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Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida is a hidden beach that has certainly become one of the most iconic spots on the island. It’s known for its dramatic green-topped rock formations, beautiful white beach, turquoise water and, of course, its Instagram photo spots.
Until very recently the beach itself was inaccessible and you could only admire it from on top of the limestone cliff. However, now they have carved stairs into the cliffside that make the beautiful beach accessible!
Below we’ve detailed everything you need to know before you go. Since it’s just a short boat ride away, this place is a must-see while you’re in Bali!
Where is Diamond Beach Nusa Penida?
Diamond Beach is located on the east coast of Nusa Penida, which is a popular Indonesian island off the coast of Bali. It’s also near the famous Rumah Pohon Tree House and Atuh Beach.
Overview of Diamond Beach
| Address | Pejukutan, Nusapenida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771 |
| Entrance fee | 10,000 IDR |
| Parking Fee | 5,000 IDR |
| Hike length | 20 minutes each way |
| Hike Difficulty | Moderate |
What to expect at Diamond Beach
When you arrive at Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida there will be a wide path with a sign welcoming you to Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach. Also at the entrance is a booth where you can make a donation for the conservation efforts and/or ask any questions you may have.
Just about 20 meters past the sign on the right you will come across a set of unmarked stairs that lead down to the beach. Here is where you will get your first glimpse of the seemingly hidden beach, gorgeous rock formations and beautiful palm trees below.
After you stop at the top of the stairs for a few photos, you can choose whether or not to do the hike down to the beach. If you decide to hike down, you will find a small warung (restaurant) and some Bali swings along the way.
At the end of the hike you will get to enjoy the gorgeous white sand and lush palm trees before heading back up. It’s a pretty wild feeling being on this small strip of beach backing up into this massive limestone cliff.
We spent a total of 2 hours at Diamond Beach Nusa Penida (including the hike) and it was the perfect amount of time. Make sure you wear ample sunscreen if you want to spend longer at the beach, since there are very few opportunities for shade.
Diamond Beach Nusa Penida Stairs
In late 2018 they carved nifty stairs into the cliffside, so now the hidden beach below is accessible! While some stretches of stairs resemble proper stairs and a handrail, other parts are uneven and require a little more maneuvering. In the segments that are more uneven and don’t have a handrail, they provide a loose rope to hold onto while you traverse down. Certainly use this rope to help – we were shocked what a difference it made!
Diamond Beach Hike
The hike down to the pristine Diamond Beach takes about 20 minutes each way. The first 10 minutes or so has proper stairs and a handrail, while the remaining bit has the rocky steps with rope assistance that we mentioned above.
After 15 minutes you will reach a flat area that has a small warung (snack shack), toilet, and a notorious Bali swing. If you continue straight past the warung and swing, you will run into the final stretch of the hike that takes you down to the beach (pictured above).
While the final 5 minutes of the hike is the most steep, they provide another rope for assistance here. That said, you’ll be fine if you have a moderate level of fitness, go down backwards and take your time. The final few steps require maneuvering across a big boulder and then jumping off of it onto the beach. Then you’ve made it!
Tip: since the ropes are necessary for the climb, you should pack your belongings in a backpack so that your hands are free.
Nusa Penida Diamond Beach Swing
On the hike down, before you reach the beach you’ll see a famous Bali swing next to the warung. Here you can pay to swing over the beautiful beach while the workers push you to crazy heights.
In the same area there is also another famous Bali photo spot in a “birds nest” hanging over the beach. For both of these spots the folks working there are happy to help you capture the moment in photos or videos while you enjoy.
>> Check out the photography gear we bring with us!
Can you swim at Diamond Beach?
Yes it is possible to swim at Diamond Beach. That said, while you can swim here it is smart to take precautions. It’s best to visit the beach in low tide and pay attention to the conditions.
Since the waves can get pretty crazy and there is no lifeguard, only go for a swim if you’re a really strong swimmer. Also, wear water shoes because the sea here has some sharp rock and coral.
Is it worth going down to Diamond Beach?
If you have at least a moderate level of fitness, YES it’s definitely worth going down to Diamond Beach. Although it’s small, stepping foot on the beautiful beach is really nice and the hike is a great way to get some exercise.
However, if the steps make you nervous or you’re short on time, you can certainly enjoy this spot from the top and not worry about the hike down. Diamond Beach would still be worth visiting even if you don’t go down.
Diamond Beach Nusa Penida Instagram Spots
- Near the top of the stairs leading to Diamond Beach Nusa Penida
- Diamond Beach swing & birds nest
- Amidst the rocks and palms on the beach
- Rumah Pohon Treehouse (nearby)
- Thousand Islands Viewpoint (nearby)
>> Looking to up your photography game? Then check out our online photography course!
Diamond Beach Nusa Penida Entrance Fee
The 2019 entrance fee for Diamond Beach is 10,000 IDR ($0.75 USD) per person and is cash-only. If you hire for a driver for the day this may or may not be included in their rate, so make sure to check with them beforehand.
They also have a place for donations to help with conservation efforts and rebuilding the (horrible) Nusa Penida roads. Throwing in even a few rupiah will certainly help them out.
Diamond Beach Opening Hours
Diamond Beach is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Best time to visit Diamond Beach
Sunrise or shortly after is the best time to visit Diamond Beach because it faces east. By visiting this early you will also beat both the crowds and the heat – win win!
Since we wanted to catch the sunrise at the nearby Rumah Pohon Treehouse, we arrived to Diamond Beach about 40 minutes after sunrise. Even then we only saw a handful of people for over an hour!
It’s also optimal to visit in Bali’s dry season (March through October). However, if you can be flexible day-to-day with the forecast you can have a nice visit in rainy season too.
How to get to Diamond Beach Nusa Penida
The best way to get to Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida is hiring a driver to take you around the east coast of the island. We paid $50 USD to have a private driver for the day. While you can rent a scooter and drive yourself, the roads are SO bad that we’d 100% not recommend this.
If you drive from the harbor it takes around an hour, however if you come from your accommodation the drive time will depend on where you’re staying on the island.
>>Read: 10 BEST things to do in Munduk, Bali
What to bring
- Since the entrance fees, parking fees & beach activities are all cash only, don’t forget to bring cash.
- Tennis shoes with grip are necessary because the hike down the limestone steps can be slippery.
- Backpack to hold your belongings since you will want your hands accessible for the hike down.
- Plenty of water and sunscreen
- Towel, swimsuit & water shoes if you plan to hang out on the beach
- Also don’t forget your camera for this super photogenic spot (here’s the camera gear we bring with us!)
Where to park
You can park at the Atuh Beach Parking Lot (here) for access to Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Thousand Islands viewpoint. In 2019 it costs 5,000 IDR ($0.35 USD) to park and is cash only, so make sure you have rupiah ready. If you hire a driver this fee should be included.
Places near Diamond Beach Nusa Penida
Rumah Pohon Treehouse, Thousand Island Viewpoint and Atuh Beach are also on the east coast of Nusa Penida. While they’re all within walking distance of Diamond Beach, plan to spend a half or full day going to all these spots!
Then you can visit the rest of the best things to do in Nusa Penida the following day as a part of a 2-day Nusa Penida itinerary.
Where to stay on Nusa Penida
We absolutely loved our stay at The Dagan Bungalow! While they were communicative and the rooms were super clean, the best part was how sweet the family running it is. They arranged the transportation for our whole trip including rides to/from the boat and our day trips around the island. They even booked our boat rides to and from Bali for us and negotiated a killer price!
Diamond Beach Nusa Penida Video
Enjoy your time at Diamond Beach!
Kylie & Scott
(If you liked this article or have any questions, please comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften)
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