Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida: Everything You Need To Know
Despite being bombarded with tourists, there are still some incredible places to explore on Bali and in the surrounding islands. In recent years, Kelingking Beach has become a haven for tourists looking to get “off-the-beaten-path”.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about visiting Kelingking Beach(also known as Secret Point)onNusa Penida, a small tropical paradise off the coast of Bali.
What is Kelingking Beach?
Since you’ve landed on this page, I’m assuming that you already know a bit about Kelingking Beach.
But, in the off chance that you don’t, Kelingking Beach is a sugar-sand beach on the west coast of Nusa Penida. This beach is surrounded by unique cliffs and caves on all sides, including the well-known T-Rex cliff that you may have seen on Instagram.
How Do I Get From Bali To Kelingking Secret Point Beach?
In order to reach Kelingking Beach, you’ll first need to get to the island of Nusa Penida. A 45-minute speed boat ride is all that it takes to get to Nusa Penida from Bali.
From Denpasar, take a Grab taxi to the pier in Sanur. When ordering a Grab taxi, type in “Idola Express Sanur” as your end destination.
Once you arrive to the pier in Sanur, pass by all of the hagglers looking to sell you tickets and tours to the surrounding islands.
Instead, head directly to the Idola Express ticket tent. You can find the ticket tent by following the directions in the picture below:
Walk to the end of the road and take a left. Follow the path along the waterfront until you see a tent that says Idola Express.
Note:We recommend Idola Express because we have used this company on two separate occasions. They offered the cheapest prices during both visits and they were reliable.
Tickets will cost approximately 350,000 – 500,000 IDR roundtrip($25 – $35 USD)depending on the time of year.
如果你想书speed boat trip to Nusa Penida in advance, you can book tickets throughDirect Ferries.
How Do I Get To Kelingking Beach (Secret Point) From The Nusa Penida Pier?
Once you reach the pier in Nusa Penida, you’ll need to find a way to get to Kelingking Beach.
We visited Nusa Penida on two separate occasions and used two forms of transportation to get to the beach.
Motorbike To Kelingking Beach
The cheapest way to get to Kelingking Beach is via motorbike. The first time we visited Kelingking Beach, we rented a motorbike from a local at the pier.It cost 70,000 IDR per day.
Note:Many Nusa Penida travel guides will recommendagainstrenting a motorbike due to treacherous roads. However, if you have any experience driving a motorbike, you’ll be just fine driving around Nusa Penida island.
If you decide to rent a motorbike, be sure to get a helmet with it. It might save your life.
Taxi To Kelingking Beach
The second way to reach Kelingking Beach is by taxi. Unfortunately, there aren’t any Grab taxis on the island(as of 2019, anyway), so you’ll need to hire a local driver. You can do this once you reach Buyuk Harbour.
Getting to and from Kelingking Beach via taxi will cost anywhere from 400,000 to 800,000 IDR depending on the stops you make.
We paid 600,000 IDR to visit Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Broken Beach from Buyuk Harbour.
Note:The roads on the west side of Nusa Penida are unmaintained. If you are prone to getting car-sick, I recommend taking Dramamine.
Where Is Kelingking Beach: Location & Map
Kelingking viewpoint(Secret Point)is located on the west side of Nusa Penida approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour from Buyuk Harbour by car.
If you decide to rent a motorbike to explore the island, plan for a longer trip out to the viewpoint.
Keep your phone GPS handy and follow the winding roads from the east side of the island over to the west side.
There are several different routes to take, all with loops, turns, and treacherous roads, so be prepared for a wild ride.
Is There An Entrance Fee?
There are two fees you must pay when visiting Kelingking.
You’ll be charged5,000 IDR to parkand you’ll need to pay this regardless if you drive a motorbike or hire a taxi. Your taxi driver will require you to cover this fee. Luckily, 5,000 IDR is a mere 35 cents.
Next, you’ll be charged每人10000印尼盾to access the Kelingking viewpoint and beach. Again, this is only 70 cents per person, so I feel it’s pretty reasonable.
What To Expect During Your Kelingking Visit
To prepare for your Kelingking visit, these are the three things you can expect to find upon arrival:
1. People
If you plan to visit Kelingking during the day, expect a LOT of people. Although Nusa Penida is still considered a hidden gem, it is growing in popularity due to Instagrammers.
2. Monkeys
Plan to encounter some monkeys at the top of the stairs as well. If you don’t have experience with macaques, they can be very aggressive. Keep any valuables out of sight and do not feed them.
3. Warungs
You’ll also find a lot of warungs(small restaurants)near the entrance. The heat of the day can easily take a lot out of you, so be sure to refuel your body with food and water.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Kelingking Beach?
到目前为止最好的时间访问Kelingkingmorning. During our first excursion to Kelingking, we left our guesthouse at 7am.
We arrived at Kelingking a little after 8am and had the entire coastline to ourselves. At around 9am, a few other travelers started trickling in, but still no crowds.
Once 10am rolled around, Kelingking viewpoint turned into a zoo. Luckily, we had already spent almost two hours exploring the coastline, the beach, and the caves. We were ready to leave.
Not only will you avoid the crowds by going in the morning, but you’ll also avoid the heat. So set your alarm for 6am and enjoy a crowd-free adventure.
Kelingking Beach Cliff For Sunset
Another good time to visit Kelingking viewpoint is for sunset. Watching the sun dip into the ocean and light up the cliffside is a spectacular sight.
One thing you should know about visiting Kelingking for sunset is that the climb down to the beach and cave can be VERY dangerous.
The climb down to the beach is dangerous in broad daylight, so climbing up and down during sunset could be fatal.
If you’re set on visiting Kelingking for sunset, stay on top of the cliff and enjoy the view from there.
Note:The best place to watch the sunset over Kelingking is just to the north of the viewpoint. You’ll have an excellent view of the T-rex peninsula and you’ll hopefully shake any crowds.
The Best Viewpoints At Secret Point Kelingking Beach
During your trip to Kelingking, be sure to check out all of the best viewpoints and have your camera ready. These are the four most important places to see during your visit:
1. Inside The Beach Cave
Climbing down to the beach will provide solitude and one of the most epic views of the west side of Nusa Penida.
You can find the cave on the far end of the beach after descending down the endless amount of steps. Pack some snacks and fluids to enjoy once you reach this magical spot.
2. At The Top Of The Stairs
You’ll find that most visitors flock to the top of the stairs. This is one of the most incredible views of Kelingking and the T-Rex peninsula.
To avoid the crowds here, come early(7 – 8 o’clock in the morning).
3. To The North Of The Entrance
Another viewpoint you should check out is the area just north of the entrance. You’ll find very few(if any)people here and you’ll have an amazing view of the beach, T-rex cliff, and gushing blue waters.
4. From Above
If you have a drone, this is the perfect time to fly it. We had so much fun driving our drone over Kelingking Beach and the other incredible landforms on the west side of Nusa Penida(Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Tembeling Natural Pool).
Frequently Asked Questions About Kelingking
Before visiting Kelingking, we had a few questions that went unanswered. At the time, we couldn’t find these answers on the internet so we had to find out for ourselves.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about this Nusa Penida gem:
1. Is The Hike Down To Kelingking Easy?
The hike down to Kelingking Beach is not a hike at all but a treacherous descent. You’ll be climbing down steps and ladders that are barely held together.
If you are afraid of heights, out of shape, or unsteady on your feet, I wouldn’t recommend climbing down to the beach. As an avid hiker, this climb felt very dangerous.
Note:If you choose to “hike” down to the beach, I recommend wearing sturdy shoes.
2. Can You Swim At Kelingking Beach?
I strongly suggest against swimming at Kelingking Beach.
Although the beautiful cyan waters are tempting, especially after a gnarly descent, the waves are powerful and the current is strong. Stay safe and stay alive during your Nusa Penida adventure.
If you’re looking for a good swimming beach on Nusa Penida, check out Atuh Beach on the east side of the island.
3. Can You Visit Kelingking For A Day Trip?
One of the best things about Nusa Penida is that it’s so close to Bali; you can easily make this a day trip.
If you want to explore Nusa Penida and visit Kelingking viewpoint but you have limited time on Bali, I recommend signing up for the ultimate Nusa Penida day trip through GetYourGuide:
Best Of Nusa Penida Full-Day Tour By Fast Boat
With this tour, you’ll be able to visit Kelingking, Angel’s Billabong, and Broken Beach, three of the top attractions on Nusa Penida.
Note:The longer you can stay on Nusa Penida, the better. There is so much to see and explore on this rugged island. I recommend staying for at least 2-3 days.
More Places To Visit Near Kelingking Beach
The west coast of Nusa Penida is a bit more rugged and unmaintained and yet you can find endless adventure here.
If you’re planning your own Nusa Penida itinerary, I recommend addingBroken Beach,Angel’s Billabong,Manta Point, andTembeling Natural Pool & Forestto your west coast to-do list.
All of these places are within 20-30 minutes of Kelingking, so it’s easy to jump from one place to another.
Our absolute favorite west coast Nusa Penida adventure was Tembeling Natural Pool and Forest. I recommend spending an entire day at this beach and pool. You’ll also find that very few people visit this hidden gem, which is a huge plus!
Where to Stay On Nusa Penida
If you plan to spend a few days on Nusa Penida, the best place to stay is on the east side of the island near Buyuk Harbour. This is where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars.
During our trips to Nusa Penida, we stayed at Ayu Laba Beach Villa. It was clean, comfy, and cheap. I also found the staff to be very helpful and friendly.
You can book your stay here:Ayu Laba Nusa Penida
The Wrap-Up: Visiting Kelingking Beach On Nusa Penida
See what all the fuss is about and start planning your trip to one of Bali’s most iconic viewpoints. Kelingking Beach is one of the most unique places on the island of Nusa Penida and should be added to the top of your Bali itinerary.
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