Nusa Penida: Hiking, Cliff Jumps & Adventures Guide
Last month I helped a family from Australia — Sarah (42), Mark (45) and their kids Ollie (14) and Mia (11) — who flew across from Bali for three days of adrenaline and island culture. They stayed at Semabu Hills Hotel and booked a mixed land & sea day with my contact at Island Hopping Bali. What started as a plan to see Kelingking became a crash course in how to hike smart, jump safe, eat well, and leave the island richer for meeting locals like Pak Made and Bu Sari. This article collects everything I used with that family — exact prices, GPS points, step-by-step plans, safety notes from incidents I’ve handled, and local tips you won’t find on generic lists.
Why go beyond diving? The family story that shaped this guide
Ollie wanted cliff jumps; Sarah wanted safe hikes and scenic photos; Mark wanted local food. We balanced all three, but halfway through a cliff jump at a small, unofficial spot near Raja Lima (I insisted on a guide) Ollie slipped and scraped his shin — minor, but a reminder: sea and cliff play can get serious. I coordinated a local clinic visit and rearranged the day's itinerary so they still left feeling adventurous and safe. That day crystallized the step-by-step rules below.
Main activities and exact locations
Kelingking Viewpoint (hike & viewpoint)
GPS: -8.7381, 115.4550. The viewpoint is a short walk from the parking area; the steep wooden descent to the beach takes 45–70 minutes each way for fit people. Opening hours: sunrise to sunset. Best time: 06:15–09:00 for soft light and fewer crowds.
Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) & Angel's Billabong
GPS: -8.7095, 115.4750. Short walk, great for photos and short hikes on stable limestone. Not for cliff jumping due to currents.
Crystal/Atuh/Diamond Beach for beginner cliff jumping & swim
Atuh Beach GPS: -8.7008, 115.6125. There are informal jump points and shallow pools. Always check tides (see safety section).
Small local cliff jump spots (guided only)
Many are unnamed. I take clients to a sheltered family-owned spot near Raja Lima (GPS provided on booking). I never reveal GPS publicly; book through Island Hopping Bali or ask for my guide Pak Made to confirm coordinates when you arrive.
Costs, comparison and booking
Service | Typical Price (IDR) | USD Approx | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Scooter rental (daily) | 70,000 – 100,000 | $4.50 – $6.50 | Penida Scooter Rental; helmet included; inspect brakes |
Private car + driver (8–10 hrs) | 600,000 – 900,000 | $38 – $57 | Good for families; driver knows rough roads |
Guided cliff jump (per person) | 100,000 – 250,000 | $6.50 – $16 | Includes life vest and local guide |
Half-day guided hike | 200,000 – 350,000 | $13 – $22 | Includes guide, water; family discounts available |
Island Hopping Bali day boat (to surrounding islets) | 450,000 – 700,000 | $30 – $45 | Includes snorkeling gear; book in advance for weekends |
Booking tips
- Book private drivers and guides at least 24 hours ahead (peak season Apr–Oct needs 48–72 hours).
- Island Hopping Bali (my partner operator) runs combined land+sea days — call or WhatsApp to request Pak Made as your local guide for a small fee (adds safety and local insights).
- Semabu Hills Hotel and Penida Colada accept bookings on short notice but request early check-in in high season.
Step-by-step: A safe full-day adventure plan (what I did with the Australian family)
- 06:00 — Pickup at Semabu Hills Hotel by private driver (travel time: 25–35 minutes to Toya Pakeh depending on traffic).
- 07:00 — Kelingking viewpoint. Walk 30 minutes, photos. Bring water and sun protection.
- 09:00 — Drive 40 minutes to Broken Beach / Angel's Billabong, short hike and rest.
- 11:30 — Lunch at Warung Sunrise near Atuh (IDR 30,000–60,000 per meal; try Ikan Bakar — grilled fish).
- 13:00 — Supervised (guided) cliff jumping session near Raja Lima with life vests. Limit: 2 jumps per person to start.
- 15:00 — Tembeling or Crystal Bay swim and recovery.
- 17:00 — Return to hotel; freshen up and dinner at Bu Sari’s warung (local prices).
What to bring (packing checklist)
- Trail shoes or sturdy sandals with grip (no flip-flops for hikes)
- Lightweight long-sleeve sun shirt, reef-safe sunscreen
- Small first-aid kit, waterproof phone case
- Cash in small denominations (IDR 50k & 100k notes), many warungs are cash-only
- Life jacket if you have one; otherwise insist guide provides one
Safety — real incidents and precautions
I have assisted in three incidents in the last two seasons: a leg fracture on the Kelingking descent (wet trail), a head laceration from a cliff jump at an unofficial spot, and severe sunburn-caused dehydration after a long hike. From those, here are unfiltered, practical rules:
- Rule 1: Never jump without a guide who checks depth and tide. I carry a sonar stick for checking depths during guided sessions.
- Rule 2: If the trail is wet, do not descend to Kelingking beach. The wooden ladders are slick. Hike leaders should carry a basic splint kit.
- Rule 3: For any head injury: stabilize, do not remove embedded debris; call 112 and get to Puskesmas Nusa Penida or fast boat to Bali if needed.
- Recent example: With the Australian family, Ollie slipped during a jump — we flushed the wound, packed it, and went to Puskesmas for stitches. Quick, local decisions saved hours and panic.
Emergencies: general emergency 112, police 110. Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) open weekdays; ask your hotel to ring ahead.
Cultural etiquette & local tips
- Always remove shoes when entering small family homes and some warungs. Say "Terima kasih" (teh-REE-mah kah-see) to thank someone, and "Hati-hati" (hah-tee hah-tee) to say be careful.
- Support locals: buy water and snacks from Bu Sari or Warung Sunrise — they often run the path maintenance for viewpoints.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially during ceremonies.
Photography & Instagram tips
- Golden hour at Kelingking: arrive 45 minutes before sunrise. Avoid drones during ceremonies and ask for permission — many locals are uneasy with drones.
- Bring a polarizer for strong blue water contrast; my go-to for families is a wide-angle and a waterproof point-and-shoot for jumps.
Troubleshooting common problems
- No scooter available? Book a private car — it’s safer and only ~IDR 100k–200k more for families.
- Bad weather? Shift to cultural tours: visit Giri Putri Cave Temple and lunch with Bu Sari — both close and sheltered.
- Low cash? ATM at Toya Pakeh harbour (bring ID). Many small warungs don’t accept cards.
Final recommendations — sustainable & practical
Book guided cliff jumps and hikes through trusted operators like Island Hopping Bali (ask for Pak Made or myself, Pebri). Pay local staff fairly — guides and warung owners sustain the island. For the Australian family I mentioned, a small local tip to Pak Made and Bu Sari made the difference between a stressful day and a memorable one. If you want my exact guided itinerary, ask for the "Family Adventure Pack" when you book — I include GPS meeting points, vetted jump spots, and a list of warungs open seasonally.
Insider line: If you want the least crowded Kelingking photo, get there by 05:30, park at the left-side lot, and walk the ridge to the second viewpoint — I show this to guests who rise early.
Go curious, go careful, and treat Nusa Penida like you’d treat a friend’s delicate backyard: with respect. See you on the path — Pak Made, Bu Sari, Warung Sunrise and I will likely be there to welcome you.
Contacts & quick notes: Island Hopping Bali (local operator) — book through reservation at your hotel or ask front desk for Island Hopping Bali/ Pak Made; Penida Scooter Rental (scooters from IDR 70k/day); Semabu Hills Hotel (family-friendly base). Emergencies: 112 (general), 110 (police). Nearest clinic: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (ask hotel reception for directions and hours).