When you look up things to do in Bali, there is no doubt that a day trip to Nusa Penida will pop up and it's for a good reason. After spending 2 weeks around Indonesia as a solo female traveler, my stay in Nusa Penida takes the crown for being the highlight of my entire trip. It is unfortunate that the majority of people only visit it as a day trip. I almost did the same mistake, until I came across a great deal for a stunning property.
When searching up hotels in Bali, I came across Mambo Hill Resort, and after doing some research and seeing the pictures, I was sure that it was the place I wanted to book for at least 2 nights. It looked like the perfect getaway. Now, what's the catch? Well, after checking the location, I realized that after arriving at the airport, I would have to go straight to the port, take a boat over to Nusa Penida and then grab the free shuttle over to the hotel.
This all sounds easy, until you learn (the hard way) that Google Maps cannot be trusted when in Bali. While it gave me an estimate of 30 minutes to get to the port from the airport, I decided to book a ferry within 3 hours of arrival in Bali, as there was limited boats. They stop operating after a certain time early afternoon and I did not want to risk booking the last one in case they cancel it, since I had read some reviews prior to my arrival that some of the boat companies can be a little unreliable. Ferries can fill up quickly due to the influx of people going over for the day only, thus I do not recommend waiting until you get to the port to buy a ticket (even if there are several companies to choose from).
I ended up booking my ferry with Bali Ferries. When I got in my taxi, my driver said it may take up to 2 hours, if not more, due to the traffic (even though it wasn't peak traffic time). At that point, I asked to use the toll to avoid the risk of missing my ferry. The tolls aren't included in the ride you book through Gojek, so you have to pay it as an additional fee at the end of your trip. It was worth it for me, as it cut my journey in half and I managed to get to the port 45 minutes before departure, allowing me enough time to grab some food.
The ferry ride went smoothly and I found it very organized. If you book online, you must go to the office of the boat operator to exchange it for a physical ticket. You will receive a colored lanyard (each company has their own color), along with a badge.
If you booked a return ticket, you will also get a receipt which you will need to show upon your return. Though departure time showed at 3:00 pm for my ticket, I learned that the boarding time actually starts at that time. In the terminal, they call you over for boarding based on boat operator and before getting on the boat, the staff will take any big luggage you have with you to load it for you. At this time, you will also hand them your lanyard.
Upon arrival in Nusa Penida, you will have to pay a tourist tax of 25,000 IDR (approx. $2).
The moment I arrived and found someone from the hotel waiting for me at the port, I knew I made the right choice. Keep in mind that it is a little harder to move around in Nusa Penida, unless you have a rental, since there is no ride-sharing apps. It is a smaller island, part of the Bali province, but with less crowds and less development.
The port pick up was included with my stay and they brought me right to the hotel. Check in was smooth and I felt very welcomed by the staff. I was escorted to my room, which was on the first floor as I had requested, with pool access. Out of all my travels, this was probably one of my most memorable stays and one of the best properties I have stayed at.
I loved the décor and overall aesthetic of the room. I was gifted a small pouch with essentials, such as a hairbrush, natural insect repellent, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair ties and more. A breakfast menu is included and you can place your order at the reception the day before. There is also the option of booking activities, or a massage to the room and a free shuttle that takes you to the beach club at their second property, Mambo Beach Resort.
I was so in love with my room and the stunning views it offered that I debated whether I wanted to go out or enjoy it. I only had a few minutes to freshen up and catch the shuttle to the beach if I wanted to, so I decided to check it out for a bit.
Their second property was just as beautiful. I found a place with the perfect view of sunset, and ordered my dinner, Banh Mi (my first time trying Vietnamese cuisine). It turned out to be mostly a relaxing evening, and I loved the view of the beach, hearing the waves, and seeing the sunset, so I decided to stay longer than I had planned. Later in the evening, they had some live music playing at the Beach Club.
The next morning, I had a full-day tour booked of the island and was picked up early from the hotel. We started off in the East Coast of Nusa Penida, before heading to the West Coast. Though it was a very long day and we spent a lot of time driving, the tour was worth it and one that I loved a lot. If you are interested, you can book the same one here.
If you are traveling as a group, I would suggest getting a car rental instead so you can explore more of the island and many of the stops we missed along the way, such as Teletubbies Hill and many of the beaches around the island.
Since I was solo, I opted in for a small-group guided tour, for the convenience and because of the roads on the island. The roads are narrow, with lots of turns, and accidents are highly likely to happen (especially if you travel by a scooter), hence why I chose the safer option.
Our first stop was Kelingking Beach. The beach offers an iconic view of the limestone rock formation. Upon looking at the view, you will notice that the rocks looks like the head of a T-rex. We then explored Angel Bilabong and Broken Beach. Both offered a stunning view of the area, and its beautiful blue-green waters.
While making our way to the other side of the island, our driver surprised us with a bonus stop, at another beach. This was my favourite stop on the tour, as there was no crowds, the view was stunning and it was very peaceful.
I loved hearing the waves and looking for turtles. You will get some time at each location to browse, take lots of pictures and even feed the monkeys if you like. The guide brings the food for you to do so.
Our guide drove us to a local restaurant for lunch, where we had fish, rice, chicken and salad. We then made our way to Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach. This is probably one of the most popular stops when you look up Nusa Penida. In fact, most people who come from mainland Bali for the day tour of Nusa Penida, mostly visit these popular "Instagrammable" spots and miss out on other nice spots.
You will find a swing right on the beach that offers breathtaking views of the ocean. You can rent a dress to snap the perfect picture. Right across, you will also spot the famous Molateng Tree House. You do have to pay an extra fee and wait in a long line to get a picture with the tree house and the view. I decided to opt out.
The tour, as previously mentioned, was long, but if you commute to Nusa Penida for the day trip, it will be a longer day for you. Personally, I was happy that I got to spend some extra time on the island, and I did not have to stress over making it back in time for the ferry.
That night, I decided to stay in and enjoy the sunset from the hotel, since it is the prime spot offering the best of both worlds: the best place to capture both sunrise and sunset, right from the comfort of your room, the pool and/or the restaurant.
It was then time to start getting ready to say goodbye to Nusa Penida, a place that quickly became the highlight of my trip to Indonesia. I got a free ride back to the port the next day to catch my ferry back to the island. If you are not short on time, you can easily access other neighboring islands from Nusa Penida, by taking a ferry to either Gili T or Lombok, instead of having to head back to the mainland to do so.
Would you prefer to visit Nusa Penida for the day or stay a few nights?
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