Bali to Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida sits just off the south-east coast of Bali, and the fast boat crossing is one of the shortest island hops in the region. Whether you are heading over for a Nusa Penida day trip or planning a longer stay, the ferry takes between 15min and 1h15 depending on your departure port.

Gilitickets compares the best budget operators on the Bali to Nusa Penida route so you can book the right crossing at the right price. Fast boats depart daily from Sanur, Nusa Dua, Padang Bai, Kusamba and Serangan, with tickets from €7.50. Every operator listed is licensed and has a good safety record.
 

Bali to Nusa Penida Fast Boat Operators

• Eka Jaya Fast Ferry: The strongest operator on the route, departing from Padang Bai and Nusa Dua. Eka Jaya has been running since 1999 and operates large, stable vessels with well-organised boarding. The clear top pick if reliability matters to you.
   
• Golden Queen Fast Ferry: A reliable daily service from Sanur with an air-conditioned cabin and capacity for up to 166 passengers. Tends to run on time and is a step up in comfort from the smaller open boats on the route.
   
• Marina Fast Ferry: Departs from Serangan on a route that stops at Nusa Penida before continuing to the Gili Islands. Large, stable vessel with a noticeably smoother ride. Useful for South Bali travellers and convenient for airport connections.
   
• Gangga Express: The only operator from Kusamba (Tri Bhuwana Port), a quieter alternative to Padang Bai. Crosses directly to Sampalan on the north coast of Nusa Penida. Multiple daily departures, no air-con.
   
• Arjuna Fast Cruise: Daily departures, up to 86 passengers, no air-con. Operationally fine but slow to respond if you need to make changes before travel. A reasonable option if the timing works and your plans are set.
   
• Angel Billabong: Multiple daily departures from Sanur, docking at Toya Pakeh.  Generally fine on the water; communication is the weaker point.
   
• El Rey Fast Cruise: Two daily crossings from Sanur with Economy and VIP class options. No air-con, but the crossing is short. Stands out for having no luggage allowance cap and no excess baggage charges.
   
• Wijaya Perkasa: Runs a direct Sanur to Nusa Penida service and offers onward connections to the Gili Islands and Nusa Lembongan, useful for island hoppers. Schedule reliability is lower than most, with occasional delays. 
   
• Wahana Virendra: Daily departures from Sanur to Nusa Penida. Air-conditioned boats, well-run and reliable.

Bali to Nusa Penida Departure Ports

• Sanur to Nusa Penida: The main hub for fast boats to Nusa Penida. Five operators, multiple daily departures, and tickets from €7.50. The crossing takes around 40 minutes to Toya Pakeh on the west side of the island. Convenient for Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Denpasar, and Nusa Dua.
   
• Padang Bai to Nusa Penida: Eka Jaya runs a direct service from Padang Bai, around 1 hour from Ubud by car. The crossing takes around 30 minutes. The best option if you are based in Ubud, Amed or Candidasa and want to avoid the long drive to Sanur.
   
• Kusamba to Nusa Penida: Gangga Express departs from Tri Bhuwana Port in Kusamba, a few kilometres from Padang Bai. Smaller, less congested harbour, with a direct 15-minute crossing to Sampalan on the north coast. Note that Sampalan is on the opposite side of the island from the main west-coast attractions.
   
• Serangan to Nusa Penida: Eka Jaya and Marina Fast Ferry depart from Serangan, the closest port to Ngurah Rai Airport. Useful for same-day airport-to-island connections in either direction. Crossing time is around 45min to 1h15; tickets from €10.
   
• Nusa Dua to Nusa Penida: The premier choice for travelers staying in Bali's southern resort enclave. Operating out of the dedicated Nusa Dua Harbour, Eka Jaya runs its massive, stable aluminum vessels directly to Nusa Penida daily.
  The crossing takes roughly 45 minutes, allowing you to completely bypass the notorious traffic jams leading up to Sanur or Serangan.

Bali to Gili Nusa Penida Travel Tips

• Book fast boats and tours separately: Many operators sell combined Nusa Penida day tour packages that bundle the boat with transport and a guided tour.
  These can be convenient, but booking your fast boat independently through Gilitickets and arranging a tour or scooter rental on the island separately often works out cheaper and gives you more control over your day.
   
• Book ahead in peak season: Fast boats on the Bali to Nusa Penida route fill up quickly in July, August and over the Christmas and New Year period.
  Securing your ticket in advance guarantees your departure time and often locks in a better price than buying on the day.
   
• Most operators do not include port taxes in the ticket price: Eka Jaya includes the Serangan departure tax but not the Nusa Penida arrival tax. 
  Check the Bali and Nusa Penida Port taxes.
   
• Factor in your total journey cost: If you are staying in South Bali, the taxi to Sanur is short and affordable. If you take a Kusamba ticket but spend IDR 200,000 more on the taxi, the savings evaporate. Pick the port that makes sense for where you are staying.
   
• Morning crossings tend to be calmer: The waters around Nusa Penida can pick up swell in the afternoon, particularly during the wet season (November to March).
   

Other Ways to Get from Bali to Penida