Nusa Dharma Island is located around the shore of Nusa Dua Beach and very close with it’s twin, Nusa Gede Island or sometimes called as Nusa Dua Peninsula. If you wondering how Nusa Dua got their name, both of those two islands I mentioned above were actually the origin of Nusa Dua name. Nusa mean island while Dua mean two and so if we put that words together, the merged words will become “The Two Islands”. Although Nusa Dharma Island has the word island attached to it’s name, yet in reality it’s only half true. The simple definition of island is a land that should exist in the middle of sea or ocean while being completely surrounded by vast water bodies. But apparently that condition does not apply to Nusa Dharma Island, instead this place is still narrowly connected with much bigger main land or in other word The Bali Island itself.
Basically Nusa Dharma Island borders are not fully surrounded by sea waters and that island closely resemble the topography of Nusa Dua Peninsula. Along the way to island entrance, many concrete pavement were cemented on the ground which used as walking path for visitors. Nusa Dua Peninsula and Nusa Dharma Island look almost similar from the outside, but in my opinion there exist three noticeable differences between those two Island. Then let’s start from the first one, Nusa Dharma Island is smaller and around half size of Peninsula Island, this size difference can be quite apparent if you look at both islands side by side from Nusa Dua Beach.
Moving to another difference, this smaller island is usually less visited by people which create more quieter ambience than Nusa Dua Peninsula. So if you are looking to forget worldly affair for a while, then this place should allow you to do that. And finally the last one, Peninsula Island have several facilities inside such as vending machine, statues, toilet, helipad and some other stuffs. Meanwhile as you can guess Nusa Dharma Island doesn’t have any of that, instead this place is only equipped with lighting poles and garden water sprinkles.
Around northeast area, there exist an old small temple which built more than fifty years ago, that temple history is connected with the legend of Bali most respected Sage. The legend here say that Nusa Dharma Island was once visited by a famous Holy Sage and his name is Dang Hyang Nirartha. His true origin is from Java Island and first arrived in Bali at year 1489 by magically crossing the Bali Strait using single pumpkin as a raft. Most local residents around Nusa Dua often come to visit and pray inside this temple, especially during Hindu most important ceremony day such as Galungan, Kuningan, Purnama and Tilem.
The name of that temple is “Pura Nusa Dharma” and it was built around the eastern area of this island, Pura mean Balinese Hindu Temple in English. Nusa Dharma Temple is always cleaned periodically by the temple volunteers, to keep it in good condition from time to time. Nusa Dharma Temple most important ceremony or Odalan is being held on full moon day of “Sasih Kasa”. The term Sasih in traditional Balinese calendar is fairly similar to “Month” in modern Gregorian calendar system, meanwhile the word Kasa mean “First” in English. From 23 June to 02 August is the period of Sasih Kasa, thus first month in Balinese calendar will start near the end of June.
From island entrance and then walking straight forward, you will arrive at four ways intersection later. Both left and right paths will take you to the island cliffs which you can see in picture below. Meanwhile by going straight ahead will allow you to go into Nusa Dharma Temple which mentioned previously in text above. This temple is the reason why Nusa Dharma Island often considered as sacred place and in order to uphold that sacredness, there exist some restrictions for all visitors who want to come here. All those rules were written on the wooden board near gate entrance. Personally I highly recommend you to respect and follow all the rules though.
Here the first example, woman who still on monthly period is strongly advised to not visit this island or at least don’t enter the temple. Then the next rule is to keep your voice volume in check, which mean shouting loudly is prohibited. And as for the last one, doing all kinds of sexual stuff with your partner in this place are strictly forbidden, so as long as you follow all rules then you are good to go. Visitors most favorite spot in Nusa Dharma Island is definitely the cliff edge because when standing on there, it will allow you to see vast blue ocean and feel the chilling sea breeze. Nusa Dharma Island borders are mostly consist of cliff and the height of those cliffs are not too steep while still offer rather nice view for visitors.
Also on southern cliff by looking to the south direction, you will be able to see Nusa Gede Island. Those cliffs are the most popular places for taking pictures but remember to keep safety concerns as the most first priority. Keep your attention and keep looking at surrounding especially around your feet because soil on the cliffs are quite slippery, thanks to occasional wave splash from the sea water below. There are many surfers hovering around the east or north sea water of Nusa Dharma Island. Once they getting tired, some surfers will enter this island to replenish their energy and rest at northern cliff with their surfboard hanging on the trees.
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After stepping on the inside, you will be greeted with green scenery, lush of grass, lively plants and trees. There are absolutely no building nor facilities on sight, except for temple, few lighting poles and water sprinkler. There also exist some slightly arching or bending black concrete at western area probably used for sitting place or garden border.
Walking for a while straight from island entrance, then shortly you will arrive at four ways intersection. From this intersection, both left and right paths are the directions to island cliffs. Meanwhile going straight forward is the way to Nusa Dharma Temple. There a lot of small walking path trails around the island edge that connect to many sides of Nusa Dharma Island which made a lot of people confused, so take your time remembering those paths.
Moving to the right path from intersection, you will find yourself at southern cliff soon. On here Peninsula Island is clearly visible just by looking to the south direction. I think this place can be considered photogenic, so now is the time to take some pictures but beware the waves splash from below is quite strong on here which often cause cliff soil to become wet and slippery. For your information, from here there exist a small worn-out wooden hut that you can visit by following a small walking path trail to east direction.
Meanwhile choosing the left path from previous island intersection will allow you to reach northern cliff. Looking at sea water below the rocky cliff, it’s not that rare seeing surfers happily riding around the waves. Once they feel tired some surfers often choose to come into Nusa Dharma Island, so they can rest inside here and quickly recover their energy. Also sometimes you might be able to see some people fishing using their boat, sailing around the island.
Picture above is Pura Nusa Dharma, this small Balinese Temple or shrine was built at June 1948. Then renovated in 2003 to improve temple overall structures condition and prevent it from getting destroyed by old ages. Great Sage Dang Hyang Nirartha once visited this place around 600 years ago during his long pilgrimage around Bali, thus this temple was built inside Nusa Dharma Island to honor his presence and legend.
If you move forward to east direction from the temple location, there will be a small trail of walking path. Just follow it and you will arrive soon at Nusa Dharma Island eastern cliff. You might have a hard time walking around the cliff edge because the walking path on here is so narrow especially when crowded with people. And I think eastern cliff is the highest cliff on Nusa Dharma Island, so it’s better to walk very carefully to avoid unnecessary danger.
