By now, you have probably seen a photo of Kelingking Beach whether you realize it or not. In recent years, social media has turned this peaceful, hidden gem into one of Indonesia’s most visited and photographed destinations. Located on the otherwise quiet island of Nusa Penida, Kelingking Beach and the surrounding coastline provide idyllic, postcard-worthy views. The swirling turquoise waters, glistening white sand, and dramatic cliffs are reminiscent of the Mediterranean. If you find yourself in Indonesia, this destination is absolutely worth a visit. I’ve travelled to countless beaches and viewpoints across six continents, and it stands out as one of the most beautiful seascapes I’ve ever seen. However, with the growing popularity comes the inevitable debate about whether or not these hotspots are overrated. To ensure you have an enjoyable experience (rather than an unpleasant one), here are a few essential tips.
First (and most important), get there early. The morning offers smaller crowds and cooler temperatures, which you’ll appreciate if you want to hike down to the beach. We arrived around 9:00 and although there was a handful of people, it wasn’t crazy. Tour groups began showing up mid-morning and by the time we left at 11:00, it was packed. From what I’ve heard, it only gets worse in the afternoon. A fellow traveler had told us to skip Kelingking beach entirely because of the crowds; he waited in line for over two hours, only to snap a quick photo and leave.
We stayed one night on Nusa Penida so we could avoid taking a boat and have a better chance of beating the crowds. I would definitely recommend doing it this way if there is room in your itinerary. This also gives you time to explore more of the rugged scenery Nusa Penida has to offer.
Note: there is no view of the sunrise from Kelingking. It is known for having prime sunset views; however, it’s also extremely crowded then.
To reach the main viewpoint (which I found to be the most spectacular), no hiking is required. Walk approximately 10 minutes downhill from the parking lot and you’ll arrive at the overlook. There is a viewing area with steps and a platform for taking photos. From here, you have the option of hiking down to the beach. The path is mostly made up of very steep, narrow, uneven stairs. There is no shade, so I don’t recommend this unless you’re in pretty good physical shape. We decided that going the full distance wasn’t worth it; we made it halfway down, but the heat was sweltering, and the beach was unsafe for swimming due to large waves and a strong current.
The dark side of Kelingking Beach:
Although we were in awe of the scenery, our time there came with many frustrations. I’ve been to hundreds of tourist hotspots around the world and I’ve never experienced a more selfish crowd than what I saw here. People were incredibly pushy and inconsiderate when it came to their photos; I attribute this to the “Instagramfication” of Bali. My friends and I were asked multiple times to move out of the way of someone’s picture, which made it difficult to relax and enjoy the view. The narrow stairways were clogged with people waiting upwards of 20 minutes for a photo of themselves. There was even a girl who spent over 30 minutes getting her picture taken in different locations on the stairs, and at each new spot, she would ask everyone around her to move (friendly reminder that photoshop exists and it takes less than a minute to remove someone from your background). I’m writing this as a tourist and a photographer who cares a lot about her photos! Just be aware and respectful of the people around you.
Aside from the self-absorbed tourists, a large metal scaffolding structure obstructs the once panoramic view. In 2023, an investment group began constructing an elevator from the main viewpoint down to Kelingking Beach. They failed to obtain the proper permits, and in 2025 the Balinese government ordered the construction to stop and for the elevator to be dismantled, mainly due to structural and environmental concerns. As of June 2026, the structure was still standing; there is ongoing litigation between the Balinese government and the investment group, so the future of Kelingking Beach remains uncertain. The structure is off to the right; you can still have an unobstructed view of the beach if you look straight ahead, but it was quite the eyesore and detracted from the overall experience. It’s really sad to see such a once pristine place fall victim to overdevelopment.
Other things to note:
- Be aware that monkeys frequent the area and might steal your belongings (my friend got her watermelon stolen out of her hand). On occasion, they have been known to be aggressive so it’s best to keep your distance, avoid eye contact (ideally wear sunglasses), and don’t feed them.
- There is an entrance fee of 25,000 IDR (approx. $1.50 USD) to access the island of Nusa Penida. You can pay via credit card. If you take a boat tour, the entrance fee is often included in the ticket price.
The bottom line: If you don’t do well with crowds or heights, Kelingking Beach might not be the place for you. Otherwise, the sensational views are sure to leave an impression.
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