Boat ride to Nusa Penida, Bali

Sanur Port is located east of the city of Denpasa is the busiest fast boat port, serving crossings from Bali to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Gili Island, Lombok.

The Sanur Harbor (Pelabuhan Sanur) opened in late 2022. While many people see a "dragon," the design is actually a deep tribute to Balinese maritime culture and Hindu mythology.

The overall shape of the terminal is designed to resemble a Jukung, the traditional Balinese outrigger canoe. Before this building existed, travelers heading to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan had to take off their shoes and wade through the surf to board speedboats. The new "Dragon" building transformed this into a world-class terminal. It features air-conditioned waiting lounges, digital boarding screens, and most importantly, a pier so you can walk directly onto the boat without getting wet.

The port is surprisingly large and spread out, especially compared to the quiet beaches nearby. Rather than a single compact pier, Pelabuhan Sanur feels more like a long waterfront terminal, designed to handle the steady flow of passengers traveling between Bali and the surrounding islands.

After checking in, we walked quite a distance along the harbor to reach our boat.

The walk took us past multiple docking areas.

We arrived at Sanur very early in the morning, when the day was just beginning. As we walked along the long bridge above the water toward the boats, the sun was still rising. The sky was washed in a soft orange glow, spreading gently across the horizon and reflecting on the calm sea below..

A look back a Sanur station while we are on the bridge.

From the bridge, everything felt quiet and suspended in time, the water smooth, the boats still, and the light slowly changing with each step forward.

The warm colors of the sunrise made the long walk feel peaceful rather than tiring, turning the journey to the harbor into a beautiful moment in itself, as Sanur slowly woke up around us.

Walking toward the harbor, it was incredibly peaceful. There were barely any people around, just a few crew members moving slowly, the gentle sound of water against the dock, and boats waiting silently for the day to begin.

After crossing the bridge, we went down onto a metal walkway with railings that led us toward where all the boats were docked. The structure felt almost industrial, but in the early light it blended quietly into the scene. The sun was still rising, casting a soft glow over the water and turning everything warm and muted.

Walking there in the quiet morning air, with the light changing minute by minute, felt calm and unhurried, like we were moving through a private moment before the port fully came to life.

Walking toward our boat.

Lots of boats docking in the harbor.

We finally found our boat the Caspla Buyuk Cruise.

We climbed aboard, choosing seats toward the back.

Once everyone settled in, the boat pulled away from the dock and eased out into the open water.

I moved to the very back of the boat and sat beside the five powerful engines, tightly wrapped in bright red covers.

Up close, the energy of the ride felt intense, the engines roared steadily, and behind us the boat carved huge, foamy waves into the sea, stretching far into the distance like white ribbons.

As we sped along, we passed larger boats cutting through the water, and my eyes kept drifting to the coastline.

High above the shore, villas perched on the hillsides, their orange-tiled roofs glowing against the green slopes. From the water, they looked peaceful and far removed from the motion of the sea below, quiet retreats watching over the route as we continued toward Nusa Penida.

We arrived at Buyuk Harbor as the boat slowed and the engines finally softened.

One by one, people stood up and began to disembark. A simple wooden walkway and narrow bridge connected the boat to the shore, gently swaying as footsteps crossed it, making the arrival feel very raw and unpolished.

View from the shore. As people starting to disembark and walking on the small bridge leading to the shore.

The harbor felt small and local, framed by calm blue water.

Disembarkation bridge.

Further away the long bridge dotted with yellow umbrellas is essentially a boarding and disembarkation pier. The umbrellas provide shade for passengers waiting to get on or off boats, especially important under the strong sun. Along this stretch, you’ll see many speedboats docking, loading passengers, luggage, and supplies, it’s the main arrival point for visitors coming to Nusa Penida.

At the end of the bridge, the structure that looks like a cabana functions as a small waiting and coordination area. It’s used by boat operators and port staff to manage departures, check passengers, and organize transfers. It’s simple and practical rather than decorative, reflecting how Buyuk is a working harbor first, not a polished marina.

NEXT... Day 18-Diamond beach, Nusa Penida