A Complete Guide to Dive Nusa Penida

One Day Diving Trip to Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is truly a paradise for diving enthusiasts. The crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life make it the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience the underwater world during your holiday in Bali. But what makes Nusa Penida truly special is the chance to dive with Manta Rays and Mola-mola, also known as the ocean sunfish.

Nusa Penida is among the world’s top three best places to dive mola-mola. These gentle giants can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh over 2,000 pounds. They are most commonly found in the waters around Bali between July and November, making Nusa Penida the perfect destination for anyone looking to witness these magnificent creatures up close.

But mola-mola and manta rays are not the only thing Nusa Penida and its neighbour island, Nusa Lembongan, have to offer. The diverse dive sites showcase pelagic, stunning coral gardens, vibrant reef fish and even macro diving! The healthy coral gardens and bommies are shelters to an array of reef fish, such as angelfish, anthias, schooling bannerfish, and fusiliers.

Nusa Penida

Nusa Peniday Diving Highlight:

Diving Type: Deep Dive, Drift Dive

Water Temperature:
The water around Nusa Penida generally maintains a pleasant and inviting temperature. While it may vary slightly throughout the year, the average water temperature typically ranges from around 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F).
Between July – October the water can be cooler 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 82°F) as it is affected by the cold water from Australia. But the silver lining is, this is the best time to see mola-mola a.k.a. Sun Fish.

Visibility:
Nusa Penida is known for its excellent visibility, offering divers the opportunity to explore the underwater world with clarity and awe. On most days, the visibility is between 15-30 meters (50 to 100 feet) providing a stunning view of the diverse marine life and vibrant coral formations.

Nusa Penida Diving Site

Dive Sites Information:

Nusa Penida boasts an impressive array of dive sites, each offering unique and captivating experiences. Some of the renowned dive sites around the island include:

  • Crystal Bay:
    A popular site known for its crystal-clear waters and encounters with the elusive Mola Sunfish (commonly seen between June and October). Here you can spot an array of angelfish, butterfly fish, anthias, garden eels, tuna, sharks, surgeonfish, and schooling bannerfish near the edge of the drop off.
  •  Manta Point:
    Manta Point, located on the southwest of Nusa Penida, is a popular dive site for manta rays in Bali. Visitors can observe these majestic creatures up close whether snorkeling or diving, regardless of the season or weather. However, the site can experience changing tides and conditions due to its exposed location to the elements and open ocean. As a result, it’s also a great spot to encounter other pelagic species like reef sharks and larger fish.
  • Toyapakeh:
    Toyapakeh is a village located on the North West Coast of Nusa Penida Island where fishermen boats anchor. Its underwater coral garden is shallow and beautiful, filled with colorful fish. The reef slopes down towards the Ceningan channel, where strong currents pass and provide nutrients that help keep the coral healthy and support a variety of marine life. Drift diving over the coral gardens is a thrilling experience, with plenty of anthias and other fish to admire.
  • PED Temple Dive Site
    Located at the north coast of Nusa Penida, you’ll find a lengthy coral reef that’s perfect for drift diving and snorkeling. This particular reef is home to a variety of soft and staghorn corals, as well as barrel sponges. Additionally, you’ll come across a multitude of fish species, including batfish, moorish idols, lionfish, scorpionfish, pufferfish, moray eels, sweetlips, and Napoleon wrasse. There’s a considerable chance of spotting large pelagics like eagle rays, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks, and occasionally even Mola-Mola.
  • Blue Corner:
    This thrilling drift dive site offers a chance to see sharks, turtles, and large pelagic fish. Divers can enjoy the rush of gliding along the reef with the currents.
  • SD Point (Sekolah Dasar):
    Located on the north coast of Nusa Penida, offers great drift diving. Snorkelers and divers can explore the shallow reef and admire the beautiful coral gardens with various types of fish, including anthias and butterflyfish. The reef is also home to lionfish, trumpetfish, boxfish, and pufferfish.
  • Mangrove Dive Site
    This drift dive site is located on the north coast of Nusa Lembongan Island, near Nusa Penida. The coral-filled shallows are home to a variety of colorful fish such as anthias, batfish, sweetlips, butterflyfish, and boxfish. Deeper down on the slope, there’s a chance to spot larger pelagic species like barracudas, dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, and eagle rays. During slack tide, when the current is low, this could be a macro lover haven. You can search for smaller creatures such as blue ribbon eels, mantis shrimp, lobster, porcelain crabs, orangutan crabs, and various nudibranchs.

Please note that the specific dive sites visited during the day trip may vary depending on factors like weather conditions, currents, and diver experience levels. Our dive guides will carefully select the sites to ensure the best possible diving experience, prioritizing safety and the opportunity for memorable encounters with marine life.

 

Mola-mola - Sun fish in Bali

How we run our Nusa Peniday diving day trip:

We will pick you up from your hotel at the appointed time and take you to the All 4 Diving Dive Center in Sanur so you can try your dive equipment. Preferably, you visit our dive shop 1 day prior to your diving day to try your diving equipment.

Then we take you by car to Sanur Harbor to board our diving boat. After approximately 45 minutes, we reach Nusa Penida, where you can participate in either 2 or 3 dives. The dive sites selected will be based on daily circumstances, prioritizing safety and the chance of special encounters.

To ensure proper rest and safety, a minimum of 50 minutes to 1-hour surface interval is mandatory between dives. The day is thoughtfully planned with 3 dives, and we aim to return to the dive center around 04:00 – 04:30 PM. Please note that if you book two dives, you have to return after the last dive; if there is any other diver(s) on the shared boat, book 3 dives.

Minimum Dives Required:
All 4 Diving Indonesia requires a minimum of 30 log dives, with the last dive no longer than one year ago.
Divers with less than 30 dives are required to use a private guide (IDR 600.000).

Hotel pick-up times:

  • Canggu/Ubud area  6:30 – 6:45 AM
  • Uluwatu/Jimbaran area  6:45 – 7:00 AM
  • Kuta/Nusa Dua/Seminyak/Kerobokan area  7:00 AM
  • Sanur area  7:30 – 7:45 AM

Additional Charge to Kerobokan, Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Ubud areas IDR 600.000.

Inclusions:

  • Transfers to/from hotels (additional charge to Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Kerobokan areas IDR 600,000)
  • Lunch (packed in reusable bento boxes), snacks & fruits, water & soft drinks
  • Towel
  • Full set of rental dive equipment & dive computer
  • Tanks/weights, dive guide
  • Insurance and safety kit incl. Nautilus Lifeline
Please note:
  • Parental Consent: As with any diving course involving minors, parental consent is required.
  • We encourage using our water refill station and staying hydrated throughout the day.
  • While not included, Reef Safe sunscreen lotion and a wide range of snorkel and dive equipment are available for purchase should you wish to have your own.      

2 Day Dives in Nusa Penida IDR 2.900.000

3 Day Dives in Nusa Penida IDR 3.200.000

QUESTIONS?

No matter if you’re up for snorkelling, diving lessons, or planning a diving vacation, we’ve got you covered! Our team is here to help, making sure all your underwater adventures are taken care of.

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