Crystal Bay Nusa Penida is a palm tree haven and an awesome snorkeling location on the west coast of Nusa Penida Island. It’s low-key one of the best beaches to explore on the island, especially at sunset!
I have put together this complete guide to Crystal Bay Penida including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive at this tropical paradise.
Table of Contents
WHERE IS CRYSTAL BAY?
Crystal Bay is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida Island. From the main town and harbor of Toya Pakeh, it’s approximately a 20-minute ride to reach Crystal Bay Nusa Penida.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
The easiest way to get to Crystal Bay Nusa Penida is by scooter. From the main town of Toya Pakeh, it’s approximately a 20-minute drive.
There are a number of scooter rental shops dotted along the beachfront at Toya Pakeh harbor that will be able to sort you out with some wheels when you arrive on the island.
Must Read → 15 Things To Do In Nusa Penida
Alternatively, most accommodations will help you to organize a scooter rental for the time you plan to spend on Nusa Penida Island.
You can expect to pay around 70,000 IDR per day for a Nusa Penida scooter rental with a full tank of gas.
Be sure to wear a helmet and purchase travel insurance as an extra precaution for riding on the roads in Nusa Penida. The reason being is that the roads are not very well maintained and there are potholes and loose gravel in many areas.
NUSA PENIDA TOUR
If you happen to be in Bali and planning to visit Nusa Penida Island, there is one tour that I can highly recommend that covers all the highlights on a full-day trip from Bali.
The Nusa Penida East Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.
This tour covers the top attractions on Nusa Penida such as Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach, Rumah Pohon Tree House, and more! It also includes a hassle-free pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, return boat transfers from Bali, a hearty lunch, and an English-speaking guide.
Book Now → Nusa Penida East Tour
WHAT TO EXPECT
The drive towards this stunning bay is an experience in itself, passing through local villages and palm tree lined roads, eventually coming to a dead end on the beachfront.
There is a number of beach shack cafes, traditional temples, a coconut palm tree forest, and colorful umbrellas along the shoreline at Crystal Bay Nusa Penida, all of which overlook a gorgeous beach cove and a nearby rocky island.
I spent the afternoon under the shade of a palm tree sipping on a freshly harvested coconut while waiting for the sun to set.
I noticed a couple of other tourists in small groups spread out across Crystal Bay Beach enjoying a few sunset beers – the place to be it seemed!
Just offshore, there is a colorful reef system beneath the surface, a very popular spot for snorkeling with all sorts of fish, turtles, and other sea critters.
The rock island
Umbrellas on the beach
WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA
Nusa Penida has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Pandawa Beach Resort & Spa
This amazing beachfront 5-star resort is centrally located on Nusa Penida island. Pandawa Beach Resort offers beachfront rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, free wifi, and ocean views. The rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and a modern interior. A continental or buffet breakfast is included for all guests.
Mid Range: La Roja Bungalows
La Roja Bungalows is the most Instagrammable accommodation in Nusa Penida! These cute wooden bungalows sleep up to 2 people featuring spacious rooms, a private bathroom, air-conditioning, and free wifi. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, and a restaurant. An à la carte breakfast is also included. Perfect place to stay for couples and friends.
Budget: Nusa Garden Bungalow
The best budget accommodation in Nusa Penida! There are dorm rooms, double rooms, and family rooms available at Nusa Garden Bungalow at a very affordable price. These Balinese-style bungalows are fitted with a fan, mosquito net, and ensuite bathroom. Perfect for solo travelers and friends.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY, SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA
WHAT TO PACK FOR NUSA PENIDA
When visiting Nusa Penida, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Indonesian sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
BEST TOURS IN BALI
MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES
- Nusa Penida Guide: 15 Things To Do In Nusa Penida
- Nusa Lembongan Guide: 21 Things To Do In Lembongan
- Nusa Ceningan Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan
- Bali Travel Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary
- Bali Waterfalls Guide: Best Bali Waterfalls
- Bali Beaches Guide: 11 Best Beaches In Uluwatu
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you have any questions about Crystal Bay Beach Nusa Penida, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can. For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.
Click here to find out how you can support the site organically.
Many thanks!