Nusa Penida’s Diamond Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches near Bali. Find out how to get there & what to expect.
I think it’s safe to say that Nusa Penida has some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal vistas and beaches in Indonesia. If you’re looking to see the cream of the crop on the island, definitely make your way to Diamond Beach.
The striking, white-sand beach below is breathtaking when juxtaposed with the turquoise waters and the white, jungle-covered cliffs above, this was easily one of my favorite spots on the island!
Key Things to Know Before You Visit
The cliff lookout over Diamond Beach has long been popular on Nusa Penida. However, just a few years back, local developers carved an epic stairway straight into the cliff face, opening up this incredible beach to everyone!
- You'll find Diamond Beach located on the southeast side of Nusa Penida.
- There are many other beautiful attractions nearby including Atuh Beach, the Thousand Island Viewpoint, and of course, that Instagram-famous beach house on the cliff.
- You can rent a motorbike and ride there yourself from Penida harbor in just over one hour. There's a parking fee of 5,000 rupiah at the top.
- Entrance fee: as of 2024, there is now an entrance fee of 35,000 IDR to access the beach, payable near the staircase.
- A visit to this beach is also included on the popular full-day Nusa Penida trip from Bali, which also visits Kelingking Beach.
- It's a good idea to visit at low tide since the surf can get rough and easily flood the beach all the way to the cliff!
How to Get to Diamond Beach
In my opinion, the best way to get to Diamond Beach and the rest of the highlights of Nusa Penida is to rent your own motorbike. This is what we did and we explored the entire island.
You can get these from your accommodation or the many rental shops at the harbor port. A daily rental costs between 70,000 to 100,000 rupiah for a decent scooter.
The journey by motorbike to Diamond Beach from the main port in Nusa Penida takes about 30 minutes. However, while the roads have improved on Nusa Penida in recent years, the East side of the island still has some sketchy stretches so you'll want to be confident on a motorbike.
Alternative: Best of Nusa Penida From Bali
Find yourself in Bali and you'd rather skip the motorbike rental to see the best Nusa Penida highlights?
While Nusa Penida is a lot smaller than neighboring Bali, it is a bit too big to cover all the epic highlights in a single day. If you're set on seeing the dramatic Nusa Penida east coastline with attractions such as Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, and the Thousand Island Viewpoint, then consider this Nusa Penida East Tour running from Bali.
This includes a boat transfer (making it a convenient way to get to the island to begin with) and highlights like snorkeling at Crystal Bay and visiting the incredible Broken Beach & Angel's Billabong.
My Experience at Diamond Beach
Once we arrived at Diamond Beach, we were asked to pay 10,000 rupiah to park our motorbike which was standard for all attractions on Nusa Penida. Since, I've found that the price has been reduced to 5,000, but there is now an entrance fee of 35,000 IDR to walk down the steps!
Once we paid our tourist tax of sorts, we were free to explore the area.
Immediately, upon seeing the incredible Diamond Beach, I'm sure you'll finally come to terms with the hype. This beach is incredible, but it only gets better as you continue down to its shores!
The Diamond Beach Cliff Stairway
Perhaps the main attraction of Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida is its incredibly scenic rock staircase. I'm really not sure how this was covered, but I give kudos to the handymen! The natural carvings are much nicer than the blue staircase style we found at Peguyangan Waterfall.
- Number of Steps: The Diamond Beach natural staircase has 166 steps carved into the limestone cliffs.
There's even a hand-made rope safety rail that leads most of the way down the steep descent.
It only took us about 5 minutes to reach the bottom. However, many sources say to expect about 10-20 (I'm sure they're stopping for photos on the way. While it is steep, it definitely shouldn't be a problem for most– especially if you've just managed the tough roads out here on a motorbike!
The staircase itself is great for photos but keep in mind this is a popular spot. It can also get very hot since you're walking close to the limestone wall, which reflects the heat straight back on you. The last thing you want is a photo queue at such a scenic island location, so keep moving!
Exploring the Beach
As we ascended the rocky stairway to the sands of Diamond Beach, we realized where the beach got its name. There are a few large, diamond-shaped rock outcrops that line the headland and the sands.
The beach itself is a dream, and definitely one that's hard to beat! The water is mind-bending blue and combined with that white cliff backdrop makes this a serious contender for Indonesia's most beautiful beach.
We spent a good couple of hours at Diamond Beach after checking out the other nearby attractions. If you're planning a visit to Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida, it's a good idea to check out the Thousand Island viewpoint early and head to the beach after to relax as we did.
The Diamond Beach Viewpoint
While fairly obvious from the large undercover hut, there is an epic viewpoint that many people miss just over to the left of the staircase. If you continue up this hill, you'll find great vantage points of Diamond Beach.
Diamond Beach Swing
I've been told there is now a couple of unique Bali-influencer-style swings that have been set up around near the end of the path to the beach.
The locals will charge 100,000 Rupiah (~$7 USD) for you to use it, and apparently you can negotiate on the price.
One is a thatch 'birdhouse' for sitting photos, and the other is a traditional swing set with ropes tied between two tall palm trees.
Viewpoint Tree Spot
I'm not a huge fan of photo props and structures like these swings. If you're like me, go up to the top viewpoint, there are a couple of nice trees to relax under– and they make for more natural photos!
Where to Stay Near Diamond Beach
While not a huge island, there are several areas to pick from when planning where to stay on Nusa Penida. My favorites are Toyapakeh, Crystal Bay, Batununggul, and Diamond Beach area.
Below are my current 3 top budget, mid-range, and luxury hotel picks on the island.
1. Adiwana Warnakali Resort Luxury
This isn't the most expensive luxury resort on Nusa Penida but it's definitely one of the best! This resort is waterfront located with large, luxury suites and an incredibly included breakfast.
2. Jukung Cottage Mid-Range
This epic, beachside resort-style cottage retreat offers great bang for buck. It features a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a shared lounge.
3. Hostel Bukit Sangcure Budget
This is the accommodation I chose in Nusa Penida. It's a cheap backpacker hostel that is close to the port and offers breakfast and bike rentals.
I hope that you found this quick guide to visiting Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida useful. For more travel guides and adventure inspiration for Nusa Penida, Bali, and Indonesia, make sure to check out some of my other guides below.
Also, if you visit and feel like this blog needs an update, please let me know in the comments below.
- Nusa Penida Travel Guide - explore the best of the island with this list of the top things to do!
- How to Get to Nusa Penida - complete guide with the best current options.
- Things to do in Lombok - visit the epic adventure island of Lombok after your trip to Nusa Penida.
- Where to Stay on Nusa Penida - learn about the best areas and see my latest recommendations for hotels, hostels, and guest houses.