How to Get Around In Nusa Penida: Ultimate Guide to Exploring Bali’s Wildest Island

Last Updated on November 10, 2025

Are you planning an overnight stay or just a day trip to Nusa Penida?

Here’s something you should know — getting around in Nusa Penida isn’t exactly a smooth ride. Unlike other parts of Bali (or even its neighbor, Nusa Lembongan), this island plays by its own rules.

There’s no Gojek or Grab in Nusa Penida, the roads are some of the bumpiest in Bali, and reaching those breathtaking viewpoints can take longer than you’d expect. That’s why planning how you’ll get around ahead of time is very wise.

In this post, I’m sharing how to get around in Nusa Penida based on my own experience — plus a few tips on what to do if you’re not planning on driving yourself.

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How To Get To Nusa Penida From Bali

The best way to get to Nusa Penida is by fast boat from Sanur Harbor.

Boats depart every day and take around 30–45 minutes to reach Banjar Nyuh Harbor on the western side of the island.

Ferries from Sanur start around 7:00 am, and the last one returning from Nusa Penida usually leaves around 5:00 pm. You can purchase your tickets in advance here.

If you’re planning to explore the island on your own during a day trip, the earlier you take the ferry, the better. Most tours reach Nusa Penida around 9 am, so leaving earlier is the best way to avoid the morning crowds.

How to Get Around in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is the largest of the Nusa Islands, covering around 200 km², and its most iconic sights are located on the western and eastern coasts.

On the western side, close to the harbour, you’ll find the most accessible spots like Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay.

On the opposite end, in the east, are Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, the Rumah Pohon Tree House, and the breathtaking Thousand Islands Viewpoint.

The inland area you’ll cross when heading toward the east is incredibly wild. The scenery is stunning — long stretches of jungle and endless green hills — but the roads are another story.

Expect bumpy, narrow paths with big potholes and uneven sections that can be tricky to navigate, whether you’re on a scooter. And to top it off, getting from the harbour area in the northwest to the eastern viewpoints can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. That’s why planning how to get around in Nusa Penida is essential.

1. Scooter Rental

The first option is to rent a scooter — without a doubt, the most affordable and flexible way to get around Nusa Penida.

Renting a scooter usually costs between IDR 80,000 ($5) and IDR 200,000 ($12) per day, depending on the model. Around the harbor area, you’ll find plenty of rental shops as soon as you step off the ferry, especially along Jl. Raya Toyapakeh.

You can also book in advance if you prefer to choose your model — Bikago is a popular service that lets you reserve your scooter online and pick it up directly in Nusa Penida.

The biggest advantage of having your own scooter is the flexibility — you can explore at your own pace and easily avoid the traffic jams that sometimes build up near the harbor or along the main roads.

It’s definitely the best option if you’re planning to explore the western side of Nusa Penida, where most of the main sights are located. But I’ll be honest — driving for two hours on those bumpy, uneven roads toward the east is not exactly fun.

2. Hiring a Driver in Nusa Penida

The second option — and probably the best compromise between driving yourself and joining a tour — is to hire a driver for the day. You can still follow your own itinerary (and maybe leave a little earlier than most tours), but without the stress of driving on Nusa Penida’s bumpy roads.

Of course, it’s a bit more expensive than renting a scooter, but the good news is that entrance fees in Nusa Penida are relatively low, so you can easily balance out the cost.

When hiring a driver, you can expect to pay around IDR 600K-800K/day ($30 – $50). If there’s more than one person, it will be more convenient.

If you’re looking for a reliable Nusa Penida driver, you can check this one. You can usually choose between a half-day hire (6 hours) or a full-day hire (8 hours). Departure is typically between 7 and 8 am, and in both cases, you can completely customize your itinerary.

3. Joining a Tour

Joining a Nusa Penida tour is my least favorite option (and the one I had to choose as I was with my not-so-adventurous parents).

You’ll likely have to stick to fixed departure times, which usually means everyone arrives at the main sights at the same time. You also won’t have much flexibility in choosing your stops or deciding how long to stay at each one.

Most tours to Nusa Penida depart from Bali and include the ferry ticket, entrance fees, car transportation, and sometimes even lunch. If it’s an all-inclusive package, you might actually save a bit compared to hiring a private driver.

There are plenty of options to choose from: West Nusa Penida tours, East Nusa Penida tours, combined full-day itineraries, off-the-beaten-path routes, and, of course, snorkeling tours. I’ll link some of my favorites in the next section.

If I had to do it again, I’d rent a scooter to explore the western side of the island (closer to the harbour) and hire a driver to explore the East.

Best Tours of Nusa Penida

Here are a couple of tours you can consider joining if you don’t want to ride the scooter yourself:

🌅 East Side All-Inclusive Tour: This tour covers the main sights on the east side of Nusa Penida (Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, Roman Pohon Tree House & Viewpoints) plus Teletubbies Hill — a landscape of stunning half-spherical green hills stretching for kilometers.

🌴 West Side All-Inclusive Tour: This experience includes the famous West Side locations (Kelinking Beach, Broken Beach, Angels’ Billabong), pick-up and drop-off in Sanur, a ferry ticket, and even lunch.

🌏 East & West Side Tour: This is a very packed itinerary that includes Diamond and Atuh Beach on the east side, and Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Kelingking Beach on the west. Everything is included in the tour except for meals and optional photo fees.

🧭 Nusa Penida Off-The-Beaten-Path (Ideal for Second-Time Visitors): This tour takes you to the Goa Giri Putri Temple (the most sacred on the island), Teletubbies Hill, Semaya Village and its traditional seaweed farms, and the stunning Beaches on the east side.

🛏️ 2-Day Nusa Penida Tour: If I could do it all over again, I’d definitely stay overnight in Nusa Penida. This is 100% the tour I’d book: it’s a slow travel experience that takes you to hidden paths and lets you get to know the island beyond the most touristy spots.

The Best Area to Stay in Nusa Penida

The best area to stay in Nusa Penida, especially if you’re not planning to rent a scooter, is around Toyapakeh Harbour. As I mentioned earlier, the island’s inland and eastern parts are wilder and have fewer tourism facilities.

The western side is where you’ll find most restaurants, cafés, hotels, scooter rentals, and even a few yoga studios. Plus, if you’re not driving yourself, this is where most Nusa Penida drivers and tours start and end their pick-ups and drop-offs.

Another perk is that Crystal Bay, one of the island’s most swimmable beaches, is just a short ride away — perfect if you want to include some downtime in your itinerary.

Staying on the eastern side, closer to Diamond Beach, is possible too, but it does feel more remote. Restaurants are more spread out, and far fewer travelers choose to stay there. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a quieter experience, that’s definitely the spot for you.

Is There Grab/Gojek on Nusa Penida?

Nope — ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab aren’t available on Nusa Penida. That’s why you’ll need to rely on renting a scooter, hiring a driver, or joining a tour to get around.

If you’re comfortable driving yourself, even over longer distances, renting your own transport is definitely the way to go. If not, hiring a driver is absolutely worth the extra cost.

There you go! Hopefully, this mini guide helped you decide how to get around in Nusa Penida during your overnight stay or day trip.

If you’re still planning your day trip and not sure what to include in your itinerary, here I share my take on the East vs. West Nusa Penida debate — and whether it’s actually possible to visit both sides in one day.

If you found this helpful post, make sure to share it! And don’t hesitate to drop any questions in the comments about traveling around the Nusa Islands or Bali in general — I’m happy to help!

Articles You May Like If You’re Exploring The Nusa Islands

• Diamond Beach Guide: 5 Reasons Why It’s the Best Beach on Nusa Penida
• Nusa Penida Or Nusa Lembongan: Which Nusa Island Should You Visit?
• Nusa Islands Vs Gili Islands: What’s the Best Island Escape for You?
• 13 Unforgettable Things to Do in Nusa Lembongan: Beaches, Views & Island Vibes

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