During a community meeting about tourism in Toyapakeh I remember sitting under a simple bale with Pak Made (kadus/desa representative), Bu Sari (warung owner) and a cluster of young guides. They were frustrated: visitors came for photos but left plastic, climbed dangerous cliffs, and bypassed local businesses. I promised I would write a guide that protects both people and place — so here it is, written from that meeting and ten years of daily island life. This guide ties every shot to real local names, exact GPS points (approx.), prices, timing, and sustainable practices we agreed on in that meeting.

Why this guide is different

It was created during a community meeting about tourism: the recommendations you read are what local leaders and small businesses told me they need — respectful visitors, steady income, and less damage to beaches and trails. I also bring my experience as a dive instructor, photographer, and long-time resident to give you practical steps and local contacts so you arrive informed and sustainable.

How to use this guide

• Follow GPS coordinates (marked approx.) and local directions.
• Respect opening hours, parking rules, and banjar (village) requests.
• Support local warungs and hire local drivers instead of big platforms.

Main Instagrammable Spots (with exact locations)

Kelingking Viewpoint (T-Rex)

GPS (approx.): -8.7378, 115.4560. Entrance: IDR 10,000 (≈ USD 0.70). Best time: 07:00–09:00 for soft light; sunset views from viewpoint 16:30–18:00.

Step-by-step: park at the lot (IDR 5k–10k), walk 5–10 minutes to the viewpoint. For the famous cliff photo, walk left along the fence for a 2–3 minute scramble to the photo ledge — be cautious. If you want the full beach shot, the hike down takes 60–90 minutes one-way; only attempt in dry season (Apr–Oct) and with proper shoes.

Insider tip: buy kopi at Warung Sunrise near the parking (Bu Sari, opens 06:30) and leave IDR 20k–50k to support local vendors instead of street hawkers. During our community meeting Bu Sari said the extra support helps maintain walking paths.

Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) & Angel's Billabong

GPS (approx.): Broken Beach -8.7343, 115.4553; Angel's Billabong -8.7339, 115.4560. Entrance: IDR 10,000 combined. Best time: mid-morning to avoid backlit photos; low tide for Angel’s Billabong clarity.

These two are 2 minutes apart on foot. Camera tip: use a wide lens (16–35mm) and a polarizer for saturated water. Avoid stepping on fragile rock formations — during the meeting Bu Sari and Pak Made asked visitors to stay behind ropes to preserve moss and coral fragments.

Diamond Beach (Banah)

GPS (approx.): -8.8030, 115.6420. Entrance: IDR 10,000–15,000. Best time: sunrise (05:30–07:30) for long shadows and fewer crowds.

There are ~500 carved steps down. Shoe tip: use grippy shoes. Pay Bu Made (warung owner at the top) IDR 20k for a locker/spot watch if you need to leave gear. The stairs are steep and can be slippery after rain (rainy season Nov–Mar); don't descend if steps are wet.

Atuh Beach & Rumah Pohon (Tree House)

GPS (approx.): Atuh Beach -8.8045, 115.6440; Rumah Pohon viewpoint -8.8029, 115.6436. Entrance: IDR 15,000–20,000 depending on local collection. Best time: sunrise for the classic tree-house shot; avoid high tide for beach shots.

Book a local guide (Pak Ketut or Pak Wayan) if you want to access lesser paths; they charge IDR 150k–250k for a half-day guide (≈ USD 10–17). During the community meeting locals requested that visitors ask permission before using the tree-house props and to leave a donation in the box.

Crystal Bay

GPS (approx.): -8.7086, 115.5005. Best time: late afternoon (15:00–17:30) for soft golden light and calm water. Snorkel: IDR 50k–100k for mask/fins rental.

Crystal Bay is also a snorkel/diving spot — support registered operators like Penida Colada dive (book morning dives 07:00–08:00). Mola-mola sightings are seasonal (Jul–Oct) and require early bookings; community-run dive shops get priority for local jobs.

Manta Point (snorkel/dives)

GPS (approx.): -8.7250, 115.5200 (offshore). Trip cost: IDR 500k–750k (≈ USD 35–50) per person for boat + guide from Toyapakeh, snorkel included; diving trips IDR 700k–1,200k.

Time-sensitive: Best visibility Apr–Oct, but manta season is year-round. Book with community-friendly operators (Geko Dive, Penida Colada) — during the meeting Pak Made emphasized hiring operators that follow manta-safe approach rules.

Costs & Comparison

Service	Low budget (IDR)	Mid (IDR)	High (IDR)
Scooter rental (daily)	80,000 (≈ USD 5)	120,000 (≈ USD 8)	200,000 (≈ USD 13)
Driver/car (half day)	400,000 (≈ USD 27)	600,000 (≈ USD 40)	900,000 (≈ USD 60)
Fast boat roundtrip (Sanur)	350,000 (≈ USD 23)	450,000 (≈ USD 30)	650,000 (≈ USD 43)

Transportation & Booking (step-by-step)

• Book fast boat (Sanur) 24–72 hours in advance during high season (July, Aug, Dec). Prices IDR 350k–450k return. Operator example: Mola Mola Express (book early morning departures).
• At harbor, exchange some cash; ATM availability is limited — Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh have small ATMs but bring cash for warungs.
• Rent scooters from reputable places: Penida Scooter Rent (Bli Agus) IDR 100k/day. Check tires and brakes; take photos of scratches before riding.
• For long days (Diamond+Atuh) hire a private driver (Pak Wayan ~IDR 600k for 8 hours). Drivers know local rules and sustainable routes to reduce fuel use.

Photography & Instagram Tips

• Golden hour: sunrise 05:30–06:30 and sunset 17:30–18:30 (seasonal). Use those windows for fewer people and better color.
• Lenses: wide-angle 16–35mm for cliffs; 70–200mm for compressed horizon shots; polarizer to cut glare.
• Drone rules: ask desa office/bangunan before flying; only fly if you have permission — many villages require consent out of privacy and safety concerns.
• Angles that respect nature: don’t climb fragile rock ledges for the perfect shot. The community asked visitors to use viewpoints only.

Safety Warnings & Real Incidents

I’ve personally helped at least two people who fell near Kelingking’s edge because they ignored ropes. In 2019 a foreign tourist was rescued at Diamond Beach after slipping on wet steps — always check conditions. Waves at Atuh and the eastern beaches can surge unexpectedly — do not leave gear on the beach. Carry a basic first aid kit and know these numbers: Emergency: 112, Police: 110. For non-emergency health issues visit Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) in Toyapakeh — ask your homestay for the nearest ambulance contact.

Cultural Etiquette & Local Phrases

• Always greet the banjar: say "Selamat pagi" (suh-lah-maht pah-gee) for good morning.
• Ask permission: "Boleh foto di sini?" (boh-leh fo-toh dee see-nee?) = "May I take a photo here?"
• Dress respectfully when near temples or local homes (cover shoulders, no topless photos on religious sites).
• Tip: say "Terima kasih" (teh-ree-mah kah-see) when you leave a donation or buy at a warung.

Sustainable Travel Practices (from the meeting)

• Bring a reusable bottle (many homestays provide filtered water). Avoid single-use plastics — Bu Sari told me this saved her family’s beach cleanup work.
• Pay entrance and donations directly to the collection box or banjar representative. This keeps money local.
• Hire local guides/drivers and eat at local warungs (Warung Sunrise, Warung Bambu near Diamond/Atuh). It keeps revenue in the community and encourages maintenance of trails.
• Do not collect shells or coral fragments — these are part of the ecosystem and sacred in some local offerings.

Troubleshooting & Common Problems

• Scooter breakdown: call your rental — most (Penida Scooter Rent) have roadside help within 30–60 minutes. Pack a charged power bank and small toolkit if you ride independently.
• Low batteries/cell signal: download offline maps (GPS coordinates above work offline). Carry printed directions from your homestay.
• Bad weather: during heavy rains (Nov–Mar) roads get slick and some viewpoints close. If a banjar closes a path, respect it — communities close access to repair trails.

Conclusion & My Personal Recommendations

From that community meeting I promised Pak Made and Bu Sari I would ask visitors to come prepared, pay fairly, avoid fragile areas, and support local services. My short itinerary: Sunrise at Diamond Beach (05:30), breakfast at Warung Bu Sari (08:00), Kelingking viewpoint (09:30), lunch in Toyapakeh (11:30), Crystal Bay at golden hour. Book transport with a local driver (Pak Wayan) to keep money in the village, and stay at a homestay like Penida Colada or simple guesthouses run by Bu Sari for direct community support.

Final line from the meeting: "If you love our photos, love our island back." Bring respect, bring cash, and leave the island better than you found it.