The east coast of Nusa Penida is crowded – and for good reason, as it’s home to the spectacular Diamond Beach – but what if I told you there’s another beach nearby with next to no crowds, called Suwehan Beach?
Located at the bottom of a cliff only a 20-minute drive from Diamond Beach, Suwehan Beach quickly became my favourite place in Nusa Penida.
Just like Diamond Beach, it has a dramatic diamond-shaped rock, wild surf and tall cliffs.
If you want to get off the beaten track, it’s certainly the place to go.
In the following guide, I’ll talk about my experience at Suwehan Beach, why I recommend it and how to get there.
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Don’t miss these experiences in Nusa Penida…
1. Manta Bay snorkelling – snorkel with manta rays! 🤿
2. East and West highlights tour – best for time restraints ⏰
Escape the crowds: hire a private driver 🚗
Is Suwehan Beach Worth It?
One of the most frustrating things about visiting Nusa Penida is that it is very crowded.
After images of Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach went viral on Instagram over the past decade, the island’s popularity rocketed.
The organised east and west coast tours visit a set number of destinations – many of them marketed as ‘Instagram spots tours’.
On the east coast tour of Nusa Penida, these include Diamond Beach, Rumah Pohon Treehouse and the Thousand Islands Viewpoint.
That’s why, in my Nusa Penida itinerary, I encourage you to explore by scooter or hire a private driver to start exploring as early in the day as possible – and to get off the beaten track.
Suwehan Beach, just a 20-minute drive from Diamond Beach, is a good place to start.
Suwehan Beach
As I mentioned in the introduction, it has a dramatic diamond-shaped rock (similar to Diamond Beach).
I also had the beach completely to myself for over 20 minutes… and in my two hours on the beach, I saw only 4-5 other people.
There’s a short but steep hike required to get up and down from the beach, which adds to the adventure
To add to all of that, the journey to and from Suwehan is one of the most scenic rides I had in Nusa Penida.
It passes through the Sebungah Hills, which are adorned with palm trees and thick shrubbery. It also passes by smaller villages with temples.
Where Is Suwehan Beach?
Suwehan Beach is located on the east coast of Nusa Penida. As a reminder, this small island is located just off the southeast coast of Bali and the largest of the three Nusa Islands.
It’s an easy add-on to your east coast explorations: it’s just a 25-minute drive south of the popular Diamond Beach.
Unlike Diamond Beach, Suwehan Beach doesn’t appear on the guided east coast tours.
This is the main reason why it’s so uncrowded.
It takes around 1.5 hours to reach Suwehan Beach from the west side of the island.
The west side of the island is where most of the hotels and ferry ports are located.
How to Get to Suwehan Beach
The best way to reach Suwehan Beach is by scooter (or a capable car) because the road is steep and poorly maintained.
It’s quite difficult to navigate if you’re an inexperienced rider.
I visited Suwehan Beach with the help of a private scooter driver. I arranged a private scooter tour at my hostel, Nuansa Penida.
I also recommend that you check the weather forecast before driving to the beach. If the surface of the road is wet, it’ll be more dangerous than usual.
If you decide to use a driver, you may need to use Google Maps to explain the location of the beach.
My driver was not familiar with the route, so I became the appointed navigator.
He also charged me an additional 50,000 IDR for the ride to Suwehan Beach, which is reasonable because it’s a little out of the way and a difficult ride.
How difficult is the hike to Suwehan Beach?
The hike to Suwehan Beach takes 20 minutes on the descent and 30-45 minutes on the ascent, depending upon your fitness level.
The more stops you take, the longer the hike will be – and believe me, you’ll need a few stops because the stairs are considerably tall.
The path to the beach begins at a small car parking area next to a temple. The car park also has a small shop selling water and basic snacks.
The hike starts out by following a dirt track through the forest, before the descent begins down the clifftop.
Most of the descent is down steep concrete stairs with a wooden railing on one side. There is intermittent shade from the trees.
My driver and I hiking to the beach – he was just as excited as me!
At the very bottom of the path, you’ll reach some boulders. You must scramble over them to reach the sand.
It’s not difficult, as they’re quite large and stable, but it might take you five minutes or so.
Naturally, the climb back up to the car park is more demanding than the descent.
Therefore, please make sure to pack plenty of water and take regular breaks.
As you can see from the photograph, the stairs are quite tall, so they can be hard on the knees.
What to Wear to Suwehan Beach
Lightweight, breathable clothes suitable for hiking are good for visiting Suwehan Beach.
There isn’t much point in bringing a swimming costume because the conditions are dangerous.
It’s also a good idea to wear a comfortable backpack because you will need to carry water and preferably a first-aid kit – just in case. The boulders require some scrambling, so having your hands free is important.
Can You Swim at Suwehan Beach?
Conditions at Suwehan Beach are slightly less aggressive than at Diamond Beach, which is renowned for its huge waves and unpredictable surf.
However, it’s still too dangerous to swim. The beach has unpredictable currents and large waves. There are also no lifeguards present, so if you get in trouble, there won’t be anyone to come to your aid.
I decided to go-knee deep, and was surprised by one large wave.
It dumped me onto the sand, and I gained a little scar in the process after a rock landed on my big toe. I was carrying a first-aid kit, so I quickly patched up my toe.
Facilities at Suwehan Beach
Facilities on Suwehan Beach are non-existent. There are no toilets, lifeguards, shops or restaurants.
At the car park, there is a small shop selling chilled drinks and snacks.
It also has a warung, which sells basic Indonesian meals such as nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles). However, I don’t know whether it’s open all day or year-round.
There are toilets at the warung.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida
Most people stay on the west coast of Nusa Penida. It’s near to the fast boat terminals, and a good base for touring the west and east coasts as well as snorkelling with manta rays.
I stayed at Nuansa Penida, and I was very happy with my decision because I met several good friends there (we’re still in touch months later).
They also helped me to arrange a scooter driver to Suwehan Beach.
If you prefer to stay somewhere more luxurious, some of the best resorts in Nusa Penida include MAUA and Atalaya Villas.
MAUA Nusa Penida (£££)
Penida Bambu Green (£££)
Nuansa Penida (£££)
I stayed here!
I hope you found my guide to Suwehan Beach useful – leave a comment if you end up visiting. I’d love to hear about your experience!
Suggested reading:
- Nusa Penida itinerary for 1-4 days – start here!
- Which is the best beach in Nusa Penida?
- How to get to Nusa Penida
- The 5 best Nusa Penida snorkel spots
- Manta Bay Nusa Penida – how to snorkel with manta rays