Manta Point Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are Bali’s hidden gems for Manta diving, encounter the rare Mola Mola and snorkeling. Thanks to their unique geographical locations, these sites are home to one of the world’s major ocean currents. This is great for coral growth and promotes vibrant marine life, making Manta Point a must-visit all year long.
The abundance of big fish, including sharks, combined with excellent visibility and captivating coral formations, create an awe-inspiring diving experience in Nusa Lembongan/Nusa Penida. With over 20 distinctive dive sites, such as Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Mangrove, Toyapakeh, S.D Point, and Pura PED, this region stands as a world-class destination for divers seeking remarkable underwater adventures.
Before deciding to go diving in Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, it’s important to consider the weather conditions, water conditions, and level of skill required for diving in those locations.
Weather and Temperature
- The temperature varies based on the season.
- From July to October, expect colder waters ranging between 16-21°C.
- During other months, the water is warmer but can experience thermoclines.
Because of this temperature, all divers must have experience before. At least the capability to handle itself and bring comfort to the situation. Having good skills, certificates for diving, and being able to do negative back roll entries is the key. Especially when the Mola-Mola season. But no need to be worried. Of course, we want you to have a good experience with us. Come and try your luck!
Skill Level Required
Nusa Penida Diving
Diving with Mola Mola in Manta Point Nusa Penida
Join us for Mola Mola Diving in Bali during it’s season on July – October. Best month recommendation: September and October.
When the Mantas are swimming gracefully in their cleaning station most of them just stay in the shallow water, then it makes it easier for the snorkelers as well to approach them and take shots.
Do not chase the Mantas, do not touch and scared them away, just swim or hover they will sometimes come to you, and just be ready with your pre-focus camera/videos.
Trips to Nusa Penida
Join our day trips to Nusa Penida and explore some of the best dive spots in Bali. We visit Manta Point to see manta rays, Crystal Bay for clear water and the chance to spot mola-mola, Toyapakeh for coral gardens, SD Point for drift diving, and Mangrove Point for its unique underwater environment. Each location offers something special for divers. If you prefer a more private experience, we also offer custom boat trips. You can choose the dive sites and schedule based on your group’s experience and interest. Just let us know what you prefer, and we will help create a memorable diving adventure!
In our small groups, divers of all certification levels are welcome. Yet, if you have not dived recently, it is highly recommended to undergo a scuba review with us in Tulamben or Padang Bai before diving in Nusa Penida. Due to the strong currents in the area, it is advisable for less experienced divers to consider hiring a private guide for a safer and more enjoyable experience. Our team is always available to provide guidance and support to help you make the best decision for your dive.
To those who love snorkeling, Nusa Penida is suitable for you with a guided snorkeling activity.
HOW TO GET THERE?
the boat ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida / Nusa Lembongan
Getting to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan is quick and easy from mainland Bali:
- Departure Point: Sanur Beach, East Bali
- Boat Type: Speedboat
- Duration: Around 45 minutes across the Badung Strait
- Arrival: You’ll land directly at Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan depending on your diving plan
Most of our dive trips include round-trip boat transfers, so you don’t need to worry about booking it yourself. Just be ready at the meeting point in Sanur, and we’ll handle the rest.
Capture the Moments
How to approach and take a picture with Mantas and Mola Mola?
It is forbidden to touch these two gentle giants. Please respect the ocean and its life. Diving and Snorkeling with the ocean hearts and minds.
You can’t chase them, the more you chase the more they will swim away from you. Never to try it, they swim so fast and even you see them swim gracefully and slow.
Prepare your underwater camera and set to autofocus, our suggestion is you may set the pre manual focus on 1 -1,5 meters, you may capture when they swim or just passing by not doing the cleaning position (stationary), bubbles scared them away, find the good angle and see where it goes, keep calm, do not moving or finning too fast.
Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan Dive Sites
Crystal Bay
Manta Point
SD Point
Toyapakeh
Mangrove Point
Dive Sites for Experienced or advanced diver only!
Batu Nunggul
Batu Nunggul is known for its vibrant marine life, including colorful nudibranchs, tropical reef fish, and pelagics like Manta and Eagle Rays in deeper waters. However, the currents here can be highly unpredictable, changing intensity and direction abruptly. This makes diving at Batu Nunggul challenging and necessitates a skilled boat captain to navigate safely. The fast drifts can be thrilling but also require divers to have good buoyancy control and experience in handling strong currents.
Blue Corner
Blue Corner is notable for its dramatic drop-offs reaching depths of 50 meters, with overhanging terraces that are home to white tip sharks and black marbled rays. The site’s strong currents and sudden changes in depth make it suitable only for experienced divers. This site is also famous for seasonal mola-mola (oceanic sunfish) sightings and encounters with other large marine life like eagle rays, wobbegong sharks, and schools of snappers and jacks. The challenging conditions demand excellent dive skills and the ability to manage deep dives.
Tugu Point
At Tugu Point, divers descend along colorful coral reefs and large boulder rocks. The site’s steep slopes are a cleaning station for sunfish, attracting these gentle giants. However, the site is exposed to strong currents that can be difficult to predict. The combination of steep slopes and variable currents means that only experienced divers should attempt this dive to ensure safety and maximize the enjoyment of seeing rare marine species.
Gamat Bay
Gamat Bay, located in the Toyapakeh Strait, offers a rich underwater environment with slopes reaching over 50 meters. The site is filled with marine life, including bommies, overhangs, and small caves. The complex topography and the presence of strong currents make this site more suitable for experienced divers who can navigate the underwater terrain and handle the challenging conditions.
Batu Abah
Batu Abah is one of the toughest and most remote dive sites in the area, facing the open ocean and subjected to large swells. It is a prime location for spotting mola-mola, mantas, turtles, sharks, lobsters, and nudibranchs. The site’s strong and unpredictable currents, combined with surges, require divers to have significant experience and excellent control. Diving here is challenging but can be extremely rewarding for those with the skills to handle the conditions.
Note about Diving in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan :
- Due to specific requirements of underwater conditions and the environment. It’s strongly advisable to dive with a trusted dive center with credible local DMs and boat crew/captain.
- Our team of experienced dive professionals is familiar with all dive sites and will guide you through an enjoyable and safe diving experience. We kindly ask that you trust the judgment of our dive professionals and boat captains. Please understand that we prioritize safety and may choose not to dive at certain sites if conditions are deemed too dangerous.
- The temperature may vary. July-October, the water can range around 19-22 degrees Celcius, while during February, the water can reach 27-29 degrees Celcius. Please bring your own hood and gloves, we do not rent this due to variants of sizes. However, let us know if you need to rent a long 5mm wetsuit rental as an extra.
- Definitely, recommend you to bring your underwater camera or GoPro. You would want to record the magical experience of meeting the majestic Manta Ray and Mola Mola during your Bali Diving trip.
- Well check your preparation, equipment, and if you have any motion sickness you can have your seasick pills consumed after breakfast, the journey is sometimes quite choppy or rough, and the whole day will be spent on the boat.
- For Manta Point, we can’t guarantee that you can jump in the water until we arrive at the sites. Due to swell conditions/wind and the topography on manta dive area is off cliff area and also the cleaning station is quite close to the rocks and cliffs. When the swell is big, it is impossible to do snorkeling.
itinerary for Scuba Diving in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
- Hotel Pick up 7.00 – 7.30 AM – arriving 4 PM at the beach in Sanur
- 5 minutes to Sanur Port from our Diving Centre and 50 minutes speed boat ride from Sanur to the Manta Diving Site
- Diving 3x – speed boat diving – Lunch and Drinking water, refreshment provided on board.
- Hotel Drop – arriving around 4.30 PM at your accommodation (depends on your location and traffic)
FAQs About Manta Point Nusa Penida Diving
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