Place to see · Nusa Penida
Devil’s Tear: Lembongan’s sea geyser, seen from above
Devil’s Tear is a rocky ledge on the south-west coast of Nusa Lembongan, 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur. At high tide, the swell rushes into the cracks and bursts back out in geysers of spray. There is no railing at the edge: you watch from the top of the rocks, at a safe distance.
- Updated on
- 3 min read
- By Kylian Dev
In short
Facts as of · sourced figures
Waves enter a crack in the rock, are compressed there and burst back out in plumes of spray, sometimes very high, with a roar. In good weather the spray makes rainbows. A platform and rocky paths run along the site; the best viewpoints are set back from the edge.
Contents
Key points
- The show happens at high tide and with a swell: check the tide times.
- No railings, slippery rocks: stay well back from the edge, the waves reach higher than you think.
- A few minutes’ walk from Dream Beach: do the two together.
- Sunset draws a crowd: arrive a little before, in shoes with grip.
Nusa Lembongan is Nusa Penida’s small, quieter neighbour, grouped here in the same region. Devil’s Tear lies on its south-west coast: a platform of limestone riddled with cracks, against which the Indian Ocean swell breaks.
For the crossing from Bali, see Sanur to Nusa Lembongan; to sleep on the island, where to stay on Nusa Penida and Lembongan.
What you see at Devil’s Tear
Waves enter a crack in the rock, are compressed there and burst back out in plumes of spray, sometimes very high, with a roar. In good weather the spray makes rainbows. A platform and rocky paths run along the site; the best viewpoints are set back from the edge.
- The spray geysers: at high tide, with every set of waves.
- The platform and the rocks: raised viewpoints, with no barrier.
- Rainbows in the spray, when the sun is low.
- The sunset, facing west, from the rocks.
Getting there
Devil’s Tear lies in the south-west of Lembongan, next to Dream Beach. You get there by scooter, by electric buggy or on foot from the places to stay at Mushroom Bay and Sandy Bay. The island is small and its roads narrow.
- From Mushroom Bay or Jungutbatu, follow the road towards Dream Beach.
- Park near Dream Beach or Sandy Bay.
- Walk along the rocky path to the site.
- Stay on dry rock, well back from the edge.
For the crossing: Sanur to Nusa Lembongan, 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat, plus check-in.
When to go
At high tide and with a swell, the geysers are at their strongest. When the sea is calm or the tide low, almost nothing happens. Late afternoon often combines the show with the sunset, but with more people on the rocks.
| Moment | Waves | Crowd | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| High tide, morning | Strong | Light | The show without the crowd |
| Low tide | Weak | Variable | Few geysers |
| Late afternoon | Depends on the tide | Heavy | Sunset, rainbows |
Swell and seasons: see when to go to Bali.
What to pair it with
Devil’s Tear goes with Dream Beach, its neighbour, and with Mushroom Bay for a calmer swim. The yellow bridge linking Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan is close by. Everything can be done by scooter or on foot in the same half-day.
- Dream Beach: the postcard beach, a few minutes’ walk away.
- Mushroom Bay: the calmest bay on the island, for swimming.
Frequently asked questions
Is Devil’s Tear dangerous?
Yes, if you go near the edge: there is no railing and some waves reach very high. From a safe distance, the show can be watched without risk.
When is the best time?
At high tide, with a swell. In the morning there are fewer people; in late afternoon, the sunset adds to the show.
Is Devil’s Tear on Nusa Penida?
No: it is on Nusa Lembongan, the small neighbouring island, 30 to 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur.
Sources
Figures and rules checked on October 27, 2026 against the sources below. Entry rules and fees change: always check them on the official websites before you leave.
