you plan to spend a few days in Nusa Penida, as you can split your time between exploring the island and relaxing poolside.
Staff at the property are super helpful and friendly, and to top if off you’ll receive a free transfer to and from the ferry port – which saves you paying for a taxi! Rooms start from 538,000 Rupiah per night, with breakfast included in the price.
Click here to check out the wonderful Govardhan Bungalow on Booking.com!
Treat Yourself!
Semabu Hills Hotel
Semabu Hills Hotel is undeniably one of the best hotels and accommodation in Nusa Penida. The hotel has an amazing infinity pool with views over towards the famous Mount Agung on mainland Bali. As you’d expect, it’s a truly brilliant place to watch sunrise and sunset!
The rooms at the property are luxurious and air conditioned, and there’s a restaurant on site at the hotel too. Staff are also extremely helpful and will happily assist you in booking tours around Nusa Penida.
Prices start at 844,000 Rupiah per night, with breakfast included in the price.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Semabu Hills Hotel on Booking.com!
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