Kelingking Beach is one of the biggest attractions in Nusa Penida and that’s because of its famous rock formation that is shaped like a T-Rex.
Our guide will explain how to get there, what you can expect and the safety concerns for visitors at one of the best beaches in the world.
Where Is Kelingking Beach Or T-Rex Beach?
Kelingking Beach is on Nusa Penida Island (we have an awesome guide to Nusa Penida) which is one of three islands in the Nusa Group which are part of the administrative region of Bali.
The address of Kelingking is Bunga Mekar, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771, Indonesia
How To Get To Kelingking Beach
Firstly, you have to get to Nusa Penida and that means taking a fast boat from Sanur Beach to Nusa Penida (you can book your tickets via the Bali Res Centre – their contact details are in the FAQs).
Alternatively, if you don’t mind a much longer crossing you can get a ferry from Padang Bai. We would note that ferries here in Indonesia are not the safest form of transport but if you want to take a car or scooter with you, this is your only option.
Your other option is to book a day tour (you can do that with the Bali Res Centre too) but you may feel that you don’t get to see as much of Nusa Penida as you would like in a single day.
After you arrive in Nusa Penida you can get a ride from the harbour to Kelingking Beach from one of the taxi services or scooter services.
What’s The Best Time Of Year To Visit Kelingking Beach?
We think there’s no best time of year to visit Bali and we’d maintain that visitors will have a great time in any month of the year as even in the wet season there are 8-9 hours of sunshine a day.
However, the dry season offers a pleasant onshore breeze, less humidity and more reasonable maximum temperatures but at the cost of higher accommodation and flight charges.
We would also note that the best time to get to any popular attraction in Bali is in the early morning before the crowds arrive.
Is There An Entrance Free For Visiting Kelingking Beach?
Yes, if you want to enter the beach area for Kelingking Beach, you must pay 10,000 IDR per person (that’s about $0.65 USD and $1 AUD) and 5,000 IDR per vehicle ($0.30 USD and $0.50 AUD) for parking.
These prices are correct as we got to press but entrance fees are, of course, subject to revision and the trend in Bali at the moment is for small increases.
Always make sure you carry cash and in small bills to pay entry fees for beaches and other destinations in Bali as they will not accept cards and often have no change to give you.
What To Expect When You Visit Kelingking Beach
After the 30-minute drive from the harbour, you will find yourself at Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida and the first thing you will notice is a nice row of warungs (restaurants) which offer fabulous views from the cliff top.
Then, you can either make your way to the viewpoints or head down the stairs to the beach below.
Nusa Penida is making a lot of investment in better access routes to the beach and the path here is reasonably clearly marked and there are decent handrails down the stairs.
Getting to the beach is not a small undertaking. You can expect to spend between 30 and 60 minutes going down and 40 to 80 minutes getting back up to the main level of Nusa Penida.
You’ll want to rest a while before you go back up and make sure to bring drinks and snacks, there are no vendors on the beach.
Kelingking Viewpoint
Just go past the restaurant area and follow the trail to reach the viewpoint located here, there are fences to prevent you from falling off the cliff.
You can look down on the Tyrannosaurus Rex rock formation below and take pictures to your heart’s content.
We’d recommend opting for long-exposure shots here if you want the water to look silky smooth, which means you might want to bring a tripod, an ND filter and a circular polarizing filter (CPL) to get the best light.
Sunsets here are spectacular and if you’re staying in Nusa Penida for the night, you might want to hit this viewpoint at sunset for some unforgettable shots.
The Beach Cave At Kelingking Beach
There is a large (huge, in fact) cave at the far end of the beach which provides some much-needed shade from the sun and you can take some cool photos from here.
Just make sure to be out of the cave before the tide comes in.
Safety At Kelingking Beach
Kelingking Beach has been the site of some terrible accidents over the years.
Several people have fallen down the stairs (use the handrails provided) and in one horrific accident, a Russian Girl on a scooter fell off the top of the cliff when trying to take Instagram photos on the cliff edge.
A tourist drowned in the water in 2023 after swimming out to rescue another tourist in trouble.
The Balinese and local authorities are trying very hard to make this area safer but you must play your part in this.
Please wear sensible shoes to climb down to the beach, take a sunhat and sun cream, take water with you and don’t go in the water.
Snorkelling, Surfing & Swimming At Kelingking Beach
Yes, we know it’s a beach but unfortunately, due to the safety situation, all of these activities are currently banned.
We’re not sure how this would be enforced in practice given the long distance from the main body of Nusa Penida and the beach but we wouldn’t want to risk getting in trouble with the local authorities either.
It’s best to swim, surf, etc. in places where these activities are allowed.
Other Attractions On The Nusa Islands
There are plenty of attractions on Nusa Penida and the Nusa Islands in addition to Kelingking Beach and we’d recommend that you check out some of the following:
Broken Beach
We think this unique beach is a major selling point for Nusa Penida. You can’t actually go down to the beach, unlike at Kelingking Beach, but you can get some incredible photographs of the beach from above and its unique bay formation.
It’s also very close to Angel’s Billabong which makes it a no-brainer if you’re trying to explore the island.
Atuh Beach
This beach is tucked away on the Eastern Tip of Nusa Penida and it’s just a short walk down some rock stairs to reach the beach below.
It’s best to visit Atuh Beach at high tide as this beach is extremely tidal (unlike Kelingking Beach) and the scenery varies dramatically with the tides.
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in Bali (and given you can’t snorkel at Kelingking Beach, this will make up for that), the waters are, indeed, crystal clear.
It’s also a great place to hire a boat for a trip out to Manta Bay where you can swim with Manta Rays after warming up in Crystal Bay.
Angel’s Billabong
This thrilling place is wonderful to visit but just like at Kelingking Beach, safety is a major concern and you shouldn’t swim at this destination – several people have drowned here.
FAQs
Is It Worth Visiting Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida?
Yes! In fact, we’d say that if you’re visiting Nusa Penida then you ought to visit Kelingking Beach which is one of the most stunning sights on the island.
Most Nusa Penida Day Tours will include Kelingking Beach on their itineraries, but we think this popular beach is best viewed when the tour operators have gone home for the day and you can bask in the glorious sunset above the beach.
How Long Does It Take To Walk To Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida?
It’s not an easy stroll to Kelingking Beach and you can expect to spend 40-60 minutes on the hike down to the sand.
We strongly urge you to exercise caution as you head down the cliff and to wear good shoes and ensure that your fitness level is up to this challenging hike before you start the climb down. This isn’t Sanur Beach, there’s no boardwalk and if you need help, it may take a while to arrive.
However, it’s worth the effort to get down to the beach and assuming you’re staying on Nusa Penida rather than on a day trip, you should have plenty of time to enjoy yourself at Kelingking Beach.
What Is The Meaning Of Kelingking?
The word “Kelingking” means “pinkie finger” or “baby finger” in Bahasa and that’s what the first local must have thought that the rock formation here resembled.
However, it’s fair to say that most tourists see a dinosaur rather than a finger when they look down on the landscape from above.
Can You Go Down To Kelingking Beach?
Yes. However, you should be aware that if you’re on a day trip, you won’t have time enough in Nusa Penida to do so and the route down the cliff is challenging and can even be dangerous if you’re not careful.
How Do I Get From Bali To Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida?
Your first destination is Nusa Penida Island and that means catching a fast boat from Bali (we’d recommend making the trip from Padang Bai).
Then, once you’re in Nusa Penida you can get a ride from the boat to the beach or rent a scooter to get there under your own steam.
Why Is Kelingking Beach Famous?
Kelingking Beach is famous as one of the nicest beaches on Nusa Penida and for its unique and distinct rock formation which resembles a mighty dinosaur.
How Long Does It Take To Climb Up Kelingking Beach?
It’s harder to get back up to the road from the beach than it is to get down. You should allow for 60-80 minutes to climb up Kelingking Beach.
Can You Swim In Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida?
Not any more. You used to be able to swim at Kelingking Beach but as crowds of tourists have arrived in Nusa Penida, more and more people have been taking risks in the ocean.
This led to a series of accidents and people being pulled out to sea. One person even drowned. Thus, for the moment, at least, the police have placed a ban on swimming at this beach.
How To Book A Bali Holiday To Include Kelingking Beach?
We always recommend that you book your Bali holidays through the awesome Bali Res Centre.
Whether you just want to see Nusa Penida or are interested in visiting the other Nusa Islands (Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan) they can ensure you get the best deals on accommodation and travel.
They can also arrange a day trip or tour of the island for you including hotel pick-up if you need it.
Final Thoughts On Whether To Visit Kelingking Beach
Kelingking is a stunning beach on Nusa Penida Island that offers a setting of natural beauty and if you’re prepared for the challenging hike (bring comfortable walking shoes) to the beach itself, you can enjoy soft white sands, caves and the bluest waters.
It’s the ideal place for relaxing on this island’s glorious coastline and worth the journey down the cliffs above.
Even if you just want to look down from the cliff on this beautiful beach then you can enjoy the view of a spectacular rock formation in the shape of one of nature’s scariest dinosaurs.
If you visit Nusa Penida, you really should visit Kelingking Beach, it’s well worth the trip.
