Tembeling Nusa Penida – Beach, Forest, and Natural Pools

tembeling nusa penida

Tembeling Nusa Penida features a dense rainforest, blue lagoon, crystal clear natural pool secret caves, and a small picturesque beach wedged into the west coastline of Nusa Penida island. 

This guide to Tembeling beach and forest Nusa Penida will tell you everything you need to know before visiting, including how to get there, what to expect, things to do, and more.

READ MORE | Get inspired by these 21 top things to do in Nusa Penida

READ MORE | Here is where to stay in Nusa Penida for every region and budget

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Tembeling Beach and Forest Nusa Penida – The Ultimate Guide

tembeling beach nusa penida

Where is Tembeling Beach and Forest Nusa Penida?

The relaxing Tembeling natural pool is located on the idyllic island of Nusa Penida, an hour’s fast boat ferry from mainland Bali. The location can be found on the southeast tip of the island near Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. Visiting all three of these spots in one day is very doable and even advised.

Tembeling beach and forest nusa penida

How to Get to the Tembeling Natural Pool Nusa Penida

If you want to experience true island life, definitely rent a scooter upon arrival in the harbour as your Nusa Penida transport. A scooter is by far the best way of getting around Nusa Penida. 

It can take up to an hour to get across the island and in recent years, Nusa Penida has made an effort to build a nicely paved coastal road that runs on the east side of the island, but many of the attractions will still have rougher patches. Make sure to ask for a helmet with your rental as a precaution, better to be safe than sorry!

The cost of a scooter rental, including a full tank of gas, will be 70,000 IDR a day (approximately $4.85 USD) from any vendor at the ToyaPakeh Harbour. 

The main road leading to Tembeling Nusa Penida is paved and will take about 45 minutes to drive from ToyaPakeh. Be aware that you will have to park your scooter on the road and make your way on foot to Tembeling Beach and Forest Nusa Penida. About another 30-minute walk.

Of course, there is always the option to book a private car charter if the idea of driving around a scooter is not your idea of fun. 

BOOK | Nusa Penida Private Car Charter

tembeling natural pool nusa penida

Nusa Penida Day Tours from Bali

If you are looking for a fun-packed day that will have you from mainland Bali to Nusa Penida and back in one day, this day tour is the one for you. This Nusa Penida day trip will take you to Nusa Penida places to visit like Kelingking ‘T-Rex’ Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and even Crystal Bay for snorkelling.

The tour will include a hotel transfer to the harbour, a fast boat to and from Nusa Penida island, and a car charter. You can choose up to five people for this Nusa Penida tour.

BOOK | Nusa Penida Full Day Trip from Bali

Nusa Penida is full of Instagrammable spots, and if you are wanting to get the best photos of each spot, this full day tour may be for you. A group charter will transport you to Nusa Penida must see places like Kelingking ‘T-Rex’ Beach, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong, and more. The tour even comes with a personal drone pilot.

BOOK | Nusa Penida Tour from Bali


Other epic Nusa Penida sights? Read this guide on the famous Nusa Penida Treehouse


Tembeling Beach Nusa Penida
Entrance Fee

Tembeling Nusa Penida has no parking or entrance fee, and is completely free to visit! 

The road here is rough, so I suggest you park your scooter up the road and make the rest of the journey on foot, about a 30-minute walk. There will be an opportunity to hire a local to give you a lift back to your bike for 50 000 IDR ($3.50 USD). Money well spent, in my opinion.

Tembeling Nusa Penida Opening Hours

Tembeling Natural pool in Nusa Penida is open 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. Although I wouldn’t recommend visiting after dark as there is uneven ground everywhere that you can possibly injure yourself on.

tembeling nusa penida

Best Time to Visit the Tembeling Beach and Forest Nusa Penida

The best time to visit Tembeling beach and forest Nusa Penida is the late afternoon hours of the day for golden hour. Since the Tembeling natural pool is located on the island’s west coast, the golden hour will hit the island in the hours between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Make sure to leave enough time to get back to your scooter and ascend the rough road before dark falls around 7 PM.

If you are more concerned with experiencing Tembeling Nusa Penida without the crowds of tourists and locals alike, I suggest visiting the Tembeling natural pool between 7 AM and 9 AM. At this time the attraction will be in total shade, but your time spent here will be a more peaceful and authentic feeling.

tembeling beach forest and natural pool nusa penida

Arriving at Tembeling Natural Pool Nusa Penida

Road to Tembeling Nusa Penida

In my opinion, the road to Tembeling Nusa Penida is one of the worst on the island. But, this is not said to dissuade you from visiting, more to make sure you are prepared once you arrive. You will arrive at a fork on the paved main road. Follow the large sign that indicates Tembeling beach and forest Nusa Penida and head left down the dirt and broken cement road. 

You will likely make it down the road about 5 minutes before needing to park your scooter on the side and making the rest of the journey on foot. The walk is about 30 minutes, so don’t expect this attraction to be easy to get to, but it is worth it! I promise. You will pass by a temple structure about halfway through your walk, just keep going.

When you arrive at an open-air roofed platform, you know you’ve made it to the top of the stairs leading to Tembeling natural pool Nusa Penida.

Stairs 

Head to the right down the make-shift path and you will reach the top of the stairs to Tembeling beach and forest Nusa Penida. Descend the stairs taking time to appreciate the lush forest around you.

Facilities

Tembeling Beach and forest Nusa Penida have a couple of basic facilities. Just adjacent to the Blue Lagoon is a makeshift toilet and change room facility. Do note, that these stalls do not have doors for privacy.

Right next to the Tembeling natural pool and Tembeling beach there will be a lady set up sending everything from beer and soft drinks to chips, candy, and chocolate. She sets up around 10 AM and takes cash in the way of Indonesian rupiah only.


Tembeling Nusa Penida is included in this ultimate guide to the top Bali Instagram spots


Things to Do at Tembeling Nusa Penida

Blue Lagoon 

The Blue Lagoon at Tembeling Nusa Penida is said to be the main attraction here. The deep blue waters can be a great way to relax and float on your way down to the beach. Unfortunately, when I visited in 2021, the waters were quite murky, so we decided to wait until we reached the Tembeling natural pool before wading into the waters. 

Make sure to check if it’s swimmable on your visit to the blue lagoon, by the time you visit, it may well be back to normal and ready for you to float in!

Tembeling beach forest and natural pool nusa penida blue lagoon

Secret Beach + Cave

Continue down the stairs from Blue Lagoon and you will see an open cave on your right full of small rock totem creations. If you make your way through the cave carefully around the rock formations, you will reach a secret beach.

secret cave at Tembeling Nusa Penida

Tembeling Natural Pool Nusa Penida

Tembeling natural pool is, in my opinion, the best part of Tembeling beach and forest Nusa Penida. You will reach the crystal clear water at the bottom of the stairs. The natural pool has a great view of the coastline and Tembeling Beach Nusa Penida. This is where you will find the locals frolicking in the water enjoying island life. 

The pool is the perfect temperature for relaxing and floating in the waters. Wade up to the edge of the rocks and watch the waves crashing against the coast.

Tembeling Natural pool nusa penida

Tembeling Beach Nusa Penida

Tembeling Beach Nusa Penida is a small picturesque golden sand beach located in the crevices of the cliff face on the west coast of the island. You will be able to see Tembeling Beach Nusa Penida just off to the left when you arrive at the Tembeling natural pool. 

Please note that swimming here is not recommended, as the beach has a reef break right at the shore and the current is strong. At low tide, you can explore the many tidal pools and relax on the sand and watch the waves.

tembeling beach nusa penida

Places near Tembeling Beach and Forest Nusa Penida

Since Tembeling Nusa Penida is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida, there are a few sites that you should naturally visit in conjunction with this one. 

Further to the top western tip of the island is Broken Beach Nusa Penida. An arched rock formation that connects Manta Bay and a circular inlet right on the edge of the ocean. 

READ | The complete guide to Broken Beach, Nusa Penida

The Broken Beach attraction is only a 5-minute walk from Angel’s Billabong Nusa Penida past the warungs on the left and through to the other side of the trees. Angel’s Billabong is a scenic natural tidal pool right on the edge of the cliff where you can see the coastline of Nusa Penida. Refresh and float in the clear water to your heart’s content.

READ | The ultimate visitor’s guide to Angel’s Billabong, Nusa Penida

Also located on the west coast of Nusa Penida is the famous Kelingking Beach or otherwise known as ‘T-rex’ Beach for its dinosaur-shaped rock formation. If you love snorkeling, Crystal Bay will be the perfect spot for you.

Things to Bring to Tembeling
Nusa Penida

Besides a microfibre towel and mosquito repellent, I would suggest bringing the following things along with you to make the most of your visit to Tembeling Nusa Penida:

With any attraction, it’s always a good idea to prepare and bring a few items that will make your trip better. Here are my recommendations:

Original PRVKE Travel and DSLR Camera Backpack with Laptop/Tablet Sleeve - Rugged Photography Bag (21 L, Wasatch Green)

DAY PACK | I travel with my WANDRD backpack, it comes with a compartment for your camera and tons of space for all your other goodies 

Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera with 3-Inch LCD, Body Only,Base Configuration,Black

MIRRORLESS CAMERA | If you want to invest in something other than your camera phone (the newest phones have great cameras by the way), I purchased the Sony A7iii with a Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 lens. Couldn’t be happier. 

Teva Women's Hurricane XLT 2 Sandal, Black, 7

WATERPROOF SHOES | I went with a pair of trekking sandals from Teva, they are pretty multifunctional in my opinion. But a classic water shoe does the trick too. 

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel,Blue,24 X 48 Inches

MICROFIBER TOWEL | For all of the epic Bali beaches and waterfalls make sure to bring a microfiber towel to dry off afterwards.

LARQ Bottle - Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Non-PureVis , Thermos Bottle, 17oz, Monaco Blue

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | Let’s help save our planet from plastic pollution and carry around a reusable water bottle instead. I love my Swell water bottle as it stays cold for 24 hours and is lightweight. A LARQ water bottle would also fit the bill and has water purifying technology built right in.


Visit one of the best beaches in Indonesia, Diamond Beach Nusa Penida


Where to stay in Nusa Penida

The island has some really great unique Nusa Penida hotels. I have taken the time to recommend the top ones I believe you will love! There is something for everyone on this list and I highly suggest staying in Nusa Penida to see all the island has to offer.

Autentik Penida Glamping | Mid-range Value 

Set on stilts among the jungle of Nusa Penida, is Autentik Penida Glamping. The luxury tents located a 5-minute drive inland from Crystal Bay in Northwest Nusa Penida is one of the most unique stays on the island. The designer camp comes with a beautiful shared pool and well-equipped tents with balconies to enjoy the view.

CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY


The Mesare Resort | Luxury

The Mesare Resort consists of luxury cabins nestled in the central interior of Nusa Penida. Well located if you plan to explore the entire island, as everything is within a 30-minute drive. This Nusa Penida hotel features attractive wicker furniture, outdoor showers, a shared pool, restaurant, and yoga shala.

CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY


Semabu Hills Resort | Luxury

Semabu Hills Resort will give you all the creature comforts of a classic western hotel chain. The resort features one of the most epic infinity pools in Nusa Penida with sweeping views of the jungle and ocean. This Nusa Penida hotel is located close to the ToyaPakeh Harbour for easy commuting to and from your fast boat ferry.

CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY


La Roja Bungalows | Budget

Located on the Northeast coastline of Nusa Penida, the La Roja Bungalows are budget-friendly. The cute individual bow-roofed houses surround a shared pool and are a great place to make friends and relax. The Northeast area of Nusa Penida also has the biggest concentration of western and trendy cafes to explore like Penida Colada Beach Bar, one of my favourites.

CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY


More Tropical Paradise Inspiration

NUSA PENIDA TREEHOUSE | The famous Rumah Pohon treehouse perches on the coastline cliffs of Nusa Penida

DIAMOND BEACH NUSA PENIDA | One of Nusa Penida’s best beaches, Diamond Beach brings white sand, turquoise waters, mighty cliffs, and rock formations. Adventure abounds.

ANGEL’S BILLABONG NUSA PENIDA | A scenic natural infinity pool on the west coast of Nusa Penida with tidal pool, volcanic rock, and views of Manta Bay

BROKEN BEACH NUSA PENIDA | A spectacular arched rock formation as a gateway between Manta Bay and a spectacular turquoise inlet on the edge of the western Nusa Penida coastline

THE MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN BALI | My top recommendations on where to get the perfect Instagram photo to wow your audience

10 COOL + UNIQUE PLACES TO STAY IN UBUD BALI | Looking for a unique place to stay in the heart of Bali’s wellness culture? This guide has you covered

WHERE TO STAY IN SIDEMEN BALI | Sidemen Valley is an untouched paradise in East Bali. Here are all the best places to stay in the area.

12 TOP THINGS TO DO IN EAST BALI | Discover all the epic things to see in this region including temples, stunning viewpoints, water palaces, and more

LAHANGAN SWEET, BALI | Located on top of a mountain overlooking Mount Agung on one side and the East Bali coastline on the other. Lahangan Sweet is a must-visit location.

BUKIT CINTA, BALI One of the best viewpoints of Mount Agung, Bali’s active volcano. Go for sunrise and you won’t be disappointed


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