Ultimate Guide: Traveling from Bali and Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Penida

Located just 25 kilometers from Bali is the beautiful, exotic island of Nusa Penida, and it’s very easy to get to Nusa Penida from Bali!

It’s a much smaller island than Bali, yet it boasts some of the most stunning scenery in the entire Bali province, of which it is a part.

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely seen all of the incredible Instagram photos from this location and are now eager to find out how to get there. The good news is that it’s relatively simple.

Read on for a comprehensive guide on how to reach Nusa Penida from Bali or Nusa Lembongan!

Nusa Penida Day Tour Packages

Firstly, if you’re on a constrained schedule or prefer to skip the additional steps in arranging your own trip to Nusa Penida, GetYourGuide offers prearranged day trips to Penida, including hotel transfers, fast boat tickets, island tours, and same-day return to Bali.

We’ve opted for GetYourGuide for various day tours and activities globally, and they’ve consistently been great. Highly recommended!

How to Get to Nusa Penida from Bali

From Bali, the only method to reach Nusa Penida is via speedboat or ferry, with the speedboat journey lasting approximately 45 minutes.

There’s no airport in Nusa Penida, hence the closest airport is the international airport in Bali (DPS). You can search for international flights to Bali using Skyscanner.

A number of speedboat companies operate daily trips to Penida, all departing from the Sanur area of Bali at various times.

If you’re located in Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, or other regions of south Bali, you can drive to Sanur to catch a boat. Some boat companies even include shuttle services from these areas in their ticket prices.

The location in this map indicates the newly established general departure point for all speedboat companies operating routes to the Nusa islands from Sanur Bali.

Previously, passengers had to load speedboats directly from the beach, requiring them to wade through knee-deep water to board, which was inconvenient and hazardous, especially with luggage.

However, since late 2022, a newly constructed harbor in Sanur now offers comfortable waiting rooms and a pier, allowing passengers to step directly onto the boats without getting their feet wet. This has greatly improved the boarding experience! We plan to share photos of the new harbor soon.

To protect my camera, drone, and other sensitive items from water, I prefer using a 30 liter Earth Pak dry bag when visiting Penida. This way, if I happen to slip while boarding, my belongings remain safe.

How to Book a Speedboat

You can reserve your speedboat tickets online (or via WhatsApp) or choose to purchase them in person if that’s your preference. I highly recommend booking tickets in advance, as these boats have become increasingly popular.

My personal choice for booking speedboat tickets would be Klook, which provides numerous departure and return time slots every day. You can easily secure a booking here.

These speedboats are equipped with plenty of lifejackets at every seat. From my experience with numerous trips to Penida, I’ve fortunately never needed them, but the waves can be rough at times, so it’s good they prioritize safety.

You can choose from six different boat companies operating out of Sanur, with prices being quite reasonable. The boat options include Axe Stone, Semabu, Sanjaya, Wijaya, Maruti, or Ray Fish, and my personal preference would be Axe Stone.

Extras like scooter rentals, private cars with drivers, or island tours can also be booked through them, ensuring they will be ready to meet you upon arrival!

Other Speedboat Companies

There are numerous speedboat companies connecting Bali and Nusa Penida. The ones mentioned above are merely examples.

To provide further options, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of companies available for your journey.

The Speedboat Journey by Sea

The speedboat trip from Bali to Penida typically lasts around 45 minutes.

Generally, it’s quite comfortable, but the comfort level depends on the wave conditions on the day of your journey. You can check the wind and wave forecasts for Sanur at Wisuki. If the forecast indicates waves over 2 meters high, you might have a bumpy ride.

Even if you occasionally encounter rough seawater, it’s worth noting that there have been no reported sinkings on this route, and the distance is relatively short from Bali. In case of extremely poor weather, boats may cancel or delay crossings, but such instances are rare.

The boats have an enclosed design with small side windows for fresh air. Occasionally, they may allow passengers to sit on top, which offers fewer seats but much better views!

Overall, the journey passes quickly, and you’ll soon find yourself on the Nusa islands!

Padang Bai Ferry to Nusa Penida

Lastly, an alternative option for reaching Nusa Penida from Bali is the ferry service operating from Padang Bai (also known as Padang Bay).

The ferry to Penida departs at 10:00 and 14:00 daily, with the journey lasting between 60-90 minutes and costing less than speedboats (the one-way fare is 31k Rupiah).

This ferry allows you to bring your vehicle or scooter from mainland Bali to Nusa Penida, although additional charges apply.

Personally, I prefer speedboats over ferries in Indonesia unless there’s no alternative. The savings are minimal, and safety standards for ferries can be subpar. My last ferry experience on this route found the vessel overloaded with insufficient lifejackets.

However, if transporting your own scooter or car to Penida is a priority, the ferry remains your only option.

How to Get to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan / Ceningan

My travels to Penida have only been from Bali, but reaching it from nearby Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan is equally straightforward.

This route departs throughout the day near the Yellow Bridge between Lembongan/Ceningan and takes about 15 minutes to arrive at Penida.

As of 2024, the one-way fare is 90k Rupiah per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it Possible to Do the Boat on the Same Day as a Flight?

It’s feasible to take the boat to or from Nusa Penida on the same day as your Bali flight, although I wouldn’t advise it unless you have ample time between connections.

For instance, if your flight arrives in Bali in the morning, you should be safe taking an afternoon or evening boat to Penida island on the same day. The reverse holds generally true; however, if your international flight is costly, I wouldn’t recommend risking it.

Based on my experience, boats from the Nusa islands typically operate on schedule with minor delays. However, in the event of inclement weather, boats may be delayed or canceled for the day. Such happenings are uncommon but have occurred.

Once, while visiting Penida, my friend and I faced canceled fast boats due to severe winds. We managed to return to Bali on the same day via the slow ferry, but arrived at Padang Bai harbor which is farther from town, resulting in a several-hour delay.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on how much time you have between connections, the cost of your flight, and your risk tolerance. For the utmost safety, consider scheduling your Penida trip on a separate day from your Bali flight; nonetheless, in some cases, completing both on the same day can be viable.

More Nusa Penida Travel Tips

Searching for additional information about the beautiful island of Nusa Penida in Bali?

Don’t forget to explore my comprehensive Nusa Penida Travel Guide, which includes free tips, maps, photos, and more.

This island is overflowing with picturesque beaches, cliffs, caves, and snorkeling sites!

Where to Stay in Nusa Penida

Where We Stayed

We opted for Saren Villa on the north coast of Nusa Penida, paying 240k Rupiah ($15 USD) for a private double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and decent WiFi.

This represents one of the most economical choices in Penida, conveniently located near the best eateries! We were very satisfied.

Be aware that prices may vary, so keep an eye out for advantageous deals.