An up-to-date travel guide for how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali by boat, including Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, and neighboring Lombok Island.
Have you been traveling in Bali or Lombok and wondering how to get to Nusa Penida? In this travel guide, I’ll provide you with updated information for you to do just that.
I keep this article updated throughout the year so it is still the most up-to-date transport guide to Nusa Penida from Bali and Lombok you’ll find online.
To summarize, you’ll find two options for getting to Nusa Penida from Bali and Lombok. These include the independent option (for those looking to stay on the island), and the top-rated day-trip option which covers some of the best Nusa Penida highlights and gets you back to Bali on the same day.
Quick Answer: How to Get to Nusa Penida From Bali on a Day Tour
If you don't have the luxury of spending a few days on the island, then another option is to book an epic day tour from Bali. As you might expect, there are dozens of tour companies offering trips but be warned they are not all equal!
I highly recommend booking a Nusa Penida day trip tour with a local company. My favorite is Four Elements, which offers several great trip options from Bali.
The two most popular day trips are their Adventure Tour and the Epic Tour. These include the best highlights of the Nusa Penida West Tour and the Nusa Penida East Tour such as:
- Angel's Billabong
- Pasih Ugg Beach
- Kelingking Beach
- Diamond Beach
- Thousand Island Viewpoint
- Nusa Penida Treehouse
- Teletubbies Hill
- Snorkeling trip - swim with Manta Rays
Travel for 2 or 3 Days on Nusa Penida
Want to spend more time on the island? Four Elements also offer a 2-day tour and a 3-day tour directly from Bali!
How to Get to Nusa Penida From Bali Via Ferry (Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak)
For those looking to get to Nusa Penida from Bali, you'll want to know that the fast ferries heading to the islands depart from two locations.
- The port town in Sanur - is located on the southeast coast of Bali, approximately 30 minutes from Kuta, or 1 hour from Canggu.
- The new port at Pemelisan Harbor - is also located on the southeast coast of Bali.
My recommendation for those looking to get to Nusa Penida from Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta is to book the fast-ferry ticket departing from Sanur as this includes a van/shuttle transfer to the port. This means you won't need to worry about paying for a Grab or Taxi to the ferry terminal, which would end up making the independent option much more expensive.
Additionally, below I've included the ferry timetable, but this is available on the booking page. This deal with GYG isn't for a single boat but allows you to choose any of the fast boat ferries to the island at the cheapest rate.
If you head to Sanur independently, you'll need to try to barter down to that price for a fast boat as well, which is the mistake I made the first time I visited.
Fast-Boat Timetable
The fast-boats from Sanur Beach Port to Nusa Penida run 7 days a week on the following timetable.
Note that if the weather is too rough, the boats will not run. This is a little bit hard to predict but if you book in advance with Klook you'll either get your money back straight away or you can request a rescheduled departure.
This is one of the reasons why I recommend Klook over booking on the street.
What About From Ubud?
Getting to Nusa Penida from Ubud is a little trickier as the distance is much greater. At this time, there aren't any fast-ferry tickets available to book that include a transfer to Sanur or Pemelisan Harbor.
However, you can organize transport in Ubud to get to either port. The distance driving takes roughly an hour but can definitely be longer depending on traffic. For transport options from Ubud to Sanur Harbour, I recommend checking 12Go which will give you updated times and prices for buses and taxis.
Alternatively, this full-day tour of Penida from Bali can be booked online and will include a transfer for an awesome day on Nusa Penida from Ubud.
What It's Like Taking the Nusa Penida Boat From Sanur
I've always taken the fast-ferry boat from Bali to Nusa Penida via the Sanur Port. The first time I arrived, it was certainly a little chaotic. Since I didn't book a ticket in advance, I was immediately surrounded by eager salesmen offering me some pretty ridiculous prices.
This is what I expected being in Bali but negotiating turned out to be a real pain here.
However, I did luck out the first time and chose what I consider the best boat, Sanjaya. This boat is safe, the staff is really friendly and you even get offered a coffee when you arrive. I've read good reviews about most of the fast boats but this is the one I've always taken and I can certainly recommend it.
Once you're away, expect a roughly 45-minute journey to Nusa Penida from Sanur. The old "slow boats" don't really offer trips for tourists anymore as they're kind of dangerous and have even capsized in the past. Depending on the weather, you can expect a relaxing, scenic boat ride or a wild ocean rollercoaster ride!
Baggage limits for the Nusa Penida Boat from Bali
All the fast boats seem to have the same policy. 2x bags with a total of 30KG. However, none of them weigh your bags. They'll stow them on the deck, covered with a large tarp to avoid getting them wet.
How to Get to Nusa Penida From Lombok
Exploring the incredible island of Lombok and looking for a way to get to Nusa Penida from here? In the past, this has been a little difficult and would require a stopover in Gili Trawangan and/or Nusa Lembongan.
However, as of 2023, there is now a direct fast-boat ferry running from Lombok to Nusa Penida. This departs from Bangsal Harbor (the same harbor where you get the boat to the Gili's).
This boat is called the Golden Queen Fast Boat and you can book this online on Bookaway for $32 USD for the 2.5-hour trip.
Don't Miss: Complete Lombok Travel Guide
Where to Stay on Nusa Penida Once You Arrive
Nusa Penida isn't a huge island, but there are several options to pick from when choosing where to stay. Below I've included my 3 picks for budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation.
- Luxury: Adiwana Warnakali Resort - This isn't the most expensive luxury resort on Nusa Penida but it's definitely one of the best! This resort is waterfront located with large, luxury suites and an incredibly included breakfast.
- Mid-range: Jukung Cottage - This epic, beachside resort-style cottage retreat offers great bang for buck. It features a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a shared lounge.
- Budget: Hostel Bukit Sangcure - This is the accommodation I chose in Nusa Penida. It's a cheap backpacker hostel that is close to the port and offers breakfast and bike rentals.
More Epic Travel Guides and Inspiration For Indonesia
I hope that you've found this travel guide covering how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali (Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak) and Lombok useful in planning your visit to this incredible Indonesian Island.
Once you arrive, there are so many things to do and see. So, make sure to check out some of my other articles and guides for inspiration below!
View: Nusa Penida Web Story
Toby
Sunday 24th of July 2022
Thank you for the good and really helpful article. Just adding to it, the port transfer with the speedboat on klook seems no longer included! Too bad for us :)