How to Get from Bali to Nusa Penida: Ferry, Fast Boat & Port Guide

Comfort or budget? That’s up to you! But here is the shortcut info for the different boat types from different departure ports from Bali to Nusa Penida.

Nusa Penida has three main harbors, and you may wonder which port to arrive at. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’ll give you enough info so you won’t end up getting lost and land at the right one for your Nusa Penida exploration.

• Sampalan Harbor

When you take a ferry from Padang Bai, Sampalan Harbor is where you’re going to dock. Expect to see some unpretty sights of big trucks and cargo handling. The fast boats rarely stop here, unless you leave from Kusamba, which makes the shortest trip to Nusa Penida. Pick Sampalan if your main checklist includes the northeast attractions such as Diamond Beach, Goa Giri Putri Temple, Teletubbies Hill, and Atuh Beach.

• Toya Pakeh

Located on the northwest coast of Nusa Penida, Toya Pakeh has become one of the crucial hubs for fast boats arriving from Sanur. Toya Pakeh is a fishing village, so you won’t find any best restaurants here. But what you will find is motorbike and car rentals. Choose Toya Pakeh if your itinerary is heavily revolved around Nusa Penida’s iconic spots like Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay.

• Banjar Nyuh

The busiest port of them all, Banjar Nyuh is an extension of Toya Pakeh. The port is where 90% of the fast boats from Sanur, Serangan, and Padang Bai drop off their passengers. With proper development, including food stalls and waiting rooms, Banjar Nyuh also serves as the hub port for the Gili Islands and Lombok. If you arrive at Banjar Nyuh, it’s your choice whether to visit Kelingking Beach, Tembeling Forest, or the Molenteng Tree House.

I’ll be honest, I only recommend taking a ferry to Nusa Penida for two reasons: you’re staying at the eastern coast areas (Amed, Tulamben, or Sidemen), and you want to explore Nusa Penida on motorbikes. Unless you want the experience of taking a ferry and only want to spend US$ 2 for the trip and US$ 3 for the motorbike, go ahead. Otherwise, stick to Sanur as the most convenient way to go to Nusa Penida.

The public ferry departs twice a day, at 9.30 AM and 2.30 PM. Most people arrive at the port and purchase their tickets on the spot. One thing to remember is that the schedule can change without advanced notice; that’s why I don’t recommend taking the ferry if you want to leave mainland Bali to Nusa Penida.

Fast boats remain the popular and reliable choice for traveling from the Bali mainland to Nusa Penida. But which port should you go to?

• Sanur

Whether you stay in Canggu, Kuta, or Seminyak, Sanur Harbor remains the favorite port to go to Nusa Penida. El Rey, Crown Fast, Semabu, and Maruti are just a few of the companies serving the crossing to Nusa Penida. You can leave as early as 7.30 AM or as late as 5.30 PM, as there are around 15-20 departure schedules per day with a crossing time of approximately 45 minutes. The price is also quite competitive, starting from US$ 10 for a one-way ticket.

• Serangan

Serangan may sound doable if you’re staying around Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, or Uluwatu. However, the longer travel time (an hour compared to 45 minutes from Sanur), a slightly more expensive ticket (ranging from US$ 30 to more), and the limited schedule (departing only once a day at 8 AM) have made Serangan the last resort for visiting Nusa Penida. Even with different operators such as Bluewater Express and Gili Getaway, they only have one departure per day.

• Padang Bai

Padang Bai is only recommended if you’ve already stayed in the central and eastern part of the island. The departure times are limited to 11 AM and 3 PM daily, with a typical travel time of 30 minutes. Though shorter, I don’t recommend taking a fast boat from Padang Bai due to the limited frequency and services.

Fast Boat from Amed to Penida

Currently, there is no direct boat service from Amed to Nusa Penida. The closest alternative is driving to Kusamba, which is only about 20 minutes, and then taking the earliest speedboat to Nusa Penida at 6.30 AM. The traveling time is only 15 minutes, costing around US$ 10 for a one-way ticket. If you’ve dived or snorkeled in Amed and Tulamben, then crossing to Nusa Penida from Kusamba makes a lot more sense than from Padang Bai, as the Gangga Express serves the crossing until 5 PM.

If you ever run out of things to do in Nusa Penida (which is unlikely), you can always do island-hopping to the other two Nusa Islands, Lembongan and Ceningan. But how do you travel between these tiny islands? You’ve got two ways.

• Local Boats

Paying only US$ 4-US$ 6, you’ll cross to Nusa Lembongan in 15-20 minutes. The local boats often hang around Toya Pakeh Harbor and will drop you off at Yellow Bridge in Nusa Lembongan. The schedule is quite frequent, from 7.30 AM to 4.30 PM, and no bookings are required. You show up and buy the ticket at the harbor. You only need 15-30 minutes until the boat reaches its maximum capacity.

• Shuttle Boats

Wanderlust Cruise serves a shuttle boat between Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan three times per day: 10 AM, 1 PM, and 4 PM. The US$ 6 price tag includes air-conditioned service and professional crews, and you will leave from Toyapakeh Harbor to Jungutbatu Beach in Nusa Lembongan in 15 minutes.

What’s the ideal length to stay in Nusa Penida? Based on my experience, three days and two nights seem to mark the sweet spot for exploring the top attractions without feeling rushed or too long. Beyond the Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach, you can test your adventure side by going to Peguyangan Waterfall or snorkeling with manta rays at Manta Bay. But don’t sleep on the trip to the Gili Islands as well. Yes, it’s another trip entirely, but you can go directly from Nusa Penida. You’ll find plenty of what to do in the Gili Islands, from snorkeling, diving, and of course, island-hopping!

Despite the straightforward nature of how to get to Nusa Penida, there are a few things to pay attention to, especially regarding booking and arrival ports. Follow the tips I’m about to give you for a smooth sailing.

• Book through the official ticket desks. Check their Instagram accounts and website, read the reviews, and make sure they have offline offices.

• Don’t be tempted by low prices. Be suspicious if there is an extremely low price for tickets. Always check the competitors to know the average prices.

• Payment method. When operators only accept cash, cancel your booking immediately.

• Check their cancellation policy. Legitimate operators usually offer a full refund if you cancel at least a week before departure.

• Ferry vs fast boat. Both serve different purposes in getting you to Nusa Penida. And yes, both are relatively safe.

• Check the weather. Especially during the rainy season and monsoon, when the winds and waves are strong.

• Safety standards. Licensed fast boats and ferries adhere to regulated safety standards, which include life jackets and first aid supplies. When in doubt, ask the staff directly for clarification.

Now that you’ve had all the info about how to reach Nusa Penida from the Bali mainland, what about the return trip? How should you navigate the timings and the transportation?

• Destination

If your next stop is Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, or the airport, Sanur should become your arrival port, thanks to its reliable timetables and frequent schedules.

If you’re heading to Amed, Tulamben, or Sidemen, I recommend choosing Kusamba, as it will save you a significant amount of time getting to your destination.

• Timings

Choose morning or early afternoon boats, as they are rarely canceled/delayed. Moreover, if you need to catch a flight (even if it’s an evening flight), it’s always safe to pick the morning boats or even the day before. The last departure from Nusa Penida is always packed, so book your spot in advance.

• Transport

You don’t need to arrange transport if you arrive in Sanur, as booking Gojek/Grab is easy. You must arrange a pickup if you choose Padang Bai or Kusamba, as Gojek/Grab is not readily available in these areas.