Nusa Penida is not really famous for its beaches. In fact, it's not that easy to find a beach with easy access on the island. However, there are some hidden gems and many magical beaches you will only find if someone tells you about them. So we have!
Here is a short list of our favorites.
Gentle warning! Please be aware that currents and waves can be fierce in Penida so always ask a local if it's ok to swim and tell someone where you are going.
Crystal Bay, the most famous
The best-known beach on Nusa Penida is Crystal Bay. It is easy to get to and it has a fantastic sunset. There is white sand and a selection of little stalls have set up selling sunbed spots, young coconuts and beers. The waters are, unsurprisingly, mostly crystal clear with lots of cool coral to see snorkeling and the occasional dolphin pod to spot if you like staring at the horizon. Just be careful as the currents can be strong and unpredictable, avoid the right side of the bay (when facing the sea). This is an unmissable beach if often crowded.
Pandan Beach and Putung Beach, Crystal Bay's lesser-known siblings
If you head to the west side of Crystal Bay (left if facing the sea), you will find some steps leading up to a barely visible path. After approximately seven minutes walk, the first stop takes you to Pandan Beach, a tiny pristine beach. You can escape the crowds here but be careful of swimming, the waves and currents can be fierce and no boat is around to rescue you. If you carry on a further 10 minutes an even more hidden and perfect little beach is to be found, Putung Beach which you can enjoy all by yourself.
Diamond and Atuh, the Eastern gems
Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach are right next to each other on the east coast. Atuh has a selection of small warungs where you can buy drinks and simple Indonesian food as well as rent sunbeds. Diamond Beach is still untouched. Both have a good set of concrete stairs to access them, expect a 10 to 15-minute walk to get down and a little more to get up again. The views are amazing. Don't forget to find the viewpoint on the cliff where the two beaches meet, the rock structures are breathtaking.
Suwehan Beach, worth the hike
Suwehan Beach resembles Diamond Beach with its Christmas tree-shaped monolith rising up from the sea. The beach is beautiful, a bit off the beaten track and hard to access. The steps down have recently been redone so 20 minutes is usually enough to get down and you shouldn't be sharing the view with many others—a good place to combine with a visit to Teletubbies Hill.
Tembeling forest and natural pools, a beach and so much more
The road stops about 2 kilometres from Tembeling. You can either brave the track on your own scooter, hire a guide to take you down or stroll down the shaded path and enjoy the fresh air. When you arrive near the bottom you will first find some natural pools, one of which is sacred and bears some statues and offerings, whilst the other has been rebuilt like a jacuzzi and has a sea view. The small beach here is lovely. Local ladies will be happy to sell you snacks and canned drinks but make sure you take your rubbish back up with you. Here again, watch out for big waves and currents. The beach is close to one of Penida's most beautiful cliff-top viewpoints, the Saren cliff point from which you can gaze at the extent of the south coast and the manta rays frolicking in the waters below.
North Beach, the easiest and longest
The beaches running along the north coast vary in width and accessibility (some disappear at high tide) but Toyapekh always offers a nice patch of sand though swimming can be difficult due to boat traffic. Another top spot is the stretch behind Pura Ped running east where there is sand to sit on whatever the tide. These are good spots for snorkeling though be aware that the current may take you up or down the coast so be on the lookout to avoid drifting away, and wear fins. The waves are usually small or non-existent.