Ubud to Nusa Penida: Getting to Sanur Harbour

When to leave for your boat

Fast boats to Nusa Penida leave from Sanur Harbour, south of Ubud on the coast. These are the times we recommend leaving your hotel. They include being at the harbour 45 to 60 minutes before departure.

Midday boats need more time because the roads between Ubud and Sanur get busier through the day. A travel blog estimates 45 to 55 minutes before 8 am and 70 to 90 minutes at midday.

Maruti’s check-in opens 90 minutes before departure and closes 30 minutes before, and some companies ask you to swap your voucher at their office first. Check your own ticket for the counter and deadline.

Leave central Ubud early

The streets around the palace, Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman are narrow and fill up with scooters, cars and tour vans. In 2023 a Bali legislator told ANTARA that a single kilometre could take up to 1.5 hours in Ubud’s worst jams.

If you’re staying in the centre, be ready at your gate on time. A hotel up a narrow lane may also need a few extra minutes to reach the main road.

The road down to Sanur

Most drivers head south through Mas, Celuk and Batubulan, villages known for wood carving, silver and stone carving. These stretches are the slowest part of the drive. Some drivers drop to the coast road, Jalan Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, and follow it into Sanur. Let your driver choose on the day.

Getting a ride to Sanur

• Book a driver the day before. For an early boat, a driver who waits at your gate is the easiest choice. Agree the pickup time and drop-off at Sanur Harbour.
• Ask about a boat company pickup. El Rey’s free pickup covers one address in Ubud. Other companies may include Ubud or charge extra; check before you book.
• Book the boat and pickup together. If you book your fast boat ticket with Visit Penida, we can add a pickup from your hotel in Bali. Ask Made about your area and any extra cost before you pay. See the fast boat tickets.
• Using Grab or Gojek: app pickups are reported to be restricted in central Ubud, around the palace, Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman. Walk to a main road outside the centre to meet the car, or book a driver instead.

At Sanur Harbour

Cars reach the harbour through one entrance on Jalan Pantai Matahari Terbit, and it gets busy before the morning boats. Give your driver the boat company’s name so they can drop you near the right counter.

See the Sanur boat times for each company’s departures and which harbour on Nusa Penida your boat uses.

Staying on the east side? Compare Kusamba

Ubud is in the middle of Bali, so you can also head east to Kusamba. Boats from there cross to Sampalan, which suits stays in Sampalan and Batununggul. See Kusamba to Nusa Penida before you choose. For Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh and west-side stays, Sanur is usually the better choice.

Day trip or overnight

From Ubud, a day trip means leaving around 05:30 for an early boat and getting back after dark. We recommend staying at least two nights on Nusa Penida so you have one full day on the island.

Coming back from Nusa Penida

The last boats to Sanur leave Nusa Penida at 17:00. The same blog estimates 90 to 120 minutes from Sanur to Ubud between 16:00 and 19:00.

Book your ride back before you cross. App drivers are reported not to be able to collect passengers inside Sanur Harbour, so a pre-booked driver saves you walking out to the main road with your bags.