Crystal Bay on Bali is a fantastically beautiful little bay on the island of Nusa Penida. The bay has a cosy sandy beach that is perfect for a trip. In the following article, you will find out exactly where the bay and beach are located and what you can experience there.
Where is Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida?
Crystal Bay Bali is located on the west coast of Nusa Penida. The middle of the three Nusa Islands, Nusa Ceningan, is directly opposite the bay. As the crow flies, Crystal Bay is about five kilometres from the beach at Toyapakeh, where the speedboats from Sanur on Bali land. From there, you should plan on a journey time of about 20 to 25 minutes by car or scooter.
By contrast, the speedboats from Padang Bai and the Gili Islands dock at Buyuk Harbour in the northeast of Nusa Penida. From there, it takes about 35 to 45 minutes by scooter to reach Crystal Bay. Crystal Bay is well signposted, so it is relatively easy to find. There is a large car park on the beach in the bay with plenty of space to park your scooter.
What you can do in the bay
The beautifully situated bay is a bit secluded on the one hand, but still easily accessible. Once you arrive, you can either simply enjoy the idyll or observe the underwater world. Below you will find a few tips on what you can experience at Crystal Bay.
Snorkelling
Crystal Bay is a great spot for snorkelling. Several boats come here every day, often heading for different snorkelling spots, and dropping numerous snorkellers into the water. And not for nothing: there are hardly any waves in the bay, but there is all the more to see underwater. In addition to the many colourful fish, turtles are not uncommon. So if you have the opportunity to snorkel in Crystal Bay, you should not miss it. Similar tours are also offered on Nusa Lembongan, among other places. You will be taken to the snorkelling spots by boat.
But you can also swim out from the beach to the interesting snorkelling spots, so you don’t necessarily have to take an organised boat tour. However, if you go snorkelling from the beach at Crystal Bay, you will need your own equipment, as there is no equipment rental on the beach itself (yet).
Sunbathing
The beautiful sandy beach is surrounded by tall palm trees and other trees and shrubs. This gives every beach visitor a paradisiacal feeling. It is the perfect place to relax and sunbathe. You can make yourself comfortable on the fine-grained sand or on one of the sun loungers that are set up there. However, a small fee is charged for the latter.
Enjoy culinary delights
If you spend several hours at the beach, you should have appropriate provisions (especially drinks) with you. However, if you don’t have enough with you or simply prefer to get supplies directly on site, that’s not a problem. There are plenty of culinary options on Crystal Bay Beach. There are several warungs on the beach where you can buy delicious dishes at a reasonable price, as well as cold drinks, young coconuts, or freshly pureed fruit juices.
Best time to visit
Crystal Bay can be visited all year round. Even in the rainy season, the bay is well worth a visit. However, you should only visit during the sunny hours of the day.
During the dry season – when you don’t have to make your visit dependent on the rain – it makes sense to go to the beach in the morning. It usually gets much busier on the beach from midday onwards. It doesn’t get so crowded that it becomes uncomfortable, but getting there and finding a parking space is a bit more difficult.
Conclusion: Is Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida worth a visit?
Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida is a beautifully situated bay with a worthwhile beach. The sandy beach is an ideal destination for sunbathers and travellers who simply like to relax by the sea. You can spend a great day at the beach here and enjoy excellent culinary delights. Crystal Bay is also a great place for snorkelling enthusiasts – you can explore the underwater world from the beach or from a boat. The bay is definitely worth a visit.
