Best Nusa Penida Diving Sites

This is the only dive site in Bali where you can regularly see Manta all year round and Oceanic Sunfish (Mola) – mainly between July and October. There are many best Nusa Penida diving sites. Bali is home to many reef fish: whitetip sharks, eagle rays and blue-spotted stingrays, lionfish, octopus, moray eel, scorpionfish, turtles, soft corals, tipped reef, blue triggerfish, butterflyfish, barracuda, trevally, snapper, turtles, puffer fish.

Best Nusa Penida diving sites:

SD, Crystal bay, Gamat bay, Manta Point, Toyapakeh

Attention ! The current can be very strong and unpredictable around Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Currents of 4 knots are not uncommon and most dives are drift dives. Diving there is NOT recommended for beginners and inexperienced divers.

The most beautiful scuba diving sites in Nusa Penida

NUSA PENIDA DIVING: SEKOLAH DASAR OR SD

SD Sekolah Dasar (which means “primary school” in Indonesian) is the diving site located north of Nusa Penida, opposite a primary school (you guessed it) about 50 meters (164 feet) from the shore. It is a site that is well suited to beginner divers because there is little current and few waves. Practical because sandbanks allow you to kneel if you want to do or redo basic exercises and a slope goes down to about 30m (around 90 feet).

Once your wetsuit is on and a rear swing into the water, you can gently descended a few meters deep, to reach a maximum of 12m (39 feet). You may see coral trays, sponges and some fish.

SD diving site. One of the best diving Nusa Penida diving sites. Tilonaut, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

NUSA PENIDA DIVING: CRYSTAL BAY

Many dives took place in the west of the island. A site much more populated by divers because most of the dive centers in Bali and Nusa Lembongan come here to offer snorkeling excursions (mask and snorkel). There can be up to around 50 dive boats per day. But our instructor, who knows the depths by heart, made us dive in a calmer and just as beautiful place.

Nusa Penida scuba diving to 18 meters for the first time in Crystal Bay!

The incredible fauna and flora made us forget the notion of depth and pressure! You will have a good chance of coming across turtles, fish of all shapes and colorful corals. The water is very clear and will offer you almost perfect visibility (hence the name of the bay). Beware of the strong rip currents on this scuba diving site which can become very, very, very sporty!

Crystal Clear Bay in Nusa Penida. Tilonaut, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

NUSA PENIDA DIVING: GAMAT BAY

Here is another dive spot west of Nusa Penida which is very well known now: Gamat Bay. Superb dives await you during which you will undoubtedly come across turtles, thousands of fishes… It is at this precise location that we had the privilege of encountering a family of eight marbled rays.

Nusa Penida scuba diving: one of the best spots in the world known for its aquatic diversity

This dive spot is also well known for seeing the famous Titan triggerfish. It is a fish of about 40 cm (16 inches) with sharp teeth and very hard skin. Be careful, this fish is super territorial and aggressive towards fish or any other animal (divers and swimmers included) that cross its nesting area. He will try to bite you with his sharp teeth and won’t let go until you leave his territory… We can tell you that it’s really weird to be attacked by 40 cm! It’s better not to hang out in his zone.

NUSA PENIDA DIVING: MANTA POINT

One of THE scuba diving site par excellence. The path is longer because the site is located southeast of Nusa Penida. It takes about 40 minutes to get there by boat from the port of Toyapakeh.

Nusa Penida scuba diving with Manta rays: grace incarnate!

Manta Point, as its name suggests, is the site to see manta rays. “The Manta must swim constantly to circulate the water in its gills, it can never rest”…

This dive site is quite special because it is at this precise place that the manta rays come to clean and purge themselves. There are two large patches of coral around which the rays revolve.

Remember to keep an eye on your pressure gauge and the remaining bars in your tank for two reasons:

The currents are strong in this sector and you will be so busy watching the mantas that you risk consuming a lot more air than water.
It would still be a shame to suffer a decompression accident because you don’t have time to make a safety stop during the ascent.

We give you another advice to limit the risk of problems during the ascent, remember to look above your head because this spot is very popular so there are a lot of boats and divers around you.

Manta Point in Nusa Penida. Tilonaut, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

NUSA PENIDA DIVING: TOYAPAKEH

The last scuba diving site we discovered with the Warnakali center is Toyapakeh, just next to the port of Nusa Penida. The bottoms of Toyapakeh are very colorful, the reef fish very present and the current rather strong. The visibility is also very good (this is also why a lot of snorkeling is done here).

Same here, lots to see and rip currents can be very dangerous. So remember to monitor the pressure of the remaining gas (air) so as not to subject your body to a decompression accident during an emergency ascent.

Nusa Penida scuba diving with the Mola Mola

This Indonesian island is the best place to encounter the Mola Mola (or sunfish) between June and October. This mastodon of about 1m80 and 1000kg, accustomed to deep waters, rises to the surface a few times to warm up and be cleaned by the banner fish. And Nusa Penida is the best cleaning station. Think about it if you go there at this time! Warnakali has already seen dozens of them, so it is not impossible that you will come across them on your next dive in Nusa Penida. It seemed awesome.

A dream come true, isn’t it? tell us more if you’ve been diving to the best Nusa penida diving sites

EAST NUSA PENIDA DIVE SITES

The east coast of Nusa Penida is the least visited and certainly the most mysterious. For our part, it is the most preserved coast as well as the most authentic in terms of diving. Dives rich in colors and emotions as we like them. Two sites are not for beginners…. Malibu and Batu Abah… both hidden treasures but for how long?

Sampalan

The Sampalan dive site takes its name from the port of Sampalan. You will have understood that here the speed boats are the first. But that’s without counting the divers that we are. A site to discover and revisit as the beauty and diversity will satisfy you.

Level: Beginner to expert
Max depth: 30 m (98 ft)
Visibility: good to average
Temperature: 19 to 29 (average 25°C or 77°F)
Current: none to strong
Map of Sampalan dive site in East Nusa Penida

Sampalan or Batu Nunggul is an extraordinary diving site as the diversity of corals and sponges will catch your eye. The current in this area is more moderate and will allow you to explore numerous coral patches, each as rich as the other. Launching according to the current of course will allow you to see as much of the dive site as possible. Large barrel sponges will accompany you throughout your dive as well as all the usual reef fish fauna. We like to look for antennas and other macros for which the site has the secret.

Karang Sari

The dive site is named after the small village of Karangsari on the coast. A little more sheltered than other drift dive sites. Karang Sari has a fairly large plateau inviting the exploration of Macro fauna. The slope is less steep than in the North and is ideal for beginners.

Level: Beginner to expert
Max depth: 35 m (114 ft)
Visibility: very good to average
Temperature: 18 to 29 (average 24°C or 75.2°F)
Current: Low to high

The Karang Sari site will undoubtedly offer you a very beautiful dive. The topography is very interesting and suitable for all types of divers. A fairly wide plateau and a level slope invite you to explore all the coral formations. We love this topography which adds a unique atmosphere. Take shelter behind a coral patch to admire the blue. Indeed, like everywhere in Nusa Penida, the blue reserves surprises, here it is sharks that we have the chance to see and not just the little white tip of the reef… You will like to take advantage of the numerous soft corals, moray eels, octopuses, anemones, nudibranchs, frogfish and many others…

Batu Abah

Batu Abah is one of our favorite dive sites, not only because it is unique and can be difficult but also because it is not easy to be able to do it “legally” while respecting the marine reserve of Nusa Penida. We need special authorization to be able to do this and this with conservation or research motivations.

Level: expert, researcher, conservation
Max depth: 35 m (114 ft)
Visibility: good to average
Temperature: 18 to 29 (average 24°C or 75.2°F)
Current: none to strong, undertow

The Batu Abah dive site is the holy grail of Nusa Penida as it is so difficult to dive it. Not only regarding sea conditions but also administratively. In fact it is located in the most protected area (logically!) of Nusa Penida and the dives are for the purpose of inventorying and monitoring the area. On top of that, it is a site that can be extremely dangerous depending on the conditions. The easy part is the plateau sheltered by the island with a multitude of coral formations and a gently descending slope. The currents can be sudden and changing, accompanied by a surf typical of the area. The big ones are often present with of course the famous Mola-Mola, sharks, oceanic manta rays, giant trevally, tuna and many others… A site not given to everyone and which we can boast of putting on his dive log.

Malibu dive site in Bali

The Malibu dive site is the “wild” site on the east coast of Nusa Penida. Unpredictable, currents that take you up or down without warning, we are in a wild site where all the dexterity of your guide will be able to reveal itself. Our favorite with our divers who have become trusted pairs/friends…

Level: Good to expert
Max depth: 35 m (114 ft)
Visibility: very good to average
Temperature: 18 to 29 (average 24°C or 75.2°F)
Current: Weak to very strong

The Malibu Point dive site is undoubtedly the site for seasoned divers. We don’t do Malibu like another Nusa Penida site. We must know ourselves in order to be able to react as quickly as possible in the event of a complication during the dive. Here it is nature that dominates and this makes the even more thrilling diving. The drop-off is magnificent with beautiful coral colonies on the edge of the slope. The plateau is littered with successive colonies of acropora and the fauna parades like in a film. Malibu is the site where there are no limits, everything is possible, from Mola-Mola to schools of eagle rays, blacktip sharks and even more serious ones…

Dive into Adventure: Nusa Penida’s Diving Sites and Activities + Convenient Speed Boat Packages

Nusa Penida, a captivating island off the coast of Bali, is not only renowned for its stunning landscapes but also for its incredible diving sites and aquatic activities. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing underwater world, teeming with vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

For your convenience, we offer speed boat transfers as part of our packages, ensuring you a hassle-free journey to and from this island paradise. Let us take care of the logistics so you can focus on making the most of your Nusa Penida adventure.

While on the island, there are several must-see destinations that should be on your list. From the breathtaking Diamond Beach to the iconic Kelingking Beach and the secluded beauty of Atuh Beach, each spot offers a unique and awe-inspiring view. The natural wonders continue with the mesmerizing Broken Beach, the enchanting Angel Billabong, and the inviting waters of Crystal Bay.

For those seeking an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend diving or snorkeling to swim with manta rays. This encounter with these majestic creatures is truly one-of-a-kind and promises to be a highlight of your trip. The waters around Nusa Penida are home to these gentle giants, offering you the chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent beings in their natural habitat.

Incorporate diving or snorkeling into your Nusa Penida adventure, and you’ll leave with cherished memories of encountering marine life and exploring the island’s underwater treasures. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your trip to Nusa Penida truly exceptional!

Sources: CleverlySmart, PinterPandai

Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida | What to choose between the two islands?

Best Dive Spots in Bali: A Guide to the Best Underwater Wonders

Have you booked your private villa in Seminyak center?

Book Your Private Villa

Located in Seminyak Center – Bali, Villa Carissa offers a private swimming pool and enclosed garden to guarantee your privacy. You can book your private pool villa here with us.

Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or on a romantic getaway, villa Carissa in Seminyak center offers the perfect base for exploring Bali’s many attractions and enjoying a relaxing vacation.

Best Nusa Penida Diving Sites | One of the Best Dive Places in Bali