The 13 Best Instagram Spots & Viewpoints in Nusa Penida

Come with us, exploring the best Nusa Penida instagram spots. Nusa Penida, the largest of three islands off the southeast coast of Bali, is one of the most popular destinations for social media influencers and photography enthusiasts.

We explored its dramatic limestone cliffs, secluded beaches, and epic viewpoints, for about five days, attesting that this island paradise offers no shortage of Instagrammable backdrops.

Our Nusa Penida Instagram photo spots guide will take you from the famous Kelingking Beach with its iconic T-Rex shaped limestone to the epic Broken Beach with crashing waves and a hole in the cliffside. Nusa Penida has landscapes that seem almost too beautiful to be real.

Through a detailed itinerary, we share 13 of the best Instagram spots and famous viewpoints in Nusa Penida, along with tips on how to make the most out of your time at each breathtaking site.

Nusa Penida Photo Spots At-A-Glance

Spot	Best Time of Day	Ideal Lighting	Entry / Photo Fee	Difficulty
Kelingking Beach	Before 8am	Soft morning light, clear skies	Covered by the 25,000 IDR island retribution fee	Easy viewpoint; hard 45+ min descent to the beach
Angel’s Billabong	Early morning, low tide	Soft light, no harsh shadows	Covered by the retribution fee	Moderate
Broken Beach	Morning	Even daylight, good for drone shots	Covered by the retribution fee	Moderate (steep steps, exposed edge)
Diamond Beach	Before 9am	Golden morning light	Retribution fee + approx. 5,000 IDR parking	Hard (steep staircase)
Tembeling Beach & Forest	Midday	Dappled forest light	Covered by the retribution fee	Hard (jungle ravine path)
Peguyangan Waterfall	Morning	Filtered canopy light	Covered by the retribution fee	Hard (steep tunnel and steps)
Atuh Beach	Early morning	Soft warm light	Covered by the retribution fee	Moderate (long staircase)
Rumah Pohon Treehouse	30-45 min before sunrise	Golden-hour light through the canopy	Approx. 25,000 IDR entry + approx. 75,000 IDR per photo slot	Easy access, timed queue
Manta Point	Morning, calmer seas	Bright midday sun for underwater visibility	Retribution fee + 100,000 IDR/day marine permit if snorkelling	Moderate (boat access)
Crystal Bay	Sunset	Golden hour over the bay	Covered by the retribution fee	Easy
Thousand Island Viewpoint	Late afternoon into sunset	Warm side light across the islets	Covered by the retribution fee	Moderate (short hike)
Teletubbies Hill	Late afternoon	Soft rolling-hill shadows	Covered by the retribution fee	Easy
The Chill Penida	Any time (all-day cafe)	Natural daylight, pool reflections	Menu purchase	Easy

Best instagram spots in Nusa Penida

• Kelingking Beach
• Angel’s Billabong
• Broken Beach
• Peguyangan Waterfall
• Diamond Beach
• Tembeling Beach
• Atuh Beach
• Rumah Pohon Treehouse
• Manta Point
• Crystal Bay
• Thousand Island Viewpoint
• Teletubbies Hill
• The Chill Penida

Kelingking Beach

First up on our list of top Nusa Penida photo spots is Kelingking Beach. Recognized around the world for its one-of-a-kind landscape, this beach is likely what first put Nusa Penida on your radar.

The cliffside viewpoint looks out over the golden sands and turquoise waters of the secluded beach cove below, with its iconic shape bearing an uncanny resemblance to a T-Rex.

Don’t miss your chance to strike a pose on the precarious cliff’s edge seemingly hanging over the bay. Early morning is again best for ideal soft lighting and clear skies in your shots, but also to beat the crowds. To better timing your trip to Nusa Penida, read our itinerary.

Angel’s Billabong

No list of the best Instagram spots in Nusa Penida would be complete without the Angel’s Billabong, a naturally formed infinity pool carved into the island’s limestone cliffs. Pictures of crystal clear turquoise waters at Angel’s Billabong continuously go viral on Instagram, making it one of the most iconic landmarks in Nusa Penida.

When visiting, time your shots for low tide when more of the limestone edges surrounding the pool are exposed for the ultimate ‘grammable moment.

For a unique perspective, climb higher (but safer) on the cliffs to shoot down on the billabong and capture more of the bright aqua hues. Early mornings generally offer better lighting conditions before the midday sun creates harsh shadows.

Broken Beach

One of the most interesting sights of Nusa Penida. Formed by a collapsed cave ceiling. Of course the best shot is taken with a drone from above, capturing the geological wonder.

Witnessing the raw power of waves crashing through the hole against jagged rocks is a sight that will leave you in awe.

Approaching Broken Beach’s epic cliffside hole, we imagined mighty gods battling here long ago, puncturing the land with this giant breach.

Though signs warn the natural bridge could give way at any moment, we braved the staircase down, curiosity getting the best of us.

Broken Beach is featured in every Instagram tour of Nusa Penida, the road to get here is difficult, and if you don’t want to miss it, book a tour of the best photo spots with a local guide. It is affordable and you get instant confirmation.

Tembeling Beach

Tucked within a protected cove, Tembeling Beach was one of the best days on our Nusa Penida itinerary. Yet, difficult to reach, the secluded spot boasts palm-fringed white sand shores and still emerald waters and freshwater pools with views over the ocean.

To get there you must pass through thick forest, with uneven roads that only locals know how to drive through.

At the end of the forest, you will find a parking spot with many scooters. Check all the information to get to Tembeling beach here. After a walk down the stairs, still through the forest you will get to a sacred pool, often used by worshippers.

Following the trail toward the beach, you will find the freshwater pool with a terrace over the sea and the cave that goes to the other side.

At the time of our visit, the waves were crashing hard on the cliff, so swimming was a no-go. However, everything is set for the perfect instagram photospot background. Because secluded, you will find way fewer people than in other spots.

Peguyangan Waterfall

A refreshing oasis within Nusa Penida’s arid landscape, Peguyangan Waterfall is a must-visit natural wonder perfect for capturing Bali’s tropical essence. Accessible after a short walk through verdant jungle, the multi-tiered cascades empty into shallow pools great for a quick dip.

Stand behind the thundering falls for classic shots with water rushing down around you. Photos from within the stream capture rays of light piercing through the canopy above.

Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach was one of the most impressive places in Nusa Penida for us. The location is incredible, close to another sight; Diamond Beach, but less touristy.

The golden beach itself is incredible and like a paradise. We lounged at one of the huts offering coconut, fresh fruit and drinks. It was the major highlight of our day around Nusa Penida’s best beaches.

Make your way down the steps to the shoreline to feature the cliffs in the background. It is easy to get down; follow our guide to Atuh Beach. As one of the easiest beach access points in Nusa Penida, expect some crowds during peak times – arriving early allows you to stake out the perfect undisrupted shot.

Pose sitting in the swing nets with spectacular ocean vistas behind you, or go for classic standing shots amongst the lush greenery and against the treehouse’s wooden exterior.

Schedule your visit for late afternoon to catch golden hour lighting filtered through the canopy. An organic juice or brunch atop the cliffside completes the chilled out experience!

Manta Point

We could see Mantas from the top of the cliffs. Home to giant manta rays, Manta Point off the coast of Nusa Penida has become world famous for its underwater action. But the epic cliff jumping and infinity pool perched just above the actual point shouldn’t be overlooked either!

We don’t encourage it, because you will fear heights but many venture above 20 feet into the ocean to catch the best shot.

Taking a zoom lens like us you will catch the same shot, with Mantas perfectly focused. However, if you want the best experience we suggest booking a Manta snorkeling tour in Nusa Penida.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is another incredible sight of Nusa Penida. The Natural wander attract mostly snorkelers looking for the ultimate experience in Bali. Of course we couldn’t miss the occasion to snap the bay’s iconic arched limestone formations. Angling for that perfect sunset shot to crown our Nusa Penida photo album.

Thousand Island Viewpoint

Hiking out to Nusa Penida’s rugged northeastern tip, we were stunned by the panorama of tiny islets scattered as far as the eye could see. Late afternoon, through sunset and blue hour is the best time to visit this Nusa Penida photo spot.

The soft light and orangey colors make this spot unmissable, and it doesn’t matter if you snap the shot with a dslr or a phone, it is always stunning.

Teletubbies Hill

We couldn’t believe that the real hills featured in the popular kids series exist and it’s on Nusa Island. Rolling vibrant hills stretched out before us in every direction, transporting us right into a Teletubbies episode.

You can’t resist channeling your best Tinky Winky poses atop the grassy slopes. When the clouds momentarily parted to reveal bright blue skies, we truly felt we’d ventured onto the set of that quirky children’s show.

The Chill Penida

The Chill Penida cafe lived up to its name, offering ultimate relaxation with epic views. We had one of the most relaxing days on Nusa Penida at The Chill bar.

The fantastic pool with seaview payoff, the days spent through the narrow, bad shaped roads of the island. You can spend a whole day, eating fresh food, healthy bowls, catching up with work (like us!) or just enjoying the sunshine lounging and tanning.

Getting to Nusa Penida

Before you can start capturing all those Instagram-worthy shots, you first need to make your way to gorgeous Nusa Penida! Located just a 45 minute boat ride from mainland Bali, getting to paradise is easy.

If you’re planning your route, it’s worth reading how long to spend in Nusa Penida, whether it works as a day trip from Bali, and how it compares in our Nusa Penida vs Nusa Lembongan guide.

Numerous fast boats depart daily from four main ports – Sanur, Padang Bai, Benoa Harbor, and Serangan. We recommend avoiding the public ferries as their safety standards are questionable. Instead, opt for the slightly more expensive yet vastly more secure private charters.

Companies like Maruti Express, Rocky Fast Cruise, and Manta Cruise all offer direct services to Nusa Penida with typical journey times under an hour. Most boats leave Sanur between 7:30am and 9am, with afternoon departures around 1pm, 3pm and 5pm, and the return leg running roughly 8am to 5pm from Nusa Penida (always double check with your operator, as schedules shift). Tickets average 500,000 IDR each way. Read how much will you spend visiting Bali. Also worth a read: whether to carry USD or IDR in Bali. The sea in between is rough, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. We always travel armed with motion sickness medication if waves are rough.

We suggest booking your ticket online here, as our experience was that they tried to get more money out of us, only because of booking on the spot. Instead we showed them the online booking of a week before and they lowered the price.

How to get around Nusa Penida

We always say that Nusa Penida is worth visiting, even though there is not much to do apart from the stunning beauty and tropical beaches. However, one of the main downsides of the island in front of Bali, is that the roads are poorly maintained and lack of connection between the main points.

While in Nusa Penida for three days we rented two scooters. At first the moped given wasn’t strong enough to get up the steep roads, so we had to upgrade, from 125cc to 200cc T-Max. The second big scooter was much better, and with ease we went up and down the hills.

Where you base yourself also affects how much scooter time you’ll need — see our guide on where to stay in Nusa Penida. However, if you are not an experienced driver, we suggest hiring a local guide. They are great to take you around for a very small fee. We suggest you look into this Nusa Penida Instagram Tour with everything included, even water.

Best time to visit Nusa Penida

With epic spots ranging from high seaside cliffs to hidden waterfalls surrounded by rainforest, timing plays a big role in planning a trip that includes each Nusa Penida photography location.

The island boasts year-round tropical temperatures, but between April and September, which is the Bali dry season, sees sunnier days and minimal rainfall. So it’s the best time to visit Nusa Penida.

However, visiting in the wet season doesn’t mean you’re doomed. In fact, venturing to Nusa Penida between October to March (like we did) rewards you with lusher green landscapes and swollen waterfalls from monsoon rains – offering dramatic effects not seen other times of the year. Just be flexible if planning for beachfront golden hours and pack weather-proof gear.

In terms of crowds, these remain relatively constant year-round, avoiding massive tourist influxes or closures even during holidays like Nyepi (March). Regardless of when you visit, early mornings before 10 AM beat the midday heat and hordes at popular sights.

The magic hours around sunrise and sunset are of course the best for scenery and colors. However, be aware that most of the sights have bad paved roads to get there. Tembeling Beach and Forest is impossible to get to when it is dark, as there is not a proper road.

More time for your visit? Read also…

• Best things to do on Nusa Lembongan
• Is Nusa Lembongan worth visiting?
• Top 30 Bali Photo Spots
• Thailand vs Indonesia: A detailed comparison

Photography gear essentials

While you can catch perfect shots in Nusa Penida using solely your smartphone, the DSLR Camera offers better captures. If you want sharp images and better colors the camera will assure you the perfect angles. Exploring the sights for sunset, carry a tripod with you.

As for lenses, wide angles (We use a 10-22 mm ultrasonic) capture sprawling landscapes in sharp focus or use a zoom lens 50-300mm to catch details. We have a prime lens 50mm and a zoom lens 70-300mm which works perfectly and keeps our luggage light.

You can use the drone easily, and while we were still using our old DJI Spark, there was no error in the compass or GPS location. So highly suggested to carry your drone with you while exploring Nusa Penida Photo Spots.

Before you fly, register your drone through Indonesia’s SIPUDI portal — this applies regardless of drone weight and takes 3-5 working days, so start at least 10 days before your trip. Once on the island, keep to a maximum altitude of 150 metres, always fly within visual line of sight, and never fly at night. Nusa Penida’s clifftop spots sit outside the Bali airport and temple exclusion zones, but exposed cliff edges like Kelingking and Broken Beach can get gusty, so check the wind on site and be ready to keep your drone grounded if conditions turn.

Staying Safe while exploring Nusa Penida

You must prioritize your safety over capturing Instagram-worthy pictures. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and sun protection while hiking. Remember, stairs to the shore of Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach are steep; be cautious.

Keep your route through marked paths and never trespass; you will get into dangerous areas. When taking pictures at cliffside spots, you must remain several feet back from the absolute edge due to high winds and loose rocks.

What we accrued is that there is not a lot of maintenance. Swimming isn’t allowed because of the strong waves crashing. Before visiting Bali, secure your travel insurance! Check the best offer on SafetyWing!

For the full picture on protecting your trip, see our complete Bali travel insurance guide.

Our travel resources

Wrap-up our Nusa Penida photo guide

We found each of these 14 locations roaming with our scooter through the island. While many roads are dangerous and not well maintained, we suggest renting your own vehicle only if you are an expert driver.

This article is a guide to snatching the best shots from Nusa Penida, starting from the iconic landscapes of Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach to secluded sanctuaries like Diamond Beach and Tembeling Beach.

The last, is the one we suggest you explore if you are staying on the island for more than a day trip from Bali. This secluded spot is only accessible if you are willing to venture off the beaten track.