Tourists Will Soon Be Able To Access Bali’s Most Famous Beach In An Incredible New Way

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Officials in Bali have signed a deal with investors to create an incredible new way for tourists to access one of the destination’s most famous beaches.

Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida is arguably the most famous beach in the province of Bali. Loved as it is, accessing the beach cove has proven to be increasingly dangerous over the last few years. 

Kelingking Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali. Easily one of the most recognizable spots in the province, Kelingking Beach shot to fame during the early rise of travel influencers.

Now thousands of tourists from all over the world head to Nusa Penida every single day for their chance to catch a glimpse of the famous clifftop and crashing ocean for themselves. 

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Kelingking Beach itself can be accessed but only via an incredibly steep and dangerous walkway that has very little safety infrastructure in place.

The steep steps are uneven and eroding under the pressure of an ever-growing amount of tourists walking up and down.

The precarious coastal path winds 300m down the cliffside to Kelingking Beach has been cited as the cause of countless injuries over the last few years, an issue that officials on the island have been eager to find a solution to.

That solution has arrived; officials in Bali are partnering with a Chinese investment company to create what will be known as the Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform.

The ceremonial laying of the first stone has taken place, and construction will begin in due course. 

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Plans suggest that the Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform will incorporate an outdoor, glass-walled elevator that will transport tourists from the top of the cliff at Kelingking Beach straight down the 182m cliffside to the beach below.

It’s reported that there will be photo spots every 20m, and tourists will work their way down the cliffside stopping at each photo spot; at one such stop, a 64-meter viewing bridge will also be built for a more panoramic view.

The Chinese investment company involved in the project is PT BNP (Bina Nusa Properti).

The project is a collaborative effort with both PT BNP and Karang Dawa Traditional Banjar, in Bunga Mekar Village, named as authorized holders of the construction permit.

The Director of PT BNP Komang Suantara said the investment value of the construction of the Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform will be IDR 200 billion. 

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The Head of Bunga Mekar Village, I Wayan Yasa, shared his delight that the project will move forward for the benefit of tourists and Nusa Penida as a whole.

Part of the project agreement states that local construction workers will be employed to work on the project by way of bringing more economic prosperity to local communities.

A minimum of 40% of people working on the construction must come from local communities. The projects should be open and operational in 2024.

Yasa explained, “We certainly agree very much to the construction of the glass elevatory, especially the customary parties who will receive income from the new location in the construction process.”

“We want good cooperation with investors, and the existence of this glass elevator will also contribute to the surrounding community.”

The Head of Investment Office for Klungkung, Made Sudiarkajaya told reporters that this is a world first; that nowhere else on earth is there a glass elevator providing access to a beach.

The Regent of Klungkung, I Nyoman Suwirta, shared his hopes that the project will help bring more positive tourism to Nusa Penida and that the subsequent business models attached to the Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform will help create sustainable tourism and prosperity on the island.

The Glass Elevator and Viewing Platform is certainly a novel way to help improve safety in Nusa Penida.

The outlying island can be accessed from the main island of Bali via a 50-minute fast boat ride from Sanur or Padang Bai.

Between 1,500 and 1,900 tourists visit Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan every day, with more making the crossing at weekends.

The popular tourist island hit the headlines again earlier this month when officials introduced new mandatory fees for tourists who want to experience snorkeling, diving, and swimming in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area.