Nusa Penida, Bali

Nusa Penida


Covering an area of 200 sq km, Nusa Penida is the largest island off the coast of Bali. Located to its southeast, it is one in a cluster of three islands that include Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. However, unlike Nusa Lembongan, it is largely undeveloped.

Nusa Penida was once used as a penal colony by the Kingdom of Klungkung. It was also the home of Ratu Gede Macaling, a King of Magic in Balinese forklore that is feared by the locals.

The terrain of Nusa Penida is arid, and in some ways similar to Bukit Peninsula. Along the south coast are the tall white cliffs like the ones at Pura Luhur Uluwatu in Bukit Peninsula. No doubt the landscape here is beautiful, attracting suggestions of tourist developments, but no big project has been afoot.

There are very few settlements on the island. Seaweed farming is one of the occupations you can see here, as is at neighboring Nusa Lembongan.

Pura Penataran Agung Ped is the most famous temple on Nusa Penida. It is located in the village of Toyapakeh. Unlike the temples on the Bali mainland, this temple is whitish in color.

Pura Batu Kuning is a temple near Semaya. The name means " Temple of Yellow Stone". What makes it fascinating to tourists is the sight of erotic reliefs in the temple.

Sunfish (Mola mola) seen at a depth of 30 meters off Nusa Penida


Pura Batumadeg is a village temple with reliefs of marine creatures such as crabs and shellfish.

Goa Karangsari is a limestone cave considered sacred. It is located to the south of Suana on the eastern part of Nusa Penida.

The waters around Nusa Penida is crystal clear. The current here is very strong. Only experienced divers and oceanographers come here. The sea is rich in marine life including rare species such as the spectacular giant sunfish and whale shark.

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