Kelingking Beach is the most famous attraction in Nusa Penida, but the hike down the steep stairs can be dangerous and accidents here have even led to the death of tourists in the past. The beach and its surrounding rock formations are very recognisable and often considered the Navagio Beach of Indonesia. However, in order to actually step foot on Kelingking Beach visitors have to face a dangerous climb down steep stairs.

If you use social media, chances are that you have seen a picture of Kelingking Beach on Instagram at least once. The stunning views of this beach were what made Nusa Penida famous almost overnight. The water is so crystal clear that you can spot manta rays and schools of fish even from the cliff above.

But can the weak infrastructure of the island support the increasing numbers of tourists visiting every year?

Kelingking Beach has gained a reputation for being a dangerous paradise due to the lack of safety measures at the beach. That being said, you can make your visit a lot more enjoyable and safe if you keep some important tips in mind. I live in Bali and have done this climb countless times and am still alive and well. Let me share my experience and tell you how to do it.

Are you planning a trip to Nusa Penida? Check out our 3-day itinerary.

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How to get to Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida from Bali?

You’ll find Kelingking Beach on the west coast of Nusa Penida. The island is reachable from Sanur in Bali by ferry within around 35 minutes. It takes another 45 minutes to drive to Kelingking Beach from Banjar Njuh (Toya Pakeh) Harbour and 50 minutes from Buyuk Harbour. Just keep in mind that grab and gojek do not work in Nusa Penida (but we’ve got great alternatives).

You can park in the parking lot right at the top of the cliff. There is only a 3-minute walk to see the stunning views.

Should you rent a scooter in Nusa Penida?

Nusa Penida is sometimes described as “Bali 30 years ago”. The island is largely undeveloped with a catastrophic road system.

Although renting a scooter is usually the best way to explore small islands in South East Asia this does not apply to Nusa Penida. The roads are so bad that it’s difficult to drive even for cars. If you are not extremely experienced in riding a scooter I would recommend hiring a driver for the day to stay safe.

You might be thinking that you are used to driving on bad roads and you’ll just take it slow and it’ll be fine. The main problem is not necessarily the condition of the road. It’s also the fact that with such an influx of tourists, there are far too many cars and scooters on the roads, making traffic conditions even more dangerous. That paired with the fact that most locals drive recklessly and at high speeds makes it very unsafe to be on a scooter.

The roads are quite steep which makes it difficult to go slow if you’re not feeling safe on your scooter. Especially around the roads leading to Kelingking Beach, it is a common sight to see tourists pushing their scooters uphill in the scorching sun.

My tip: Do yourself a favour and get a driver.

How much should you pay for a driver in Nusa Penida?

Prices for hiring a driver in Nusa Penida are slightly higher than in Bali. You should check Facebook groups for a contact or ask around when you arrive. Many hotels and homestays offer driving services as well, but these will be more expensive. If you want to book a stress-free trip in Nusa Penida, check out Viator for the best tours available.

You have to negotiate before agreeing to a price otherwise you will be overpaying. Do not accept a price that is over IDR 700,000 c for 10 hours. Anything more will be far too expensive. IDR 500,000 (~ 30€) is a very good price per day.

The rate should include petrol and sometimes even parking (although that will not cost you more than IDR 30,000 (~ €2) per day). It is customary to buy the driver lunch if you are out all day. This will cost around IDR 50,000 (~ €3.35) maximum.

It is possible to find a driver the day before your trip. There is no need to plan ahead for more than one week.

Where in Nusa Penida should you stay to visit Kelingking Beach?

Nusa Penida is quite large, but the selection of accommodation is relatively small. My advice would be to stay anywhere between the two main harbours (Banjar Njuh (Toya Pakeh) Harbour and Buyuk Harbour). Try to avoid staying inland, since the beach here is actually quite nice.

Stay somewhere with beach access and get a driver to take you around the island. Find the best hotels in Nusa Penida here.

No idea where to stay yet? Rama Homestay has beachfront bungalows at affordable prices. Read our review here.

When is the best time to go to Kelingking Beach?

It is best to visit Kelingking Beach during the high season (May to September) when the weather is dry. Unfortunately, this will also mean the sun is especially strong. As with most tourist attractions, it is advisable to visit the beach during the early morning when you’ll be able to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds.

However, don’t expect to be the only one coming early. Due to Kelingking Beach’s Instagram fame, you’ll still find plenty of people at the lookout point in the early morning. Your experience will be better if you arrive before 9:00 AM, ideally, before 8:00 AM.

Why visiting Kelingking Beach in the early morning has its pros and cons

Kelingking Beach is positioned in such a way that the sun rises behind its large cliffs. Unfortunately, that means that if you come in the early morning you will probably not get the best photos from the lookout point since the sun has not hit the beach yet. Depending on the season this can be as late as 9:00 AM or even 9:30 AM.

So you’ll have to consider this trade-off when planning your visit. Do you want stunning photos or do you want to avoid the crowds? I have found the best way is to come early, climb down to the beach (which is far easier with the sun still hidden) and then take some photos at the lookout point once you’re back up.

Is the Kelingking Beach hike safe during rain?

Try to visit Kelingking Beach on a sunny day to get the best pictures. Do not attempt to climb down to the beach if it is raining. The path (if you can call it that) is slippery as it is and will be impassable during heavy rain.

The tides at Kelingking Beach

You can visit Kelingking Beach during all tides although it is especially dangerous to swim when the tide is high. The stretch of sand at the beach will be smaller during this time, but the beach is still accessible.

Is there an entrance fee for Kelingking Beach?

We have visited Kelingking Beach countless times and have only been charged an entrance fee of IDR 10,000 (~ €0.60) once. In Indonesia, prices can change from day to day, so there is no way of telling you 100% if you will have to pay something or not.

The good news is that even if they do charge a fee when you visit it will be somewhere between IDR 5,000 and IDR 15,000 (~ €0.30 and €1) per person so a very small amount of money. Fortunately, Nusa Penida is still very cheap concerning its attractions. They are all either free or very affordable.

Parking

Parking costs IDR 10,000 (~ €0.70) with no time limit on how long you can stay. This is a common price for parking at tourist attractions in Indonesia. Usually, your driver will pay the parking fee.

Are you travelling on a budget? These 21 Tips to save Money in Indonesia will change the way you budget.

Are there restaurants close to Kelingking Beach?

You will find plenty of restaurant options around the lookout point at Kelingking Beach. Because of its popularity among tourists, the prices here will be slightly more expensive than in quieter parts of the island. You will, however, still be able to find a Nasi or Mie Goreng (fried rice or noodles) for around IDR 35,000 (~ €2.30) and a fresh coconut for IDR 30,000 (~ €2).

Down at the beach, there is a little stall selling drinks and small snacks (mostly pringles).

Bathrooms

Almost every little restaurant at the lookout point has a basic bathroom. Most of the time you will be asked to pay IDR 5,000 (~ €0.30) to use it or buy a meal at the restaurant.

There are no official bathrooms at the beach itself so make sure you go before starting the climb.

Can you swim at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida?

It used to be possible to swim at Kelingking Beach, although it was always dangerous. As of late 2022, it is now prohibited, although many tourists still break the rules.

Whatever you do, do not go into the water if you are not an experienced swimmer. The waves at this beach are huge which makes it difficult to swim as it is. They reach a height of over 6 metres. Best to stay in an area where you can stand and make sure you don’t get swept out.

Swimming ban at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida

In late 2022, the Indonesian authorities put a swimming ban in place for Nusa Penida’s popular Kelingking Beach. There are now signs up, prohibiting tourists from entering the water, although some people still do since the rules aren’t strictly enforced. Technically, tourists are only supposed to climb down to the beach with a guide, but so far this rule has not really come into effect.

These new regulations are meant to increase safety and prevent deaths and accidents across Nusa Penida, including Kelingking Beach. Several tourists have lost their lives, and others have been gravely injured. The tourism authorities of Bali implemented this as a reaction to yet another fatal accident at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida in 2022. Now visitors just need to respect the rules and prioritise their own safety.

Where is the best view?

There is usually a long queue of people waiting to take a photo at the best picture spot on top of the cliff. This is right next to the beginning of the path down and is hard to miss. There is another one with a little viewing tower, for which you have to pay IDR 10,000 (~ €0.60) per person to take a photo.

What many don’t know is that if you go behind some of the restaurants and follow the cliff for about 100 metres you’ll find a much more secluded spot with fewer people. Here the view is almost better, in my opinion, and you can take your time while taking photos. The map below shows exactly where to go.

Just make sure you don’t go too close to the edge. There are no railings here, and it’s easy to slip and fall.

Can you fly a drone at Kelingking Beach?

You can fly your drone anywhere at Kelingking Beach, there are no restricted areas. A good spot is further along the cliff close to the lookout point mentioned in the previous paragraph.

There is a small, empty field here perfect for flying a drone.

Watch out for monkeys!

Where there are tourists there are monkeys in South East Asia. Be careful of your belongings and do not take any food items with you. The monkeys tend to crowd around the places where tourists take photos so keep your sunglasses and cameras close.

Climbing down to Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida – Is it dangerous?

Kelingking Beach is so famous partly because of its notoriously dangerous path that leads down to the beach.

To go all the way down you have to walk along the crest of the hill for around 20 minutes until you reach a junction. Here you can either take the official route down to the beach or follow the (unofficial) way further along the mountain to get a view of the beach from the opposite cliff. This second option is very dangerous and not recommended.

If you are in good health and do not have any injuries I would recommend going down to Kelingking Beach. The path is basically non-existent which means that at times you will be climbing on a near-vertical stone wall. You will slip and get dirty because the whole mountain is covered in a fine dust that sticks perfectly to sweaty skin.

If you are okay with this then don’t let accounts of how bad the path is stop you from this adventure. Just use common sense and go slowly.

What to know before climbing down the stairs to Kelingking Beach

Do not go down to the beach if you are not confident in doing a bit of climbing. You will not be walking down. You’ll be climbing.

Kelingking Beach sits at the bottom of a 400 m cliff which you’ll be descending nearly vertically. If you have problems pulling your own body-weight up then you’ll struggle on the way back up.

Do not attempt the climb if you’re afraid of heights. The only thing separating you from the drop on the way down are rickety wooden railings and a few ropes. If heights make you uneasy then don’t do it.

What can you do if you don’t want to go all the way down?

If you’re not up for spending hours in the sun climbing up and down a cliff then it’s just as enjoyable to just go down along the crest of the hill until you reach the junction. Until the path turns off you’ll mostly be walking on stairs that are very manageable and will only take you around 35 minutes to go down and back up.

You’ll still get spectacular views but can skip the dangerous part of the climb down to Kelingking Beach.

The first part of the route is mostly stairs that are easy to climb

Which shoes to wear for Kelingking Beach

You will see local guides doing the climb in flip-flops. Don’t try to follow their example. Wearing sneakers will make your way down a lot safer and more enjoyable.

One reason why the climb down to Kelingking Beach is considered so dangerous is because tourists do not wear appropriate shoes and end up slipping and putting others in danger as well.

Everyone we saw who tried to go down in flip-flops ended up taking them off and going barefoot instead which is not enjoyable in scorching heat and on sharp rocks. Definitely make sure to wear the right shoes on the way down to Kelingking Beach.

Clothing

Avoid wearing dresses or skirts if you’re planning to climb down to the beach. Try to cover your shoulders and face and make sure to use sunscreen or the sun will burn you alive, especially on the way back up.

Be aware that anything you wear will get very dirty so either bring a change of clothes or be okay with the fact that you will not look your best the rest of the day.

Prepare to sweat a lot and bring plenty of water.

The railings

If you google pictures of Kelingking Beach you’ll come across many pictures of the “bamboo railings” that look very flimsy and unsettling.

These loose railings have since been replaced by more sturdy wooden beams that seemed decently trustworthy. On the way down I was holding on to them most of the time and felt safe. Do not let these outdated pictures scare you and put you off going down to the beach.

In several places, there were also ropes which you can “abseil” yourself during the particularly steep parts. There are definitely measures being taken to make this climb safer although they are only a small step with a lot more work to go.

How long does it take to go down to Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida?

It usually takes us about 45 minutes to climb all the way down from the top of the cliff to the beach. It’s probably possible to be quicker if you’re not taking as many photos.

The way back up takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes of steady climbing. However, this factors in the large crowds coming down to the beach which means that you have to stop and wait for people to pass frequently otherwise you can be a lot faster in my opinion.

Our tip: I’ve climbed up and down Kelingking Beach several times, and the worst experiences were always when it was crowded. The stairs really aren’t so bad when there aren’t too many other people around. Definitely consider this when planning your descent.

What is the most dangerous part of Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida (avoid an accident)?

There are multiple things that make Kelingking Beach dangerous in my opinion. Firstly it’s the fact that hundreds of tourists go down to the beach which leads to “traffic jams” on the route. Since the path is so narrow (and in most cases not even a path at all) it’s difficult to pass people and sometimes you have to wait 10 minutes just for everyone else to go through.

It gets quite dangerous when people start getting impatient and try to squeeze past each other or go faster than they are comfortable because there are others waiting behind them. This is when someone will slip and cause others to fall as well. Although the new railings are far sturdier than the old bamboo versions I can imagine how they would not hold up should multiple people be pushed against them.

Another thing that is dangerous about the climb down to Kelingking Beach is the fact that many tourists will underestimate the condition of the path and attempt it in bad footwear or in long dresses and skirts. Anything that can cause you to trip could potentially cost you your life if you’re not careful on the way down.

The same goes for cameras and phones that people hold in their hand while going up or down. You will need both hands to hold on to something and pull yourself up to stay safe. Put your phone away and always watch where you step.

The cliff and how dangerous it really is

Now that we’ve established that the climb is dangerous I’ll mention another part of Kelingking Beach that is not adequately fenced off. The top of the cliff where most tourists line up to take their scenic picture of the beach does not have a barrier in most places. There is a straight 400m drop down to the rocks below.

Even worse there is vegetation growing in some spots that makes it hard to tell where the cliff ends exactly. Be very careful when you are taking photos and do not go too close to the edge.

Kelingking Beach accident and death in Nusa Penida

There have been at least five deaths at Nusa Penida’s Kelingking Beach, although the death toll could possibly be even higher.

One of the first reported fatalities was in early 2018 when a Russian tourist fell to her death at Kelingking Beach. The following year, a Vietnamese tourist was swept out by a large wave and drowned.

In 2020 a visitor from East Java slipped on the steep stairs down to Kelingking Beach and fell to his death, taking the death toll up to three. In 2021 an Indonesian tourist was hit by a strong wave and died, along with her guide who tried to rescue her.

These are only a few of the accidents that have occurred at Kelingking Beach over the years. Since the beach is so difficult to access, rescues can take hours and often victims have to be evacuated via boat, which is challenging in the giant waves.

Our tip: While some deaths at Kelingking Beach can be attributed to falls, the majority of accidents are actually drownings or tourists injured by waves. Do not go into the water, even if you’re not planning on swimming. The waves here are notorious for coming out of nowhere and are so forceful that they can pull you under in seconds.

Accidents in other parts of Nusa Penida

These are, unfortunately, not the only deadly accidents to have occurred in Nusa Penida and the neighbouring Nusa Lembongan in the past. Most of the tourist attractions such as Angel’s Billabong, Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach lack safety precautions which has caused many tourists to lose their lives here.

Always be safe by avoiding swimming in the ocean, staying away from unsecured cliffs and not swimming in Angel’s Billabong. The lagoon has taken many lives and is very dangerous even if it looks calm.

Until Nusa Penida can provide adequate safety precautions for its growing number of visitors it is your own responsibility to have common sense and stay safe.

What else to see in Nusa Penida after you’ve visited Kelingking Beach

Usually, most people visit the west coast of Nusa Penida in one day and the east coast on another. Kelingking Beach is best combined with visiting Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay, Banah Cliff Point, Tembeling Beach and Forest and Peguyangan Waterfall.

Doing all these in one day is not realistic. Chose three or four so you have enough time to see all the sights. Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, the Thousand Island Viewpoint and the Rumah Pohon Treehouse are best visited on a separate day because they are located on the east coast.

No idea how to plan your itinerary?

This post will help!

Going to Gili Trawangan next? Check out our guide on how to swim with turtles right from the beach!

Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida FAQ

Before you go…

You’ve got your Nusa Penida trip all set up but are you prepared for Bali? I’m your new best friend when it comes to Indonesia content, and I think you’ll love these guides on the best time to go to Bali, how to get the cheapest airport pickup, walking from Seminyak to Canggu and a day trip to Uluwatu.

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