The Best Nusa Penida Beaches (You Must Visit in 2024)

Nusa Penida is well-known for its glorious beaches that mix soft white sand with clear blue waters and a dramatic cliff and jungle backdrop. But, while Nusa Penida island, off the coast of Bali, is small, many times you won't have time to visit all of them, so it's good to know which of Nusa Penida's many beaches are the very best.

Read on for my list of the 10 best beaches in Nusa Penida and what you can expect from each in this Nusa Penida beach guide. There are famous East Coast beaches, including Crystal Bay Beach, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, and Tembeling Beach, plus beautiful and remote beaches on the West Coast, such as Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach.

The 10 Best Nusa Penida Beaches

1. Crystal Bay Beach: The best sunset beach

• Location: West Coast near the Nusa Penida harbor

• Why is it special? Best sunsets on Nusa Penida

Crystal Bay Beach, on the west coast just south of Gamat Bay near the harbor, is probably the most famous beach in Nusa Penida and is often the last beach you will visit on a day trip. This is because Crystal Bay Beach is the best place to watch the sunset, looking west back over Bali. There are plenty of sunbeds available for afternoon relaxation and nice bars selling cocktails and local beers.

Crystal Bay is also a great place to go snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling gear at Crystal Bay, and many of the organized snorkeling boat trips leave from here. But beware, while the water looks calm, the currents in Crystal Bay can be extremely strong. Don't risk swimming out past the boats if you are on your own.

Read my ultimate guide to Crystal Bay Nusa Penida.

2. Diamond Beach: Descend a grand staircase

• Location: Eastern tip of Nusa Penida near Atuh Beach

• Why is it special? An epic descent down a grand staircase to a beach surrounded by diamonds

Diamond Beach is on the eastern tip of Nusa Penida near Atuh Beach. When you arrive via a path surrounded by palm trees, you will be at the top of towering cliffs that offer incredible views out over the water and nearby islands. Diamond Beach is also not far from the famous Thousand Island Viewpoint. To get to Diamond Beach itself, you must descend steep stairs that are built into the rock.

When you do descend to Diamond Beach, you will find pristine white sand, clear turquoise waters, and thousands of diamond-shaped rocks that sparkle in the sun. Diamond Beach is named for one larger diamond-shaped rock in the middle of the bay that dominates the view.

Also, read my guide to visiting Diamond Beach Nusa Penida if you're planning to visit.

3. Broken Beach: Beautiful archways

• Location: West Coast of Nusa Penida, near Angel's Billabong

• Why is it special? Incredible archways cut into the cliffs

Broken Beach is a place to stop and take incredible pictures rather than swim since the tiny cove on the west coast is not easily accessible. The cove is enclosed by a rock bridge that the water has punched several large holes in over the centuries, leaving behind what looks almost like manmade arches.

Broken Beach is a great place to take the most incredible photos, and you can walk around the entire cover on top of the cliffs, giving you various angles of Broken Beach.

4. Kelingking Beach: Famous T Rex beach

• Location: Southwest Coast of Nusa Penida

• Why is it special? Stunning rock formations, including in the shape of a dinosaur

Kelingking Beach is also known as T Rex Beach since it is best known for its giant rock formation that looks like a tyrannosaurus rex roaring into the sea. You can walk the stretch of this cliff, which has steep falls on either side and feel truly small in the grandness of nature.

You can also trek down to the beautiful Kelingking Beach below, but only if you are feeling adventurous and you are a confident hiker and climber. This is an adrenalin-raising descent!

Instead, you might want to go to nearby Angel's Billabong, which is a naturally occurring infinity pool looking out over the beach below. But be sure to visit at low tide to experience this natural wonder.

5. Tembeling Beach: Natural pool beach

• Location: West Coast of Nusa Penida, north of the Manta Point

• Why is it special? The incredible forest and natural pools

Tembeling Beach is a bit of a secret beach as it can only be reached by a fairly intense motorcycle ride through the jungle. However, once you get there, this green wonderland sitting just meters from the water is well worth exploring.

You can hike down to the secret beach, but it is quite a trek, and the waters of Tembeling Beach are rough and not ideal for swimming. Instead, on the edge of the forest, you will find a naturally occurring swimming pool, which shines as a striking and sparkling blue against the rugged jungle backdrop.

6. Atuh Beach: Rock arch beach

• Location: East Coast of Nusa Penida, near Diamond Beach

• Why is it special? Best snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing on the East Coast

Atuh Beach is the east coast of Nusa Penida's answer to Crystal Bay. Here you will find white sand beaches lapped by calm crystal waters, and just under the surface, there is plenty of colorful marine life to meet with a snorkel. Hike the surrounding rock formations for wonderful views.

Unlike many of Nusa Penida's beaches, which have limited facilities, Atuh Beach has several small beach bars. If you are staying on Nusa Penida island and you get up early enough, Atuh Beach is a great place to watch the sunrise.

7. Suwehan Beach: Towering cliffs

• Location: Southeastern Coast of Nusa Penida

• Why is it special? You can have this classic Nusa Penida beach all to yourself

While Suwehan is a truly beautiful Nusa Penida beach, it is a bit off the beaten track, so it doesn't get much tourist traffic. There are also limited facilities there, so make sure you bring your own. The beach is surrounded by steep cliffs, and you can descend to Suwehan Beach below via 300 steep stairs.

Suwehan Beach has crystal-clear turquoise water and white sand, and if you are lucky, you can spot a variety of marine life, including turtles and manta rays.

8. Pandan Beach and Puyung Beach: Hiking adventures

• Location: West Coast of Nusa Penida, just south of Crystal Bay

• Why is it special? Remote and beautiful beaches in the heart of the tourist area

If you are at Crystal Bay Beach and you decide that it is just too crowded that day, don't worry. You can take a relatively short and scenic hike over the cliff to the south to Pandan Beach, which is equally as beautiful but with fewer people.

If you are still feeling adventurous, you can then hike over the next cliff to Puyung Beach for another stunning place to take a dip. The hikes aren't overly difficult, but I recommend you wear proper shoes.

9. Lumangan Beach: Hidden beach and cave

• Location: West Coast of Nusa Penida between Broken Beach and Kelingking Beach

• Why is it special? Hidden cave and rock pools

Lumangan Beach is one of the hidden gems of Nusa Penida because it is tucked between many of the most popular beaches in Nusa Penida. It hosts several stunning cave formations that can be explored, and at low tide, there are natural rock pools that are perfect for bathing.

10. Kutampi Beach: The best beach bars and restaurants

• Location: North Coast of Nusa Penida

• Why is it special? The selection of bars and restaurants

If you are looking for a relaxing place to soak up the sun and be waited on for a few hours, then Kutampi Beach is a great choice. It is a long white sand beach serviced by a variety of bars and restaurants and plenty of facilities to relax.

The water is also calm and shallow here, so it is a great place for swimming, especially with children, on Nusa Penida.

The Best Nusa Penida Beaches – Frequently Asked Questions

📍 Where is Nusa Penida?

Nusa Penida is a small island just off the coast of Bali. It is well known for its rugged and beautiful beaches. You can catch a boat from Bali to Nusa Penida, and there is plenty of accommodation, or boat tours leave from Bali daily. Here's my full guide on how to get to Nusa Penida.

🏝️ Which of the Nusa islands has the best beaches?

Nusa Penida is part of a group of three islands that also include Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. While all three islands are known for their stunning beaches, the nicest are probably on Nusa Penida, which is also the largest of the islands. You can read my complete guide to the Nusa islands to plan your trip!

💦 Can you swim at the beaches in Nusa Penida?

While some Nusa Penida beaches are difficult to access due to the surrounding cliffs, the most easily accessible beaches are safe for swimming. However, swimmers should be aware that the currents are strong around Nuda Penida and that it is best not to swim too far out.

❓ Is the East Coast or the West Coast of Nusa Penida better for beaches?

The east coast of Nusa Penida has the most popular and famous beaches, but this is due to the closeness of the harbor and the best beaches for sunset views. The west coast of Nusa Penida has amazing beaches that are equally beautiful and are a great choice if you want fewer other tourists.

🦈 Are there sharks around Nusa Penida?

Sharks and shark attacks are rare in the seas surrounding Bali and Nusa Penida. If you do see a shark, it will probably be a small and gentle bamboo shark, which sometimes swims among the manta rays.

The best Nusa Penida beaches – Final words

If you are looking for some of Indonesia's most picturesque beaches, then you should visit the beaches in Nusa Penida.

While exploring the island, it can feel like each is more beautiful than the last, with strips of stunningly white sand, turquoise waters full of colorful marine life, and towering cliffs forming dramatic backdrops.