Area Guide

How to Go Snorkeling in Nusa Penida? A Complete Guide to Day Trip Tickets, Dive Sites, and Tips for Beginners

2023年11月2日 ✏️ 編輯文章

This is the third episode of our introduction to the magical island of Nusa Penida (Chinese translation: Nusa Penida Island, Penida Island). We’ll introduce you to four famous diving spots here, where you can find plenty of fun whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving.

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We have a total of five episodes introducing Nusa Penida, so let’s dive deeper into this island paradise! Here are the links to the other four episodes:

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Can You Snorkel Everywhere in Bali?

Although Bali’s main island is surrounded by coastline, there are actually few places truly suitable for snorkeling or diving. Some of the most famous spots like Blue Lagoon, Amed, and Tulamben are located in the more remote eastern part of the island, requiring a two to three-hour drive from the airport. Below is Xiao Jie’s introduction to snorkeling in Amed:

To reach suitable snorkeling or diving spots more quickly, we recommend taking a car from the airport to Sanur, staying there for a night or two, and then taking a 30-minute speedboat to Nusa Penida early in the morning. This is a more convenient option that avoids long travel times.

For those interested in what Sanur has to offer, check out Xiao Jie’s 「Sanur Guide」.

So what are the land attractions to visit on Nusa Penida? How to take a boat and where to store luggage? Check out this link. In this article, we mainly introduce the four major dive sites on Nusa Penida, along with our actual footage below, giving you a deeper understanding of this breathtaking and stunning underwater world wonder!

Crystal Bay

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Crystal Bay is one of the popular attractions on Penida Island, a secluded bay on the west coast of Penida Island, with a beach about 200 meters long. You can reach this beach by road. Besides the charming palm-fringed beach, this bay is most famous as Nusa Penida’s premier snorkeling and diving spot. The water here is crystal clear (hence the name Crystal Bay). Divers praise the excellent underwater visibility here, sometimes reaching up to 30 meters.

At Crystal Bay, besides seeing a wide variety of colorful corals and tropical fish, it’s also one of the few places in the world where you can observe the Mola mola (also known as the ocean sunfish, called ‘Mambo fish’ in Taiwan/Japan) up close. This giant migratory fish can weigh up to 2000 kg and reach lengths of up to 3 meters. Diving here between July and October offers a chance to encounter and swim alongside them.

Mola mola 翻車魚

Mola mola Ocean Sunfish

Gamat Bay

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Gamat Bay

Gamat Bay, along with Crystal Bay, is hailed as one of the two best snorkeling spots on Nusa Penida. The shallow waters here are crystal clear, making it ideal for snorkeling and observing coral reef ecosystems.

At Gamat Bay, you can observe various hard corals such as staghorn coral, flower coral, and large brain coral. Many types of algae like anemones and sea fans also thrive here. Small tropical fish like butterflyfish, snappers, and surgeonfish swim among the coral reefs. Occasionally, small reef sharks can also be spotted.

Another highlight is the sea turtles. Different species such as black turtles and green sea turtles can often be seen in the shallow waters near the shore. From June to October, during the nesting season, you might even witness mother turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs.

Due to its proximity to the coast and calm currents, Gamat Bay is perfect for children and beginners to snorkel. Remember to wear a life jacket, mask, and fins, and you can safely enjoy the magical underwater world of this coral garden.

Manta Point

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Manta Point is one of the most distinctive attractions on Nusa Penida, offering a unique and awe-inspiring experience to get up close with giant manta rays.

Commonly known as ‘devil rays,’ manta rays can grow up to 7 meters in length and weigh around 3,000 kilograms—quite impressive, right? Despite their size and weight, there’s no need to worry. Although they are enormous, manta rays are not dangerous and are actually quite friendly toward humans. There are two types of manta rays in the world: reef manta rays and oceanic manta rays.

The manta rays at Manta Point on Nusa Penida are of the reef manta ray species (Manta alfredi). This type is the second-largest species, averaging 3 to 3.5 meters in size. These beautiful creatures are filter feeders, consuming plankton, crustaceans, and small fish. Despite their long tails, they are not venomous, making it safe to swim with them. Compared to other bony fish, manta rays have the largest brains and are highly interactive with humans, making Manta Point an ideal spot for snorkelers and divers to encounter these majestic creatures up close.

A friendly reminder: when we say ‘interact,’ we don’t mean physically touching these wild animals! The primary reason is to protect the manta rays’ skin—they are covered in a layer of mucus that shields them from environmental harm. Touching them can remove this protective layer, increasing the risk of skin infections. Although manta rays are gentle, they are still wild animals, and unexpected contact might startle them or lead to accidental injuries. Most diving destinations with manta rays have strict rules against touching them, and visitors should always adhere to these guidelines.

If you want to encounter giant manta rays, the recommended months are between April and November, especially during the dry season (April to October), when the water is clear, currents are stable, and visibility is at its best, making it the ideal time for snorkeling and diving.

August to October is the peak period for spotting manta rays, as the currents bring abundant plankton, attracting large numbers of manta rays to feed. In southern Bali, Manta Point and Manta Bay on Nusa Penida Island are popular spots for observing these majestic creatures.

Please note: Manta ray sightings are influenced by weather and currents, and cannot be guaranteed 100%.

Toyapakeh Wall Point

Toyapakeh Wall Point is essentially a dramatic cliff located just below the Adiwana Warnakali Dive Center.

This dive site features a small coral plateau at 4 to 6 meters deep, which is perfect for snorkeling. Beyond the plateau, the wall splits into two layers. The first layer is around 12 to 15 meters deep, while the second drops to about 40 meters. This site is highly popular due to its crystal-clear waters and thriving coral reefs.

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The coral plateau is a vibrant spectacle of colors.

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In front of the Adiwana Warnakali Dive Center lies a protected area teeming with large soft corals and sea fans. These corals create stunning formations, and the area is rich in marine life: schools of fish, soft corals, and healthy hard corals make snorkeling or diving here a breathtaking experience!

Real-life Video Footage

Words can hardly do justice to the wonders beneath the waves – let me show you the magic of the underwater world! Check out our snorkeling highlights from September 2023:

How to Join Snorkeling/Diving Tours

Last time, since we had a larger group, we chartered a private yacht complete with a captain, instructor, and snorkeling gear. If your group is smaller, check out these discounted tours on Klook: