Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is a relatively undeveloped island south-east of mainland Bali. You won't find the snazzy beach clubs, organic cafes or trendy restaurants here, but Nusa Penida is still worthy of a visit. It houses some of the most photogenic sights in Bali. If you only have one day to spare, don't worry! A day trip to Nusa Penida from Bali is very doable. You can get to Nusa Penida via a speedboat from Sanur in the morning and come back in the afternoon. But if you want to see the entire Nusa Penida and really enjoy your stay, you would need 2-3 days on the island. Brief History of Nusa Penida, Nusa means “island” and Penida means “priests” in Balinese. Literally translated it means the island of priest and it isn't necessary to refer to the island as “Nusa Penida Island” – it would just be redundant! The island is known to local Balinese as the black magic island. Long before it became a tourist attraction for its natural beauty, Nusa Penida was once believed by locals to be inhabited by dark spirits, banished to the island by the priests of Bali. However, even with such negative connotation Nusa Penida remains an important religious destination. This is because Bali's spiritual belief dictates balance in the universe, in which both good and evil are necessary.