Last week, during the full moon ceremony (Purnama) I was guiding a small group of photographers across Nusa Penida and something magical happened: offerings glowing by torchlight, local dancers singing on cliff edges and a silver moon that made every bay shimmer. I spent three nights chasing that moonlight with Bu Sari (my dive partner), Pak Made (scooter king), and a handful of friendly villagers who invited us for coffee after the ceremony. This article is every secret I used then — exact GPS points, timing, local contacts, booking tips and safety notes — so you can capture the same light without wasting time or money.

Why go now? My full-moon experience

During Purnama the island changes tempo. Shops in Sampalan close earlier; temple keepers perform small purification rites at the coast; and the soft moonlight between 19:00–22:00 gives you long-exposure opportunities at viewpoints with fewer tourists. I photographed Kelingking at 20:15 under moonlight (no torch allowed near the ceremony), and watched locals from Banjar Tepekong rearrange canang sari at Angel's Billabong the next morning. These moments are what regular guidebooks miss.

Main photo locations (with exact GPS & timing)

Kelingking Cliff Viewpoint

GPS: -8.7333, 115.4457
Best time: Sunrise (05:30–07:30) for soft light; full moon nights for cliff silhouettes (20:00–21:30).
Cost: Entrance IDR 15,000 (~USD 1.00). Parking IDR 5,000 (~USD 0.35). Scooter rental via Pak Made IDR 80,000/day (~USD 5.50) or driver + round trip IDR 350,000 (~USD 23).
Notes: Steep descent to the beach; I witnessed a tourist fall and fracture an ankle on the loose shale path — stay on marked paths and don’t attempt the descent barefoot.

Broken Beach (Pasih Uug) & Angel's Billabong

GPS: Broken Beach -8.7348, 115.4736 | Angel's Billabong -8.7370, 115.4745
Best time: Late afternoon (15:00–17:30) to catch warm cliffs and fewer crowds; at low tide Angel's Billabong is safest for reflections.
Cost: Combined entrance IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.70).
Local tip: Bring water shoes if you plan to get close to the rock pools.

Crystal Bay

GPS: -8.6965, 115.4412
Best time: Sunset (17:30–18:30) or early morning snorkel light 08:00–10:30.
Cost: Parking IDR 5,000. Snorkel rental IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.30).
Nearby: Warung Sunrise for fresh fish (Rp 50k–120k / person).

Diamond Beach & Rumah Pohon (Treehouse)

GPS: Diamond Beach viewpoint -8.8012, 115.5968 | Rumah Pohon Molenteng -8.8035, 115.5934
Best time: Sunrise for the dramatic stairs and cliff shadows (05:30–07:30). Full moon nights create dramatic silhouettes if cloud-free.
Cost: Park & entrance IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.70). Locals charge IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.30) for photo help (optional).

Atuh Beach

GPS: -8.8129, 115.5973
Best time: Early morning ferry arrival photography or late afternoon golden hour (depending on season).
Costs: Boat from Diamond/Atuh parking IDR 50,000 (boat to shore if needed) (~USD 3.30).

Manta Point (photo/snorkel)

GPS (approx): -8.7430, 115.5130 (offshore)
Best time: 08:00–11:00 when manta rays feed. Book with a licensed operator like Penida Dive Center (Pak Gede) or Manta Ray Diving Nusa Penida (Bu Sari).
Cost: Snorkel trips IDR 350,000–450,000 (~USD 23–30) includes boat, guide and snorkel gear; dive trips IDR 650,000+ (~USD 43+).

Costs & comparison

Spot	Entrance	Transport (scooter/day)	Pros/Cons
Kelingking	Rp15,000	Rp80,000	Iconic; steep & crowded
Broken Beach	Rp10,000	Rp60,000	Great arches; short walk
Crystal Bay	Rp5,000	Rp60,000	Snorkel & sunset
Diamond Beach	Rp10,000	Rp100,000	Dramatic stairs; good sunrise

Step-by-step photography plan (one full day, Sampalan base)

• 05:00 – Pick up scooter from Pak Made (Sampalan) — Rp80,000. Ask for a checked brake and spare key.
• 05:45 – Arrive Diamond Beach view for sunrise (GPS above). Set tripod for long exposures.
• 07:15 – Quick breakfast at Warung Sunrise (Rp25k–50k).
• 08:30 – Head to Atuh Beach or Crystal Bay for mid-morning snorkel (travel time Diamond→Crystal Bay ~50–70 minutes by scooter).
• 14:30 – Kelingking for late afternoon light; grab golden-hour shots until sunset.
• 20:00 – If it's full moon (Purnama) join local ceremony near Banjar Tepekong for moonlit portrait opportunities — always ask permission and offer a small donation (canang sari, ~Rp10k).

Booking, transport & where to stay

Ferries: Toya Pakeh ↔ Sanur boats run early; book return tickets in the morning. Fast boat one-way ~Rp150,000–Rp250,000 (~USD 10–17). For peace of mind, book a trusted operator: Jukung Express (ask at Sampalan ticket booth).

Accommodation options:

• Budget: Warung Sunrise Homestay rooms Rp150,000 (~USD 10) with wifi at Sampalan.
• Mid-range: Penida Colada (beach club & rooms) from Rp600,000 (~USD 40).
• Luxury: Semabu Hills villas (Rp1,500,000+ / night).

Insider tricks to save time and money

• Hire a driver for a full day (Rp350k–450k) if you want efficiency — drivers double as guides and know secret angles.
• Negotiate scooter insurance: ask for a free replacement key and basic helmet included.
• Bring small bills (Rp10k, Rp20k) for offerings and helpers — locals appreciate exact change.
• During full moon nights, many warungs close early — bring a headlamp and snacks if you plan to shoot later.

Safety & cultural etiquette

Safety warnings: Kelingking and Diamond stairs have loose rock and narrow pathways — I saw one serious ankle injury (treated at Puskesmas Sampalan). Always wear closed shoes on descents and avoid alcohol before cliff photography. For water trips, choose operators with lifejackets and a VHF radio.

Etiquette: At temples and during Purnama you must wear a sarong and sash if you enter sacred areas (ask Pak Komang at Banjar Tepekong for a loaned sarong). Always say "permisi" (per-MEE-see) before entering spaces, and "terima kasih" (teh-REE-mah kah-SEEH) when leaving. If you photograph locals in a ceremony, ask permission and offer Rp10,000–20,000 as a thank-you if they agree to pose.

What to bring (gear & essentials)

• Tripod and ND filter for moonlit long exposures
• Waterproof bag for snorkeling at Crystal Bay and Manta
• Good walking shoes, sunhat, reef-safe sunscreen (sustainable tourism)
• Powerbank and extra memory cards — charging is limited in remote warungs

Troubleshooting common problems

• Flat tire: Most villages have a tukang tambal ban (bike repair) — ask for Pak Wayan at Sampalan; tire fix ~Rp20,000.
• No ATM: The nearest reliable ATM is at Toya Pakeh or Sampalan main harbor (carry cash as backup).
• Weather & seasonal tips: October–April can be windy with afternoon squalls; May–September is drier and clearer for drone shots.

Emergency contacts & nearby facilities

• National emergency: 112
• Police (local): Polsek Nusa Penida — ask at Sampalan port for the duty officer.
• Local clinic: Puskesmas Sampalan — walk-in for minor injuries (located 10 minutes from Sampalan port).
• Boat/taxi help: Ask for Pak Made at Sampalan harbor — he coordinates quick transfers and drivers.

Photography tips for Instagram

• Use a 16–35mm for cliffs and a 50mm for portraits of locals during ceremonies.
• Full moon: Photograph between moonrise and 22:00 for the cleanest sky; set ISO 200–800, aperture f/2.8–f/5.6 for portraits.
• Drone use: Respect signs and temple privacy — many ban drones during ceremonies.

Conclusion & my personal recommendation

If you want the same combination of dramatic landscapes and human stories I captured during Purnama, plan 2–3 days, stay close to Sampalan, hire a local driver once for efficiency, and dedicate one sunrise to Diamond Beach and one sunset to Kelingking. Bring respect, small offerings for temples, and patience — Nusa Penida rewards slow travel. When Bu Sari taught me to light a small canang sari last week, the island felt like an invited guest — treat it the same, and the photos will follow.

Quick contacts to remember: Pak Made (scooters & drivers at Sampalan), Bu Sari (Manta snorkeling), Penida Colada (accommodation & beach club), Warung Sunrise (breakfast). Safe travels — jump early for sunrise and always ask before you photograph someone.