Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida, Bali

With a distinctive cliff formation that resembles a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Kelingking Beach has become the poster child for Nusa Penida – a remote and exotic island located just south-east of Bali.

Towering limestone cliffs carpeted with lush green foliage form the iconic T-Rex head and body while the beach itself is nestled in a secluded bay at the bottom of the 400-metre-high cliffs. With vivid turquoise water and bright white sand encased by the ferocious dinosaur-shaped cliffs, it’s a uniquely beautiful landscape that fully deserves its status as Nusa Penida’s number one attraction. The beach itself can be accessed by hiking down the cliff, but with such spectacular scenery, visiting for the view alone will leave a lasting impression. Nusa Penida’s weather can be a little temperamental, with clouds being regular visitors, but you don’t need to worry about whether the sun will be shining for you to enjoy Kelingking Beach. On sunny days, the colour of the sand and sea is enhanced and it makes for a picture-perfect tropical scene but when the clouds roll in it transforms into a moody landscape that’s fitting of such a dramatic backdrop.

Things to know about Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida, Bali

Arguably the most visited spot on Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach can become quite crowded so I would advise arriving early. The Insta-famous bamboo stairs and the concrete viewing platform just to the right are the most popular photo spots but if you walk along the cliff to the left or right it’s much less crowded and you’ll be able to get a more complete view of the beach itself. There’s a well-trodden path that you can follow to the right but there are no handrails so please do be careful and avoid getting too close to the cliff edge.

If you wish to access the beach, you’ll need to tackle a long hike down a steep cliff with only a rickety bamboo handrail for support – do so at your own peril! Like many beaches on Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach is still free of manmade features, making it a magical and wild place to visit. Thanks to the strenuous hike down, you’re also likely to have the beach near enough to yourself. It does mean, however, that there is a distinct lack of safety notices and lifeguards, so you’ll need to consider whether you’re confident and capable enough to take on the strong currents and large waves before going swimming.

There are a number of food and drink outlets at the top of the cliffs. Here you can buy snacks, refreshments and local dishes like Nasi Goreng and fried rice, which can all be enjoyed on wooden picnic benches overlooking the sea. Unfortunately, you can’t see Kelingking Beach from the seating areas but if you head to the food stands on the left you’ll get a good view of other surrounding cliffs and maybe even spot a monkey or two.

How to get to Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida, Bali

Located on the southwest coast of Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach is a 45-minute drive from Toya Pakeh Harbour. The best way to get there is by hiring a scooter, which should be available to rent from the harbour or from your guest house for around 70,000 rupiah (£3.50) a day. There is a large car park that will cost you 10,000 rupiah (50p) to use.

Alternatively, if you’re staying on Bali, you can book a one-day tour of Nusa Penida. The tours will include the ferry transfer, which takes just 45 minutes from Sanur, and a number of the island’s best attractions. Kelingking Beach is one of Nusa Penida’s most popular attractions and one of the closest to the ferry port so it’s likely that it will be included on all one-day tours.

More information on Nusa Penida, Bali:

Where to stay

How to get there

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