Bali Authorities Ban Tourists From Swimming At Nusa Penida’s Famous Beaches Over Safety Concerns

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Police in Nusa Penida have announced that swimming on world-famous Kelingking Beach will be prohibited for the foreseeable future. They have also announced a swimming ban on two more of the island’s famous natural landmarks; Diamond Beach and Angel Billabong Beach.

This is due to rising safety concerns about the picturesque coastal destination after a series of serious incidences over the last few weeks. Search and Rescue Teams in Nusa Penida have been called out half a dozen times in the wet season so far. Tourists have been left severely injured, and one person died due to being dragged out to sea by high waves. 

The Nusa Penida Police Chief, Kompol Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta, confirmed that access to Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Angel Billabong Beach for swimming would all be closed for the foreseeable future. The police lines have been put in place by order of the Regent of Klungkung, as stated in a circular letter issued on Monday, 23rd January. 

@rndm_peopl Tourist setor nyawa #nusapenida #kelingkingbeach #ombak #tenggelam #viral #fyp #fypp #bali #pantai #pantaibali ♬ suara asli – anonymous – whoiam

Speaking to the media, the Head of Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, confirmed that the police cordons are already in place. The beaches will open for visits, but swimming or entering the water from the shore will be prohibited until an investigation is completed and the extreme and unpredictable weather and conditions at sea have subsided. 

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@mariasofie93 This T-Rex beach will have your IG profil blow up 😏😏😂 A must do if you’re in Nusa Penida! #nusapenida #kelingkingbeach #balitravel #dinosaur #beach ♬ GOOD TIME – Niko Moon

Sulistiawati noted that the Tourism Office would work to improve facilities and safety at Kelingking Beach in light of recent events. On the 21st of January, a Russian tourist was rescued from Kelingking Beach by Search and Rescue officers after she had been hit by strong waves.

The 33-year-old tourist, known to reporters only by her first initial, M, suffered a dislocated shoulder and had to be evacuated by officers up the steep and dangerous steps from the beach. 

@sanjalessia It is not a flip flop walk… its a hike! We literally passed crying poeple bc they were scared and overwhelmed… #kelinking #kelingkingbeach #nusapenida #bali #fy #fyp #expectationsvsreality #hike #nature #travel #backpacking #outdoor #explore #sport #fit #funny #warning ♬ original sound – Matthew Rincon

Speaking shortly after the indecent, the Head of the Bali Search and Rescue team, Gede Darmada, told reporters that “four personnel from the Nusa Penida SAR unit attended the scene, along with officers from Nusa Penida Police and the Nusa Media Nusa Penida Clinic”.

Darmada said, “Even though the victim can still walk, for safety reasons and to prevent more serious injuries, he needs SAR assistance. At approximately 9.50 pm, they arrived at the Kelingking Beach parking lot in a safe condition, and [the victim] was then taken to the Nusa Medika Clinic using the Nusa Medika Clinic Ambulance.”

On Sunday, 22nd January, a 28-year-old French tourist was also taken to hospital after suffering injuries while swimming in the waters off Kelingking Beach. Tragically, over the Christmas and New Year holidays, a Malaysian tourist died after being dragged out to sea by high waves and a strong undercurrent on the shoreline of Nusa Penida’s other popular beach destination, Diamond Beach. The tourist, also known by their initials, NJ, was visiting the seaside with a friend.

Eyewitnesses immediately reported the incident to the authorities, who conducted a comprehensive search and rescue mission. NJ was swept out to sea while trying to help two other tourists who were seen struggling against the dangerously high waves and undercurrent.

After an extensive Search and Rescue operation, NJ’s body was discovered six nautical miles off the coast of Diamond Beach, and officials sadly confirmed the cause of death as drowning. 

Kelingking Beach is perhaps one of the world’s most iconic coastal vistas. The steep steps from the clifftop down to the beach are regarded as notoriously dangerous and unstable. The area is often packed with tourists all venturing down the jagged cliffside to take their own version of the famous landscape.

Tourists often visit for just a single-day trip. However, officials on the island want to promote the area for longer stays. Tourism officials want to see more tourists exploring more of what the Nusa Islands have to offer, including Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.