Nusa Penida, off the coast of Bali, is home to some amazing places and Broken Beach is one of the major highlights of a trip to the small island.
Our guide will introduce you to Broken Beach and everything you need to know to make a visit to the beach fun while staying safe.
Where Is Broken Beach?
Broken Beach is on the West Coast of Nusa Penida (Nusa Penida is one of the three Nusa Islands, the other two are Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan) Island.
This island is about 30 minutes by boat from Bali.
How To Get To Broken Beach, Nusa Penida Island?
Firstly, you will need to get to Nusa Penida by boat from Bali. There are fast boats and ferries to Nusa Lembongan and then a transfer to Nusa Penida.
Once you’re in Nusa Penida to get to Broken Beach you will need to either get a private car and driver or use a scooter.
We never recommend travelling by scooter on Nusa Penida due to the terrible state of the roads, accidents are very common.
It’s best to get to Broken Beach in a private car. Sure, it costs a little extra, but it’s a painless way to travel and by far the safest way to get to Broken Beach.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Broken Beach, Nusa Penida?
We maintain that there is no bad time of year to visit Bali or Nusa Penida. That’s because the weather is warm and sunny all year round, even during the “rainy season”.
It does rain a bit more in the rainy season than in the dry season and it’s a bit more hot and humid too.
However, the island still sees an average of 9 hours of sunshine each day and flights and hotels are cheaper because it’s also the low season.
In the dry season, we get even more sun and less rain, it’s slightly cooler (mainly because of some odd conditions that create an onshore breeze) and it’s a great time for a trip to Nusa Penida.
However, it’s also a more expensive time for a trip to Nusa Penida and Broken Beach too.
What Are The Opening Hours Of Broken Beach, Nusa Penida?
Broken Beach has no official opening hours, however, there’s not much to see outside of daylight hours and we’d strongly recommend that you visit between sunrise and sunset.
This part of Nusa Penida looks amazing at sunset when the golden hour light breaks over the ocean and provides a natural light show that showcases the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder.
Are There Entrance And Parking Fees At Broken Beach, Nusa Penida?
Yes, the entrance fee for Broken Beach as we go to press is 15,000 IDR per person, that’s about $1 USD, so it won’t break anyone’s bank to enjoy a Broken Beach walk.
In addition, if you want to park, there is a parking fee of 5,000 IDR per car or 2,000 IDR per scooter.
We think these are reasonable entrance fees and they are channelled back into preserving the natural beauty of Broken Beach for future generations.
These fees must be paid in cash, there are no card facilities at Broken Bay, Nusa Penida and we’d recommend that you carry small bills as there’s no guarantee that they will have change available when you arrive.
What To Expect When Visiting Broken Beach, Nusa Penida
Broken Beach is something of geological treasure and you can expect to reach the car park and then follow a rocky path to the area above the beach.
You’ll smell the saltwater in the air, contrasting with the earthy scents of the tropical vegetation around you.
Then, you emerge into a clearing with Broken Beach right in front of you and you’ll swiftly be reaching for your camera to record the moment you came face to face with the magnificent arch over the ocean in front of you.
Long down to appreciate the crystal clear turquoise waters and the ocean spilling out in front of the arch.
Then, it’s a case of exploring the area to find the best views and most dramatic images that you can capture.
The History Of Broken Beach, Nusa Penida
It’s not possible to put dates on the evolution of Broken Beach and the natural rock arch that makes it so distinctive.
It’s certain to have taken thousands of years for the sea to have created this rock formation and it seems likely that, over the course of time, the rock will further erode and then the arch will collapse.
The good news is that it took thousands of years for Broken Beach to form and it will take thousands more before Broken Beach becomes truly broken.
Hotels Near Broken Beach, Nusa Penida
There are some very pleasant resorts in the area too including:
Maua Nusa Penida – this lovely 5-star resort perches on the hills overlooking Gamat Bay. The property is designed so that every guest gets a sea view and their pool is spectacular!
Adiwana Warnakali Resort – just 20 meters above the beach below in Nusa Penida, this wonderful resort has its own PADI dive centre and is well known for its scuba diving safaris!
Pramana Natura Nusa Penida – this cliff-top resort is very elegant and one of the nicest places to appreciate a Nusa Penida sunset. The service is wonderfully Balinese too.
Hotel Arsa Santhi Nusa Penida – this pleasant resort near Broken Beach offers a host of excellent Asian Restaurants as well as all the mod-cons that you expect from a four-star hotel.
Other Attractions Near Broken Beach, Nusa Penida
Angel’s Billabong
Angel’s Billabong is right next to Broken Beach in Nusa Penida and it makes complete sense to combine a trip to Broken Beach with a visit to Angel’s Billabong.
Angel’s Billabong is a super interesting spot with what amounts to a natural infinity pool carved into the cliff face due to the action of the tides.
However, we don’t recommend that you swim in the pool at Angel’s Billabong. Angel’s Billabong has been the scene of several fatalities.
Freak waves can sweep the pool at Angel’s Billabong and drag the occupants out to sea.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach is famed for its “T-Rex” rock formation. To see it, you need to get up on the cliffs above Kelingking Beach and shoot down towards the sea.
The beach is lovely but as with Broken Beach, the biggest draw at this beach is the geological wonder of it all.
Crystal Bay
Bali has plenty of vibrant marine life but Crystal Bay offers you the opportunity to go swimming with manta rays, these gentle creatures are a huge draw on Nusa Penida and swimming with them is an unforgettable experience.
Teletubbies Hill (Bukit Teletubbies)
These rolling hills look rather like the hills that are pictured in the opening credits of the children’s show Teletubbies and that’s where they get their name from.
They also have a certain similarity to the chocolate hills of Bohol.
Diamond Beach
Diamond beach in Nusa Penida has some of the whitest sands and clearest waters that we’ve ever seen but once again, it’s geology that’s the big draw here.
There is a natural rock formation here that resembles a diamond and you can reach the beach by climbing down the rocky stairs carved into the cliffs.
FAQs
Why Is It Called Broken Beach?
Broken Beach on Nusa Penida is called Broken Beach because of the natural arch that creates a lagoon below the cliff.
When viewed from the right angle it appears to be a closed circuit that “breaks” when you change viewpoint.
It’s worth noting that you can’t reach Broken Beach itself from the cliffs here and the only way to visit the cove is to rent a local boat.
Can We Swim In Broken Beach?
No, in fact, you can’t get down to explore Broken Beach at all, it’s not accessible by land. While, technically, you could try cliff jumping at Nusa Penida, Broken Beach, we wouldn’t recommend it.
The waves are strong and could push you up against the rocks and it’s a long swim to Angel’s Billabong nearby, which is also a place of natural beauty but the natural pool (it’s almost like an infinity pool) there is a dangerous place to swim too.
Waves can come crashing into the billabong without any warning at all and drag even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
We’d like your trip to Nusa Penida Broken Beach to go safely, so we strongly recommend that you don’t swim in this area.
There are plenty of other places in Nusa Penida where you can swim to your heart’s content without any safety measures.
Which Part Of Nusa Penida Is Best?
Nusa Penida is a fairly small island and most of the things you want to see won’t be too far away, no matter where you stay.
However, there are more attractions on the West Coast of Nusa Penida than on the Eastern Coast and you get better sunsets on the West Coast.
How To Book A Holiday To Nusa Penida?
Booking a holiday to Nusa Penida is really easy, in fact booking a holiday to anywhere in Bali is really easy, you just contact the Bali Res Centre.
That’s a locally owned and managed travel consultancy that specializes in Bali travel experiences. They can arrange flights, hotels, tours, etc. and always at competitive prices.
One great thing about doing business with Bali Res Centre is that you’re supporting the local economy rather than sending money overseas to faceless multinational corporations.
Final Thoughts For When You Visit Broken Beach, Nusa Penida
If you’ve not been to Broken Beach in Nusa Penida before, then you really should give it a try next time you’re in Bali.
Broken Beach is one of the most fascinating and compelling natural wonders in the area and its natural beauty looks great in your Instagram feed.
Of course, when you return from Broken Beach in Nusa Penida to mainland Bali, we hope you will come to share your tales of this natural wonder with us at FINNS the best beach club in the world!
