8 Secrets You Need to Know About Kelingking Beach

When we are asked to close our eyes and picture a dream vacation, we visualize transparent blue water accentuated by a border of white, untouched sand, the breeze blowing ever so slightly as we relax on a tranquil coast. Sound familiar? If I just described your fantasy holiday, then I’ve got news for you: this place doesn’t just live in your consciousness. In fact, over 200,000 tourists visit this destination per year. Its name? Kelingking Beach, located on a small, Indonesian island called Nusa Penida. 

Now, before you hop on a plane to live out your wildest dreams and finally see the beach you’ve always wanted to revel in, consult the 8 secrets below as I divulge what they won’t tell you about this famous location.

1. PEAK HOURS ARE FROM 9:00AM- 4:00PM

There are multiple boat companies that take can travelers from Bali to Nusa Penida and back each day. Typically, each company’s first ride is around 7:00am and their last is at approximately 4:30 pm. Once tourists arrive by boat, it takes about 30-45 minutes to drive to Kelingking Beach. This means if you are someone who is staying for more than a day on Nusa Penida, it is best to arrive around sunrise or sunset. If you are only going for a day trip, like my friends and I did, you can expect crowds from 9:00am - 4:00pm. 

2. The Top Is Almost Always Crowded

When arriving at Kelingking Beach, visitors will typically park in a parking lot and walk about 10 minutes to the scenic spot. Upon arrival, you will likely notice a number of people at the top overlooking the beach, and possibly a few others venturing their way down the steep path towards the actual beach. 

3. Streets on the Way Are Very Narrow and Not as Suitable for Motorcycles

One thing many tourists don’t know prior to visiting Nusa Penida is that while the island is near Bali, it is not comparable when it comes to transportation. Traveling by motorcycle is a very popular and easy type of transportation in Bali. While you can travel by motorcycle on the island of Nusa Penida as well, many of the roads are not paved. This means that unless you are an experienced motorcyclist, you may have trouble navigating the rocky, twisted, and narrow streets to the beaches. Instead, we traveled via car, which I would recommend in this case anyway!

4. The Hike to the Bottom Is Over an Hour

The hike from the scenic overlook at Kelingking Beach to the bottom is approximately 0.7 miles with an elevation gain of 446 ft. While less than a mile may sound like a breeze, it is far from it. This hike is considered generally challenging due to the steepness, narrowness, and the fact that all hand rails are made of bamboo. Though the hike is undoubtedly worth it once you get to the bottom, I believe it is important for visitors to understand that this trek will take about 40-60 minutes to navigate down, and another 60-80 minutes to ascend back to the top. This doesn’t include the chunk of time you decide to stay at the actual beach at the bottom which means that if you are planning on visiting Kelingking Beach, it is best to decide beforehand whether or not you will do the hike. If so, I advise packing plenty of water, sunscreen, and a lightweight backpack with your towel and/or any cameras! 

5. The Beach Doesn’t Have as Many People as You Would Think 

WHAT? One of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the world is sometimes…EMPTY?!? Though a handful of tourists will come and stay on the island for a few days, many boat in from Bali for a day trip. This means that a lot of visitors opt out of the hike down to the beach and back up, since it is very time consuming. Tourists typically want to see as much of the island as they can in a day which is why they’ll stop at the scenic spot overlooking the Kelingking Beach, snap a few pictures, take a moment or two to stare in awe, and keep moving. Fortunately for you, if you are one of those few with the time and stamina to make the trek, the beach is all yours! 

6. You Can Swim, but You May Not Want To

When glancing from the top of the beach and getting that rare bird's eye view, you may think that the beach would be the optimal place to tan, swim, and spend the day. Even though it is a beautiful location, many hikers will descend and notice that the water is a little choppier then it seems to be from above. This means that even though you should definitely take a dip after such a long hike and enjoy the fruits of your labor, I wouldn’t advise going in too deep. 

7. You'll Have to Wait in Line for a Picture

This was probably the most surprising thing to me when I visited Kelingking Beach. I had seen countless photos of influencers sitting at what seems to be the very edge of a cliff overlooking the stunning beach, and I was determined to get a similar picture (pictured above). When I arrived, I saw why all the pictures I had seen seemed to be from the same spot. They were! This spot is so popular that you have to stand in line to get a picture there! Fortunately, it is a self-regulated line which means that there is nothing stopping you from taking 10 minutes to catch all the angles, but I would take into consideration that if a line of people are waiting for you, they might not be too thrilled. The upside is there are PLENTY of people willing to take your picture and then ask you to do the same, which is great news for solo travelers or you tourists with photo-challenged friends. 

8. It Is SO Worth the Trip!

When I think of Nusa Penida, the first thing I visualize is this view. I think of this popular tourist spot that takes your breath away every time you visit. It is a simple, natural beauty that millions visit each year, and there is a good reason as to why. While I don’t always think that the main tourist attractions are worth it, there’s no doubt in my mind that this one is. Even if you stop for 10 minutes and take a picture at the top, it’s a view you will regret not seeing if you don’t visit. If you plan it right and have the energy, a couple hours spent completing the hike and laying on the beach is even more worth it! It’s like a right of passage on Nusa Penida, and something every visitor should add into their itinerary. Make sure to add it!