Most Popular Dive Sites in Nusa Penida
Most Popular Dive Sites in Nusa Penida
North Penida
Buyuk, Sental, PED, and SD offer superb drift dives along Nusa Penida’s north coast, featuring vibrant reefs, sponges, and colorful fish. The reef slopes into deeper waters where pelagics like Mola Mola are spotted from June to October. SD’s shallow coral start also makes it great for snorkelers.
Gamat Bay
Gamat Bay is located between Crystal bay and ToyaPakeh opening directly to the Nusa Penida dive sites channel. The bottom of the bay is covered by white sand with several coral patches and bommies full of marine life and crystal clear waters, making it a perfect dive site for macro life, photographers and snorkelers.
Mangrove
This dive site is located in front of the Mangrove forest on the north side of Nusa Lembongan island. Mangrove forest plays a crucial part in the local ecosystem and provides plenty of nutrients to one of the healthiest coral reefs in whole Nusa Penida.
Mimpang
Gili Mimpang dive site is a series of three rocks facing Padang Bay and next to Tepekong. Because of currents coming from Lombok’s strait, the conditions here can vary from being calm to being extreme. Consequently, this dive site is only recommended for experienced divers.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is the most famous dive site in Padang Bai. Perfect combination for beginners. Either for an easy fun dive, a PADI dive course or for macro lovers and photographers that wish to explore the rare marine species. As a sandy patch bay, the topography of this dive site is perfect to perform underwater skills but also to catch the perfect shot in pace.
Tepekong
Tepekong is a rocky outcrop facing Padang Bay and offering both a spectacular and exhilarating dive site of Bali’s eastern coast. Particularly prone to currents and unpredictable conditions, make sure you are experienced divers that can afford strong drift and depth.
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh in Nusa Penida is a premier dive site with exceptional visibility and vibrant coral reefs. The shallow plateau (6-15m) teems with diverse marine life, while deeper areas (up to 30m) may reveal larger species, like the elusive Mola Mola. Gentle currents make for an easy, memorable drift dive.'
Manta Point
Manta Point on Nusa Penida’s south side offers a high chance to see Manta Rays, attracted by plankton and three main cleaning stations. These gentle giants gather to have parasites removed by small reef fish. The site’s soft coral and sandy bottom, however, can be challenging to access due to strong surges from the south coast.
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay, famed for clear waters, is a top Nusa Penida dive spot and ideal for spotting Mola Mola, especially from June to October. The shallow bay (5-8m) suits beginners, while deeper areas have cleaning stations along a reef drop-off, though strong currents and crowds are common in high season.
Manta Bay
Manta Bay, a shallow and accessible site, offers year-round sightings of smaller Manta Ray attracted by high plankton levels. The sandy bottom provides a great view of feeding Mantas, while a nearby reef may reveal Wobegon sharks and spinner dolphins.
Lembongan Bay
Lembongan Bay is ideal for night dives, beginners, and photographers. Its sandy bottom with coral bommies hosts vibrant macro life, and with a maximum depth of 10m, calm waters make it perfect for learners or refresher dives.
Cristal Bay
Crystal Bay, famed for clear waters, is a top Nusa Penida dive spot and ideal for spotting Mola Mola, especially from June to October. The shallow bay (5-8m) suits beginners, while deeper areas have cleaning stations along a reef drop-off, though strong currents and crowds are common in high season.
Manta Bay
Manta Bay, a shallow and accessible site, offers year-round sightings of smaller Manta Ray attracted by high plankton levels. The sandy bottom provides a great view of feeding Mantas, while a nearby reef may reveal Wobegon sharks and spinner dolphins.
Lembongan Bay
Lembongan Bay is ideal for night dives, beginners, and photographers. Its sandy bottom with coral bommies hosts vibrant macro life, and with a maximum depth of 10m, calm waters make it perfect for learners or refresher dives.
North Penida
Buyuk, Sental, PED, and SD offer superb drift dives along Nusa Penida’s north coast, featuring vibrant reefs, sponges, and colorful fish. The reef slopes into deeper waters where pelagics like Mola Mola are spotted from June to October. SD’s shallow coral start also makes it great for snorkelers.
Gamat Bay
Gamat Bay is located between Crystal bay and ToyaPakeh opening directly to the Nusa Penida dive sites channel. The bottom of the bay is covered by white sand with several coral patches and bommies full of marine life and crystal clear waters, making it a perfect dive site for macro life, photographers and snorkelers.
Mangrove
This dive site is located in front of the Mangrove forest on the north side of Nusa Lembongan island. Mangrove forest plays a crucial part in the local ecosystem and provides plenty of nutrients to one of the healthiest coral reefs in whole Nusa Penida.
Mimpang
Gili Mimpang dive site is a series of three rocks facing Padang Bay and next to Tepekong. Because of currents coming from Lombok’s strait, the conditions here can vary from being calm to being extreme. Consequently, this dive site is only recommended for experienced divers.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is the most famous dive site in Padang Bai. Perfect combination for beginners. Either for an easy fun dive, a PADI dive course or for macro lovers and photographers that wish to explore the rare marine species. As a sandy patch bay, the topography of this dive site is perfect to perform underwater skills but also to catch the perfect shot in pace.
Tepekong
Tepekong is a rocky outcrop facing Padang Bay and offering both a spectacular and exhilarating dive site of Bali’s eastern coast. Particularly prone to currents and unpredictable conditions, make sure you are experienced divers that can afford strong drift and depth.
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh in Nusa Penida is a premier dive site with exceptional visibility and vibrant coral reefs. The shallow plateau (6-15m) teems with diverse marine life, while deeper areas (up to 30m) may reveal larger species, like the elusive Mola Mola. Gentle currents make for an easy, memorable drift dive.'
Manta Point
Manta Point on Nusa Penida’s south side offers a high chance to see Manta Rays, attracted by plankton and three main cleaning stations. These gentle giants gather to have parasites removed by small reef fish. The site’s soft coral and sandy bottom, however, can be challenging to access due to strong surges from the south coast.
Cristal Bay
Crystal Bay, famed for clear waters, is a top Nusa Penida dive spot and ideal for spotting Mola Mola, especially from June to October. The shallow bay (5-8m) suits beginners, while deeper areas have cleaning stations along a reef drop-off, though strong currents and crowds are common in high season.
Manta Bay
Manta Bay, a shallow and accessible site, offers year-round sightings of smaller Manta Rays attracted by high plankton levels. The sandy bottom provides a great view of feeding Mantas, while a nearby reef may reveal Wobegon sharks and spinner dolphins.
Lembongan Bay
Lembongan Bay is ideal for night dives, beginners, and photographers. Its sandy bottom with coral bommies hosts vibrant macro life, and with a maximum depth of 10m, calm waters make it perfect for learners or refresher dives.
North Penida
Buyuk, Sental, PED, and SD offer superb drift dives along Nusa Penida’s north coast, featuring vibrant reefs, sponges, and colorful fish. The reef slopes into deeper waters where pelagics like Mola Mola are spotted from June to October. SD’s shallow coral start also makes it great for snorkelers.
Gamat Bay
Gamat Bay is located between Crystal bay and ToyaPakeh opening directly to the Nusa Penida dive sites channel. The bottom of the bay is covered by white sand with several coral patches and bommies full of marine life and crystal clear waters, making it a perfect dive site for macro life, photographers and snorkelers.
Mangrove
This dive site is located in front of the Mangrove forest on the north side of Nusa Lembongan island. Mangrove forest plays a crucial part in the local ecosystem and provides plenty of nutrients to one of the healthiest coral reefs in whole Nusa Penida.
Mimpang
Gili Mimpang dive site is a series of three rocks facing Padang Bay and next to Tepekong. Because of currents coming from Lombok’s strait, the conditions here can vary from being calm to being extreme. Consequently, this dive site is only recommended for experienced divers.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is the most famous dive site in Padang Bai. Perfect combination for beginners. Either for an easy fun dive, a PADI dive course or for macro lovers and photographers that wish to explore the rare marine species. As a sandy patch bay, the topography of this dive site is perfect to perform underwater skills but also to catch the perfect shot in pace.
Tepekong
Tepekong is a rocky outcrop facing Padang Bay and offering both a spectacular and exhilarating dive site of Bali’s eastern coast. Particularly prone to currents and unpredictable conditions, make sure you are experienced divers that can afford strong drift and depth.
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh in Nusa Penida is a premier dive site with exceptional visibility and vibrant coral reefs. The shallow plateau (6-15m) teems with diverse marine life, while deeper areas (up to 30m) may reveal larger species, like the elusive Mola Mola. Gentle currents make for an easy, memorable drift dive.'
Manta Point
Manta Point on Nusa Penida’s south side offers a high chance to see Manta Rays, attracted by plankton and three main cleaning stations. These gentle giants gather to have parasites removed by small reef fish. The site’s soft coral and sandy bottom, however, can be challenging to access due to strong surges from the south coast.
Best Season for Diving in Nusa Penida
One of the wonderful things about diving in Nusa Penida, much like in Bali, is that there isn’t really a “best” season; diving conditions are generally excellent throughout the year.
However, during the rainy season, particularly during the first rains (December and January), diving can be a bit less enjoyable. Visibility may fluctuate significantly from day to day, but diving is still very much an option.
If your target is to spot Mola Mola, then we suggest July, August and September as prime months to encounter those incredible creatures. Interestingly, that’s also when the water tends to be the coldest.
Ultimately, we believe the best time to dive is whenever you feel like it, we are open all year round and for a good reason!
Best Season for Diving in Nusa Penida
One of the great aspects of diving in Nusa Penida, similar to Bali, is that there isn’t a definitive “best” season; the diving conditions are typically fantastic all year long. That said, during the rainy season, especially in December and January when the first rains arrive, diving can be a little less pleasant. Visibility can vary quite a bit from one day to the next, but diving remains a viable option.
If you’re hoping to see Mola mola, we recommend planning your dive for July, August, September or October, as these months are ideal for spotting these amazing creatures. Interestingly, this is also when the water is usually at its coldest. In the end, we think the best time to dive is whenever you feel inspired to do so. We’re open all year round for a very good reason!
Nusa Lembongan’s Stress-Free Escapes, Fun Dives, and Accommodations
Nusa Lembongan’s Stress-Free Escapes, Fun Dives, and Accommodations
Embark on a stress-free dive adventure with Legend Diving at Nusa Lembongan. We provide fast boat transport, accommodation options, fun dives with Mantas and Molas, plus snorkeling and DSD programs.
Nusa Lembongan’s Stress-Free Escapes, Fun Dives, and Accommodations
Nusa Lembongan’s Stress-Free Escapes, Fun Dives, and Accommodations
Embark on a stress-free dive adventure with Legend Diving at Nusa Lembongan. We provide fast boat transport, accommodation options, fun dives with Mantas and Molas, plus snorkeling and DSD programs.
