Nusa Penida Dive Site

A forty five minute boat ride from Sanur Beach will take you to the exquisite diving location of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. This is a mouth watering destination for any diver with white tip and grey reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, sunfish, huge schools of healthy reef fish, large pelagics, macro critters, pristine hard and soft corals, gorgonian sea fans and stunningly clear visibility.

Diving in Penida can be very rewarding with exhilarating drift diving and the chance to get up close and personal with manta rays and sunfish; however, the bizarre ever changing currents make this a location for experienced divers only. The locals know that caution is always recommended on Nusa Penida/Lembongan as on a bad day the swell can be rather large and the sweeping currents can give even the most experienced diver nightmares.

There are several dive sites in Nusa Penida. Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay, Malibu Point, Lembongan Bay, Toyapakeh, Blue Corner, Sampalan, and SD Point.

Manta Point Dive site Usually there are 3 to 4 Manta cruising the site. The profile is a slope down to 50m. There are not many corals, just limestone rocks. Other than Manta, you will see Tuna, mackerel and other pelagics. The swell is usually present here.

Crystal Bay dive site Experience the underwater cave system starting at around 10m of water and end up inside an opening in the bat cave. The location is situated in a very nice white sandy beach lagoon. The current could be tricky with a dropoff starting at around 20m. The underwater structure is excellent with some variation of coral and coral and swim throughs. When the current is not strong, snorklers can enjoy the underwater scenery from the bay. Fish life is very rich and occasionally Sunfish and Nurse Sharks hide.

Gamat Bay dive site is not far from Toyapakeh dive site. The water is always clear and the reef is a steep, rugged slope leading into the bay. In fact, Gamat bay is the only good site on Nusa Penida that does not always require a drift dive. You need your observation skill to see the macro things which lay beneath the surface. It is full of small caves and crevices and the variety of reef fish and invertebrates here are exceptional.

Malibu Point dive site is considered one of the nicest sites in the island besides SD Point and Toyapakeh It's slightly wilder than Toyapakeh with great schools of jacks, rainbow runner, tuna, reef sharks and stingrays. There are quite any sharks, and also Stingrays. Visibility is generally very good, at least 20m. There are also some big table corals.

Lembongan Bay dive site is located in a protected area with water sports and pontoons. This site is shallow, 5 to 10m deep and offers varieties of soft and hard corals. The coral is rich and healthy with many varieties of reef fish. It is a good place for beginner divers to experience a slight current and also for training. It is also good for snorkeling.

Toyapakeh dive site is a very nice spot as it is protected from swell and current. Although the current is sometimes strong, usually it is negotiable. Many Blue trigger fish at some point and near the Pontoon, there are usually many Giant Trevally and Sharks are quite common. The reef reaches down to around 40m and is very healthy. The shallow area is excellent for snorkeling. The water is crystal clear with a visibility up to 30m. Some encounters with big pelagic fish are common.

Blue Corner Dive site offers a sloping reef with a terrace at 20 to 30m. The current here is usually stronger than at other places (it may reach 3 to 4 knots). This is one of the best places to see Bali Sunfish (Mola-Mola). Normally when the condition is right, we can dive here. The marine life is similar to SD Point but not as rich.

Samplan Dive site is located on the north side of Nusa Lembongan; the marine life is similar to SD Point with some high lights of underwater structure that is quite different. A few thermoclines are present in deeper water. Some slopes are full of soft coral with reef fish hovering to get nutrients from the rich water.

SD Point Dive Site has a strong current flow in the area, generally there are many Anthias around, sometimes big fishes like Giant Trevally, Sharks and if you are lucky, the Sunfish Mola-Mola (the season for Sunfish is between June to October).

Visibility is around 20m and more. Temperatures are usually 26 to 29C but may drop to around 20C, This place is suitable for divers who seek a higher adventure. This Bali dive site is stretch along the north coast of Nusa Penida Island. The soft and hard corals are among the best in Bali.