Nusa Penida is an island southeast of Indonesia's island Bali and a district of Klungkung Regency that includes the neighbouring small island of Nusa Lembongan. The Badung Strait separates the island and Bali. The interior of Nusa Penida is hilly with a maximum altitude of 524 metres. It is drier than the nearby island of Bali. There is very little tourist infrastructure. There are two small islands nearby - Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan - which are included within the district. Administratively, the kecamatan of the same name, had a population of 45,178 in 2010 census, covering 202.8 km2, very little changed from 10 years prior.
Nusa Penida, and neighbouring Lembongan and Ceningan islands, are a bird sanctuary. The islands communities have used traditional Balinese village regulations to create the sanctuary. The idea of a sanctuary came from the Friends of the National Parks Foundation. In 2006 all 35 villages agreed to make bird protection part of their traditional regulations. Since then, the FNPF has rehabilitated and released various Indonesian birds, most notably the critically endangeredBali starling which is endemic to Bali but whose numbers in the wild had declined to less than 10 in 2005. After a two-year program by FNPF in which 64 cage bred birds were rehabilitated and released onto Nusa Penida, their number had increased to over 100 in 2009. Other released birds include the Java sparrow, Mitchell's lorikeet and sulphur crested cockatoo.
Dive sites
Nusa Penida covers a wide area of diving locations, including Penida Bay, Batu Lumbung, Batu Meling, Batu Abah, Toya Pakeh and Malibu Point. The flow through the Lombok Strait is, overall, south-tending, although the strength and direction of the tidal streams are influenced by the monsoon seasons. During the southeast monsoons, the tidal flow tends south; during the northeast monsoons, the tidal flow tends north. In the area of the strait north of Nusa Penida, the pattern is relatively simple, with a flow, at peaktide, of about three-and-one-half knots. Tidal streams in Badung Strait are semi-diurnal, but the character of the stream is very complicated because its direction runs obliquely to the general south to north direction of Lombok Strait, and the channel has a curved shape. Based on survey in 2009, there was about 1,419 hectares coral sites with 66 percent covered the sites in 3 meters depth and 74 percent covered the sites in 10 meters depth.
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh has a stretch of reefs, and in the southern part of the bay there is a similar area of rugged bommies, rich with color and fish. Big schools of fish, sea turtles, and occasionally Mola mola are highlight of Toyapakeh diving. Toyapakeh is special for its pillars of coral.
Malibu Point
Malibu Point is a diving site with gray reefs, reef white tips, silver-tips and numerous sharks. While Penida Bay is another anchorage, and the rocky islands have an interesting forms; something like an old resting elephant. The bay is vulnerable to swell, creating-up-and-down-currents. Then, Manta Point is a limestone rock off Pandan cafe. The swell is relatively strong.
Manta Bay
A bay frequented by tourist boats because it is a known location for spotting and swimming with Manta Rays.
Crystal Bay is located on the west side of Nusa Penida. The bay is a popular tourist destination. The beach is jotted by lonely palm trees. One can rent umbrellas, chairs, snorkel gear, and light refreshments. Just outside the bay there is a big rock, a small island even, which can be used as a point of reference, especially under water. The snorkeling here is considered some of the best on the island due to the clarity of the water with eels, Napoleon fish, parrot fish, seasonal turtles, and brilliant coral. During the summer months Mola Mola are often spotted here although they can also be spotted during the wet season. All of this is easily accessible from shore, but caution should be taken if the current or waves are strong.
Transport
There are many fast boats which are available in Sanur port, Serangan port and Padangbai port to go to Nusa Penida. Fast boats depart daily from Bali's mainland, Sanur, Serangan and Padang Bai harbour. Tickets can be bought at the fast boat offices or online. Most of the boat companies offer free hotel shuttle service from and to the main tourist areas in South Bali. Prices start from $15USD one way and $ 30USD return.
