Nusa Penida - Island of Paradise Cliffs

Having recently appeared on travel routes, Nusa Penida has boldly entered the canon of must-see attractions for visitors vacationing in Bali. It is truly virgin territory, whose interior partially solves the mystery: “what might Bali have looked like before the era of mass tourism?” The entire island territory abounds in natural beauty.

A strip of sand occupies the north of this limestone, dry, and infertile plateau, while the south with its soaring, vertical cliffs and coastal rock zones remains isolated and partially inaccessible. The diving industry thrives on Nusa Penida as one of a few locations in the world for spotting the nearly elusive mola mola, the legendary ocean sunfish.

Nusa Penida once served as a penal colony for criminals from the Klungkung kingdom and still maintains a somewhat ominous reputation among the Balinese. On old Dutch colonial maps, Nusa Penida was labeled “banditen eiland” (bandit island). English is spoken less frequently here than on Bali, but foreigners are encouraged to interact with the friendly islanders and curious children.

After hotel pickup, check-in and a morning speedboat ride from Sanur to the main pier on Nusa Penida follow, lasting 45 minutes. The limited road network combined with their average condition and potholes means that four-wheeled vehicles are the safest way to navigate the terrain, while getting between sites despite seemingly short distances takes considerable time due to the difficult topography.

We visit Pura Goa Giri Putri, an extraordinary temple site located in a cave that has served for meditation and spiritual practices since the Neolithic era. Entry to the enormous cavern, decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, requires crawling through a very short tunnel. The cave interior can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers during religious ceremonies. Exploring this Hindu site requires wearing a garment reaching below the knees (sarong).

We drive to the eastern part of the island, home to arguably the best of the secluded beaches — Atuh. A semicircular strip of sand nestled in a charming cove faces a rocky islet of astonishing shapes. On the opposite side of the hill hides the iconic Diamond Beach, boasting dazzling turquoise waters, majestic cliffs, limestone rocks resembling diamonds — views literally pulled from postcards. Once unreachable from land, it is now accessible thanks to zigzagging steps carved into the rock, where you stop repeatedly to capture beautiful moments in photos.

A bit further on, we encounter the Instagram “invention” Molenteng, the famous treehouse offering another dose of incredible panoramic experiences. The hut is popular with tourists who pose on its steps and porch within their allotted time. Nature lovers can explore the immediate surroundings of the treehouse, stepping onto a viewing platform with a panorama of a thousand islands. Such an extraordinarily picturesque spot allows you to stop time, watch wonderful landscapes with rugged cliffs and rocky islets scattered across the sea, far from the crowds.

Visited in the afternoon session, the Kelingking cliffs are the top hit of this expedition, with breathtaking dramatic landscapes. The most eye-catching rock formation resembles the body of a T-Rex dinosaur, creating a unique backdrop for photography and exploration. Looking down the precipice, you can admire a hidden beach with crystal-clear water and a strip of immaculately white sand, against which churning seas driven by treacherous currents press. A steep and perilous path has been carved from the “dinosaur's saddle” all the way down to the beach for adventure seekers.