Spectacular Kelingking Beach – How To Visit in 2025

Kelingking Beach is one of the most famous beaches, not only in Indonesia but in the whole world. The beautiful T-rex-shaped beach lies on the small island of Nusa Penida, just a short ride from Bali.

The surrounding tall and steep cliffs make this place one-of-a-kind. The crystal-clear turquoise waters only add to the charm of this whole place.

We often felt disappointed when we visited some of the beautiful beaches, only to learn that the color was photoshopped. It’s not the case with this one! It looks incredibly stunning with no filter at all!

A lot has changed since we visited this place. Soon, this won’t be an untouched natural attraction due to the construction of a glass elevator by the Chinese. That makes now the perfect time to enjoy the paradise while it’s still pristine!

In this guide, we’ll discuss the entrance fee, transportation, climbing down, and offer additional tips based on our experience for a smooth visit.

At a glance

Our first glimpse of Kelingking Beach honestly felt unreal — that famous T-Rex-shaped cliff, the turquoise water crashing below, and the stretch of white sand that looked completely untouched from above.

But here’s the thing: it’s absolutely stunning to look at, yet getting down to the beach (and back up) is no joke. The descent is steep, partly exposed, and takes time, so it’s not for everyone.

We recommend exploring different viewpoints, making the climb down to the beach if you’re up for it, watching manta rays from the cliffs, or even trying the adrenaline bungee jump nearby.

Do not go swimming — the currents here are extremely dangerous and have already claimed lives.

It’s hands down one of the most photogenic spots in Nusa Penida, but the crowds can make it feel less remote than it looks in the pictures. If you want the classic postcard shot without a line of people waiting behind you, go super early, ideally for sunrise.

Why do we think it’s worth it

So, is Kelingking Beach worth the hype? Honestly… yes. Even if you don’t hike down to the sand, the view from the top alone makes the trip worth it.

What makes it stand out is the dramatic, one-of-a-kind cliff formation and the sheer contrast of the turquoise water against the bright white sand.

We’ve been to plenty of beaches in Bali and Nusa Penida, but nothing else has this exact mix of beauty and “wow” factor.

That said, the hike down is physically demanding and not for the faint of heart. On a hot day, the climb back up can be exhausting — we saw plenty of people turning around halfway.

But if you’re fit and take your time, standing on that sand with the cliffs towering above you is unforgettable.

If your goal is swimming, skip it — the currents here are too strong and dangerous. But if you’re after epic scenery, incredible photography, and a true sense of adventure, Kelingking delivers.

Where is Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach is on the southwest coast of Nusa Penida, a small island southeast of Bali. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Toya Pakeh Harbour, where most fast boats from Bali arrive.

If you’re coming from Diamond Beach or Atuh Beach on the east coast, expect about 1 hour and 15 minutes of driving — the roads are winding, narrow, and can be bumpy in some sections.

It’s also just a 15–20 minute drive from other popular west coast spots like Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, which makes it easy to combine into one trip.

How to get to Kelingking Beach

From Bali

If you’re staying on Bali, you’ll first need to catch a speedboat to get to Nusa Penida. Most speedboats depart from Sanur port, and the journey takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

The seas are often rough on this route, so prepare for it properly by taking seasickness pills. The rides between Gilis, Nusa Penida, and Bali were definitely the craziest we’ve ever experienced.

While there are many choices available, we decided to go for Axe Stone and were happy with their service.

We always prefer using 12Go for any train, bus, and ferry tickets in Asia. It’s a reliable company with great prices and you won’t get scammed easily.

From Nusa Penida

Rent a motorbike

Renting a motorbike is our favorite choice whenever we’re exploring the tropics. If you’re okay with driving a scooter yourself, this is the cheapest and most flexible option.

We recommend Doel Hadi Rental, whose prices start at 80,000 IDR. Their shop is right near the pier, which makes it a convenient choice.

I found that many blog posts about Nusa Penida emphasize how poor the roads are and advise against renting a scooter. I believe these must be older posts, as during our visit, the roads were in excellent condition, with only a few potholes.

However, I must admit they can get narrow at times.

Hire a private driver

If you don’t feel like driving the scooter, hiring a car with a private driver is also a great choice. Obviously, it’s gonna be more expensive than a scooter unless shared with a group of friends.

Our recommendation is the GetYourGuide offer, which starts at 50€ per group per day.

Join a tour

For a completely hassle-free experience, there’s an option to join a guided tour. With multiple options either from Nusa Penida or Bali, it’s really easy. We recommend this Nusa Penida highlights tour to see all the best attractions on the island.

Kelingking Beach Entrance and Parking fees

You’ll pay the entrance fee at a small booth before reaching the main viewpoint. Parking is right near the top, just a short walk from where you get the famous cliff view.

If you arrive before sunset, as we did, you won’t find anyone collecting the fees, but be sure to pay on your way out.

Bring small cash — there’s no card payment here.

Accessing the beach

Getting down to Kelingking Beach was an adventure in itself — and not an easy one. The path starts with steep dirt steps and quickly turns into a narrow cliffside trail with bamboo railings that feel… well, a little sketchy in places.

We came during sunrise, and the hike down (and back up) was surprisingly pleasant because the trail was almost empty.

When we returned to the top, though, crowds were already streaming in — and we can only imagine how much harder (and slower) it would be to navigate this path when it’s packed with people.

It took us about 30 minutes to go down since we were careful, and a bit longer to come back up. The ground can be slippery, especially after rain, and in the middle of the day, the heat makes it feel even harder.

We’d only recommend the hike if you’re reasonably fit, wearing good shoes, and carrying enough water. Flip-flops are a bad idea here.

At the bottom, the sand is incredibly soft, the waves crash with serious force, and the cliffs tower above — it feels wild.

What to expect

Kelingking has that postcard-perfect view you’ve probably seen a hundred times — and in person, it really is breathtaking. We arrived at sunrise and, for a short while, it felt like we had this dramatic cliff and trail almost to ourselves.

Hiking down in the cool morning air with just the sound of waves below was one of our favorite Nusa Penida moments.

On the way back up, though, we met a couple of people making their way down, and we could see how much more stressful the hike would be in the heat and with a packed trail.

If you’re a hiker, you’ll love the even more challenging Mount Rinjani trek on Lombok Island.

Reaching the sand feels rewarding. There’s nothing built here — no umbrellas, no stalls, just soft sand, towering cliffs, and the constant roar of the ocean. We sat down for a while, and it felt incredibly raw and wild compared to Bali’s more developed beaches.

While Kelingking is not such a spot, you might have the luck of seeing Mantas floating underwater. We could see a group of three of them swimming in the waves while enjoying the views from the top of the cliff.

Things to Do

• Hike to the beach – A challenging but rewarding climb down to untouched sand (if you’re fit and prepared).
• Explore multiple viewpoints – Walk along the ridge for slightly different angles of the T-Rex cliff and the coastline.
• Spot manta rays – On calm days, you can sometimes see them gliding in the water below.
• Bungee jump nearby – For the adrenaline seekers, there’s an extreme jump spot just a short drive away.

Kelingking Beach elevator

You might have heard of an elevator being built by the Chinese. We, as well as locals, are devastated that the local government would allow such a thing.

Kelingking Beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But its natural beauty will soon be compromised by a controversial 180-meter-tall glass elevator. In addition, several glass viewing platforms and similar structures will be installed.

The first stone was already laid in July of 2023. The construction has already begun, and you can see a huge yellow crane on the cliff.

Photography tips

If you’re a photographer looking for the best conditions, this paragraph is for you.

If you’re chasing the best light, the obvious choices are sunrise or sunset. As usual, sunrise usually means fewer people.

Due to the orientation of the beach and cliffs, the sun doesn’t shine directly on the beach in the morning hours until early afternoon. Keep this in mind when planning your photoshoot.

If you have a drone, you’ll be happy to hear that you can fly in the area. Play around with different angles to get unique shots, too.

Best time to visit Kelingking Beach

Best time of day

When it comes to the best time of the day, the earlier you come, the better. We planned our visit right after sunrise and came as the first guests. We only shared the main viewpoint with two or four other tourists for more than half an hour.

This gave us plenty of time to take as many photos as we liked and enjoy this place in its quiet atmosphere.

At around 8 am, people had already started to arrive. We climbed down to the beach, where we spent some time. When we returned to the top at around 10 am, the number of people was a shock.

To enjoy the beach the most, we recommend visiting before 9 am or after 4 pm, when most day tours have already departed.

If you plan to hike down, make sure to avoid the hottest hours of the day.

Best time of year

As long as you’re after the perfect weather and don’t mind slightly higher prices and more crowds in return, the dry season between May and October is the best choice.

If you’re willing to have flexible travel plans and don’t mind some rainy days, you’ll like the monsoon season. January is usually the wettest month.

Where to eat

• Warung Madeva – A local restaurant with incredibly delicious meals.
• Warung Pengkolan Klingking – Homemade local food made from fresh ingredients.
• Melt Kitchen – Apart from local food, they also serve pizza, burgers, and some Japanese meals.

Nearby attractions

Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong | Some of the most popular attractions in Nusa Penida. Angels Billabong is a tidal infinity pool, where you can watch huge waves crashing on the cliffs. Broken Beach is popular for its unusual shape.

Tembeling Forest | Another less-known spot, perfect for relaxation in nature. You ride a motorbike through an enchanting forest to the coast. There’s a beautiful natural pool built right on the beach, with incredible views.

Teletubbies Hill | Perfect spot to have a picnic during sunset and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings, beautiful landscapes, and quiet atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts

Kelingking Beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. It’s a pity one can’t swim in this paradise. The beach is yet another proof of how dangerous Nusa Penida’s beaches are.

Other than that, we had an amazing time exploring the area and enjoying the sunny day. I hope this article will be of great help to you when planning a trip to the famous T-Rex Beach.

Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on the recent construction plans and whether you look forward to the new elevator.