Diamond Beach, Nusa Penida- The Complete Guide

Without a doubt, the last few years of social media hype, brought a lot of attention to the small island of Nusa Penida, which is located only a 30 minute boat ride from Bali, Indonesia. The vast majority of travellers have been attracted to this island namely by the breathtakingly stunning waters and rock formations surrounding the coastline of this small, yet incredible island. 

Nusa Penida is home to many natural wonders such as beaches, cliffs, natural pools and caves. Although you must have heard already about the incredible Kelingking Beach, which is Penida’s top attraction, there are many more incredible cliff-bordered gems that you cannot miss while planning your adventure. 

Diamond Beach, located on the East coast of Nusa Penida, is one of those locations that you must see while exploring the island. 

ABOUT DIAMOND BEACH

Nestled just below the iconic Penida’s limestone cliffs, Diamond Beach is a place that simply takes a breath away. This untouched gem is surrounded by silky turquoise waters, dreamy palm trees and the glistening white sands which all look particularly impressive when watched from the Diamond Beach viewpoint. 

As Nusa Penida’s tourism grows rapidly, there are more and more attractions popping up around the beach. These are the swings, photo spots and guided tours, which are aimed at adding a little bit of entertainment to the jaw-dropping views all around. 

HOW TO GET TO DIAMOND BEACH?

First of all, you need to get to the island of Nusa Penida to explore the infinite beauty of Kelingking. As there is no international airport in Nusa Penida, you need to take a boat ride from the neighbouring islands of Bali, Nusa Lembongan or Lombok. The boat trip from Sanur in Bali takes approximately 40-50 minutes and costs approximately $5/person. 

Once you arrive in Nusa Penida, the best option to explore the island or reach the Kelingking Beach is renting a taxi or pre-booking your adventure with a tour organiser. The roads in Nusa Penida are very steep and poor quality so if you’re not an experienced driver, it is better to travel with a tour company. 

Reaching Diamond Beach from Nusa Penida’s harbour takes just over one hour and the location is usually included in the itinerary of day trips around the island. 

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DIAMOND BEACH

The best time to travel to Nusa Penida is April-September, which is considered a dry season in this part of Indonesia. The peak travel months are July and August and this is when the best spots are crowded, the hotels less-available and the prices increased. If you want to beat the crowds and still enjoy the beautiful weather, aim to visit Bali and Nusa Penida in April or May. 

The best time of the day to visit Diamond Beach is early morning before the first boat from Bali reaches the island. This is when the taxi drivers pick up the travellers and head straight here to admire its incredible surroundings. As many visitors come to Nusa Penida for one day only, the busiest hours on the beach fall between the arrival of the first boat and the departure of the last one. If you travel to Nusa Penida for more intimate travel experiences, aim to stay on the island at least for a day or two as this will give you the opportunity to completely beat the crowds.  

HOW TO ACCESS DIAMOND BEACH

Diamond Beach has only been open to the public access as of 2018 which came along with opening the limestone-carved staircase that links the beach with the viewpoint. The trek down to the beach takes around 20 minutes and is relatively easy compared to hiking the Kelingking. 

In order to access the beach, you need to pay IDR 10,000 ($6) per person. 

SAFETY TIPS FOR ACCESSING DIAMOND BEACH

Considering it’s dramatic location and the cliff surroundings, accessing Diamond Beach may not be easy for anyone afraid of heights. Although the trek is relatively safe, the stairs get steep and narrow as you approach the bottom which may be a little scary, especially when you need to mind other people too. 

Although it’s easy to get distracted by the natural beauty of Diamond Beach and it’s hard to resist snapping a picture as you walk down the staircase. Be extremely careful and make sure you don’t lose the balance which could put you in a real danger of falling down. 

SWIMMING AT DIAMOND BEACH

Although it is hardly possible to resist jumping in the perfectly turquoise waters of Diamond Beach, make sure to check the tide as the currents here are extremely strong and the waves can knock you down. What comes with the strong currents are the stones and coral reef pieces that may bring you a rather painful experience. When the waters are calm, it’s worth jumping in for a quick swim, but make sure you don’t venture too far from the shore. With no lifeguard on duty and a difficult access, it may be extremely problematic to seek help in case of an emergency. 

WHAT TO DO AND SEE

Although the beach is the main feature, there are plenty of things to do around. As Nusa Penida gets more and more tourists every year, there are swings, tours and photography spots emerging all around. 

The famous swing that guarantees the best ocean views is located near the bottom of the staircase. If you’re up for an adventure, take a ride and enjoy the very best panorama of Diamond Beach. 

When wandering around Diamond Beach you may want to check out the nearby natural wonders which are just minutes away from where you are. Visit Atuh Beach, Thousand Islands Viewpoint and Rumah Pohon for the most jaw-dropping views on the island. 

WHERE TO STAY NEAR DIAMOND BEACH

1. Penida Bamboo Green- Located approximately 25 minute scooter ride from kelingking, Penida bamboo Green is a set of affordable, yet super stylish and homely bamboo houses. 
2. Autentik Penida Glamping- If you’re after the ultimate glamping experience, you’re in for a treat booking a night in this retreat. 
3. La Roja Bungalows- Beautifully stylish cottages coming at very affordable prices. Hurry up, these bungalows get fully booked fast!