An easy travel guide for how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali by boat, including Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, and neighboring Lombok Island.
Have you been traveling in Bali or Lombok and wondering how to get to Nusa Penida? I’ve made this journey more than a handful of times now and noticed there’s still some confusion. In this travel guide, I’ll offer updated information for you to arrange your own transport.
In short, there are two main options for getting to Nusa Penida from Bali and Lombok. These include either booking an independent, 20-45-minute fast boat or choosing to visit on a day trip covering some of the best Nusa Penida highlights and getting you back to Bali on the same day.
Recent Nusa Penida Ferry Updates
Transport options, port departures, and fast boat ferry routes to Nusa Penida change frequently so I update this post every few months to keep it accurate. Here's what's changed lately.
- The most convenient transport to Nusa Penida is still the 1-way fast boat transfer from Serangan Port with hotel pickup on GetYourGuide. However, the price has now increased to $30.
- The fastest option for getting to Nusa Penida is now just 20 minutes by booking the fast boat from Kusamba Port to Sampalan Beach.
- There is now a cheap fast-boat ticket-only option you can book online departing from Sanur Harbor for less than $10 USD.
- There is new 2.5-hour fast ferry connecting Lombok to Nusa Penida.
- The new port at Pemelisan Harbor is less popular than first expected and there are not many boats departing from here.
How to Get to Nusa Penida From Bali on a Day Tour
If you don't have the luxury of spending a few days on the island, then a great option is to book an epic day tour from Bali. As you might expect, there are dozens of tour companies offering trips but be warned they are not all equal!
The two most popular day trips offering the best value for money are this Full Day Island Tour and the epic Manta Ray snorkeling trip.
Both of these tours cover your transport from your hotel and via a fast boat that takes less than 45 minutes. This is more expensive than organizing your ticket yourself but it includes the must-see highlights of Nusa Penida such as:
- Angel's Billabong
- Pasih Ugg Beach
- Kelingking Beach
- Diamond Beach
- Thousand Island Viewpoint
- Nusa Penida Treehouse
- Teletubbies Hill
- Snorkeling trip - swim with Manta Rays (optional)
How to Get to Nusa Penida From Bali Via Fast Boat Ferry (Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak)
For those looking to get to Nusa Penida from Bali, you'll want to know that the fast ferries heading to the islands depart from three main locations.
- The port town in Sanur: located on the southeast coast of Bali, approximately 30 minutes from Kuta, or 1 hour from Canggu.
- Serangan Harbor: Southern Bali, closer to Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Bukit Peninsula. Alternative port with fewer departures but also fewer crowds.
- Padang Bai: East Bali, longer travel time to Nusa Penida but connects to farther areas like Amed or Sidemen.
My recommendation for those looking to get to Nusa Penida from Canggu, Seminyak, or Kuta is to book the fast-ferry ticket departing from Sanur as this ticket includes a van/shuttle transfer to the port.
This means you won't need to worry about paying for a Grab or Taxi to the ferry terminal, which would end up making the independent option much more expensive anyway.
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Additionally, below I've included the ferry timetable, but check for updates on the booking page. This deal with GetYourGuide isn't for a single boat but allows you to choose any of the fast boat ferries to the island at the cheapest rate currently.
Tip: If you head to Sanur independently, you'll need to try to barter down to that price for a fast boat as well, which is the mistake I made the first time I visited.
Nusa Penida Fast-Boat Timetable
The fast-boats from Sanur Beach Port to Nusa Penida run 7 days a week on the following timetable.
Note that if the weather is too rough, the boats will not run. This is a little bit hard to predict but if you book in advance with GetYourGuide you'll either get your money back straight away or you can request a rescheduled departure.
This is one of the reasons why I recommend GetYourGuide rather than booking on the street.
Nusa Penida From Ubud
Getting to Nusa Penida from Ubud is a little trickier as the distance is much greater. At this time, there aren't any fast-ferry tickets available to book that include a transfer to Sanur or Padang Bai Harbor.
However, you can organize transport in Ubud to get to either port quite easily. The distance driving takes roughly an hour but can definitely be longer depending on traffic. For transport options from Ubud to Sanur Harbour, I recommend checking 12Go which will give you updated times and prices for buses and taxis.
Alternatively, this full-day tour of Penida from Bali can be booked online and will include a transfer for an awesome day on Nusa Penida from Ubud.
What It's Like Taking the Nusa Penida Boat From Sanur
I've always taken the fast-ferry boat from Bali to Nusa Penida via the Sanur Port. The first time I arrived, it was certainly a little chaotic. Since I didn't book a ticket in advance, I was immediately surrounded by eager salesmen offering me some pretty ridiculous prices.
This is what I expected being in Bali but negotiating turned out to be a real pain here.
However, I did luck out the first time and chose what I consider the best boat, Sanjaya.
This boat is safe, the staff is really friendly and you even get offered a coffee when you arrive. I've read good reviews about most of the fast boats but this is the one I've always taken and I can certainly recommend it.
Once you're away, expect a roughly 45-minute journey to Nusa Penida from Sanur. The old "slow boats" don't really offer trips for tourists anymore as they're kind of dangerous and have even capsized in the past.
Depending on the weather, you can expect a relaxing, scenic boat ride or a wild ocean rollercoaster ride!
Baggage Limits for the Nusa Penida Boat from Bali
All the fast boats seem to have the same policy. This is 2x bags with a total of 30 kg. However, none of them weigh your bags. They'll stow them on the deck, covered with a large tarp to avoid getting them wet.
How to Get to Nusa Penida From Lombok
Exploring the incredible island of Lombok and looking for a way to get to Nusa Penida from here? In the past, this has been a little difficult and would require a stopover in Gili Trawangan and/or Nusa Lembongan.
However, as of very recently, there is now a direct fast-boat ferry running from Lombok to Nusa Penida. This departs from Bangsal Harbor (the same harbor where you get the boat to the Gili Islands).
This boat is called the Eka Jaya Fast Boat and you can book this online on 12Go for $30 USD for the 2.5-hour trip.
Where to Stay On Nusa Penida Once You Arrive
Nusa Penida isn't a huge island, but there are several options to pick from when choosing where to stay. Below I've included my 3 picks for budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation.
1. Adiwana Warnakali Resort Luxury
This isn't the most expensive luxury resort on Nusa Penida but it's definitely one of the best! This resort is waterfront located with large, luxury suites and an incredibly included breakfast.
2. Jukung Cottage Mid-Range
This epic, beachside resort-style cottage retreat offers great bang for buck. It features a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a shared lounge.
3. Hostel Bukit Sangcure Budget
This is the accommodation I chose in Nusa Penida. It's a cheap backpacker hostel that is close to the port and offers breakfast and bike rentals.
I hope that you've found this travel guide covering how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali (Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak) and Lombok useful in planning your visit to this incredible Indonesian Island.
Still not sure if Nusa Penida is worth it? Check out some of my other blogs and guides for inspiration below!
- Lombok Travel Guide - my popular & comprehensive guide to exploring the island of Lombok
- The Waterfalls of Lombok - a guide to the best waterfalls on Lombok Island
- Epic Lombok to Komodo Boat Trip - one of my personal favorite boat tours in Indonesia!
- Nusa Penida Travel Guide - an adventure guide to visiting the island of Nusa Penida off Bali
- Things to do on Gili Trawangan - discover Gili T in this epic adventure guide
- Accommodation guides: Discover epic Tree Houses in Bali, awesome accommodations on the Gili Islands & the best beach resorts in Bali.
