Nusa Penida is full of beautiful scenic viewpoints and hidden spots, but if you’re looking for one that is truly remote, Batu Siha Beach is where it’s at.
This is one of the most obscure, well-hidden beaches on the island, and last January I had the privilege of being one of the first foreigners to see it!
This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!Where To Stay In Nusa Penida
Batu Siha Beach Hike
First of all, there is no information for this hike anywhere on the internet, as of 2019.
If you Google search the name, you won’t get any results. Not in English, or even in Bahasa Indonesia. This beach is truly hidden. Exciting, huh?
I’m sure that will change, but for now this place is completely unknown except to a handful of locals. My driver/guide had never even heard of the beach, and he was certain I was the first foreigner to ever visit it.
One of the cool food shacks you pass on the drive there: Warung Nengah Mesin
The only reason I found out about it is because I randomly saw the pin on Google Maps and decided to check it out.
Not knowing what we were getting into, I directed my driver to drive to the pin, or at least as close as we could get to it.
You get this first glimpse after more than 1 hour of hiking.
As it turns out, the road comes to a dead end and you have to hike down a long river wash and some steep cliffs to reach the beach. There is a trail, but it’s hard to follow at times.
It’s a rough hike, and it’s exhausting. Shoes are a good idea. I wore sandals, and it was sketchy in some places. We ran into a few Bali snakes, climbed down some huge cliffs, and got attacked by about 2 million ants.
On the way, you pass a couple of old Hindu temples, including one that was apparently destroyed by a landslide after the 2018 earthquake. These were some of the only signs that anyone has been down here.
This little pagoda had hundreds of the yellow frangipani flowers scattered around it, so apparently some of the locals do Hindu ceremonies down here.
At the bottom, after a long and aggravating hike, we reached this amazing hidden beach tucked into the cliffs. It was high tide, but we were still able to do some exploring.
There’s a small stretch of white sand and some big boulders, one of which is a huge, pointy diamond shaped rock that looks kind of like the one at Diamond Beach Nusa Penida.
At this point you also get to look up and admire the massive white cliffs above you. We chilled here for awhile and I flew the drone around.
My driver/guide was excited to see this new beach too, and he took some videos with his phone along the way. At low tide, the beach should be quite nice.
At high tide, Batu Siha beach is just a small strip of white sand.
Big boulders and big cliffs.
Drone shot of the coastline at Batu Siha.
Finally it was time to go back. This part was crazy steep and exhausting. At one point near the top of the river wash, we got completely lost and had to ask an old farmer for directions.
All in all, the hike took a round trip total of over 4 hours, closer to 5, but we never saw any person during that time except for some farmers near where we parked.
We started hiking in the afternoon, and it was getting dark by the time we got back. Big mistake. Start early for this hike.
Bring lots of water! We actually ran out of water because it’s a very steep, exhausting hike that will give you a tremendous workout on the way back, especially on a hot day.
Have fun and be safe!
Entrance Fees
FREE as of 2019.
There’s no fee for parking or hiking here. No one knows about this place.
How To Get To Batu Siha Beach
Batu Siha is on the southwest side of Nusa Penida island. The trail is accessible by car or scooter, about 1 hour drive from the main docks and accommodation in northern Penida.
Be careful if you go by scooter because the road is rough and may be dangerous in some spots if you don’t take it slow!
The foot path to Batu Siha can be a bit hard to follow, and there are multiple paths leading to it. The best tip I can give is to stick to the clearest path and follow the river wash down the slope.
The river wash is marked with a dotted line on Google Maps, as you can see below, so you can use that as a guide.
If you’re looking for more info on how to get to Nusa Penida island in the first place, you can find that here.
More Nusa Penida Travel Tips
Looking for more information on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida in Bali?
Don't forget to check out my full Nusa Penida Travel Guide with free tips, maps, photos, and more.
This island is loaded with nice beaches, cliffs, caves, and snorkeling spots!
Another drone pic of Batu Siha
Nusa Penida Private Driver
If you want to explore Nusa Penida in the comfort and safety of a van with a driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide.
They offer a full day of driving and sightseeing in Penida (up to 8 hours) for 1-5 passengers. This tour includes the whole van + driver + petrol.
We've used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.
Book Now: Nusa Penida Driver
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Saren Villa on the north coast of Nusa Penida, and paid 240k Rupiah ($15 USD) for a private double room with cold A/C, hot shower, and good WiFi.
This is one of the cheapest options in Penida, and it's in a great location near the best restaurants! We were happy.
Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
See Also
- Nusa Penida Island: Complete Travel Guide
- 4-Day Nusa Penida Itinerary - Bali's Blue Paradise Island
- How To Get To Nusa Penida From Bali
- What To Do In Nusa Penida - Caves, Beaches, Cliffs, & Temples
- GetYourGuide Day Tours To Nusa Penida Island
- Bali Beach Guide - The Best Beaches In Bali
- Bali Waterfalls Guide - The Best Waterfalls In Bali
- Bali Temple Guide - The Best Temples In Bali
- Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands - Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
1 comment
Hey David,
The fact that you got lost in Batu Siha Beach shows that you wanted more time to explore the waters! Thank the old farmer for showing the way. Bali is such a beautiful country.