9 Best Sunset Spots in Nusa Penida: Our Guide to the Island’s Most Magical Evenings
Sunsets are a constant part of our trip to any new country. We toured the whole island in search of the best sunset spots. We’ve chased the golden hour from the island’s dramatic cliffs and viewpoints and relaxed in the cool clubs. After all, it’s the best part of living a great experience in Bali….
Sunsets are a constant part of our trip to any new country. We toured the whole island in search of the best sunset spots.
We’ve chased the golden hour from the island’s dramatic cliffs and viewpoints and relaxed in the cool clubs. After all, it’s the best part of living a great experience in Bali.
This guide will help you pin on the map the best sunset spots in Nusa Penida.
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Nusa Penida at sunset: Times across the seasons
Nusa Penida’s sunset time shifts only slightly throughout the year. Make sure to arrive at your chosen spot by 5:45 PM to catch the changing colours and secure a great view.
If you are visiting Nusa Penida during the dry season (April to September), we suggest watching the sunset from Crystal Bay or Thousand Islands Viewpoint. Get there between 6:00 PM and 6:20 PM.
Instead, if you are exploring the island during the wet season (October to March), sunsets can be even more epic (personal opinion). The sky is prettier with a few clouds and, of course, more droplets in the air, which makes the light reflect more. Anyway, the perfect time to watch the sunset in Nusa Penida during the rainy season is 6:10 PM and 6:30 PM.
9 Best Sunset spot in Nusa Penida
- Crystal Bay
- Kelingking Beach
- Atuh Beach
- Thousand Islands Viewpoint
- Banah Cliff Point
- Diamond Beach
- The Chill Penida
- Mambo beach Restaurant
- Penida Colada Beach Club
Crystal Bay
The most popular sunset spot in Nusa Penida is Crystal Bay. It’s actually one of the most accessible beaches on the whole island, so head here even to chill on the soft sand.
Head before sunset and chill with a cold drink. There are many shacks and warungs offering fresh coconut and Bintang for about 20,000 IDR.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is a constant in our Nusa Penida itineraries; it’s iconic and great for sunset, too. Of course, the T-Rex-shaped cliff is what grabs the attention, and from the top, you might be lucky (like us) to spot giant Mantas.
At sunset, the colours are unbelievable. The glow of gold and blue, with the sky firing up in orange, yellows and reds.
Kelingking is an adventure in itself. While going down the cliff is incredible, we don’t suggest sunset. The staircase is quite steep, just carved into the white rock. It will be challenging to get up on time before it gets completely dark. So the best spot in Kelingking beach to watch the sunset is from above the cliffs.
More details and tips for visiting? Our full Kelingking Beach guide covers everything you need.
Atuh Beach
It’s not a secret that Atuh Beach is our favourite, overall, on Nusa Penida. It’s a more secluded beach, but definitely a great sunset experience. What makes us prefer this place is also that it is more accessible. More than other spots in this guide.
This is one of the best beaches to watch the sunset in Nusa Penida mostly because of the setting. The white sand, small bars on the beach selling beers and fresh coconut, the rock arch and towering cliffs all around. Does it sound magical? It is.
READ MORE | A DETAILED GUIDE TO ATUH BEACH
Thousand Islands Viewpoint & Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Thousand Islands viewpoint is one of the furthest away from the village. However, don’t let this scare you off. Palau Seribu offers one of the most incredible views over the “thousand islands” surrounding Nusa Penida.
The most famous spot in this part of the island is Rumah Pohon Treehouse. You might have seen photos of it, as it’s one of the most instagrammable places in Nusa Penida.
The famous tree house is perched on a hill, with a perfect view of the cliff’s edge. While it’s difficult to get there, there are many tours of the island (Like this one), which offers Instagram worthy places to visit. The distance makes it one of the last spots to visit for a group of tourists, so do not expect the place all to yourself.
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Banah Cliff Point: Wild and Off-the-Beaten-Path
It’s not a secret anymore. Banah Cliff Viewpoint is an incredible sunset spot in Nusa Penida. The road to get there is exhausting if you are driving on your own. However, the viewpoint is one of a kind. Completely open view of the ocean and rocks rising from the sea.
As there is not much around, take your own set of snacks and drinks.
Diamond Beach
Some of our most beautiful photos from Nusa Penida are from Diamond Beach. The rocks really look like Diamonds rising from the sea.
However, it’s more popular as a sunrise spot; you can still enjoy the sunset. The pagoda on top of the cliff is very nice, chilled with a good view. As for Kelingking Beach, we suggest watching the sunset from the top of the cliffs. The stairs are tiny and get dark pretty quickly after sunset.
Mambo beach Restaurant
Mambo Beach Restaurant is one of the prettiest, vibey clubs in Nusa Penida. It’s located in the coolest part of the island, not so far from the Ferry Port for the speed boats from Sanur Port in Bali. Read our guide on how to get to Nusa Penida on your own.
This club offers tables with a sea view, a small beach with a few loungers and our favourite bean loungers. You know, these bags where you literally sink in it. From sunset, you can get some chillout live music and a great atmosphere. If you are travelling as a couple like us, it is one of the most romantic spots on the island.
Penida Colada Beach Bar
We had so much fun at Penida Colada. This is another cool bar with beach access in Nusa Penida. It’s located on the most developed part of the island and offers pretty much the same vibes as the above Mambo Beach.
We also spent a couple of nights (there is not much to do on the island apart from this) and had fun with friends. Definitely add Penida Colada Beach Club to your sunset spots in Nusa Penida.
The Chill Penida
We spent a couple of lazy afternoons at Chill Penida. This club was our best spot to unwind, have fresh seafood and from time to time work done. You know, working on the go isn’t easy.
This is also one of the spots we found with the best stable connection on the whole island. The Chill Penida is on the east coast of the island, so not perfect for sunset. However, the view was spectacular, and you can spot the Bali coast and the towering Mount Agung.
How to make the most of your Nusa Penida sunset
- Renting a scooter gives you more freedom and the possibility to reach remote spots at your convenience. Well, roads aren’t the best in Nusa Penida, so we suggest doing that only if you feel confident. Here’s our honest advice on renting a scooter in Nusa Penida.
- Plan your route: Some sunset spots are far apart. If you’re short on time, our Nusa Penida day trip guide helps you choose the best.
- Stay overnight: We spent a few nights in Nusa Penida and were able to enjoy sunsets (and sunrises) from different spots. If this is the case for you, the position of your accommodation matters a lot. Check our suggestions for the best places to stay in Nusa Penida.
- When to go: The weather in Bali is always good, but! The dry season (April–September) offers the clearest sunsets. We love to explore the islands in the shoulder season and the wet season. The sky was clear most of the time, and that sporadic rain pattern added more magical moments to our afternoons.
