Diving in Nusa Penida & Lembongan: Full Guide
The Nusa islands were the last stop of our two-month-long Bali trip, which included previous dives at Tulamben and Amed on the Northeast coast of Bali.
We came here with one reason only: to dive with manta rays.
Out of all the dive destinations we visited in Bali, this was the one that excited me the most, and with my wife being freshly certified, we were eager to collect unique dive memories together.
The Nusa Islands
The Nusa Islands, located off the southeastern coast of Bali, Indonesia, comprise three main islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan
Mangrove coastline north of Nusa Lembongan
Known for their picturesque landscapes and coral-rich waters, the Nusa Islands boast rugged coastlines, stunning cliffs, and vibrant marine life. The islands are accessible by boat from any port from mainland Bali.
Best time of year to dive around The Nusa Islands
The best time of year for diving is usually between May and November or during the dry season.
There's also a good chance to spot mola mola during this time (more on that later), and of course, manta rays, which can be seen year round but are more likely to be seen in summer.
Hawksbill turtle swimming through the reef
Staying on Nusa Lembongan
We decided to stay on Nusa Lembongan, the second-largest island after Penida. We wanted to avoid tourists but still have access to restaurants, and our favorite dive center, Siren Diving, was also located on Lembongan Island.
Nusa islands dive map by Siren Diving
Lembongan and Ceningan are connected by the “Yellow Bridge,” officially named the "Nusa Lembongan Bridge." Its narrow structure allows only pedestrians, motorbikes, and bicycles to cross. As anywhere else in Bali, it’s fairly easy to rent a bike, and it’s a super nice way to get around the two islands.
As we only planned to stay on the island for a week, we wasted no time and signed up for the next trip to Manta Point.
Needless to say, manta dives attract most divers. Normally, dive centers schedule ahead of time and don’t necessarily visit Manta Point every day unless there are enough people to run the trip.
It’s best to let them know your interest in advance so they can count you in and tell you when the next trip happens.
Luckily, we had our spot secured for the next day. I would recommend booking more than one trip to Manta Point, as conditions can vary, and we had days without even spotting any mantas. On other days, we had a lot of mantas, but the weather conditions were somewhat challenging.
After our first trip without mantas, my wife said she had never seen me so disappointed before. Nature is unpredictable - A lesson that I seem to learn repeatedly...
Manta Point vs Manta Bay
Manta Point and Manta Bay are two distinct dive sites off the coast of Nusa Lembongan, Bali, known for their opportunities to encounter manta rays.
Remember that these are also technically off the coast of Nusa Penida as well, as Nusa Lembongan is located just off the coast of this larger island.
Reef mantas have a wingspan that can reach up to 11 feet (3.5 meters)
Manta Point
Primarily known as a dive site and a cleaning station for the mantas, Manta Point is favored by scuba divers who want to witness manta rays in their natural environment.
Diving at Manta Point requires appropriate certifications and experience due to challenging currents.
Manta Bay
Manta Bay, on the other hand, is a snorkeling destination where visitors can have the opportunity to snorkel with manta rays.
Snorkeling is a more accessible activity for a broader range of visitors, and the bay provides a shallower and more tranquil environment compared to the often stronger currents at Manta Point; therefore, it’s always busier and way more touristy. If you are a diver, I do not recommend going there.
Manta Point Diving
A typical Manta Point daily dive trip consists of two dives: one with the mantas at Manta Point cleaning station (if they are present) and another dive on the way back at Crystal Bay.
Reef manta at Manta Point, Nusa Penida
Blue-spotted stingrays hanging on the reef
The water at Crystal Bay can get colder during winter, so prepare thicker wetsuits for these dives. The dive site is characterized by a beautiful, crescent-shaped bay with crystal-clear waters, providing excellent visibility and an array of different aquatic life.
Currents can be strong here, so let the dive guides decide the best way to explore the bay. The mighty Mola-molas are frequent visitors here during summer as they come to shallower depths for cleaning.
You can even spot one during winter if you’re lucky. Banded sea snakes are also very common here - you can spot multiple individuals during a dive.
Banded sea snake patrolling the reef
Scorpionfish chilling on the coral
Banded sea snakes are known for their potent venom, which is considered among the most toxic snake venoms in the world. They are typically docile and not aggressive towards humans.
They only tend to bite when provoked or cornered, and their venom can be deadly if not treated promptly. Bali does not have antivenom, so be careful when approaching these animals.
Floating Green Turtle - See Print Here
Once you’ve had enough of mantas, it is worth exploring the other side of the island, too.
Beautiful walls, colorful soft and hard corals, amazing visibility, and turtles were just some of the highlights there. Taking a day off diving and kayaking the mangrove forest can serve as a relaxing activity, and watching sunsets is priceless after the long but hopefully memorable dive days to give you enough energy for the next day!
