7 Best Places to Watch a Stunning Nusa Penida Sunset

There’s no better way to end a day on the island of Nusa Penida than watching the sun fall into the ocean and the sky light up with astounding sunset colours. This island is beautifully picturesque, with dramatic landscapes, huge cliffs, rolling hills and other islands poking out of the ocean. With that in mind, you’d think there would be loads of Nusa Penida sunset spots. However, the island isn’t as developed as people might think, so there are only a few easily accessible standout places to watch sunset in Nusa Penida.

You’ll be pleased to know, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. In this guide, we’ll give you the pick of the best Nusa Penida sunset spots.

How to Explore Nusa Penida Sunset Spots

Nusa Penida might seem small, but it’s bigger than it’s neighbours Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceninghan and getting around can be a bit of an adventure with the winding and rugged roads. The best sunset spots in Nusa Penida are scattered across the island, so you’ll need to think about how you want to get around. Here are the best ways to explore:

Rent a Scooter:
If you’re up for some adventure and want to explore at your own pace, renting a scooter is the way to go. It’s cheap and gives you the freedom to stop wherever and whenever you want. Just be aware that the roads can be steep and tricky, so it helps if you have some scooter experience.

Book a Tour:
If navigating those winding roads doesn’t sound fun, booking a tour of Nusa Penida is an easy, stress-free option. You’ll have a guide who knows all the best spots, so you can just relax and enjoy the island. We suggest staying on Nusa Penida for longer than a day (2-3 days minimum!) because a single-day tour won’t do justice to how amazing the island is.

Hire a Private Driver:
A lot of people want to avoid driving on the roads and instead, hire a private driver for Nusa Penida. Then, you can create your own itinerary and travel around without any stress. Hiring a private driver in Nusa Penida is especially great if you’re travelling as a group.

Whichever way you choose, trust us, those Nusa Penida sunsets will be totally worth it!

The 7 Best Nusa Penida Sunset Spots

1. Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is one of the best beaches in Nusa Penida, and it’s a perfect place for watching the sunset. Located on the west side of the island, you’ll have a beautiful view as the sun dips into the ocean. 

We’d put Crystal Bay as one of the best Nusa Penida sunset spots for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s easily accessible as there is no hike and the parking lot is right behind the beach. Secondly, it’s one of the few places you can take a swim, snorkel or relax on the beach while the sun goes down. And, finally, there are plenty of beach shacks and bars along the sand so you can grab a cheap cold drink or local dinner. 

This place is also one of the most popular spots on the island, and around sunset time the vibe is incredibly chilled. Yes, there will be plenty of people trying to get sunset photos and videos, but the beach is big enough for you to find a spot with just a few people around.

🤿 No time to visit Crystal Bay at sunset? This snorkelling tour stops at Crystal Bay, Manta Point and Mangrove Point in Nusa Lembongan, it includes a local lunch in Nusa Lembongan too.

2. Kelingking Beach

This is possibly the most famous place on the island and is super popular on Nusa Penida tours. Kelingking Beach, also known as T-Rex Beach is one of the best Nusa Penida beaches, but you don’t need to make your way down to the beach – which is a good thing because that hike is not easy!

The view from the top of the cliffs is one of the most impressive things we’ve ever seen. Yes, it’s as good as all the Instagram pictures make it look! From up here, you can see the sun fall into the ocean and watch as the sky lights up in all those beautiful warm colours, with the added bonus of having views of the curving cliffs that make this spot so well-known. We visited just after sunrise (instead of sunset) and watched the sun light up the cliffs and beach from behind, which was also incredibly stunning.

If you want to head down to Kelingking Beach, make your way down mid-late afternoon and head back up to the top of the cliff just before sunset. This is a great time to visit because it gets super busy here during the day, but after the day-trippers make their way back to the harbour, it quietens down and becomes more chilled.

🌊 Did you know? Kelingking Beach is also beautiful at sunrise and just after (between 6:30am – 8am), as the sun lights up the clifftop and it’s super quiet. We recommend booking a private driver for Nusa Penida and making Kelingking your first or last stop of the day.

3. Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff Point is one of the lesser-known Nusa Penida sunset spots, so much so, that the chances are you’ll have this place to yourself. The best way to describe this is a coastal path that weaves its way along the cliffs of the southwest coast. From up here, you can see the sunset into the ocean, as well as some jaw-dropping views of the surrounding cliffs and rock formations in the ocean. 

A great thing about Banah Cliff Point is that it is completely free. Simply park in the parking area and head down the trail. It’s well-marked so it’s difficult to get lost along the way. If you want relaxed Nusa Penida sunset spots with a bit of solitude, you’ll struggle to find anywhere as relaxing and peaceful as Banah Cliff Point.

4. Teletubbies Hills

Yes, you’re reading that right, there one of the Nusa Penida sunset spots is named after a well-known kids’ TV show. Incredibly the resemblance of Teletubbies Hills to the TV show is uncanny, and the kind of landscape you wouldn’t expect to see in this part of the world. Usually, you see steep slopes marked by very obvious piques. However, from this viewpoint, you’ll see gentle-sloped rolling hills as far as the eye can see. 

This is another place where you can see the sun setting into the ocean. In the foreground, you’ll see green rolling hills and in the background, you’ll have the sun gradually working through its daily descent – it’s pretty magical. 

However, don’t plan on spending too much time here, there’s nothing around, so it really is a quick stop for sunset on the way to dinner or back to your accommodation.

Read about: 17 Best Things to Do in Nusa Penida: Complete Guide

5. AMARTA Penida

If you want to watch the sunset with dinner, drinks or from a cliff-top infinity pool, AMARTA Penida is the place to be. We ranked it as one of the best Nusa Penida sunset spots because we had an amazing evening here and the views of Nusa Lembongan and back to Bali are unbeatable. 

In terms of Bali and Nusa Penida, AMARTA is on the pricier side of things, with dinner and drinks more like the prices you would expect to pay in Europe or similar. However, we think they can get away with it because the food and drinks were great and the sunset views were perfect. 

During peak tourist season it must get pretty busy here, so we advise making a reservation for the best seats and views. Alternatively, arrive earlier, have a dip in the pool and spend the evening here. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a chilled but romantic evening, then AMARTA is up there with the very best Nusa Penida sunset spots. They’ve even built their own Gate of Heaven inspired by Bali’s Lempuyang Temple, which perfectly frames Mount Agung in Bali – it’s mesmerising.

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6. Broken Beach

This natural phenomenon had to be on the list of best Nusa Penida sunset spots. Like Kelingking Beach, you’ll be at the top of a cliff here, so no getting sandy or swimming here. However, what you will get to see is a beautiful natural archway that the crashing waves have formed, creating a giant hole in the ground with a beautiful beach below.

Where the archway is positioned, you won’t see the sunset directly, but you’ll witness the incredible colours that light up the sky paired with the amazing cliffs and rock formations. What’s also great about this spot is that there will be few other people around at this time. You could bring a blanket and sit on the edge of the cliff and take it all in in a peaceful setting.

Broken Beach is often included as a stop on tours of Nusa Penida’s west coast.

💭 Have you booked your ferry tickets to Nusa Penida? We checked the ferry times and booked our tickets using 12go.Asia. Note it’s highly recommended to book tickets 1-2 days in advance of your trip.

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7. Amok Sunset Bar and Restaurant

Another clifftop restaurant and bar with infinity pools and amazing food is Amok Sunset Bar and Restaurant. The clue is in the name, the sunsets here are epic too. There are multiple pools here and a number of places to sit and relax watching the sunset – it’s definitely more of a day club vibe and somewhere you could spend the whole afternoon and evening. 

We’d say the views here are on par with AMARTA, you’ll see Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Bali being lit up by the sunset colours. Also comparable with AMARTA are the prices. This is no local Warung, and be prepared to have one of the more expensive meals you’ll have during your trip to Nusa Penida and Bali. However, if you love good food and infinity pools with a view, then Amok is definitely one of the best Nusa Penida sunset spots.

Nusa Penida Travel Essentials

Now you’ve planned your visits to the best places to watch a Nusa Penida sunset, let’s make sure your trip is smooth and safe.

First things first, have you thought about how you’ll get to Nusa Penida?
⛴️ To get from other islands like Bali to Nusa Penida, you need to get a ferry. And it’s highly recommended to book your ferry tickets at least 2-3 days in advance. We used 12go.Asia to check the ferry times and book our tickets.

Have you booked your transport for Nusa Penida? The roads here can be terrible in some places so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Most get around in one of the following ways:
🛵 If you’re comfortable on a scooter, it’s one of the easiest ways to travel. Also, there are certain areas on the island that are only accessible by scooter. You can book your scooter rental here.
🚗 If you prefer to have a private driver so you can customise your own itinerary, you can book this full-day private customisable tour option here.
🗺️ You can book a day trip to Nusa Penida to visit all the best attractions on the island. We personally recommend staying a few nights on the island and doing several tours, as you need a few days minimum to fully experience how awesome the island is.

😴 Still need a place to stay? You can book your accommodation in Nusa Penida here.

✋ And don’t forget about travel insurance. It’s super important to be covered for any unexpected events. Grab your travel insurance here.

Nusa Penida Sunset Spots Map

Below is a map of the top sunset spots in Nusa Penida. Click in the top left of the map to bring up the list and you can click on each location to get directions or more information.

FAQs about Nusa Penida Sunset Spots

Where can I watch sunset in Nusa Penida?

The best places to watch sunset in Nusa Penida are Crystal Bay, Kelingking Beach cliffs, Banah Cliff Point, Teletubbies Hills, AMARTA Penida, Broken Beach and Amok Sunset Bar and Restaurants.

How much time do you need in Nusa Penida?

Ideally, 2-3 days is the best time to spend in Nusa Penida. This gives you time to experience the island without the crowds. Most people take a day trip to Nusa Penida, which means it gets incredibly busy from around 9:30 am – 5:00 pm. To experience the real Nusa Penida and local life, you’ll want to spend at least 1 night here.

Can you do Nusa Penida in 1 day?

Technically, you can do Nusa Penida in 1 day, but you won’t really get to experience the island. If you come for a day trip, you’ll spend a lot of time on the road and minimal time at a select few of the main attractions (which will be incredibly busy). Plenty of people do just come for the day, so it is doable, and the best way to do it would be a combination tour or a customisable tour with a driver. That way, you can select the spots you want to visit rather than following the same itinerary as everyone else.