Planning a Bali to Penida Trip

Decide how long to stay

Give Nusa Penida at least three days and two nights. The boat and hotel transfers take up part of your arrival and departure days, so two nights leave one full day on the island. Stay four or five days if you want both coasts and snorkeling. Our guide to how many days to plan compares each trip length.

If you’re deciding between islands, compare Penida and Lembongan first.

If you only have one day

Take a 07:30 or 08:00 boat from Sanur and choose a few sights on one coast. The crossing, check-in and road transfers take up part of the day, so don’t add snorkeling to a full sightseeing tour. Plan for a return boat before the last 17:00 sailing, so a late car or a full boat doesn’t strand you.

The one-day west itinerary shows what fits, and day trip vs overnight shows what you gain by staying.

If you can stay one night

One night lets you enjoy an evening on the island, but both days still include a boat journey. Stay in one hotel and keep your outings nearby.

See the one-night itinerary and choose your hotel area before booking transfers.

Where Penida fits in your Bali trip

Put Nusa Penida in the middle of your Bali stay, not at the end. The last boats back to Sanur leave at 17:00, and rough sea can delay or cancel a sailing. El Rey’s terms advise arriving at least 24 hours before onward travel and say the company isn’t liable for a missed connecting flight. Spend your last night in Bali, in Sanur or near the airport.

You can cross the day you land if your flight arrives early. Book a Sanur boat that leaves at least 3 hours after landing. If you land after about 13:00, sleep in Sanur and take a morning boat. The airport to Nusa Penida guide has the details.

Avoid the days around Nyepi, 8 March 2027. Bali and Nusa Penida shut down for 24 hours, with no boats and no flights, so don’t plan to arrive or leave between 7 and 9 March. See the best time to visit for other busy weeks.

Coming from east Bali, or staying near Sampalan? The Kusamba crossing to Sampalan takes about 25 to 30 minutes.

Getting to Sanur harbour

Most visitors leave from Sanur. Our Bali transfer guides suggest leaving your hotel this long before your boat departs:

Book your driver the day before. Each guide has the route and traffic tips: Nusa Dua and the airport, Uluwatu or Jimbaran, Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta and Ubud.

Book the boat and pickup

Check the departure harbour, check-in time, arrival harbour and pickup point. Most Sanur boats land at Banjar Nyuh, but some use other piers. Send the ticket and your hotel pin to your driver on Nusa Penida.

Pack light. El Rey allows two bags per passenger, up to 25 kg in total, and other operators set their own limits, so ask before you pay. If you’re coming back to the same Bali hotel, ask whether it can keep your big suitcase while you’re away.

The Sanur to Penida guide lists every sailing and what each operator includes.

Pay the levies and bring rupiah

You pay two separate levies, and neither is part of the boat fare:

• Bali: Rp150,000 per foreign visitor, paid through the Love Bali website or app. The Bali Government recommends paying before you arrive.
• Nusa Penida: Rp25,000 per foreign adult and Rp15,000 per child aged 4 to 13, paid once when you arrive, according to Klungkung Regency.

Many attractions also charge their own site ticket. The levy and attraction fees guide explains what each one costs. Fees can change, so confirm the amount before paying.

Bring rupiah from Bali for small warungs and parking, and a card for bigger bills. Our ATM and payments guide covers the rest.

Choose a tour for your full day

With three days and two nights, choose one land tour or snorkeling trip for the full day. Stay longer if you want to do both.

A driver makes sightseeing easier; a boat operator handles snorkeling equipment and stops. There’s no Grab or Gojek on the island, so arrange your driver before you cross. Getting around Nusa Penida compares drivers and scooters. Confirm pickup and what’s included.

Check the forecast near departure

Use seasonal advice to choose your travel month. Then check the BMKG forecast for Nusa Penida harbour a day or two before the boat, and ask your operator whether the sailing is running. Rain and sea conditions can change your plans even in the dry season.

Plan the details

Start with the 3D2N itinerary, choose a stay, and arrange transport. Look at tours for the days you want a driver or snorkeling boat.