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Kelingking Beach Nusa Penida

Walk, or Take a Lift?

Bali keeps topping lists as the world’s best destination, and Nusa Penida steals the spotlight with its wild cliffs and turquoise waters. Kelingking Beach, nicknamed the T-Rex cliff for its dinosaur-head shape, is the island’s most photographed spot. But 2025 brought big drama: a controversial 182-meter glass lift project started construction to make the steep descent easier, only to get shut down by the governor after massive local and environmental backlash.

The lift would have carried visitors from the clifftop viewpoint straight to the beach below, promising accessibility without the brutal staircase hike. Supporters called it a game-changer for tourism on remote Nusa Penida. Critics said it ruined the raw beauty, risked the fragile ecosystem, and violated permits. By November 2025, authorities halted work and ordered demolition. As of early 2026, the structure stands unfinished, a reminder of the push-pull between growth and preservation.

F@ck The Lift!

That controversy actually boosts the spot’s appeal. No lift means you still earn the view the old-school way, hiking down (and back up) the steep, rocky path. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, but the payoff is epic. At the top, the panoramic overlook shows that iconic T-Rex silhouette against endless blue ocean. Drone shots capture the full drama, but nothing beats standing there in person, wind in your hair, waves crashing below.

Here are some quick tips for visiting in 2026. Go early, before 8 a.m., to beat crowds and heat. Wear sturdy shoes; the path is slippery when wet. Bring water and sunscreen; facilities are basic. Entry is cheap, around 25,000 IDR, but support local vendors. For the full Nusa Penida experience, book a day tour from Bali or stay overnight in Toya Pakeh. Combine it with nearby spots like Broken Beach or Angel’s Billabong for a full loop.

The real magic is the untouched vibe. Without the lift, Kelingking stays raw and adventurous, exactly why people chase hidden gems in Bali. It reminds us that some places are worth the effort, and Bali’s shift toward quality tourism means fewer overtouristed spots and more authentic adventures.

If you’re planning a trip, this is the year to see it before any future changes. The island’s beauty endures, lift or no lift.

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Zsolt Zsemba

Zsolt Zsemba has worn many different hats. He has been an entrepreneur, and businessman for over 30 years. Living abroad has given him many amazing experiences in life and also sparked his imagination for writing. After moving to Canada from Hungary at the age of 10 and working in a family business for a large part of his life. The switch from manufacturing to writing came surprisingly easily for him. His passion for writing began at age 12, mostly writing poetry and short stories. In 1999, the chance came to write scripts. Zsolt took some time off from his family business to write in Jakarta Indonesia for MD Entertainment. Having written dozens of soap operas and made for TV movies, in 2003 Zsolt returned to the family business once more. In 2018, he had the chance to head back to Asia once again. He took on the challenge to be the COO for MD Pictures and get back into the entertainment business. The entertainment business opened up the desire to write once more and the words began to flow onto the pages again. He decided to rewrite a book he began years ago. Organ House was reborn and is a fiction suspense novel while Scars is a young adult drama focused on life’s challenges. After the first two books, his desire to write not only became more challenging but enjoyable as well. After having several books completed he was convinced to publish them for your enjoyment. Zsolt does not tend to stay in one specific genre but tends to lean towards strong female leads and horror. Though he also has a few human interest books, he tends to write about whatever brews in his brain for a while.