Nusa Penida – Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong : The Duo Wonders Of Nusa Penida

If you are going to visit Nusa Penida, you are probably going to visit Kelingking Beach which is single-handedly the most popular spot in the entire island, but do you know that 40 minutes ride away, there are another two stunning creations of Mother Nature, waiting for you to discover? Since they are in the same western coast of Nusa Penida, I strongly recommend combining them in a single day to make the best out of your trip. 

Broken Beach

Broken Beach

The Broken Beach is a circular cliff with an arched tunnel that allows the crashing ocean to flow in, making a natural pool within. The arch was formed over many, many years, perhaps over million years, where water flow in and out, crashing into the beach within. The circular cliff is quite high, and every corner of it offers incredible photo angle for your Instagram shots. The narrowing pathway is off-limit for scooters and motorbikes but you can easily take a stroll on foot to admire the different viewpoints from each angle.

It's a circular cove with an arch tunnel

There is no way to access the beach inside, and cliff jumping is also not allowed, so don’t even try attempting it as you won’t be able to find your way up, not to mention that it’s extremely dangerous. For now, it is just a viewpoint.

Water flows in from the tunnel, creating a natural pool within

However, there is no way of hiking down

Arriving early in the morning and is feeling hungry? Your tummy can be easily taken care of as there are warungs perched on the cliff side where you can find food and refreshment.

Angel’s Billabong

After taking your instagrammable shots at Broken Beach, head over to Angel’s Billabong, an incredible rock formation overlooking the Indian ocean, which is just 5 minutes away on foot.

Follow the sign to Angel's Billabong

A marvellous one-of-its-kind beauty, Angel’s Billabong is actually a river estuary adjacent to the high seas. The river clogged and formed a crystal-clear tide pool which cascades into the ocean. This is indeed a naturally formed infinity pool which we couldn’t stop marvelling at.

Angel's Billabong

Fun fact: Billabong isn’t just a brand name, but actually means a dead-end channel, or a stagnant pool. 

A dead-end channel, or stagnant pool

The crystal-clear water allows you to see the patterns and textures beneath the water surface, and magically the depth of the pool itself is uneven which some part particularly shallower and other deeper. This creates different tone of colours in the billabong, from green tosca to emerald green whereas the adjacent ocean water is in blue. 

Beware of rugged rocks

Unlike Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong is actually accessible, and you can go the water is sometimes deep enough for a dip. There’s even a concrete stairway in place, but this had however collapsed during our visit. As a result, we had to walk on sharp, rugged rocks so you’ve got to mind your footsteps. Once you step in, the seaweed-covered bottom is quite slippery so watch out! Though a little slippery, it’s not difficult to walk on.

Standing on the seaweed-covered bottom which is quite slippery

However, as tempted as you are to head to the edge of the pool, you should always be extra cautious as the rogue waves during high tide could crash in at any time and suck you out to the sea. There were reportedly cases of casualty here in the past. Better be safe than sorry guys! Of course being a scaredy-cat that I was, I stayed away from the edge and didn’t dare to go too far off.

Angel’s Billabong is flanked by two tall cliffs, so if you decide not to head down to the pool, you can also take pictures from the top of the cliffs.

You can take photo from the top if you don't feel like going down to the pool

The journey

Just like Kelingking Beach, the ride to the Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong is disastrous, to say the least. The first half an hour from Toya Pakeh was okay but after passing through several villages, we started riding on huge potholes and steep cracked roads. If you are not good with motorbikes, you should stay away from riding one and get a driver instead. There were several reported accidents before.

The road was okay at first

But it get bumpy and full of plotholes as we neared our destination

Cost

There is no admission fee but there will be locals there collecting a parking fee of RP 10,000 from you. However, we were lucky to have gone away with it since there were no one around to collect them from us as we were there before the crowd swarm in. 

How to get there

Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong is located just right to each other, and they are to be done together. From Toya Pakeh, it is approximately 1 hour away and though it looked near Kelingking Beach, it is actually 40 minutes ride away from each other. From Toya Pakeh, it follows the same road to Kelingking Beach, before splitting at an intersection, where you turn left for Kelingking and right for the Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. The three places can be easily combined as a day trip.

If you’re travelling over from Nusa Ceningan / Nusa Lembongan, you’ll most likely arrive at Toya Pakeh beach in Nusa Penida. If you are travelling from Bali, you’ll most probably arrive at Toya Pakeh harbour which is several hundred meters away. From either locations or anyway in the island, you can rent a scooter for around RP 80,000 per day. Coming in a big group? You can also hire a driver to drive you around for about RP 500,000 to RP 600,000. Staying in Bali but still want to do a day trip to Nusa Penida? Fret not, as there are also tour package available which includes return speedboat to Nusa Penida, driver and guide as well as hotel pick up and drop off. This can be easily arranged through your hotel in Bali. 

Even though Nusa Penida is huge, the roads are generally narrow and rocky, making the journey by car not any much faster than riding a scooter. Every attractions on the island is 40-60 minutes away, but exploring the island with a scooter would still be my most recommended option.

Click HERE for A Complete Guide To Planning Your Trip To Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida

Best Time to Visit

Both Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong are popular spot for tourists and locals, so to have this place to yourself I’d recommend visiting in the early morning to beat the crowd. Be here before 9am when the tourists are still having their breakfast or in bed. However, for Angel’s Billabong, you’d need to plan your visit during low tide if you plan to head down for a dip. If it happens to be in the middle of the day, then you’ll have to expect sharing this place with hordes of tourists.

Arrive early morning to avoid tourists

We went first thing in the morning and had the whole place to ourselves. It was as early as 8am when we arrived and there was only another couple on Broken Beach. As we moved on to Angel’s Billabong, we were surprised to find no one else there. As we rode to Crystal Bay later on, we saw vans and scooters making their way in. Throughout the half an hour ride on the road, we counted as many as 80 vehicles going in. And that was only 9am in the morning. I couldn’t imagine how crowded it would be in the late afternoon, so plan your visit wisely.

I had the pool to myself that morning

Epilogue

Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong is the perfect example of the marvellous creation of Mother Nature. It is worth the effort of riding an hour to get here, even though my bum were hurting from the long hour bumpy ride through steep rocky roads that’s filled with potholes. After all, I get to hit two birds with one stone and was awed by not just one, but two magnificent beauty. And this, is why I love travelling. *wink*

Standing on a cliff between Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong, trying to spot manta rays in the water