Last week, during the full moon ceremony, I stood on Kelingking's rim as priests chanted and lanterns drifted toward the sea. The island felt different that night — quieter, more careful, and full of meaning. I was guiding two friends and Pak Made, my trusted driver, and we photographed the ceremony glow against the T-Rex silhouette. That memory shaped this guide: every photo location below is described through that week-long full moon experience, with real people I met like Bu Sari at Warung Sunrise and Pak Ketut the temple caretaker. If you want the best shots and the respectful, money-saving local way to get them, read on.

Why this guide is different

I live on Nusa Penida, dive here, and guide photographers and culture seekers year-round. This article collects exact GPS coordinates, real business names, prices in IDR and USD, step-by-step routes, safety notes from incidents I witnessed, and tricks I used during the full moon ceremony to save time and get unobstructed photos.

Top Instagrammable Spots with Exact Locations

Kelingking Cliff Viewpoint

GPS: -8.7379, 115.4656. Best time: sunrise and the first hour after sunrise to avoid crowds. Entrance: IDR 10,000 (about USD 0.65). Parking fee: IDR 5,000-10,000.

Insider tip: during the full moon week we asked Pak Made to park at the lower viewpoint to catch the lanterns in the sky; the cliff edge can be dangerous — I saw a sprained ankle here last month when a tourist slipped on wet rocks. Wear closed shoes, hold your camera strap, and never cross the unsafe barriers.

Broken Beach Pasih Uug and Angel's Billabong

GPS Broken Beach: -8.7050, 115.4760. GPS Angel's Billabong: -8.7044, 115.4757. Combined visit: 20-30 minutes walk between viewpoints. Entrance: IDR 15,000 total (USD 1.00).

Pro tip: go at low tide for crystal reflections at Angel's Billabong. When we visited during the full moon, Bu Sari from Warung Sunrise brought jasmine tea and warned us about a slippery stretch near the pool. I recommend carrying water and using the natural rock as foreground in wide-angle shots.

Atuh Beach & Rumah Pohon Molenteng (Tree House)

GPS Atuh Beach: -8.7969, 115.5310. GPS Tree House: -8.7995, 115.5191 (short hike from parking). Entrance: IDR 10,000 at Atuh, Tree House swing usually IDR 20,000-50,000 depending on the operator.

Travel time: from Toya Pakeh harbor 60-80 minutes by scooter or private car. On full moon night crowds cluster near the temple above Atuh; we photographed the moonrise through the gap after asking permission from the temple keeper, Pak Ketut.

Diamond Beach Stairs & Cliff Outlook

GPS: -8.7935, 115.5326. Entrance: IDR 10,000. The new stairs are steep but photogenic. Best time: sunrise for the shadow lines on the stairs.

Crystal Bay

GPS: -8.7097, 115.5162. Best for sunset and underwater photos. Snorkel boat trips: IDR 200,000-400,000 (USD 13-27) including gear. Several local dive operators are based at Toya Pakeh, including Nusa Penida Dive Center and Seli Nusa Tour for snorkeling trips.

Manta Point (Snorkel Yacht)

GPS: -8.7180, 115.4580. Typical snorkel trip price: IDR 400,000-600,000 (USD 27-40). Book with a certified operator; I use Nusa Penida Dive Center for responsible manta interactions. During the full moon week the currents change — ask the skipper about conditions.

Step-by-step 1-Day Photo Itinerary (Most Efficient)

• 05:00 Leave Toya Pakeh harbor with driver Pak Made. Travel time to Kelingking: 45-60 minutes.
• 06:00 Sunrise shoot at Kelingking. 07:30 move to Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong (30 minutes drive).
• 09:30 Quick stop at Crystal Bay for underwater shots (snorkel rental IDR 50,000, USD 3.50).
• 12:00 Lunch at Warung Sunrise or Warung Mbok Dean. Expect IDR 30,000-60,000 per person (USD 2-4).
• 14:00 Drive to East side for Diamond Beach and Atuh (drive 60-80 minutes). Sunset at Tree House or Atuh.

Private driver full-day rate I recommend: Pak Made or Putra — IDR 700,000-900,000 (USD 45-60). Scooter rental: Putra Scooter Rental or Satria Bike Rental: IDR 80,000-120,000/day (USD 5.50-8). For groups, private car is safer and faster.

Price Comparison Table

Service	Typical Cost (IDR)	Typical Cost (USD)	Pros / Cons
Scooter rental	80,000-120,000	5.50-8	Cheap, flexible / Risky on rough roads
Private driver (full day)	700,000-900,000	45-60	Safe, local knowledge / More expensive
Speedboat return (Sanur)	150,000-300,000	10-20	Fast / Weather dependent
Snorkel trip	200,000-600,000	13-40	See mantas / Can be crowded

Safety Warnings & Real Incidents

• Cliff safety: I personally helped coordinate a rescue for a sprained ankle at Kelingking last season because a tourist slipped on wet rock. Always wear closed shoes and avoid standing on loose edges.
• Roads: East and south roads are steep and narrow. If you are not an experienced scooter rider, hire a driver. I have seen overturned scooters near Diamond Beach during the rainy season.
• Sea safety: currents around Manta Point and Crystal Bay can be strong. Only book trips with operators who carry life jackets and trained guides like Nusa Penida Dive Center or Seli Nusa Tour.

Cultural Etiquette — What Tourists Often Overlook

• Dress modestly at temples; remove shoes if requested. Respect offerings on the ground (canang). If you step over an offering, quietly say maaf (mah-ahf) sorry.
• Ask before photographing people, especially during ceremonies. Use: Boleh foto? (boh-lay fo-to) meaning Can I take a photo?
• Use the greeting Om Swastiastu (om swah-stee-ah-stu) when entering temple compounds.

Photography Tips & Gear

• Golden hour: Kelingking sunrise and Diamond Beach sunrise create deep contrast lines. Use a wide-angle lens 16-35mm and ND filter for long-exposure cliff shots.
• Drone use: During ceremonies (like the full moon) avoid drones out of respect and safety. Always ask and get permission from temple keepers like Pak Ketut.
• Underwater: bring a compact waterproof camera or GoPro for Crystal Bay; rent snorkel gear from boats to save luggage space.

Booking, Hours & Seasonal Notes

Most viewpoints are open 24/7 but facilities (parking, warungs) open 06:00-18:00. Full moon ceremonies change local schedules — some warungs close or shift times. Peak season: July-August and December-January. Expect higher prices for drivers and speedboats then.

Book speedboats early: Sanur to Penida fast boats sell out during weekends and full moon/ceremony weeks. Reserve through operators like Nusa Penida Tour Service 2-3 days ahead or local WhatsApp channels via your hotel.

What to Bring

• Reusable water bottle (water refill points at larger guesthouses).
• Closed hiking shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, compact tripod for low light.
• Cash in small denominations; ATMs are limited. Closest ATM clusters at Toya Pakeh harbor and near Penida's main town.

Emergency & Helpful Contacts

• Emergency Indonesia: 112
• Police: 110
• Medical emergency: 119
• Harbor main office Toya Pakeh: ask local hotel reception on arrival for current contact numbers

Responsible Tourism & Final Advice

During the full moon ceremony last week we saw how respectful behavior creates better photos and better experiences. Always ask before entering sacred spaces, buy food from local warungs like Warung Sunrise or Warung Mbok Dean to support families, and carry trash home if a bin isn't available. Small actions keep Nusa Penida beautiful for the next photographer.

Conclusion — My Personal Recommendation

If you have one day: hire a trusted driver like Pak Made, start at Kelingking for sunrise, hit Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong, and finish on the east coast at Diamond Beach or Atuh for sunset. During ceremony weeks, plan an extra hour at temple sites, be respectful, and try to speak a few phrases: Terima kasih (teh-ree-mah kah-see) for thank you, and Permisi (per-mee-see) for excuse me.

Photography is a conversation here — with light, cliffs, and people. During that full moon night I learned that the best Instagrammable shot isn't just about composition; it's about timing, permission, and the human stories behind the frame. Come prepared, be respectful, and you'll leave with pictures and memories that go deeper than a perfect feed.