OVERVIEW :

Nusa Penida is part of the Klungkung Bali district. Long time ago the island of Nusa Penida was used as prison island to house convicts of the mighty Gelgel dynasty during their early 18th century rule under the Majapahit (or Madjapahit). The Gelgel Balinese kingdom conquered Lombok during that period some centuries ago.

Badung Strait - During WWII the Badung Strait was the location of "The Badung Strait Battle". This event took place on 19 and 20 februar 1942. Allied forces had a confrontation here with the Imperial Japanese Navy.

There are 3 islands here, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan. These are located some 20 km from Bali 's south-east coast. Nusa Penida is the largest of the three islands and is one of the main locations for scuba dive trips departing from Bali .

Nusa Penida is known for possible encounters with large pelagics like Manta Ray's (Manta Birostris) at Manta Point Dive Site  and Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish)  at other dive sites around the island. On one rare occasion ones spotted a whale-shark..

The northern dive sites of Nusa Penida like Crystal Bay , Pura Ped  and Toyapakeh  are good destinations for Drift Diving. A speed boat of 45 minutes ride brings you to the best underwater adventures here in Bali Indonesia .

The divesites around Penida can be challenging. Upwellings from the deep can cause thermoclines and let the temperature drop to 20 degrees celsius. Currents running between the Nusa Islands and Lombok Strait are most of the time southward, but can be influenced in direction and strength by the monsoon seasons.

Nusa Penida, Lembongan Island and Ceningan are located on the so called Wallace Line which runs between Bali and Lombok . The Wallace line is a boundary that separates the ecozones of Asia and Australasia . West of this line organisms live that relate to Asiatic species, East of this line most of the species are related to the Australian species. Scientist think that these boundary are present for some 50 million years and actually form the southwestern edge of the Sunda Earth Crust Shelf which links Borneo , Bali , Java and Sumatra to the mainland of southeast Asia.

How to go to Nusa Penida :

  -  Traditional boat from Sanur, takes 2- 2.5 hours per way
  -  Traditional boat from Kusamba, takes 1 - 1.5 hours
  -  Speed boat from Sanur about 45 minutes
  -  Speed boat from Padang Bay about 45 minutes ride
  -  Cruises from Benoa Harbour, takes 45 minutes
  -  Cruise "Roro" from Padang Bai harbour, takes 25 minutes
  -  Traditional boat from Nusa Lembongan, about 10 minutes
  -  Spead boat from Nusa Lembongan, less than 10 minutes

Traditional or speed boats may be limited or not operated if the weather condition does not allow.

What to see at Nusa Penida :

 -  Morning traditional market at Toyapakeh or Mentigi
 -  Seaweed farmers around the beach of Toyapakeh, Banjar Nyuh, Prapat, Tanah Bias and Ped
 -  Sacred temples : Penataran Ped, Goa Giri Putri, Bukit Mundi and many others around the villages
 -  Traditional fishermen around the beach of Toyapakeh, Kutampi and Mentigi village
 -  Water sports activities around the beach.
 -  Nature water falls at Watas village, Batumadeg (Tembeling), Sebuluh (Seganing) and Penida.
 -  Birds sanctuary at Tanah Bias village.

Transportation at Nusa Penida :

 - It is easy to get a motor bike to rent in the island
 - Or simply get a ride by a motor bike (ojek) with the local people to show the places
 - On the beach area, also available bicycle to rent
 - Many non AC cars (bemo) available around the island.
 - A car charter is suitable for a group or more 5 person.

Accommodation at Nusa Penida :

- Available some homestay or budget hotels at some areas.
- Stay and join the traditional family house would be a unique experience.