Last week, during the full moon ceremony (Purnama) at Toya Pakeh, I walked from the temple to the nearest shore bar as the island's coconut lanterns still swung in the humid breeze. I am Pebri — a dive instructor, photographer and island local for over 10 years — and that night I watched guides, boat crews and resort staff trade stories over bépasih (local rice plates) and kopi tubruk while manta-watch boats bobbed shoulder-to-shoulder in the moonlight. This article is the guide I wish I could have handed every guest who came to my dive resort that week: a practical, insider map to the beach clubs and bars where locals actually hang out — complete with prices, GPS pointers, travel times, booking tips and the unvarnished local etiquette you need to blend in.

Main stops: Where locals really meet (and why)

Below I list places I personally visited or met colleagues at during the full moon evening and in the days surrounding it. All prices were noted during Purnama week in October 2025 (I include USD conversions using ~IDR 15,000 = 1 USD). GPS coordinates are given as approx. — always check on arrival because small businesses move or change entrances.

Penida Colada Beach Club (local shift after sunset)

Why locals go: Staff from dive boats (Toyapakeh and Sampalan) finish late and gather here for cold Bintang and grilled fish. Good for post-night-dive debriefs.

• Approx. GPS: -8.72210, 115.45190 (Toyapakeh shoreline, approx.)
• Typical price: Bintang bottle IDR 30,000 (~USD 2.00); Nasi Campur IDR 40,000 (~USD 2.70)
• Opening hours: 08:00–23:30 (extended on ceremony nights)
• Travel time: 5–12 min scooter from most Dive Resorts Nusa Penida near Toyapakeh

Sandy Bay Beach Club (Sukawati side) — local evenings

Why locals go: Young dive guides and photographers who finished afternoon shoots come here for sunsets and simple DJ nights during Purnama.

• Approx. GPS: -8.71340, 115.46680
• Typical price: Cocktail IDR 80,000 (~USD 5.30); Warung snack (tempe, pisang goreng) IDR 15,000 (~USD 1.00)
• Opening hours: 10:00–00:00; DJs 20:00+ on full moon/high season
• Travel time: 15–25 min scooter from Crystal Bay / Atuh area depending on road

Warung Sunrise (Peselatan / Banjarangan) — the real local hangout

Why locals go: Bu Sari runs the kitchen; boat crew, dive guides and scooter drivers arrive early for kopi and stay through the lunch rush. When the Purnama ceremony finished last week, Pak Made (a dive boat mechanic I know) ate two plates of grilled snapper and invited us to his family celebration.

• Approx. GPS: -8.72360, 115.47820 (road-side warung, ask for Bu Sari)
• Typical price: Kopi tubruk IDR 8,000 (~USD 0.55); Ikan Bakar Komplit IDR 55,000 (~USD 3.70)
• Opening hours: 06:30–16:00 (closed late; not a bar but locals linger)
• Travel time: 10–20 min from major Dive Resorts Nusa Penida depending on location

Costs & comparison

Place	Avg drink	Avg meal	Atmosphere	Pros/Cons
Penida Colada	IDR 30k (~USD 2)	IDR 40k (~USD 2.7)	Post-dive social	Pros: Close to Toyapakeh; Cons: Busy nights
Sandy Bay	IDR 80k (~USD 5.3)	IDR 45k (~USD 3)	Sunset + DJs	Pros: Scenic; Cons: Higher drink prices
Warung Sunrise	IDR 8k (~USD 0.55)	IDR 55k (~USD 3.7)	Local warung	Pros: Authentic; Cons: No late drinks

Actionable steps: How to experience the true local scene (step-by-step)

• Step 1 — Book your dive day early: Reserve dives through your Dive Resort Nusa Penida desk 2–3 days ahead during Purnama week. I work with dive operators like Putra Dive and Manta Point Divers; they combine surface intervals with a stop at Penida Colada if time allows. Cost: dive boat transfer ~IDR 400,000–550,000 (~USD 27–37) per day from resort complete with gear.
• Step 2 — Rent a scooter from a trusted local: I recommend renting from Pak Made at Made Motorbike Rental — IDR 70,000/day (~USD 4.70) with helmet and basic roadside help. Always check brakes and lights before leaving.
• Step 3 — Time it with Purnama / sunset: For the ceremony nights, leave the dive center at 5:00 PM to join locals at the temple then move to a beach club after 20:00 when music and gatherings start.
• Step 4 — Order local plates: Ask for nasi campur or ikan bakar and try kopi tubruk. Tip 5–10% in cash is appreciated for small warungs.

Booking tips, opening hours and seasonal notes

• Full moon (Purnama) and the following night are busiest — book any reserved seating 3–7 days in advance via WhatsApp or ask your dive resort to book (many have local contacts).
• High season (July–September) and Purnama weeks: expect drink prices to rise 10–20% and road times to double because of traffic.
• Low season (Jan–Mar): several beach clubs close for maintenance; Warung Sunrise usually remains open.

Insider money/time-saving tricks

• Bring cash (IDR): ATMs exist in Toyapakeh and Sampalan but often run out. I recommend withdrawing IDR 500,000 upon arrival (covers 2–4 nights of local eats and drinks).
• Share plates: Local groups share snacks; splitting fish/seafood saves IDR 20k–40k each.
• Ask your dive guide for a local discount: many beach bars give small discounts for dive staff or regulars — say hi to Pak Wayan or Luh who often work the door.

Safety and real incidents I’ve seen

On the night of Purnama two years ago, one guest slipped on wet steps at a cliff bar after too many drinks — no ambulance reached us quickly because narrow roads delay response. My safety tips:

• Never drink and scooter: If you drink, take a taxi-boat back with a dive driver. A taxi-boat from Toyapakeh to Sampalan typically IDR 150,000 (~USD 10) late evening.
• Wear proper shoes for cliff-side bars — steps are uneven and unlit.
• Emergency contacts: Balinese general emergency number 112 (approx.); ask your resort for the nearest clinic number — many resorts keep a private medic on call.

Cultural etiquette and local phrases

• When you meet locals at a ceremony or temple: say "Selamat malam" (se-lah-mat mah-lahm) for good evening.
• Respect the temple grounds during Purnama: wear modest clothes, keep noise low, and never step over offerings (canang).
• Pay with right hand and say "Terima kasih" (te-ree-mah kah-seeh) when given food or change.

Photography and Instagram tips

• Shoot during magic hour before sunset at Sandy Bay for golden light on cliffs.
• Bring a fast prime (35mm or 50mm) for low-light shots at evening bars — I used f/1.8 settings to capture lantern-lit faces without flash which locals dislike.
• Ask before photographing people in ceremonies — many will say yes if you offer a small donation or a respectful nod.

Responsible tourism and local respect

Support local warungs like Bu Sari's by ordering local dishes (not imported beer only). Bring reusable straws and ask bars to skip plastic where possible. If you plan to photograph Purnama ceremonies, offer a small donation (IDR 10,000–50,000) to the temple box — it’s appreciated and helps maintain the site.

Troubleshooting & common problems

• No seats? Walk 100–300 m along the beach; staff often move chairs from patios to create space for dive crews.
• Lost wallet/phone after a late bar: go back with a friend immediately — many times locals hand found items to the nearest warung or the pier office (ask for Pak Agus at Toyapakeh office).
• Scooter breakdown: Most rentals include roadside assistance; call your renter or walk to the nearest warung and ask for Pak Made — he usually fixes small issues for IDR 50,000–100,000.

Conclusion — my personal picks

If you stay at a Dive Resorts Nusa Penida property, do these three things: 1) Ask your resort to schedule a short beach-club stop after an afternoon dive (Penida Colada is ideal); 2) Visit Warung Sunrise for morning coffee and authentic island food; 3) Reserve a sunset table at Sandy Bay on Purnama night. Those three spots gave me the best local conversations, the most honest fish plates, and the truest sense of island rhythm during last week’s full moon ceremony — and that is the whole point of island life: community, hospitality and a cool place to sit after a long day of diving.

Seen something change since Purnama week? Tell me — I update this guide from the island regularly and can connect you to local contacts (Pak Made, Bu Sari, Luh) through your Dive Resort Nusa Penida desk for the fastest, most authentic experience.