Last week, during the full moon ceremony, I walked barefoot from Toya Pakeh harbor to a tiny shore that only the old fishermen and I know. Lanterns glowed on the cliffs, villagers chanted from the temple above, and the ocean answered with phosphorescent waves—an image you won’t find on a typical Penida itinerary. As a local who’s lived here 10+ years, diving instructor, photographer and cultural guide, I’ll take you to those off-the-beaten-path beaches: exact GPS, real warungs, scooter shops, prices, safety warnings and step-by-step plans so you can explore them respectfully and efficiently.

Why these beaches matter (and my full moon story)

During the full moon ceremony last week I was helping Pak Made carry offerings to the cliff shrine, then slipped away to three small coves that only open to visitors who respect local rules. The ceremony changes the island rhythm: boats slow down, some temple access is restricted, and warungs close early — all details you need to plan for.

Top 5 off-the-beaten-path beaches (GPS + quick facts)

• Suwehan Beach (Pantai Suwehan) — GPS approx: S -8.68492, E 115.53140. Access: steep 20-minute scramble from the trailhead; stairs recently repaired. Best at low tide.
• Batu Tiga Cove — GPS approx: S -8.71610, E 115.54180. Tiny white sand bowl, only reachable by short boat or 35-minute cliff hike.
• Pasih Andus (hidden on the east cliffs) — GPS approx: S -8.70650, E 115.55310. A narrow beach carved between cliffs; strong currents, not for casual swimmers.
• Secret Bay near Batu Meling — GPS approx: S -8.73000, E 115.43830. Local fishermen keep this quiet; best for sunset photos.
• Little Atuh (quiet stretch beside Atuh) — GPS approx: S -8.71400, E 115.52450. Walk 15 minutes from Atuh parking to avoid crowds at the main viewpoint.

Comparison: access, difficulty and best season

Beach	Access	Difficulty	Best months
Suwehan	Scooter + 20-min trail	Moderate (steep)	April–October
Batu Tiga	Boat or 35-min hike	Hard (rope sections)	May–Sept
Pasih Andus	Cliff path	High (currents)	June–Sept
Secret Bay	Scooter + 10-min descent	Easy	Year-round (dry season preferred)
Little Atuh	Walk from Atuh lot	Easy–Moderate	April–October

How to get there: step-by-step (from Sanur / Toya Pakeh)

Option A – Fast boat to Toya Pakeh then scooter:

• Book Maruti Express or Mola Mola (Sanur → Toya Pakeh). Price ~IDR 200,000 one-way (~USD 13). Travel time 45–60 minutes.
• Rent a scooter at Toya Pakeh: Pak Gede Motorbike Rental — IDR 80,000/day (~USD 5.50), IDR 100,000 deposit. Travel time to Suwehan ~35–45 minutes on rough roads.
• Follow the GPS to trailheads (use offline Maps.me). Park at the official parking spot and pay a small local parking fee IDR 5,000–10,000 to Bu Sari.

Option B – Private boat for hidden coves:

• Hire a local boat from Toya Pakeh with Pak Agus (Penida Boat Service). Prices: IDR 600,000 half-day (3 stops, up to 6 people) ~USD 40; full day IDR 1,000,000 ~USD 67. Boat departs 07:30 and returns by 15:00. WhatsApp booking recommended.

Local businesses I trust (names, prices & booking tips)

• Pak Gede Motorbike Rental (Toya Pakeh) — IDR 80,000/day (~USD 5.50). Ask for a helmet, check brakes. WhatsApp: ask at harbor info desk (walk-in works).
• Penida Boat Service (Pak Agus) — IDR 600,000 half-day (~USD 40). Book 1–2 days ahead during full moon or ceremony days.
• Warung Sunrise (Suwehan trailhead) — Nasi Campur IDR 30,000 (~USD 2); black coffee IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.70). Open 06:30–18:00 but closed during some temple ceremonies.
• Penida Colada (Toya Pakeh) — Dorm IDR 120,000/night (~USD 8), private bungalows from IDR 400,000 (~USD 27). Great for photographers; ask for room with sea view.
• Semabu Hills Hotel — Villa rates from IDR 600,000/night (~USD 40). Good for reliable Wi‑Fi and shuttle to viewpoints.

Price comparison table (quick reference)

Service	Price (IDR)	USD approx
Fast boat (one-way)	IDR 200,000	~USD 13
Scooter rental (day)	IDR 80,000	~USD 5.50
Private boat half-day	IDR 600,000	~USD 40
Warung meal	IDR 30,000	~USD 2
Guesthouse (budget)	IDR 120,000	~USD 8

What to bring (Beach Exploration kit)

• Good hiking sandals (not flip-flops) — ropes/steep trails.
• Dry bag (waterproof) for phone and camera.
• Snorkel set (many hidden beaches have coral near shore) — rent IDR 80,000/day (~USD 5.50) from Toya Pakeh.
• Small change (IDR 10,000–20,000) for warung payments and local donations.

Safety & real incidents (what I saw during the full moon)

During last week’s full moon, a visitor climbed a wet cliff to get a photo and slipped — minor fractures, long evacuation by boat. Take this seriously:

• Warning: recent rescues required local boatmen (Pak Made and Bu Sari coordinated one night rescue). If you go alone, tell someone where you’re going. Do NOT attempt cliff edges after rain.
• Currents: Pasih Andus has strong rip currents. I advise only experienced swimmers or those with a local guide.
• Phone signal is patchy; download offline maps and save the boatman's WhatsApp number before you go.

Emergency contacts

• National emergency: 112 (works across Indonesia)
• Penida police (polsek): 110
• Local clinic (Toyapakeh walk-in): Klinik Toya Pakeh (walk-ins recommended; ask at harbor info)
• Boatmen on call: ask at Toya Pakeh harbor desk for Pak Agus or Pak Made (they live locally and handle evacuations)

Cultural etiquette & full moon tips

During ceremonies like the full moon: temples are busy, some coastal paths are blocked, and locals are more sensitive to tourists. Respect these rules:

• Wear a sarong and sash when crossing temple grounds — you can borrow one at small warungs (IDR 20,000 deposit often refunded).
• Do not step over offerings (canang sari). If unsure, say "Permisi" (per-mi-see) to politely ask to pass.
• Ask before photographing worshippers or ceremonies; say "Boleh foto?" (boh-leh fo-toh?)

Photography & Instagram tips

• Golden hour: arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset for the secret bay; for sunrise at Suwehan plan to start hiking 30–45 minutes before first light.
• Full moon ceremony photography: low light requires tripod and wide aperture. Be discreet and avoid flash during rituals.
• Drone: many temples restrict drones—ask Pak Made or Bu Sari and avoid flying during ceremonies.

Troubleshooting & money-saving hacks

• Boat canceled because of ceremony? Local advice: boatmen often offer alternate early morning slots. Tip: book half-day instead of single-stop to get priority.
• Want cheaper food? Share warung meals — many portions are large. Buy water at local stalls (IDR 10,000) rather than the more expensive stores near viewpoints.
• Save time: hire a driver (IDR 500,000/day ~USD 33) to jump between remote trails; it’s often faster than switching scooters and easier with gear.

Responsible travel & leaving no trace

Support warungs like Warung Sunrise and local boatmen directly (cash), avoid single-use plastics (many coves have fragile coral), and never remove shells or coral. During the full moon ceremony I donated IDR 50,000 to the temple fund — small acts matter here.

Conclusion & my personal recommendations

If you have one day: take the 07:30 boat, rent a scooter, visit Suwehan for sunrise, then hire Pak Agus for a half-day boat to Batu Tiga and Pasih Andus; stop at Warung Sunrise for lunch. If staying longer, spend a night at Penida Colada (IDR 120,000 dorm) to catch the full moon ceremony without rushing. My final tip: ask for Bu Sari’s coffee — she roasts it by hand; during last week’s ceremony she brewed me a cup that tasted like Penida itself: strong, smoky and unforgettable.

Ready to go? Save this guide offline, note the GPS points, and message a boatman a day in advance. Respect local customs during ceremonies, take care on cliffs, and you'll discover the secret shores that make Nusa Penida unforgettable.