Kelingking Beach: The Stunning Gem of Nusa Penida
Kelingking Beach, also known as “T-Rex Beach,” is one of the most famous destinations on Nusa Penida Island. With its distinctive shape resembling a Tyrannosaurus Rex, this beach attracts thousands of visitors each year to explore its majestic and pristine beauty.
Location of Kelingking Beach
Kelingking is located in the Bunga Mekar region of Nusa Penida, within the Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771, Indonesia. Nusa Penida Island is one of three islands in the Nusa group, part of the administrative area of Bali. This is a must-visit destination when you come to Bali.
Getting to Kelingking Beach
To reach Kelingking, you must first take a speedboat from Sanur Beach to Nusa Penida Island. Tickets can be booked in advance through the Bali Res Centre, contact information is available in the FAQ section. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a longer journey, you can take a ferry from Padang Bai. However, note that ferries in Indonesia are not the safest means of transport, but if you want to bring a car or motorbike, this is the only option. Once you arrive in Nusa Penida, you can take a taxi or rent a motorbike to travel from the pier to Kelingking. Another option is to book a day tour through the Bali Res Centre, though you might find that one day is not enough to fully explore Nusa Penida Island.
Best Time to Visit Kelingking Beach
There is no single best time to visit Bali as each season offers its unique experiences. However, the dry season brings pleasant cool breezes, low humidity, and moderate temperatures, though accommodation and airfare may be higher. We recommend visiting Bali’s popular attractions early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Entrance Fee to Kelingking Beach
To enter the Kelingking Beach area, you need to pay a fee of 10,000 IDR per person (approximately $0.65 USD) and 5,000 IDR per vehicle (approximately $0.30 USD). These prices may change, so always carry cash and small denominations to pay entrance and parking fees.
Experiences at Kelingking Beach
After about a 30-minute drive from the pier, you will arrive at Kelingking. Here, you will see a row of small eateries (warung) offering stunning views from the top of the cliff. You can choose to visit the lookout points or hike down to the beach below. Nusa Penida has invested significantly in improving the path down to the beach, with clear trails and safe handrails. The descent to the beach is not easy, taking about 30-60 minutes to go down and 40-80 minutes to climb back up. Rest before climbing and bring water and snacks, as there are no vendors on the beach.
Kelingking Viewpoint
Simply walk past the restaurant area and follow the path to reach the viewpoint. You can admire the T-Rex shape below and take plenty of photos. We recommend bringing a tripod, ND filters, and polarizing filters (CPL) for the best shots. The sunset here is spectacular, so if you stay overnight in Nusa Penida, visit the viewpoint at sunset for unforgettable photos.
Kelingking Beach Cave
At the end of the beach, there is a large cave providing shade from the sun. This is also an ideal spot for taking interesting photos. However, be sure to leave the cave before the tide rises.
Safety at Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach has seen several unfortunate accidents. Many people have fallen on the stairs (use the handrails) and there was a horrific incident where a Russian girl riding a motorbike fell off the cliff while taking an Instagram photo. A tourist drowned in 2023 while trying to save another person. Local authorities are making efforts to make this area safer, but you need to protect yourself. Wear appropriate footwear, a hat, and sunscreen, bring water, and stay away from the ocean.
Diving, Surfing & Swimming at Kelingking Beach
Although this is a beach, all these activities are currently prohibited due to safety concerns. We are not sure how strictly this ban is enforced, but it is not advisable to take risks by violating it.
Other Attractions on Nusa Penida
Besides Kelingking, Nusa Penida has many other interesting attractions:
- Broken Beach: This is a unique beach with a distinctive bay shape. You cannot go down to this beach like Kelingking, but you can take stunning photos from above.
- Atuh Beach: Located at the eastern end of Nusa Penida, Atuh is an extremely beautiful beach, especially at high tide.
- Crystal Bay: One of the best diving spots in Bali with crystal clear water. You can also rent a boat to Manta Bay to swim with manta rays.
- Angel’s Billabong: An interesting but also dangerous destination, it is not advisable to swim here as many people have drowned.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Kelingking worth visiting? Absolutely! Kelingking is one of the most stunning landscapes of Nusa Penida and a must-see destination.
- How long does it take to walk to Kelingking? Approximately 40-60 minutes to go down to the beach and 60-80 minutes to climb up.
- What does Kelingking mean? “Kelingking” means “pinky finger” in Bahasa, but most visitors see the shape of a dinosaur rather than a finger.
- How to get to Kelingking from Bali? You need to take a speedboat from Bali to Nusa Penida, then travel by car or rent a motorbike to the beach.
Conclusion
Kelingking Beach is a fantastic destination on Nusa Penida with breathtaking natural beauty. Whether you just want to admire the view from the top of the cliff or explore the beach below, Kelingking is worth visiting. If you have the chance to visit Nusa Penida, do not miss this wonderful destination.
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