Nusapenida Island, Island district southeast of Bali, Indonesia
Nusa Penida is an island off the southeast coast of Bali in Indonesia, part of Klungkung district. The terrain rises through hills to reach 524 meters in elevation, while numerous beaches, coral reefs, and diving areas line the coast.
The 35 villages came together in 2006 to merge their traditional regulations and establish a bird sanctuary across the entire territory. This collective decision reshaped the relationship between residents and the natural environment.
The name comes from Balinese: nusa, "island", and penida, "priest", so Nusa Penida means "island of priests". Most inhabitants belong to the Nak Nusé, a Balinese sub-group native to the island, and speak Basa Nosa, a Balinese dialect close to the language of the Bali Aga, Bali's aboriginal population, which mainland Balinese speakers cannot understand.
Nusa Penida has no rivers; villages rely on springs and rainwater collected in cubang tanks. Roads are not all paved and are rougher than on Bali, so drive carefully. Fast boats run from Sanur, Serangan and Padangbai, and six different piers serve the crossing, so confirm which harbour your boat uses.
Beneath the surface, 1419 hectares of coral formations grow, with large sections found at depths around three and ten meters. These reefs form a maze of living structures that can be explored while snorkeling or diving.
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