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You want to see the T-Rex cliff. You’ve seen the photos, you’ve probably already picked out your outfit, and now you’re staring at a map of Bali realizing there is a giant stretch of ocean between you and that dinosaur-shaped rock. Look, getting to Nusa Penida isn’t exactly like hopping on a bus in London. It’s an island. A rugged, limestone rock sitting in some of the most unpredictable water in Indonesia. Getting there is a rite of passage. It’s loud, it’s usually a bit wet, and depending on the day, it can be a total breeze or a soul-crushing test of your stomach’s limits. Honestly? Most people overcomplicate it. But if you don’t know the difference between the ports or how to spot a ticket scam, you’re going to start your adventure with a massive headache. And probably a wet suitcase.

Most travelers end up at Sanur. It’s the obvious choice. The main artery. For years, Sanur was this beautiful, chaotic disaster where you had to wade into the ocean with your backpack over your head while boat engines screamed in your ear. They finally built a fancy new terminal, which is great for your feet but has definitely changed the “vibe.” There are other ways too—Kusamba for the locals and the savvy, Padang Bai for the people with zero money and too much time, and the little wooden boats from Lembongan. I think the best way depends entirely on where you’re sleeping the night before. Don’t drive two hours to Sanur if you’re staying in Sidemen. That’s just bad planning. Let’s dig into the gritty details.

The Sanur Circus: Everything You Need to Know

Sanur Harbour (Pelabuhan Sanur) is the big beast. It’s located at the end of Jalan Hang Tuah, and honestly, the area around it is a mess. If you’re taking a Grab or a Gojek, tell them to drop you at the terminal entrance, but be prepared for a traffic jam that moves at the speed of a tired turtle. The new terminal building is actually pretty impressive. It’s got air conditioning, clean toilets, and digital screens. It feels like an airport, which is weirdly sterile for Bali, but you’ll appreciate the AC when it’s 34 degrees outside and your boat is delayed by twenty minutes. Which it will be. Boats here don’t run on Swiss time; they run on “island time,” which basically means whenever the tide is right and the captain has finished his coffee.

Don’t just walk into the terminal and look confused. That’s how you get “helpers” trying to sell you overpriced tickets. Every fast boat company has a little booth. Maruti, Axe Stone, Semabu Hills—they all look the same. You check in, they give you a colored lanyard or a sticker for your shirt, and then you sit in the terminal until they shout something into a megaphone that sounds vaguely like the name of your boat. Pay attention. I’ve seen so many people miss their departure because they were looking at their phones or trying to find a decent croissant in the food court. When they call your group, you walk down a long, modern pier. No more wading through waves! It’s a “dry feet” boarding process now, which is a miracle, though I still wouldn’t wear your best leather shoes. The pier can be slippery, and the boat ramp is basically a wet piece of metal.

Your luggage gets handled by a crew of guys who are probably stronger than anyone you know. They toss bags into a pile on the deck or into a storage hatch. If you have a fancy suitcase, maybe put a protective cover on it. It’s going to get stacked under ten other bags. Make sure you have a tag with your name and “Nusa Penida” on it. When you arrive on the island, it’s a free-for-all to find your bag in the pile. It’s chaotic, but somehow, it usually works. Just don’t leave your laptop or anything fragile in your checked bag. Carry that on your lap. The boat ride can be bumpy, and bags definitely shift around.

The Badung Strait: Hope You Like Bouncing

The crossing takes about 40 to 50 minutes. The Badung Strait is the piece of water you’re crossing, and it’s famous for its currents. On a good day, it’s like a flat lake. On a bad day? It’s a washing machine. These fast boats are powered by four or five massive outboard engines. They don’t cut through the waves; they jump over them. If you’re sitting at the front, prepare for your spine to compressed every few seconds. It’s like a cheap theme park ride that goes on for way too long. If you get sea sick, sit at the back. It’s much more stable there, though you might get a face full of diesel fumes if the wind is blowing the wrong way. Pick your poison, I guess.

And let’s talk about the pills. If the sky is grey and the wind is whipping up white caps on the water, just take the motion sickness pill. Most boat offices have them for free or for a few thousand rupiah. Take it 30 minutes before you board. If you wait until you’re on the boat and start feeling “weird,” it’s already too late. I’ve seen many people spend the whole trip staring into a black plastic bag while the rest of the passengers look on in horror. It’s not a great start to a holiday. Oh, and there are no toilets on these boats. Well, there might be a tiny closet in the back, but trust me, you do not want to use it while the boat is airborne. Go before you board.

Kusamba: The Fast and the Local

If you hate crowds and you’re staying in East Bali—Ubud, Sidemen, or Amed—Kusamba is the secret. It’s a tiny port further up the coast. The crossing from here is only about 20 minutes because the distance between the islands is much shorter. It’s mostly locals, seaweed farmers, and people who know what they’re doing. The boats are a bit smaller, and the terminal is basically a shed on the beach, but it’s fast. And cheaper. You won’t find the “tourist circus” here. No megaphones, no fancy food courts. Just a boat and the ocean.

The downside? You might still have to get your feet wet. Some of the boats in Kusamba don’t use piers. You might be wading through knee-deep water to get on. Wear shorts. Wear flip-flops. Embrace the mess. It’s the authentic way to get to Penida. It feels more like an adventure and less like a commercial transport line. If you’re a solo traveler or on a budget, this is my top recommendation. Just make sure your driver knows you want *Kusamba*, not Sanur. They’ll try to take you to Sanur because that’s where they get a kickback from the boat companies.

Padang Bai: The Slow Boat for the Patient

Then there’s the public ferry, the “Roro.” It departs from Padang Bai. It’s big, it’s slow, and it’s where all the trucks, construction materials, and local scooters go. It takes about two hours. Sometimes three. The schedule is a total mystery—it leaves when it’s full or when the captain feels like it. If you’re trying to save every single penny or if you absolutely must bring your own scooter from Bali (which I really don’t recommend for Penida’s roads), this is your only option. It’s a vibe, though. You sit on the deck, drink a coffee from a cardboard cup, and watch the islands slowly drift by. But for a Nusa Penida day trip, it’s completely useless. You’ll spend your whole day on the ferry.

Tickets, Prices, and the WhatsApp Economy

Don’t pay more than 500k IDR for a return ticket from Sanur. Honestly, 350k to 400k is the sweet spot if you book through a local agent or online. If a guy on the street in Sanur tells you it’s 700k because of a “special holiday,” he’s lying. I like booking on 12Go or just finding a company on Instagram and messaging them on WhatsApp. That’s how everything happens in Bali. You WhatsApp a number, they send you a price, you say “okay,” and they send you a screenshot of a booking. No paper, no fuss. You pay when you arrive at the booth. It’s surprisingly efficient for a system held together by emojis and mobile data.

When you land at Banjar Nyuh or Buyuk Harbour in Penida, you’ll have to pay an “entrance fee.” It’s 25,000 IDR (about $1.50). Someone will be standing at the end of the pier with a little desk. It’s a real government tax, not a scam. Just pay it, take the little paper receipt, and move on. Don’t be the tourist who argues about a dollar while a hundred people are trying to get off a boat behind you. It’s embarrassing for everyone involved.

The Pier Scramble: Welcome to Penida

Arriving at Banjar Nyuh is an experience. It’s a narrow pier, usually with two or three boats unloading at the same time. It’s hot, people are pushing, and the air smells like salt and exhaust. This is where you’ll meet the “driver gauntlet.” A wall of men holding signs or just shouting “Taxi! Taxi!” at you. If you’ve pre-booked a private driver—and I really hope you have—find them. They’ll have your name on a piece of cardboard. If you haven’t booked, get ready to haggle. A car for the day should be around 500k to 600k. If they start at 800k, they’re testing you. Shake your head, keep walking, and the price will drop every ten meters.

If you’re renting a scooter, there are dozens of stalls right at the harbour. Check the tires. Check the brakes. Seriously. The hills on this island are no joke, and you don’t want to find out your rear brake is “soft” when you’re halfway down a 30-degree incline. The port area is the best place to rent because you can drop it back right before your boat leaves. Just take a photo of any scratches before you ride off so they don’t try to charge you for “damage” that was already there. It happens.

The Logistic Realities (A Clean Breakdown)

Final Advice: Don’t Cut It Too Close

Look, the ocean doesn’t care about your flight schedule. If the wind picks up or a big swell rolls in, boats get cancelled. It’s not common, but it happens. If you have a flight leaving Denpasar on Sunday night, do not leave Nusa Penida on Sunday afternoon. Come back to the mainland on Saturday. Spend a night in Sanur or Jimbaran. Missing a $500 flight because of a $20 boat ride is a terrible way to end a trip. I’ve seen it happen, and it’s heartbreaking.

Also, keep your electronics in a dry bag. Even with the “dry feet” boarding, waves can splash over the side of the boat during the crossing. I’ve seen salt water ruin a MacBook in ten seconds flat. Put your valuables in a plastic bag or a proper dry bag and keep it on your lap. Other than that? Just enjoy the ride. The view of Mount Agung from the back of the boat as you pull away from Sanur is one of the best things you’ll see in Bali. It’s a wild ride, but it’s the only way to get to paradise. See you at the pier.

One last thing. If you’re coming from the Gili Islands or Lombok, there are direct boats too. They’re usually big, twin-hull boats like Eka Jaya. They take about two hours from Gili T. It’s a great way to link the islands without going back to Bali, but the boats can be crowded and hot. Drink lots of water, bring some snacks, and maybe some headphones. The engine noise on those big boats is no joke. Happy island hopping! Seriously, go book that ticket now… the T-Rex is waiting.