The breathtaking Kelingking Beach trail and cliff point is undoubtedly the most famous location on Nusa Penida Island and perhaps one of the most iconic photographs of the entire Bali archipelago.

Nicknamed "Kelingking T-Rex," this natural wonder earns its moniker from the unique shape of its cliff, which resembles a giant, rocky dinosaur with its mouth wide open.

Scrolling through Instagram, it's hard to miss the stunning photos of this natural spectacle. Recently, it was even ranked as the second-best beach in Asia by TripAdvisor.

If you're planning a trip to Bali, a visit to Kelingking T-Rex is a must! You can take a day trip from Bali or spend a few days exploring all the other fascinating attractions on Nusa Penida Island nearby.

This travel guide will provide you with information on how to reach Kelingking Beach, its location, how to safely hike down to the base of the cliff, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Kelingking Cliff Point

The main attraction at Kelingking Cliff is the breathtaking dinosaur-shaped rock that rises above the sea, surrounded by pristine turquoise waters.

The first sight of this scenery from the cliff's edge is truly breathtaking! Kelingking T-Rex is much larger than it appears in photos, with steep cliffs reaching hundreds of meters high.

The view from this cliff reminds me of Navagio Shipwreck Beach on the Greek island of Zakynthos. You can think of Kelingking as a tropical version of Navagio.

A group of brazen monkeys (Balinese macaques) have started hanging around the cliff's edge daily, hoping to get free food from tourists.

Since Kelingking Beach is located on the west side of Nusa Penida Island, it's also an excellent spot for watching sunsets!

When I first visited Kelingking Island in 2017, I was there alone with my guide. There were no bamboo safety fences, no monkeys, and the path to the beach hadn't been constructed yet.

At that time, Kelingking Cliff was known as Karang Dawa, and it was impossible to reach the beach at the bottom of the cliff unless you landed by boat.

Today, this place is incredibly popular and crowded with day-trippers from Bali, so you may have to wait in line for a photo opportunity.

There are even bustling restaurants and hotels near Kelingking Cliff now. Like other parts of Nusa Penida Island, the entire scenery here has changed dramatically in just five years.

However, I don't want to discourage you from visiting. Development hasn't obscured the breathtaking view, and Kelingking Beach remains one of the best beaches in Bali.

Kelingking Beach Hiking

After admiring Kelingking T-Rex in awe, you can hike down to the beach at the foot of the mountain along a path with stairs.

Hiking to Kelingking Beach is a physically demanding task, taking at least two hours round trip. The stairs are very steep, posing safety risks if you're not careful on the descent.

For example, in 2020, a 30-year-old Indonesian tourist from Java slipped and fell 150 meters to his death while hiking to Kelingking Beach.

Kelingking Hiking Tips

I don't want to scare you away from hiking to Kelingking Beach if you're capable. After all, dozens (even hundreds) of people hike to the beach every day without any issues.

However, it's definitely not suitable for children, the elderly, or those with a fear of heights. If you fall into one of these categories, it's best to avoid the hike and just admire the view of Kelingking Cliff from above.

When I hiked down to Kelingking Beach, several people (including myself) became dehydrated and struggled to hike back in the midday heat.

Bringing water and appropriate footwear is indeed helpful. Sandals don't provide enough grip, and the rocks are too hot to walk on barefoot.

There are occasionally some drinks available at the base of the mountain, but they can be pricey and there's no guarantee they'll be in stock. You can buy drinks at a food stall near the top of the cliff before starting your hike.

As you can see in the photos below, the white sand at the bottom is pristine, and the waves are enormous; there are even a few caves!

Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach is stunningly beautiful, with perfect white sand and azure waves. There's a vast stretch of sand – the beach is much larger than it appears from above.

Playing at the beach is fun, but the waves at Kelingking Beach are very powerful, so I only recommend it for strong swimmers. There have been several accidents here.

In 2021, two people (a local tourist and her guide) were swept away by the waves, and in 2022, another tourist had their arm broken by a large wave, so it's definitely not for the faint of heart if you're not a good swimmer.

That being said, it's still a breathtakingly beautiful beach and undoubtedly one of the best in Bali.

Kelingking Cave

At the far end of Kelingking Beach, there's a large cave that's perfect for taking photos. When you first hike down to the beach and step onto the sand, the cave is about 150 meters ahead of you.

There's another rocky overhang (almost like a cave) directly below Kelingking T-Rex where you can walk in the shade of the trees and escape the sun.

The entire beach is exposed to the sun, so it's nice to know that there are at least a few spots where you can relax in the shade.

Bonus Content: Paluang Cliff

Everyone visits Kelingking Cliff, but there's another scenic spot nearby called Paluang Cliff, just a five-minute drive away.

Paluang may not be as famous as Kelingking, but that's part of its charm. It's a great alternative attraction where you can admire the view of Kelingking T-Rex from the other side and without the crowds.

Paluang Cliff features a swing and photo platform, as well as a Balinese temple with an eccentric car shrine known as the "Car Temple" of Nusa Penida.