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Amed vs Nusa Penida

Choose Amed for calm water and lower prices; choose Nusa Penida for better beaches and a shorter airport transfer.

Amed

Reef diving off quiet fishing bays. Best for: Divers, snorkelers & slow travelers.

Choose Amed for calm water, lower prices.

Beach: Black-sand and pebble bays with fishing boats; the reef starts a short swim out at Jemeluk and Lipah.
Nightlife: A few beach bars and warungs; quiet after dinner.
Prices: $ · Budget. Inexpensive: dive lodges and bungalows, with a few upscale villa resorts.
To the airport: 100 km · 2½–3 h
Climate: Hot & humid · coast
20 resorts on Balisama, from about $52 a night

Dramatic cliffs & untouched nature. Best for: Adventurers, divers & photographers.

Choose Nusa Penida for better beaches, a shorter airport transfer.

Beach: Spectacular beaches (Kelingking, Diamond, Crystal Bay), but many need steep climbs, and swimming is banned at Kelingking and Diamond Beach.
Nightlife: Very little: a few bars near the harbors.
Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: food is cheap, but drivers and boat transfers add up.
To the airport: 1½–2½ h. Drive to Sanur, then 30–45 minutes by fast boat
Climate: Hot & humid · coast
17 resorts on Balisama, from about $77 a night

Amed and Nusa Penida are about 41 km apart, with a boat trip between them.

Beaches: Amed Fair (2/5), Nusa Penida Very good (4/5)
Calm-water swimming: Amed Very good (4/5), Nusa Penida Fair (2/5)
Surfing: Amed None (0/5), Nusa Penida Poor (1/5)
Diving & snorkeling: Amed Excellent (5/5), Nusa Penida Excellent (5/5)
Sunsets: Amed Good (3/5), Nusa Penida Good (3/5)
Nightlife: Amed Poor (1/5), Nusa Penida Poor (1/5)
Restaurants & cafés: Amed Fair (2/5), Nusa Penida Fair (2/5)
Culture & temples: Amed Fair (2/5), Nusa Penida Fair (2/5)
Nature & landscapes: Amed Very good (4/5), Nusa Penida Excellent (5/5)
Yoga & wellness: Amed Good (3/5), Nusa Penida Fair (2/5)
Family-friendly: Amed Fair (2/5), Nusa Penida Fair (2/5)
Peace & quiet: Amed Excellent (5/5), Nusa Penida Very good (4/5)
Remote work: Amed Poor (1/5), Nusa Penida Poor (1/5)
Walkability: Amed Poor (1/5), Nusa Penida None (0/5)

Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.