One of Bali’s pioneering holiday areas is Sanur, which continues to attract many visitors looking for beaches and restaurants. It is a quieter area than others on the island, but Sanur has a good mix of accommodation, restaurants and bars, and is also a good place to explore other parts of Bali or other islands such as Nusa Penida. This small island is a very popular tourist destination, despite its lack of infrastructure, but this makes it ideal for a day trip from Sanur. Known for its bird sanctuary, impressive diving spots, and movie-like landscapes, a day trip from Sanur to Nusa Penida is highly recommended if you want to experience a different side of Bali.
Travel options from Sanur to Nusa Penida
Boat en route to Bali from Nusa Penida © Nokuro / Shutterstock.com
The island of Nusa Penida is located about 20 kilometers off the southern coast of Bali. Although it is quite close, it is worth planning a trip in advance. Since there are no airports in Nusa Penida, the only way to get to this island is by boat, but there are several different options as there are many operators that offer a route from Sanur to Nusa Penida.
From Sanur to Nusa Penida by boat
Speedboats in Sanur, Bali on their way to Nusa Penida © sudarat chanthubha / Shutterstock.com
When we talk about boats, we mean fast boats or motor boats, the perfect type of boat for speed lovers who like to feel the wind in their face. Although, to be honest, these boats are not designed to seat passengers on the deck, but in the interior with seats and windows (through which water from the waves can leak). It’s best to keep the windows closed so they arrive healthy, dry and without sunburn. Most fast boat operators depart from Sanur Beach, not from the jetty. This means passengers have to go to the ship, which means taking off your shoes and getting your feet wet, so it’s best to wear shorts or something that dries quickly so you don’t travel in wet clothes.
With all this information clarified, we will move on to the details of the timetables and the purchase of boat tickets. Since there are many operators on the route from Sanur to Nusa Penida, the easiest way to compare prices and schedules from several of them is to use the website 12Go.asia. On this page you can buy tickets to the most recognized fast boat companies. In addition, it is very easy to compare prices and types of boats, as well as read what other passengers have said about these particular trips. Companies have different scheduled sailing times from Sanur to Nusa Penida. Some say the journey is only 30 minutes, but it’s best to have around 45 minutes or even an hour depending on the state of the sea. If the water is choppy, boats tend to go slower.
Through the 12Go website, you can book tickets for Angkal Fastboat, Mola Mola Express, Maruti Fast Boat, Crown Fast Cruises and Idola Express. As you can see, there are several options. Normally, boats start at 7:30 AM and the last boat usually leaves Sanur for Nusa Penida at 4:00 PM. The services offered by all companies are similar, although the size of the boats may vary. If you tend to get dizzy in the water, it’s best to choose one of the larger boats, which tend to have more bearable crossings. If you want to save money, you can also opt for the cheapest tickets. With Mola Mola Express and Idola Express, the route from Sanur to Nusa Penida is usually much cheaper than the other operators we mentioned, and the services they offer are similar.
Tickets from any of these companies can be booked online at 12Go, which also sends you an instant confirmation of purchase. Be sure to check the timetables for return boats to Sanur. It is best to book the return ticket together with the outbound ticket so that you do not have problems finding a free seat on the way back.