Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida Island is Dangerously Beautiful

The Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida Island is dangerously beautiful (or beautifully dangerous?). It was the first beach we visited on the island and we couldn’t help but fall in love with it. It was love at first sight, I’d say.

From the top, the views are truly mesmerizing. And it could also be dizzying for those with vertigo.

Looking down from the cliffside could trigger vertigo – but not for me. I love heights and my adrenalin rushes in when I am in one.

The rugged cliffside may look like a quarry but weathering shaped its semi-circular formation.

And you might be wondering why is it called a Diamond Beach? Just look at this rock! What shape comes to mind? Yes, a diamond, right?

A friend and I did go down to the beach using the steps. Yep, there are only 150 steps down but don’t let that numbers trick you. The way down is far from comfortable.

The steps may look like easy to navigate at the beginning but try going down further and you’ll be surprised to know that its wondrous beauty comes with danger.

We were not able to take photos of our trek down because the steps were too narrow and steep. We had to keep our phones and camera in our pockets/bags. Our lives (and our expensive phones) are more precious than a photo op. 🙂

It’s really tricky to get down to the beach. When we were almost there, we had to grapple our way through sharp-edged rocks that could seriously damage our flawless skin. 🙂 There were no proper steps/ways to follow. You have to find one for yourself, one that you are comfortable treading on.

And oh, you also have to be careful of the rushing waves.

When we were there, it was high tide and we could only see a small part of the beach.

But still, for a moment, we were able to walk and run on its fine, white sand.

Going back to the top was another suffering we had to endure! But hey, we’re not complaining. It was all worth the sweat, trouble, and heart palpitation. 🙂

How to get around Nusa Penida

If you are planning to stay longer than 3 days, it is much better to go on your own with a motorbike. It is cheaper and more convenient – and you could go far with it. Another way to get around is by renting a car with a driver – which we did. It seems hard to rent a car only – so we decided to include the driver. He was never our tour guide though. He just dropped us off at our destinations and waited until we were tired of sightseeing.

If you are staying for a short time but want to see a lot of wonderful places, join a tour. Or get a private tour. Check out the tours below and see which fits you.

A Bamboo House in Nusa Penida

My friends and I stayed at Penida Bambu Green Villa. As the name suggests, the rooms or houses are made of bamboo – simple but well-designed. And yes, it’s a very photogenic place, too – so your Instagram feed will be amazing! The property has a swimming pool and an excellent wifi connection. The staff members are accommodating and helpful. Most of all, despite our worries, there were no mosquitos. We really had a sound sleep all throughout the night.

a