Introduction — Full Moon Ceremony, A Photo Story

Last week, during the full moon ceremony at Pura Dalem Batununggul, I stood on the ridge above Kelingking with my camera as priests chanted and offerings lit small flames. The light from the full moon mixed with pre-dawn glow and the breath of the ocean — that night taught me more about when and where to shoot Nusa Penida than years of guidebooks. I’m Pebri: local, dive instructor, photographer and your Island Hopping Bali insider. In this guide I share real GPS points, prices in IDR and USD, warungs, hotels, scooter rentals, step-by-step logistics, and local secrets I learned last week while the island gathered for ceremony.

Why sunrise vs sunset matters here

Nusa Penida’s topography gives two very different moods: sunrise brings soft pastels and long shadows from the east-facing coves; sunset delivers dramatic silhouettes at western cliffs. While tourists flock to the usual viewpoints, I’ll show hidden angles I used during the full moon ceremony to capture unique light, plus practical steps to make either shoot smooth — especially for Island Hopping Bali travelers connecting fast boats, snorkeling and diving.

Best Sunrise Locations (with GPS)

• Atuh Beach sunrise — GPS: -8.7786, 115.5376. Arrive 60–75 minutes early to climb the viewpoint before light. Best after a clear night; full moon ceremony glow gave us added rim light last week. Entrance fee: IDR 10,000 (~$0.70).
• Diamond Beach viewpoint — GPS: -8.7618, 115.5312. The staircase is steep; shoot from the clifftop for long-lens compression. Maintenance fee: IDR 10,000 (~$0.70).
• Molenteng Treehouse (hidden sunrise spot) — GPS: -8.7125, 115.5480. Lesser-known; perfect for silhouettes with rice terraces below. Small parking donation: IDR 5,000 (~$0.35).

Why these work for sunrise

East-facing beaches like Atuh and Diamond catch warm first light; the low angle creates texture in the rock and sea. During the full moon ceremony we found moonlit textures at 04:30 followed by sunrise at 05:50 — arriving early gave me a sequence few other photographers had.

Best Sunset Locations (with GPS)

• Kelingking Viewpoint — GPS: -8.7336, 115.4676. Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset. Small entrance/parking: IDR 10,000 (~$0.70). Expect crowds; go left of the main viewpoint for quieter frames.
• Broken Beach / Pasih Uug — GPS: -8.7353, 115.4605. Great for golden hour and long exposures. No formal gate but bring IDR 5,000 for local maintenance.
• Teletubbies Hill (Bukit Teletubbies) — GPS: -8.7150, 115.5320. Gentle slopes for panoramic sunset shots; less crowded than western cliffs.

Why these work for sunset

Western cliffs silhouette rock formations; wide-angle and graduated ND filters help keep sky detail. During the full moon ceremony the locals lit oil lamps along temple steps — I timed sunset shots to include that human element for depth.

Step-by-step logistics for Island Hopping Bali visitors

• Day planning: If arriving from Sanur, fast boat (Maruti Express or Rocky Fast Cruise) cost: IDR 150,000–200,000 one-way (~$10–$14). Crossing time: 30–40 minutes. Book at least 24 hours in high season.
• Transport on Nusa Penida: Scooter rental (Pak Komang Scooter Rental, Sampalan) IDR 80,000/day (~$5.50). Car with driver: IDR 600,000–800,000/day (~$40–$55) — recommended if you have gear. Travel times: Sampalan harbor to Kelingking ~45 minutes by scooter, to Atuh ~1h15m by car.
• Island hopping / snorkeling add-on: Local boat charters for manta/snorkel trips: IDR 500,000–1,500,000 (~$33–$100) depending on group size and distance. Book through tour desks in Toya Pakeh or through your hotel (Semabu Hills Hotel reception is reliable).

Comparison: Sunrise vs Sunset — quick table

Feature	Sunrise	Sunset
Crowds	Less crowded (arrive early)	Busy, especially Kelingking
Weather	Often clearer mornings; mist possible	More dramatic clouds, faster-changing light
Best for	Pastels, long shadows, reflections	Silhouettes, golden rims, dramatic skies
Entry costs	IDR 5k–10k (~$0.35–$0.70)	IDR 5k–10k (~$0.35–$0.70)

Step-by-step photo plan (my exact routine)

• Book fast boat to Nusa Penida the day before if your shoot overlaps a ceremony weekend.
• Arrange scooter or driver (Pak Made at Sampalan car hire is my go-to) the afternoon before — IDR 700,000/day including fuel (~$48).
• Pack the night before: tripod, 16–35mm and 70–200mm lenses, 6-stop ND, polarizer, spare batteries, power bank.
• For sunrise: leave Sampalan harbor 03:30–04:00 for Atuh/Diamond; aim to be on-site 60 minutes before sunrise.
• For sunset: leave mid-afternoon to avoid traffic; scout alternate viewpoints (left side of Kelingking) to dodge crowds.

Insider tricks that save time and money

• Ask warung owners for back-path access — Bu Sari (Warung Bu Sari, Atuh) once let our small photo team use a maintenance track for free in exchange for coffee (kopi: IDR 10,000 / ~$0.70).
• Use local guides (Pak Gede of Gede Tours) for sunrise climbs — IDR 200,000 (~$13) for guiding/light-carrying; saves time and secures the best angle.
• Shop local SIM cards in Toya Pakeh (IDR 50,000 top-up gets data) rather than roaming for faster coordination with boat operators.

Safety warnings & real incidents

Road safety: I witnessed a scooter slide near Kelingking last month — loose gravel + wet brakes. Wear a helmet (helm), drive below 30 km/h on coastal roads, and avoid night driving. If injured, call national emergency 112 or medical emergency 119 immediately.

Cliff edges: Many overlooks have no railings. Keep at least one person between you and the edge when composing shots. I rescued a camera bag after it tumbled 2 meters — expensive gear can slide fast.

Cultural etiquette (you’ll thank me later)

• When photographing ceremonies, always ask permission: say "Bolehkah saya ambil foto?" (boh-leh-kah sah-ya am-bil fo-to?).
• Dress modestly at temples — cover shoulders and knees. If invited to join offerings, accept politely: "Terima kasih" (teh-ree-mah kah-see).
• Respect silent periods during ceremonies; flash photography can be offensive during rituals.

What to bring (Island Hopping Bali special)

• Tripod with quick-release, 2 memory cards, rain cover, sunscreen, headlamp for early starts.
• Cash in small denominations (IDR 10k, 20k) — ATMs available in Toya Pakeh and Sampalan but limited on remote corners.
• Portable battery (20,000 mAh), reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling, light waterproof bag for boats.

Nearby facilities & emergency contacts

• ATMs: Toya Pakeh and Sampalan (use daytime). Expect withdrawal fees.
• Medical: Puskesmas Sampalan (public clinic) for minor injuries; for major emergencies call 112 or 119.
• Wifi: Semabu Hills Hotel reception and many warungs offer basic Wi‑Fi — ask politely and buy a drink.

Troubleshooting common problems

• No boat due to weather: keep contact info for hotel (Semabu Hills front desk) and local operator; you may be rebooked the next crossing for free if the operator cancels due to weather.
• Battery died at location: use a power bank or swap batteries at nearby warungs (many are happy to charge for IDR 10,000).
• Crowds at Kelingking: move 200–300 meters left along the cliff for cleaner foregrounds and local fishermen frames.

Conclusion — My personal recommendation

If you have one morning and one evening: choose Diamond Beach sunrise for textured light and Kelingking sunset for drama. If you’re here during a ceremony weekend like the full moon, coordinate with a local guide (Pak Gede) — ceremony light and human elements make images that tell stories. Book boats 24–48 hours ahead in high season, rent a driver if you have heavy gear, and always carry small change for local fees. I’ll be on the island this month teaching a sunrise workshop with Island Hopping Bali — say hi at the Sampalan market (I’m Pebri, see you with a camera and a coffee).