Twenty-five whitewashed villas camouflaged into a hilltop above Gamat Bay, each with a private pool positioned for the kind of sunset that turns the sky every colour of the local fruit stand.
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Overview
An Island That Stayed Unknown Too Long
MĀUA Nusa Penida takes its name from a sacred andesite carving found on a New Zealand farm — Māori for togetherness — a fitting name for a resort built to blend into the wild island beneath it.
Nusa Penida remained an underdiscovered destination for years despite sitting just a 30-minute ferry from Sanur, and MĀUA's design makes the most of that raw beauty: eco-friendly architecture with minimal visible concrete, most structures camouflaged directly into the hilltop landscape above Gamat Bay. Twenty-four rooms and 26 private pool villas mix wabi-sabi textures and natural materials with the refined architectural lines of Le Corbusier, most offering multi-tiered, bird's-nest views layered across forest canopy, sculpted cliffs and open ocean horizon. West-facing villas take in the resort's real signature — sunsets that turn rambutan red, dragon-fruit pink and papaya orange over Gamat Bay and Mount Agung in the distance.
An adults-only resort. MĀUA Nusa Penida operates as an adults-only property, making it a considered choice for couples and quiet escapes rather than family travel.
24
Rooms
26
Private Pool Villas
30min
Ferry from Sanur
18+
Adults-Only Policy
Villas
West-Facing, for the Sunset
Villas are positioned for the resort's real signature — a ringside seat for sunset over Gamat Bay, with Mount Agung shaping the horizon beyond.
One-Bedroom Pool Villa — Sea View, Sunset-Facing
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One-Bedroom Pool VillasA private plunge pool and west-facing terrace looking over Gamat Bay, the jungle canopy, or both, positioned for uninterrupted sunset views.
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Two-Bedroom VillasA small number of two-bedroom villas suit couples travelling together, still built around the same private pool and sunset orientation.
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Bird's-Nest Layered ViewsMost rooms and villas offer multi-tiered panoramas layered across forest canopy, sculpted cliffs and open ocean, rarely matched elsewhere on the island.
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Wabi-Sabi, Le Corbusier LinesInteriors blend natural, imperfect materials with clean architectural lines, creating a calm, contemporary and understated luxury.
Experiences
Cliff Hikes, Crystal Bay & Bee-Pollinated Gardens
Nusa Penida's dramatic, hilly terrain rewards effort — steep coastal hikes lead to some of Indonesia's most photographed viewpoints.
On Foot
Nusa Penida's Clifftop Trails
Steep, rewarding hikes down to sandy coves or up to clifftop temples and viewpoints — solid hiking shoes strongly recommended.
Beach
Crystal Bay
A short trip to Crystal Bay's sugary sand offers a different perspective on the island, along with beachside bars for a cold drink.
Landmarks
Kelingking Beach & Angel's Billabong
Two of Nusa Penida's most iconic natural landmarks are within reach for guests wanting the island's signature photo spots.
Wellness
Sunrise & Sunset Yoga
Hatha yoga sessions held at sunrise and sunset, alongside aqua stretching and Pilates classes.
Garden
The Resort's Own Beehives
MĀUA's flourishing gardens are pollinated by its own bees, supplying fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to the kitchen.
Active
Fitness with a View
A gym positioned to make treadmill and spinning sessions considerably more enjoyable thanks to widescreen jungle views.
Dining
A New Dinner Formula Nightly
KŌWHAI Restaurant changes its dinner formula each evening, drawing on organic, farm-fresh ingredients including produce from the resort's own gardens and beehives.
01KŌWHAI Restaurant, with a new dinner concept every evening
02Alfresco dining overlooking the hillside and pool
03Breakfast featuring mangosteen, fresh coconut and Java coffee
04The bar, for sunset cocktails over Gamat Bay
KŌWHAI Restaurant — Alfresco, Hillside Dining
Location
Gamat Bay, Nusa Penida
MĀUA sits on a secluded hilltop above Gamat Bay on Nusa Penida, an island roughly 30 minutes by ferry from Sanur, Bali, and 20 minutes' drive from the Nusa Penida ferry terminal.
Located on a hilltop above Gamat Bay, in Sakti, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency.
Roughly 30 minutes by ferry from Sanur, plus a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
Nusa Penida's roads are narrow and winding — a car with a driver is recommended over self-drive scooters.
Close to Crystal Bay, Kelingking Beach and Angel's Billabong, the island's best-known landmarks.
Fly
Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) connects to Sanur Harbour, roughly 45 minutes by car.
Ferry
A 30-minute speedboat crossing from Sanur reaches Nusa Penida's ferry terminal.
Arrive
A 20-minute drive, or a scenic helicopter transfer from the airport, completes the journey to the resort.
Sunset Front Row
Nusa Penida's Best-Kept Hilltop
With west-facing villas built for the island's technicolour sunsets, MĀUA remains one of Nusa Penida's most considered adults-only escapes.