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Nusa Penida is a must-visit from Bali! This island boasts pristine beaches, fantastic snorkeling, and I’m sure you’ve seen the photos of the iconic T-rex cliffs all over Instagram.
We travel to Bali often, and even live here on and off, so we’ve been to Nusa Penida quite a few times. One thing that we’ve found on our many day trips here is that the right tour makes a huge difference, so we’ve written an in-depth review of our favorite Nusa Penida tour. So grab your snorkel mask and keep on reading, because we’re going to share our honest thoughts and help you decide whether or not this is the right tour for you!
What Nusa Penida Tour did I do from Bali?
We booked this Nusa Penida tour, and there are a few reasons why we chose it.
First up, the tour takes you from Bali to Nusa Penida by speedboat! The first time we went to Nusa Penida, we went on a crowded public ferry, and that was NOT an experience that we wanted to repeat. This tour not only got us to the island quicker, it was also a much more comfortable experience.
We went for the small premium group shared boat. What can I say, the free prosecco and underwater photoshoot were too tempting to say “no” to! The shared option had about 14 people on board, but you can also choose a private boat if you’re in a bigger group.
It wasn’t only the free drinks and cool photos that tempted us, though. This tour has over 4,000 5-star reviews, making it by far the highest-rated tour we came across. The tour frequently sells out, and we didn’t want to miss our chance to go, so we were also happy to see that it has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure!
Last but not least, the itinerary gave us high expectations, and we certainly weren’t disappointed. We’ll go into more detail below, but basically, we enjoyed an epic day of snorkeling with giant manta rays and around beautiful coral. We also got to cover a lot of ground on the island, with stops at the famous T-rex cliffs and time to explore stunning beaches.
And then, as if that weren’t enough, we had a delicious poolside lunch at a clifftop restaurant – it was the icing on the cake!
Book this 5-star Nusa Penida tour we loved right here!
What I loved about the tour
Swimming with giant manta rays!
Swimming with giant manta rays was an incredible, bucket list-worthy activity that I will never forget! The way they move underwater is just mesmerizing, and we were absolutely enchanted by them.
Honestly, the snorkeling on this tour was world-class. The water was so clear, and as well as the manta rays, we also saw tons of other incredible tropical fish and brightly colored coral.
Luxury speedboat
We went for the premium speedboat option, and we got the true VIP experience. We were able to lounge on a rooftop daybed as we cruised toward Nusa Penida, enjoying the ocean views and sipping on complimentary prosecco. It felt very classy and it sure beat sweating on a cramped ferry, I can tell you that much.
Great guides
Our guides, Putu and Ringgo, were just fantastic and we loved spending the day with them! They were super organized and went above and beyond to make sure that everyone in our group was having a great time. We had so much fun touring the island in the car with them, and they were also excellent snorkeling guides and helped us to see as much marine life as possible.
Private or shared tour
Another thing that we love about this tour is that it’s either a private or small group experience. So if you’re traveling as a family or a group of friends, you can book the private tour so that it’s just you and your crew. In fact, if you’re in a big group, it could even work out cheaper to go private!
But since we went as a couple, we booked the shared tour, which is capped at 14 people, so it still felt really personal and we enjoyed meeting some new people.
Fantastic reviews and free cancellation
We loved this tour, but you don’t have to take our word for it, because thousands of other people loved it too and left 5-star reviews! It also includes free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand, so you won’t lose your money if you need to change or cancel your booking. Basically, you can book with confidence!
Option to add extra activities/amenities
What’s great about this tour is that you can upgrade it and do it your way. The standard shared boat option includes a speedboat ride to and from the island, snorkeling, lunch, and a land tour of Nusa Penida.
We went for the premium shared boat option, as we felt that the extra $70 USD was worth it for the additional lagoon visit, complimentary drinks, and luxurious boat – and we were right. But you can also opt to make your tour private, and even go scuba diving!
Related Read: Another tour we highly recommend is the famous Bali Instagram tour – read our review and see the photos we got here!
What top sights did I see on this tour?
If I mentioned every beautiful thing that we saw on our Nusa Penida tour, we’d be here all day, but I’ve summarized the top highlights below. You’ll see much more than this along the way, but these are the most important stops and activities on the tour.
Manta Point
Swimming with giant manta rays … need I say more? Manta Point is just off the coast of Nusa Penida and is a famous hotspot for these amazing creatures, so this was the biggest highlight of the tour for me!
Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay
These beautiful bays are home to yet more epic snorkeling, but they can be very difficult to try and access by yourself. We loved exploring the clear, calm waters in both of these bays and were blown away by all of the colorful fish and coral beds that we saw.
AMARTA Penida
We cannot say enough good things about this restaurant! Not only did we love eating lunch and sipping cocktails by the gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, but there’s also a famous Bali “Gate of Heaven” here where you can snap the ultimate Bali Instagram pic!
Kelingking Cliff
Kelingking Cliff, which famously resembles a dinosaur, is what draws a lot of people to Nusa Penida, so it’s a must-visit while you’re on the island. It’s really beautiful and so unusual, and I loved the views.
Mangrove Point at Nusa Lembongan
As if all of the above weren’t enough, we also got to visit Mangrove Point on the neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan, which was so cool! The snorkeling here was excellent and this spot was much quieter than the others we visited, so we’re really glad that the tour brought us here.
Ready to book? Grab your spot on this popular tour here before it sells out!
What I didn’t like about the tour
Rough seas and a high chance of seasickness
Obviously, this is not the tour company’s fault, but the crossing from Bali to Nusa Penida can be bumpy and there’s a notoriously rough stretch of ocean on the way. Bailey did end up feeling a bit seasick by the end of the boat ride. We always make sure to take sea sickness tablets before getting on the boat and luckily since it’s a speedboat, the journey there is over faster!
Snorkeling sites can be pretty crowded during high tourist season
Nusa Penida is a super popular place to visit, so lots of tours visit the top snorkeling sites. If you’re visiting during July and August, or December and January, then expect to find lots of other tourists swimming in the same spots as you!
What did the tour include/not include?
We found the tour’s inclusion to be pretty generous. As standard, the tour includes a speedboat to take you to and around Nusa Penida, snorkeling equipment, a land tour to see the famous Kelingking Cliff, underwater photos and videos, and lunch at a super trendy restaurant that offers great food, a gorgeous infinity pool to swim in, and lots of incredible photo opportunities!
We actually went for the premium shared boat option. This meant that we got complimentary Prosecco on arrival, a more luxurious speed boat with loungers to relax on, and a visit to a stunning, vivid blue lagoon. We think it’s worth doing if you have room in your budget!
The only thing that the tour doesn’t include is transportation to the meeting point before the tour. You can drive to Sanur, but the tour company also offers transportation by private car for $19-$23 USD per group, which is really reasonable – in fact, I’ve been charged more than this before for the same journey!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Would I do this tour again?
Yes, overall this tour to Nusa Penida was fantastic, and we had a wonderful day out. We loved the luxury speedboat and had a lot of fun with the amazing crew.
However, we did get some rough water, and Bailey got a little queasy. We recommend taking sea sickness tablets before you get on the boat and luckily once you arrive at Nusa Penida, it’s all smooth sailing!
Where to Stay in Bali
Bali is full of stunning hotels – so many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose. The first step is deciding on which area suits you best and then selecting a hotel afterward.
There are three areas of Bali that we personally love and recommend to all of our friends. You can read about them below as well as our top hotel choice in each area!
Canggu
This is Bali’s trendiest area! This is where Dan and I stay whenever we are in Bali for an extended amount of time because of the lifestyle here. There are beautiful cafes on every corner, amazing restaurants and bars, and boutique shopping. It’s also close to the beach and has a great nightlife. This is the area where most expats base themselves in Bali, which creates the buzzing atmosphere that Canggu is known for.
Chesa Canggu is a boutique hotel within walking distance of Canggu’s best restaurants, bars, and beaches. Each room faces the outdoor pool and has a private bathroom, free WiFi, a TV, and a safety deposit box. Chesa has an onsite bar and restaurant and offers free parking for guests. The beds are super comfortable, and the staff always go out of their way to help you. Trust us, you won’t regret staying here!
Prices start as low as $124 USD per night and you can book online here.
Uluwatu
This is the perfect place to stay if you want a relaxing beach holiday! Uluwatu is a lot quieter than Canggu with a lot less traffic. The beaches here are amazing and some of the most beautiful on the island. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and beach clubs here. We also love the closer proximity to the airport, making for a convenient stay if you’re only in Bali for a short time.
Anantara Uluwatu is a fantastic option for those looking to treat themselves during their stay in Uluwatu. It’s located right on the beach, so you’re guaranteed some amazing views. There are multiple restaurants and bars, an outdoor infinity pool, a spa, and a fitness center. Plus, each room comes with your own hot tub! The employees are super helpful, and the hotel has onsite activities like dance classes, ceramic-making, and yoga.
Prices range from $320 to $1,500 USD, and you can check rates and availability online here.
Ubud
Not a beach person? Then Ubud is for you! It is located inland, surrounded by lush jungle. The area is still quite trendy with plenty of cafes and restaurants, although the nightlife is a lot more limited. Ubud is where you can easily find nearby waterfalls, go whitewater rafting, ATVing, and all the other fun adventurous activities.
We stayed at Abipraya, which was super quiet and nestled into a tropical garden, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main town. The location was ideal for us and we loved the big swimming pool overlooking the rice fields, as well as the open and airy feel that the rooms had.
Prices start at around $50 USD per night, which includes breakfast, so it was a really good budget option. Book Abipraya here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Nusa Penida is absolutely worth visiting while you’re in Bali! This island is an easy day trip with some spectacular sights like the T-Rex Cliff and of course, incredible snorkeling. I hope our review has helped you decide whether to book the same tour we did!
If you’re in the midst of planning a trip to Bali, have a look through our entire travel section on Bali. We’ll fill you in on the best things to do, which tours to take, and what places to visit.
28 BEST Things to do in Bali, Indonesia
The Best Ubud Tour – My Honest Review and Who Should Do This Tour!