During the full moon ceremony last week I walked from Sampalan pier into a sea-scented night where lanterns drifted like small moons and local fishermen sang old net-mending songs. I’m Pebri — 10+ years on Nusa Penida as a dive instructor, photographer and cultural guide — and that walk changed how I show visitors our island. It showed me how beach exploration can go beyond white sand and cliffs: the living harbors, fish markets, temple rituals and the daily rhythm of jukung (traditional outrigger) traffic make our coastline a cultural classroom.

Why visit fishing villages? (A beach-exploration angle)

Beach exploration isn’t just shoreline swimming. On Penida, the best beach experiences often begin in small pangkalan (fishing landings): watching sunrise auctions, photographing light on wet nets, joining a dawn boat ride to reef edges, or timing tide windows for safe snorkeling near village reefs. During the full moon ceremony last week I realized these villages are where coastal culture and marine life meet — and you can learn both responsibly.

Top fishing villages to visit (with GPS & timing)

1) Sampalan (main harbor & market)

GPS (approx.): -8.7129, 115.4745
Best time: 05:00–07:30 for fish auction; evening 18:00–20:30 for seafood warungs and temple offerings. Travel time: 5–15 min from Toya Pakeh by scooter; 5–10 min walk from Sampalan ferry terminal.

• What to do: Watch morning fish auction (lelang ikan), photograph wet decks, buy fresh snapper/kanu at IDR 40,000–120,000/kg (USD 3–8).
• Warung recommendation: Warung Sunrise (near market; try sambal matah with grilled tuna — ~IDR 35,000 / USD 2.5).
• Facility notes: ATM at Sampalan harbour plaza (limited cash hours), Puskesmas Sampalan (basic clinic) open 08:00–16:00 weekdays.

2) Toya Pakeh (boat hub & community pier)

GPS (approx.): -8.7165, 115.4690
Best time: 06:00 for jukung departures; sunset 17:30–18:30 for golden reflections. Travel time: 10–20 min from most west-side guesthouses by scooter.

• What to do: Hire a jukung for nearshore reef snorkeling (ask for skipper Pak Made), learn to repair nets with Bu Sari, and photograph colorful outriggers at low tide.
• Boat hire: Private jukung (half-day) IDR 350,000–550,000 (~USD 23–37) for up to 6 people incl. skipper and fuel.

3) Ped & Banjar Buyuk (south-west coastal villages)

GPS (approx.): Ped -8.7480, 115.4515; Buyuk -8.7450, 115.4490
Best time: 08:00–11:00 for shore-side exploration and late afternoon for temple processions during ceremonies. Travel time: 25–40 min from Sampalan by scooter (road condition varies).

• What to do: Walk coastal footpaths, watch nets being repaired on the beach, and sample grilled squid at Bu Sari’s warung (IDR 30,000–45,000 / USD 2–3).
• Notes: Roads here are rough; allow extra time. Bring a headlamp if you plan to join evening ceremony walks.

Step-by-step: How to plan a village-focused beach exploration

• Step 1: Book your base in Sampalan or Toya Pakeh (Penida Colada, guesthouses near Sampalan are convenient). Expect IDR 300,000–900,000/night (USD 20–60) depending on season.
• Step 2: Rent a scooter (ranting motor: IDR 70,000–120,000/day; USD 5–8). I recommend Pak Wayan’s Scooter Rental near Sampalan — reliable helmets, new batteries.
• Step 3: Time visits with tides. Use local tide boards at Toya Pakeh. For safe snorkeling near villages: go 2 hours after low tide when currents are lighter.
• Step 4: Hire a jukung for dawn reef access (negotiate price, confirm lifejackets). Always meet skipper at harbor 15 minutes early to load gear — skippers are punctual during tide windows.

Price comparison (typical costs)

Service	Low	High	USD (approx.)
Scooter rental (day)	IDR 70,000	IDR 120,000	USD 5–8
Private jukung (half-day)	IDR 350,000	IDR 550,000	USD 23–37
Fresh fish (per kg)	IDR 40,000	IDR 120,000	USD 3–8
Local warung meal	IDR 25,000	IDR 60,000	USD 2–4

Insider tips & timing (learned during the full moon ceremony)

• Full moon effects: I noticed the fishermen avoid open-water sets during the peak tide of the full moon last week — they perform temple offerings at dusk and launch smaller, safer trips at dawn. If you want to witness a ceremony, ask respectfully and arrive 30 minutes early.
• Save money: Join a shared jukung from Toya Pakeh (IDR 80,000–120,000/person) rather than private hire.
• Save time: If you plan to see Sampalan market, be there by 05:15 — the good fish and best photos go quickly.
• Net-mending workshops: Ask for Bu Sari (Ped) who runs a small class for IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.5) and tea — you learn to stitch a net and get a story for your photos.

Safety warnings & troubleshooting

• Strong currents: Several nearshore channels have surprise rip currents during changing tides. Never swim alone and ask skippers about conditions before entering water.
• Boat incidents: Last rainy season I assisted after a skiff lost an outrigger in rough swell near Buyuk — always wear lifejackets and check weather the day before. If a skipper seems rushed or evasive about safety gear, walk away.
• Road hazards: Many coastal tracks are gravel and steep. If your scooter tires look thin, swap at rental desk; you can get repairs at Sampalan (IDR 30,000–50,000 / USD 2–4).
• Health & emergency: National emergency 112; police 110; ambulance 119. Carry a small first-aid kit and personal meds; Puskesmas Sampalan handles basics.

Cultural etiquette & local phrases

Villages are temple-focused and conservative. During ceremonies (like the full moon) women often wear kain and men wear udeng — dress respectfully, avoid loud music, and don’t point your feet at offerings.

• Permisi (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me
• Terima kasih (teh-REE-mah KAH-see) — Thank you
• Boleh lihat? (BOH-leh LEE-hat) — May I see?
• Maaf saya foto? (MAH-ahf SAH-yah FOH-toh) — Sorry, can I take a photo?

Photography & Instagram tips

• Golden hour at Sampalan (06:00–06:30) gives glassy reflections of jukung. Use a 24–70mm and a polarizer to cut glare.
• For night-ceremony photos during full moon, bring a DSLR with a 35mm f/1.8 and native ISO control — push ISO carefully (800–1600) and stabilize on a tripod.
• Drone rules: Ask at the harbor — many skippers allow launches from jukung but avoid filming ceremonies without permission.

Sustainable & responsible tips

• Buy fish through the local auction or warungs — this supports fishermen more than supermarkets.
• Do not buy coral, shells used in offerings, or anything that harms reefs.
• Respect net-mending areas — these are working spaces, not tourist props. Ask before touching nets.

Final recommendations (my personal picks)

If you have one morning: go to Sampalan for the fish auction, then take a shared jukung from Toya Pakeh to a nearshore reef for snorkeling. If you have a half-day: include Ped for its evening temple walk and Bu Sari’s squid. During ceremony weeks (full moon/new moon) book your room and any boats 2–3 days ahead — local ceremonies draw families from across the island.

When I walk these beaches now — lanterns bobbing after last week’s full moon ceremony — I know visitors see more than sand: they meet people whose livelihoods tie directly to the sea. Treat them with respect, bring small cash for warungs (many are cash-only), and you’ll leave with stories, photos, and a few new friends: Pak Made the skipper, Bu Sari with her net-mending smile, and the harbor cats who always sit where the fish auctions end.

Emergency numbers: 112 (emergency), 110 (police), 119 (ambulance). Local tip: keep IDR 100,000 cash for unexpected transport or small ceremony donations.