Kelingking Beach is one of Nusa Penida’s best-known attractions, but reaching the shore below its dramatic cliffs has long been a challenge for visitors. The steep descent can be dangerous, with tourists facing the risk of slipping, accidents, and severe exhaustion. Now, the Klungkung Regency Government is preparing to improve access by building a permanent staircase worth approximately Rp3.2 billion.
The project will be located at Kelingking Beach in Bunga Mekar Village, Nusa Penida District, Klungkung, Bali. Once completed, the staircase is expected to make the route down the cliff safer and more comfortable for both domestic and international tourists who want to experience the beach from below.
I Gusti Agung Gede Putra Mahajaya, acting Regional Secretary of Klungkung and head of the Klungkung Regency Tourism Office, confirmed that the construction will be financed through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution. The project will therefore proceed without using the regional government’s budget, known as the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD).
“The construction of this staircase will be funded through a CSR contribution, with a total value of approximately Rp3.2 billion,” Putra Mahajaya said when contacted on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as quoted by detikBali.
The need for a safer route is pressing. According to Putra, the existing descent is steep and carries significant risks. Visitors have reportedly been involved in accidents and slipped while making their way down. Some have also experienced extreme exhaustion, requiring assistance from search and rescue (SAR) teams.
“The descent has been quite dangerous and carries a high level of risk. Building this staircase is a priority to ensure the safety and comfort of both domestic and international tourists who want to enjoy the beauty of the area below the Kelingking cliff,” he said.
The staircase is part of a broader partnership between the local government and the private sector to improve tourism infrastructure across Klungkung. The collaboration supports the development and arrangement of facilities at several tourist attractions managed by the regional government.
Beyond the permanent staircase, assistance that has already been handed over includes a retribution collection post and a pergola at Kelingking Beach, additional pergolas at several other tourist attractions, and facilities and equipment for Balawista, the team responsible for water tourism rescue services.
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Klungkung Regent I Made Satria welcomed the private sector’s contribution, emphasizing the role that collaboration can play in developing tourism in Nusa Penida. He pointed to the pentahelix model, which brings together the government, traditional village communities, private businesses, academics, and the media. Through this approach, different stakeholders can contribute to improving tourism facilities and supporting regional development.
For Satria, better infrastructure is important not only for the appearance of tourist destinations but also for the quality of visitors’ experiences. Safe and comfortable facilities can help tourists explore Nusa Penida with greater peace of mind while reducing the risk of accidents.
“Improving and adding facilities at tourist attractions across Nusa Penida is very important for enhancing the comfort, safety, and overall experience of visitors,” Satria said.
He also outlined three priorities for the partnership. The first is to protect tourist safety through better facilities and safer access. The second is to encourage local economic growth so that the benefits of tourism reach surrounding communities. The third is to preserve the environment and local wisdom, ensuring that tourism development does not come at the expense of Nusa Penida’s natural and cultural character.
The planned Rp3.2 billion staircase at Kelingking Beach is therefore part of a wider effort to improve the visitor experience while managing the risks associated with one of Bali’s most recognizable coastal landscapes. By combining private sector support with local government planning, Klungkung aims to make its tourist attractions safer, strengthen benefits for local residents, and keep tourism development aligned with environmental protection and local traditions.
