Nusa Penida: Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach & Crystal Bay Day Trip

Summary

Swim at Crystal Bay and see wild cliffs at Kelingking on a Nusa Penida day trip with local lunch

You’ll cross from Bali to Nusa Penida by fast boat with hotel pickup included, explore dramatic cliffs at Kelingking Beach, dip your toes or swim at Angel’s Billabong if tides allow, enjoy a simple local lunch, then relax or snorkel at Crystal Bay before heading back—expect salty hair and maybe a new favorite view.

What’s the experience like?

"You’re going to want to hold on tight," our driver grinned as we left Ubud in the half-light — honestly, I was still waking up. The road to Sanur Harbor was quiet except for the odd rooster and the smell of clove cigarettes drifting in through the window. By 7am, we were scanning barcodes at the pier, shuffling behind families and couples who all looked as sleepy as me. The fast boat ride across to Nusa Penida wasn’t exactly smooth (bring motion sickness tablets if you need them), but the sea breeze felt good on my face and I could already spot that wild blue color everyone talks about.

Our guide Wayan met us right off the boat — he wore a bright shirt and had this easy way of laughing at my attempts to say “terima kasih.” First stop: Kelingking Beach. I’d seen it online but standing above those cliffs, looking down at that T-Rex shape (it really does look like one), well… it’s different in person. There’s this salty wind up there and you can hear nothing but waves smashing below. Wayan offered to take photos (“Instagram husband service,” he joked) but honestly I just stood there for a while, trying to take it in. We wandered over to Broken Beach next, which is less crowded but has these weirdly perfect arches carved by the sea — I kept thinking how old everything here must be.

After a quick drive down some seriously bumpy roads (my advice: hang onto your hat), we reached Angel’s Billabong. It’s this natural infinity pool where the water glows almost green when the sun hits it right. Some folks braved a dip — depends on the tide — but I just dangled my feet over the edge and watched tiny fish darting around my toes. Lunch was at a small warung with plastic chairs and cold watermelon juice; nothing fancy but honestly, after all that salt air, fried noodles tasted like heaven.

Crystal Bay was our last stop. The sand is coarse and warm underfoot, and there’s always someone selling coconuts nearby. I tried snorkeling for a bit (gear’s easy to rent), saw flashes of neon fish below me, then just lay back on my towel listening to kids laughing somewhere down the beach. On the boat ride back to Bali, hair still damp from swimming, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in hours — which says something these days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nusa Penida island exploration

• Drive to Sanur Harbour
• Board fast boat to Nusa Penida
• Explore and photograph Kelingking Beach
• Visit and photograph Brocken Beach
• Explore natural infinity pool at Angel Billabong
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Swim, sunbathe, or snorkel at Crystal Bay

Top questions

How long does the Nusa Penida day trip take?

The tour starts with early morning pickup (6:00–7:30am) and returns in the late afternoon or evening after visiting several sites.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nusa Penida tour?

Yes, free pickup is included from Sanur, Kuta, Uluwatu, Ubud, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Denpasar and Legian areas.

Can vegetarians or gluten-free travelers join?

Yes, vegetarian and gluten-free meal options are available during lunch on this day trip.

What are the main stops on this Nusa Penida tour?

The itinerary includes Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Crystal Bay beach for swimming or snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No, but you can easily rent snorkeling gear on site at Crystal Bay beach during your visit.

Are entrance fees and boat tickets included?

Yes—all entrance tickets and return fast boat transfers are included in your booking.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No—it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to rough roads and boat travel.

Can people with mobility issues join this tour?

This tour requires moderate physical fitness; it may not be suitable for those with spinal injuries or limited mobility.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from major Bali areas like Ubud or Seminyak (and others), all entry fees for each site visited on Nusa Penida island, round-trip fast boat tickets between Sanur Harbor and Penida itself, parking fees along the way plus a relaxed lunch stop with both local and western dishes before returning in the evening.