There are many different ways to get to Nusa Penida from Bali depending on where you’re coming from, how much you want to spend, how long it takes, etc.
Here is a quick overview of the main transport options.
There are 4 arrival ports in Nusa Penida: Toyapakeh, Buyuk, Sampalan (fast boats) and the ferry port in Sampalan, where the ferries arrive.
* From Sanur
If you are coming from South Bali, Canggu Seminyak, Kuta etc., leaving from Sanur is your best option. There are at least 10 different fast boat compagnies, and boats leave regularly from 7.30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.
- Compagnies like El Rey Junior, Dwi Manunggal, Angel Billabong, Maruti express and many more offer a comfortable 45-minute trip to Toyapakeh.
- Idola express, Molamola express and more go to Sampalan and take around the same time.
- Mushroom Paradise, S’gening and more offer the same service but to Buyuk.
Prices are all pretty similar but shop around and don’t be afraid to haggle since some less honest people can offer the trip at highly inflated prices.
Most compagnies will offer pick up in Bali for a little extra money but there is no drop off service in Nusa Penida so you’ll need to organise transport by yourself. There are many people renting motorbikes and offering taxi rides in the harbour or you can organise with your dive centre or hotel for a pick-up (which will usually fetch an additional cost).
*From Kusamba
If you are doing the Amed Nusa Penida stint or are coming from Sidemen or Ubud even, Kusamba is probably your best bet, several compagnies offer the shorter(15mn), cheaper ride from this small harbour. Gangga express will take you to Sampalan or Buyuk, Sekarjaya will take you to Sampalan and Maruti express will take you to Toyapakeh.
*From Padangbai
Since Kusamba is so close to Padangbai, if you want to take a fast boat it’s easier to go to Kusamba.
If you are thinking of taking a vehicle (motorbike or car) over to Penida though, you will want to take the Ferry. Be warned however, the schedule is erratic, and boats can be cancelled without any forewarning. They mostly leave around 11ish and are very cheap. The trip takes 2 hours and will drop you at Sampalan ferry harbour. The wait to get off the boat can also take up to an hour if the boat is in a queue, so, if you’re going this way, arm yourself with patience and a good book. Be careful to lock your vehicle up if there’s anything valuable in it, there have been reports of theft.
*From the Gilis
The one fast boat that does go from Padangabai is the link boat to the Gillis. There is only one company offering the trip at time of writing, it’s the Golden Queen. Boats depart from the Gilis (T and Air) around 10-11ish in the morning, stop in Padangbai then reach Toyapakeh in Nusa Penida around 3ish. Schedule can be a bit erratic. Boats depart from Penida around 9 in the morning going the other way.
*From Lembongan
The small public boats run all day from 7am to 5pm. They go from the beach in Toyapakeh, a 5 minute walk from the normal harbour, on the Lembongan side the boat goes from Yellow bridge. The trip takes 10minutes.
If you need any help booking, get in touch with your dive centre or hotel. You may want to have a quick check first of the price. Some hotels and dive centre vastly increase the price if you go through them, whilst others will get you a cheaper price than you would probably get by yourself….