18 PLACES YOU MUST VISIT IN NUSA PENIDA

Nusa Penida Island is part of the Klungkung Province in Bali but is less developed than the mother island. In recent years, Nusa Penida has become a popular destination for travelers seeking adventure, places less frequented by tourists or to swim with manta rays. This island is only beginning to come out of its lethargy so if you want to explore it before its tourist boom don’t wait too long as change can happen quickly.

 A BIT OF HISTORY TO START WITH

Nusa Penida has its own dialect which is spoken nowhere else in Bali. Once this island was a land of exile for criminals and undesirables banished from the Klungkung kingdom, which earned Nusa Penida a bad reputation. Nusa Penida is the legendary home of Jero Gede Macaling the king of demons and many Balinese believe that the island is haunted by evil power and black magic. The Balinese have to go on a pilgrimage to Nusa Penida at least once in their lives to pray to appease the evil spirits and they don’t stay overnight on the island on this occasion because they are fearful of the island.

The roads of Nusa Penida are not in good condition but infrastructure work has been done recently to remedy this, but this does not prevent some places are still difficult to access.

#1 – BROKEN BEACH

It is a rock-shaped coastal formation located on the southwest coast of Nusa Penida. This place is marked by its arch-shaped formation where the waves of the Indian Ocean come to crash. Broken Beach is a great spot for amateur photographers and those looking for panoramic views. Adjacent to this spot there are also macaques. Also if you are lucky you may be able to spot the silhouettes of these beautiful creatures as manta rays swimming close to the surface of the water.

# 2 – ATUH BEACH

In Nusa penida, the access to Atuh Beach is worth the effort: driving on a rough road and one of those descents to do on foot but this incredible little cove is worth all the effort.

# 3 – THE CAVE : GOA GIRI PUTRI

One of the cultural attractions of the island. To get to this cave where there is a temple you will pass signs along the main street Ped Buyuk. An altar and a temple guardian guard the entrance to this cave, which is unique in that it can only be accessed through a narrow opening in the rocks. You will have to remember to bend down enough to access the cellar which is incredibly spacious, it is said that this cellar can accommodate up to 5,000 people. And no, it’s not as dark down there as you might imagine because the electricity was installed in this cave a few years ago. There are several Hindu temples in this cellar as well as one for Buddhists. People come here to pray for protection, prosperity but especially for spiritual purity. The Balinese believe that by visiting this cave they can cure diseases.

# 4 – CRYSTAL BAY

It is a bay with 200 meters of white sand on the west coast of Nusa Penida. In spite of its isolation the bay is rather well accessible thanks to its developed access roads. In addition to its palm-filled beach, the bay is well known for its beautiful snorkeling area. Close to the shore you can swim, but you have to pay attention to the currents that are present in Nusa Penida.

# 5 – PEGUYANGAN WATERFALL

This spring that flows into the sea has to be earned! You will have to conquer more than 750 steps including 450 metres of vertiginous descent since the staircase in question is built along the cliff. It is better not to look down to avoid panic. Adventurous this waterfall is calling you!

# 6 – TEMPLE SEGARA KIDUL

Few people know about this temple, which is difficult to access. As you will have understood the infrastructures of Nusa Penida are not yet fully developed, the Segara Kidul temple is located near the Peguyangan waterfall that we were talking about just before and you will have to take the 700 steps that lead to this temple where the statue of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul or known as Nyi Roro Kidu who is the queen of the southern sea and whose color is green. It is believed that it is better not to wear green if you are at the seaside because you risk getting swept away by a wave. There are also 3 altars at this temple for Vishnu, Brahma, Shiave and also a sacred spring where the Balinese take the opportunity to purify themselves.

# 7 – THE TELETUBBIES HILLS

If you’ve heard of Teletubbies you’ll surely remember these 4 children’s characters and the sets of this show. And as the resemblance jumps out with these hills of Nusa Penida to those of Teletubbies they have taken the nickname Teletubbies Hills / Bukit Telettubies. It is better to go there in the morning or late afternoon to avoid suffering too much from the heat.

# 8 -TEMPLE POINT / BUDDHA TEMPLE

The Temple Point or also known as Buddha Temple is located between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida and is unique. At a depth of 7 meters, statues of Buddha and stupa have been placed there. On a Buddha there is even an anemone which gives the impression that the statue has hair on its head. Lovers of the sea you will be enchanted by this spot!

# 9 – ANGEL’S BILLABONG

A magical place that offers itself to you with this magnificent infinity pool and its bewitchingly coloured waters. But don’t be fooled by the beauty of this pool which can be dangerous. Indeed some people have already died there when they were swept away by a wave without any chance to survive because of the strong currents. We therefore advise you not to gamble your life just for a picture …

# 10. THE T REX OF NUSA PENIDA: KELINGKING

When we talk about Nusa Penida this place is the one that has become the icon of this island. Lovers of photography will be delighted. In any case note that it is a great adventure to go down to the beach and especially to go back up.

# 11 – TANGLAD WEAVING VILLAGE

This village is located on a hill, the road leading to it is something but it is worth seeing. Life in this beautiful village is peaceful. You will be able to see the women weaving in their homes, a job that sometimes takes several months of work to complete.

# 12 – SUWEHAN BEACH

Another beautiful beach of Nusa penida that some compare to the beach of Dreamland in Bali. Like many beaches of Nusa Penida still a staircase to access it, in any case it remains little frequented.

# 13 – CAR TEMPLE: THE PALUANG TEMPLE

A unique and interesting place with its 2 cars placed there in this temple and serve as altars. What might seem to be should cars are not it is simply the shape given to these altars made of stone. Discover the history of this unusual temple!

# 14 – THE PERCHED HOUSE OF NUSA PENIDA : RUMAH POHON

Located at the Thousand Islands viewpoint this is one of the attractions of the island and is not far from Atuh beach. This house is known thanks to the pictures on Instagram that were taken there. Please note that this house can be rented but you should not have high expectations about its comfort or cleanliness, you are warned.

# 15 – MANTA POINT

One of the reasons why travelers like to go to Nusa Penida: to try to swim with manta rays in snorkeling or diving. The Manta Point is actually the cleaning station for the manta rays in the area, but as they are wild animals it is not always guaranteed that you will be able to see them. Also to know that there is current at this place, we advise you to organize your sea trip to this spot with real diving clubs even if it will be a little more expensive than taking a local with your boat. Safety is priceless and we already have customers who have done a snorkeling trip to Manta Point just by passing by a local with his boat and told us that they feared for their safety in the water because of the currents and the lack of supervision of the organizer of this excursion. So to be sure to leave with memorable memories, we really advise you to follow our advice.

# 16 – TEMPLE: PURA DALAM PENETERAN PED

The Ped temple is the best known temple of Nusa Penida it is also known as Pura Penataran Agung Ped, it contains a sanctuary dedicated to Jero Gede Macaling. It is a source of power for those who practice black magic and a place of pilgrimage for those who seek protection from evil and disease. Legend has it that anyone who prays or meditates at this temple will receive the balance between the corporeal world and the invisible world.

#17- TEMBELING FOREST NATURAL SWIMMING POOL

It’s a great place for a nice hike and offers a beautiful view of nature and a quiet atmosphere. If you like walking the Tembeling forest is the perfect choice for you, the descent is through thick, green vegetation and the forest is filled with the melodious calls of native birds. After reaching the end of the path you will be rewarded with a swim in the pools.  The Tembeling forest has 2 pools, one spiritual and one for men and one for women. If you go even further, a beautiful beach will appear at the end of the path and you will not want to leave again.

#18 – SEGANING CASCADE

Adrenaline lovers, this stunt is for you! Small reward at the end of this dangerous staircase the waterfall and the sea view.