Nusa Penida has no airport and no bridge. Nearly everyone crosses from Sanur, on Bali's south-east coast, and the crossing is short. Here is how it works.

Scheduled fast boats run from Sanur to Nusa Penida throughout the morning and early afternoon, with fewer later in the day. The crossing takes 30 to 45 minutes. Several companies run the route, and standards vary: look for a boat that is not overloaded, with life jackets you can see and reach.

A private speedboat takes about 40 minutes and leaves when you are ready. That matters more than it sounds. The scheduled boats all land within the same couple of hours, and their passengers head for the same viewpoints. On your own boat you can land before them, choose the harbour nearest your first stop, and come back when you want to.

On Nusa Penida, most boats land in the north-west, at Toya Pakeh or Banjar Nyuh, close to Crystal Bay, Kelingking and Broken Beach. Some land in the north-east at Buyuk, near Sampalan, which is closer to Diamond Beach and Atuh. On Nusa Lembongan, boats land at Jungutbatu or Mushroom Bay.

Depending on the operator and the tide, you may step on from a jetty or wade out from the beach, sometimes knee-deep. Wear shoes you can take off, keep your phone in a bag, and let someone else handle the luggage.

The Badung Strait is open water. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, especially in the dry season, when the wind picks up after midday. Sit towards the back, where the ride is gentler, look at the horizon, and take a tablet beforehand if you need one.

When the harbour authority closes the crossing for weather, nobody sails. Once a year, on Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, no boats run at all for 24 hours. It falls in March most years.

Since February 2024, foreign visitors to Bali pay a levy of IDR 150,000 per person, per visit, usually online before arrival. Nusa Penida collects its own small local fee as well; on our trips that is included.

Every one of our days and journeys includes the crossing, either by private speedboat or with reserved fast-boat seats, and a car and driver waiting on the other side. Our getting here page has travel times from each part of Bali.