Hiking to Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida: T-Rex Beach Secret Point

When I first saw photos of Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida, I knew I had to hike all the way to the beach. I wouldn’t be satisfied if I only got to see Kelingking beach and cliff from above, as most people did.

Kelingking cliff is stunning, with its shape resembling a happy T-Rex. The cliff got its name from this. Locals refer to it as kelingking because it resembles our left pinkie finger. On the other hand, the white sandy beach below is difficult to ignore. It appears to be very appealing.

So I started looking for T-Rex Kelingking Beach hiking tips.

The first thing I noticed was how difficult the Kelingking Beach hike was. Only a few people said the trail is moderate. The descent takes approximately 40 minutes, and the ascent takes approximately 50 minutes. I’d walk along the cliff’s cut rough ground.

The best time to visit Kelingking Beach, it is said, is in the afternoon. Many visitors said the sunset at Kelingking Beach is spectacular. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle the heat on the way down, so I decided to go first thing in the morning. It made no difference if some of the beaches were shaded.

Finally, how do I convince my older sister to join me at the beach? We are in our fifties, healthy, while the majority of the visitors were in their twenties. Haha.

We finally decided to do the Kelingking Beach hike after exchanging texts and sharing stories and photos from others who had visited Kelingking Beach before us. A journey to T-Rex beach, a secret point on Nusa Penida Island.

But first, let’s take a look at the Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida location.

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Where is Kelingking Beach?

Kelingking is a lovely beach on the west coast of Nusa Penida. Along with Angel Billabong and Broken Beach, it is a popular day trip destination from Bali.

First-time visitors to Nusa Penida Bali are likely to visit this T-Rex beach.

You’ve probably seen a lot of Kelingking Beach photos on social media. One of the factors that attract visitors from around the world to Nusa Penida Island.

Nusa Penida Island is located in Bali’s southeastern region. Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan Island are two tiny islands close to Nusa Penida.

How to get to Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida?

To begin, take a fast boat from Sanur Beach to Nusa Penida. Check out Penidago for a time that works for you.

You can travel to the island on your own, or take a full-day tour offered by a Bali tour operator.

The bulk of guests took a one-day guided tour, which included a fast boat ticket, car rental, and beach access costs. If you do it yourself, you must rent a car or a motorcycle once you are on the island. A tour operator like Penidago offers car rentals as an additional option.

Go find your car or motorcycle once you arrive in Nusa Penida’s harbors of Toya Pakeh (Banjar Nyuh), Buyuk, or Sampalan. Kelingking Beach is around 40-45 minutes from the harbors.

The road condition in Nusa Penida is not as poor as it was a few years ago. That’s what a friend commented after watching a video I shot during our trip to the island. However, it is still tight and winding, with road bumps and blind curves to contend with. In this case, I recommend renting a car because driving in Nusa Penida is difficult.

However, visitors cannot drive on the island, unlike in Bali. Rental in Nusa Penida includes a driver. Simply because of the road conditions, I felt it comfy.

If you insist on riding the motorcycle yourself, remember to rent a helmet.

When you get at Kelingking, you must walk a few yards from the parking area to a stunning aerial view of the Kelingking cliff and beach. Where you can see the T-Rex shape from above and begin your hike to the beach.

You’ll walk all the way down with no shade at all. Wear a hat and plenty of sunblocks if you arrive after 10 a.m. There are numerous warungs (local mini-restaurants) along the path where you may have a cold drink or ice cream.

Kelingking Beach Hike

Follow the concrete stairs towards the T-Rex after you see the T-Rex cliff and beach from above. You will see people taking pictures from popular locations. Simply tell them you want to go to the beach. Otherwise, you will have to wait indefinitely.

You will also see macaques on these concrete stairs. None of the blogs I read mentioned it, but this is Bali. I believe you will encounter monkeys wherever you go. Haha. I was bitten by a monkey once, so I don’t feel comfortable around them. So I kept my cool and continued walking without looking them in the eyes.

Following this point, you will walk along a ridge that resembles the T-Rex backbone. You’ll be descending on rocky terrain with wooden handrails on both sides. It is long and tough, but it is the easiest part of getting to Kelingking Beach or T-Rex Beach. When you reach the corner, make a sharp right.

The journey is still easy from here. “How come people say it’s a difficult trail?” I puzzled. I discovered the answer a few yards later. lol.

The trail to the beach was becoming steeper and more difficult, and we were moving slower. We couldn’t rely on the wooden handrails, which were held in place by a blue rope. There are a lot of loose parts, and if you fall, you’re on your own. I wiggled the wooden handrails before making a move. I clung to the rocks if they weren’t strong enough.

The most difficult part was getting halfway to the bottom. The rock path appeared nearly vertical in some places. We crawled on the rocks with both hands at these points. We became rock climbers.

Then, before you step onto the sand, you must climb a wooden ladder.

Kelingking Beach hike is definitely not a moderate hike for me. But I can tell you how proud my sister and I felt for making it all the way down to the beach.

We arrived at the beach after about an hour. We moved slowly and stopped to take pictures. Remember, we’re in our fifties. Haha.

Going up was also difficult. There was a point where I chose the incorrect side and was unable to proceed. Because the cliff opening was too high, I couldn’t get to it. I had to go back a few steps down and then up to the other side. I just stood there, frustrated and worn out. Thankfully, a young man appeared from above. I had no shame in asking him to pull me. He then drew my sister, who was standing below me. He told us we should be proud of ourselves for traveling all the way down to the beach. Not simply photographing from above, as most people did. “The best part is the beach,” he said.

I arrived at the top after about an hour. Visitors on day trips were already lining up to take pictures from above.

Down at Kelingking/T-Rex Beach

Tripadvisor named Kelingking Beach the second best beach in Asia. It’s stunning down there, though I think Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida’s east coast is equally stunning.

When you step onto the beach, you will notice that it is much larger than it appears from above.

As you walk on the beach, remove your shoes and feel the soft sand between your toes.

On the right side of the beach, there will be a few trees to provide shade and a place to store your belongings.

You might also see someone selling drinks. I didn’t buy anything from him, but I’ve heard the price is more than three times higher.

Continue walking until you reach the cave.

Then proceed to the opposite side. I’d heard there’s a cave there as well, but we couldn’t find it. Perhaps because the water covered the path there.

Now comes the downer. The current is extremely strong, and the waves are ferocious. Swimming is not recommended if you are not an excellent swimmer.

I saw a couple try to enter the water while we were there. Although the boyfriend made it to the water, the girl was swept away for a few feet. Fortunately, she was aware of her limitations. She then just stood on the beach and watched her boyfriend.

We only dipped our toes into the water, though. However, you must exercise caution when doing so. Keep an eye out for incoming waves. Do not undervalue it.

My teenage son joined us at the beach. He was faster than us going down and up the cliff, but he knew when to stop at the beach. He simply walked in the water, and when the waves arrived, he moved quickly away from the water.

We spent about an hour on the beach. Relaxing and admiring the beach’s beauty.

Kelingking Beach Death

Without a doubt, Kelingking Beach hike is difficult! Don’t do it if you are afraid of heights, are out of shape, or lack confidence. Simply stay above to be on the safe side. My brother-in-law and niece awaited us in the warung because they are both afraid of heights. My nephew had a stomach problem during the trip and preferred to stay above as well.

You must also exercise caution when taking pictures from above.

There have been cases of tourists who died after slipping and falling on the cliff’s steps. In December 2020, a tourist was hiking to the beach when he slipped and died. Back in the beginning of 2018, a Russian tourist fell while attempting to find a better location for aerial photography.

A female tourist posed for a photo in the water with her friend in October 2021. A wave carried her away. Their tour guide tried to help but was also swept. Both were later found dead.

If you ask me if I want to do the Kelingking Beach hike again, I will say strongly no. Enough already! It’s extremely difficult! Maybe I’ll do it again when I’m in my twenties.

Best time to visit Kelingking Beach

The island’s dry season, from April to October, is the best time to visit Nusa Penida. However, it also means hot!

Many people said that the best time of day to visit Kelingking Beach is after the sun rises around 10 a.m. Due to its western orientation, Kelingking Beach will have some shade in the morning. Not so good for Instagram photos.

My main concern was how to get up from the beach when it wasn’t too hot. Instagram isn’t at the top of my priority list. So we arrived after 8 a.m. and began the hike around 8.30 a.m. after taking photos from above. There weren’t many people around at the time (mid-June.)

If you don’t intend to hike, the busiest hours at Kelingking are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day tripper from Sanur arrived on the island at that time. And it gets even worse during the Indonesian school vacation, which runs from June to July.

The sunset at Kelingking Beach attracts tourists as well. You must spend at least one night in Nusa Penida for this. Check out my 2-day Nusa Penida itinerary as a travel guide.

Where to eat at Kelingking Beach

As previously stated, there are numerous warungs (mini restaurants) located between parking and photo locations. Some serve lunch, while others only serve drinks, ice cream, and snacks.

We ate lunch and rested at the Klingking View restaurant, which is located near the photo spots on the right. There aren’t many tables and chairs. We got fish and chips, fries, a burger, noodle soup, and a hot dog. Except for the hot dog, everything was fine.

What to wear for Kelingking Beach hike

I’ll say it again: Kelingking Beach hike is not easy. You’ll be hiking on a cliff with jagged edges. Proper footwear is required. People were going down in flip-flops, but I don’t recommend it. It’s even riskier if you end up taking off your flip-flops and walking around barefoot.

My two-year-old Merrell hiking shoes performed admirably on the cliff terrain. My sister, who was wearing Kalenji, had no problems, as did my son, who was wearing Body Armor running shoes.

I recommend that you wear a pair of shorts or pants with a t-shirt. Wear no skirts or dresses. It’s not something you want to trip over. Put the dress in your backpack and wear it once you arrive at the beach if you want to take beautiful pictures. Remember the fatalities that occurred on the descent.

You must wear a backpack because you will need both hands to hold onto handrails or cliffs. You’ll be able to move around more easily this way.

Entrance Fee to Kelingking T-Rex Beach

It was 10,000 IDR (less than $1) per person and 5,000 IDR for a car when we visited.

Hotels in Kelingking

We stayed on the east side of Nusa Penida because we arrived in the afternoon and drove straight to Diamond Beach.

Here are a few hotels that I believe will be good and affordable places to stay near T-Rex Beach. All are under $50 per night.

• Kelingking Sunset Point Hotel & Spa. Walking distance to Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida and Paluang Cliff, friendly staff, clean rooms that include breakfast, and a pool.
• Kelingking Mesari Villa & Spa. Walking distance to T-Rex Beach, friendly owner/staff, nice rooms and bathrooms, pool, and delicious breakfast.
• Sebuluh Sunset Hills. Excellent room with a hot shower. The sunset view is spectacular, as are the pool views, and breakfast is delicious.
• Agasta Villa. The owner is extremely pleasant, the rooms are nice and clean, and the food is delicious.
• Temeling Jungle Inn. The food is good, and the owner and staff are friendly.
• The Tamban Jukung. Beautiful room and clean bathroom, friendly staff, and a refreshing young coconut welcome drink.
• Kubu Reot Taman Asri. Nice place with friendly staff and a cool bathroom, pool, and terrace area.

Attractions in the Kelingking neighborhood

Visitors to the island will usually take day trips from Kelingking Beach to Angel Billabong and Broken Beach. They will stop at Crystal Bay before returning to the main island.

The beaches mentioned above are also close by if you stay at one of the hotels mentioned above. You can easily drive there and return to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Is the hike to Kelingking Beach worthwhile?

With a beautiful beach at the bottom, I say it’s worth it. However, make certain that you are physically capable of completing the hike. If you are not confident, don’t push yourself.