3 weeks in Bali, Indonesia- 5/28- 6/15/2024

Day 18 -Kelingking Beach-6/13/2024

Kelingking Beach is one of the most famous and iconic places in Nusa Penida, known for its dramatic cliffs and unreal ocean views. What makes it instantly recognizable is the massive limestone headland shaped like a T-Rex, often called the “dinosaur cliff.” From the viewpoint above, the rock formation curves out into the sea, with steep green cliffs dropping sharply into bright turquoise water below. It’s a view that almost doesn’t look real, which is why it has become one of the most photographed spots in Bali.

Before reaching Kelingking Beach, the walk itself already feels like an event.

From the parking lot, we passed through a lively stretch of small shops and warungs selling cold drinks, snacks, hats, and souvenirs.

The path was busy and a bit chaotic, filled with visitors moving in every direction, some stopping to rest, others preparing for the steep descent ahead. You could hear chatter in many languages, mixed with the sound of vendors calling out and the wind coming off the cliffs.

Steep and narrow stairs leading to the beach below. Reaching it requires a steep and challenging walk down narrow stairs carved into the Cliffside, adding to its sense of adventure.

This is the only way to go down.

The beach itself sits far below the cliffs and feels wild and untouched.

 Because of the strong waves and currents, swimming is often unsafe, so most people come for the scenery rather than the water. The contrast between the white sand, deep blue ocean, and rugged cliffs is what gives Kelingking its jaw-dropping beauty.

Kelingking Beach is famous not just for its shape and views, but for the feeling it creates, standing at the top of the cliff, surrounded by vast ocean and towering rock, you feel small in the best possible way. It’s a place that captures the raw, untamed side of Nusa Penida and leaves a lasting impression long after you leave.

There are so many people around the narrow staircase

As the walkway narrowed, everyone slowly funneled toward the top of the stairs. There is really only one main spot to take photos with the famous Kelingking rock formation below, so a line naturally formed. People waited patiently for their turn, carefully timing their photos while trying not to rush. We were lucky, there were only about five people ahead of us, so the wait felt short compared to the crowds around us.

To get the best angle, our tour guide climbed up onto a nearby rock, balancing himself to capture the dramatic view below. From that vantage point, the turquoise water, jagged cliffs, and the iconic shape of Kelingking came together perfectly, making the brief wait and the busy walk completely worth it.

When it was finally my turn to take a picture, everything seemed to slow down for a moment. Our tour guide carefully framed the shot, making sure the famous rock formation below was perfectly aligned behind me. From where I stood, the cliffs dropped sharply into the ocean, and the massive limestone rocks stretched out like a giant sculpture carved by time and waves.

The rocks below were rugged and dramatic, their edges softened by patches of green vegetation clinging to the steep slopes.

 Far beneath, white waves crashed relentlessly against the base of the cliffs, wrapping the rocks in swirling foam. The contrast between the bright turquoise water, the dark, weathered stone, and the pale sand below made the scene feel powerful and raw.

Looking down at those rocks, it was easy to understand why Kelingking is so famous.  You can instantly recognizable is the massive limestone headland shaped like a T-Rex, often called the “dinosaur cliff.”

They don’t just form a beautiful backdrop, they tell the story of nature’s force and scale. Standing there, framed against that incredible landscape, the photo felt less like a posed moment and more like a snapshot of awe, capturing both the grandeur of the cliffs.

Looking down from the viewpoint, I could see a thin trail cutting across the cliff, with tiny silhouettes of people slowly making their way along it. From above, they looked so small, almost like moving dots, which made the scale of the landscape feel even more dramatic. The path hugged the cliff, suspended between steep rock walls and open space, emphasizing just how massive and imposing the cliffs really are.

On one side of the trail, the beach stretched out below, a narrow strip of pale sand framed by deep turquoise water and rolling waves. On the other side, the land dropped away again into rugged rock and crashing surf, creating a powerful sense of depth on both sides. Seeing people walking there, dwarfed by the cliffs and surrounded by ocean, added a quiet sense of awe. It was a reminder of how tiny we are compared to nature, and how extraordinary it is to experience a place as wild and grand as Kelingking Beach.

Broken beach

From the parking lot, the walk is relatively easy and calm compared to Kelingking.

We had to go pass the parking lot to get to the beach.

At first, you don’t see much, just flat land and cliffs, but then the ground suddenly opens up.  Standing at the edge, you look down into a huge bowl of water surrounded by sheer rock walls, with the famous stone opening framing the open ocean beyond. Waves surge through the arch, filling the cove with swirling blue and white water, almost like the place is breathing.

 The hole in the cliff at Broken Beach is what makes the place so striking and unforgettable. From above, it looks like a giant window carved straight through solid limestone, perfectly framing the open ocean beyond. This natural arch was formed over time as waves relentlessly eroded the rock, eventually breaking through and creating a passage where seawater now rushes in and out of the circular cove.

 From above, it looks like a giant window carved straight through solid limestone, perfectly framing the open ocean beyond. This natural arch was formed over time as waves relentlessly eroded the rock, eventually breaking through and creating a passage where seawater now rushes in and out of the circular cove.

There is no access to the water below, and that’s part of what makes Broken Beach feel both beautiful and intimidating.

The cliffs are unstable in places, and sadly, there have been accidents where tourists got too close to the edge or climbed where they shouldn’t. Rescues are difficult and can take a long time because of the steep cliffs and remote location. That reality adds a quiet seriousness to the experience, reminding visitors to admire the view from a safe distance.

Standing there, watching the ocean pour through the stone arch, Broken Beach feels powerful and timeless. It’s not a place for swimming or relaxing on sand, but for taking in nature’s raw force, how water, rock, and time can reshape the land into something so dramatic and unforgettable.

As we walked a bit farther past Broken Beach, the landscape opened up again to the ocean, revealing a rugged, rocky shoreline instead of soft sand.

The ground was uneven, made up of dark, weathered stones and coral fragments shaped by constant waves. The gray rocks, solid and unmoving, seem to stand their ground while the sea relentlessly crashes against them. Watching this scene feels almost hypnotic, and a reminder that this coast is shaped not by people, but by nature’s endless strength.

This area felt quieter and less crowded, with fewer people lingering, as if most visitors stayed near the famous opening and viewpoint.

The ocean here looked powerful and restless. Waves rolled in and crashed hard against the rocks, sending white spray into the air and carving deeper grooves into the shoreline. The water shifted between deep blue and emerald green, depending on the light, and the sound of the surf echoed against the cliffs. There was a raw, untamed feeling to this stretch of coast, very different from postcard-perfect beaches.

Standing on the shore, the rocky beach felt like a reminder of how wild Nusa Penida really is.

Not far along the path, there is a spot where people can stand and watch the ocean put on a dramatic show. Huge waves roll in from the open sea and slam into the massive gray stones lining the shore. Each impact sends bursts of white water shooting upward, then spilling back down the rocks in foamy streams. The stones are smooth in some places and jagged in others, shaped over time by the constant force of the waves.

Our visit is over and we now boarding our boat back to Sanur.

Sanur in the distance.

Our trip to Nusa Penida was filled with dramatic landscapes and moments of awe from start to finish. We walked through busy paths and warungs, waited our turn at iconic viewpoints, and stood high above the ocean at Kelingking Beach, taking in the famous T-Rex-shaped cliffs, tiny silhouettes of hikers on the trail below, and the powerful waves crashing far beneath us. At Broken Beach, we experienced a different kind of beauty, quiet, vast, and shaped by time. We followed an easy path from the parking lot to suddenly find a massive opening in the cliff, where the ocean poured through a natural stone arch into a circular cove. Walking farther along the coast, we watched huge waves slam into gray rocks, feeling the raw strength of the sea and the wild, untamed character of the island. After a full day of cliffs, wind, and water, we took the ferry back to Sanur and ended the journey with a comforting local meal at Warung Bambu Lulu Sop Kepala Ikan.

Dinner at Warung Bambu Lulu Sop Kepala Ikan

After taking the ferry back to Sanur, we ended the day with dinner at Warung Bambu Lulu Sop Kepala Ikan, a local spot recommended by our tour guide. The restaurant has a very casual, no-frills feel, simple tables, open-air seating, and a relaxed atmosphere that immediately tells you this is a place locals come for good food, not fancy presentation.

Warung Bambu Lulu is especially known for its sop kepala ikan, or fish head soup, which is considered their signature dish. The soup is rich and aromatic, simmered with spices, herbs, and vegetables that give it a deep, comforting flavor. It’s hearty and satisfying, the kind of dish that feels both nourishing and very traditional. We also ordered their popular fried fish, which came out crispy on the outside and tender inside, perfectly seasoned and great to share.

Eating here felt like a true local experience, simple, authentic, and focused on flavor. After a long day of dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and ferry rides, this warm, flavorful meal was the perfect way to wind down and end the day in Bali.

NEXT... Day 19-Icon Sanur