Dive Manta Point for graceful manta rays, visit Crystal Bay for mola mola, and drift along coral walls with our PADI 5-Star dive centre in Nusa Penida.
Scuba Dive in Nusa Penida
Introduction to Diving in Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a true bucket-list destination for divers from around the world. Known for its year-round manta ray diving and seasonal Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) encounters, this island offers some of the most unforgettable scuba diving in Bali. Between July and October, cooler currents sweep through the Lombok Strait, bringing nutrient-rich water that attracts pelagic life and ensures crystal-clear visibility.
With over 500 species of reef fish, vibrant coral gardens, and dramatic underwater topography, Nusa Penida’s dive sites range from thrilling drift dives to calm reef explorations. At Manta Point Nusa Penida, divers can watch graceful manta rays gliding effortlessly above coral cleaning stations, while Crystal Bay is Bali’s most famous site for spotting Mola Mola during the dry season. Sites such as Toyapakeh, Mangrove, and SD Point add even more colour and variety to the experience.
Whether you’re joining a single dive or one of our multi-day Nusa Penida Dive Packages, every trip with our PADI 5-Star Dive Centre is carefully planned with your experience level, current, and tide in mind. Our small-group diving approach ensures comfort, safety, and plenty of time underwater. For many, scuba diving in Nusa Penida is more than just a dive, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that defines diving in Bali. Whether you are completing your PADI Advanced Open Water qualification, or exploring our range of speciality diving, we can guarantee you it will be a bucket list experience that you won’t regret. Stay at our Dive Resort in Nusa Penida whilst experiencing incredible dive sites with us in between relaxing by the infinity pool overlooking Mount Agung
Most Iconic Dives Sites in Nusa Penida
Manta Point
Depth: 5–30 m
Difficulty: Beginner
Manta Point Nusa Penida is one of the most famous dive sites in Bali and a true highlight of Scuba Diving Nusa Penida. Known worldwide for its reliable manta ray encounters, this site offers divers the rare opportunity to observe majestic manta rays up close throughout the year. Located on the south coast of Nusa Penida, Manta Point is especially popular with beginner divers, Discover Scuba Diving participants, and students completing their PADI Open Water course, thanks to its shallow depth and open reef layout.
The dive site features a gently sloping rocky reef and sandy bottom that forms a natural manta cleaning stations. These cleaning stations attract manta rays on a daily basis, as cleaner fish remove parasites while the mantas glide slowly through the area. Divers are able to remain comfortably positioned near the reef, allowing for long, calm encounters as manta rays circle gracefully overhead.
Crystal Bay
Depth: 5–40 m
Difficulty: Advanced
Crystal Bay Nusa Penida is one of the crown jewels of Scuba Diving Nusa Penida and a must-visit site for anyone diving in Bali. Renowned worldwide for its crystal-clear visibility and regular Mola Mola sightings, it’s a true highlight for Mola Mola Diving Bali enthusiasts. The bay sits on the west coast of Nusa Penida and is fringed by white sand and turquoise water, creating a picturesque setting both above and below the surface.
From the moment you descend, the beauty of Crystal Bay is undeniable. The dive begins over a sandy bottom scattered with colourful coral bommies that lead to a series of sloping reefs and rocky ledges. During the dry season (typically from August to November), the site becomes a hotspot for Mola Mola, the oceanic sunfish, rising from the deep for cleaning sessions. Watching these incredible giants hover calmly as reef fish clean them is one of the most unique experiences in Scuba Diving Nusa Penida.
Mangrove
Depth: 5–30 m
Difficulty: All Levels
Mangrove Nusa Penida is one of the most beautiful and diverse dive sites for Scuba Diving Nusa Penida, offering calm conditions, shallow depths, and vibrant coral reefs that make it perfect for divers of all levels. Located off the coast of Nusa Lembongan just 15 minute boat ride from Penida, this site forms part of a thriving ecosystem where lush mangrove forests meet the ocean, a natural partnership that sustains reef life and supports the health of Bali’s marine environment.
The Mangrove dive site is a must-see for divers and snorkellers alike. It features pristine hard and soft corals, swaying sea fans, and incredible fish diversity. Divers can expect to see schools of anthias, titan trigger fish, butterflyfish, and angelfish, along with occasional sightings of turtles, reef octopus, and colourful nudibranchs. It’s also a fantastic site for macro photography and shallow coral exploration, with crystal-clear visibility that makes every colour pop beneath the surface.
Best Wall and Drift Dives In Nusa Penida
Blue Corner
Depth: 15–40+ m
Difficulty: Skilled, Advanced
Blue Corner is a legendary wall and terrace system on the north-west tip of Nusa Lembongan, part of the wider scuba diving Nusa Penida area. This site is reserved for experienced divers only. The reef steps down in dramatic shelves and drop-offs, with the lip of the wall between about 20 and 40 metres. When conditions line up, Blue Corner delivers a fast, thrilling drift across hard-coral terraces in electric blue water that gives the site its name.
Marine life is outstanding. Look for eagle rays and marble rays sweeping along the wall, schools of fusiliers and trevallies, and the occasional tuna or barracuda cruising the blue. In the cooler dry season you may encounter the elusive oceanic sunfish, making Blue Corner a favourite for Mola Mola Diving Bali when the temperature drops.
Because currents can be powerful and variable, Blue Corner is not always diveable.
Gamat Bay
Depth: 6–40 m
Difficulty: Intermediate
Gamat Bay Nusa Penida is one of the most colourful and exciting dive sites for Scuba Diving Nusa Penida, located just a short boat ride from our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. This stunning bay is surrounded by cliffs and offers calm, clear water, making it a perfect spot for relaxed yet adventurous fun dives in Bali. The shallow coral plateau sits between 6 and 8 metres before sloping down to 40 metres, forming a natural aquarium bursting with marine life and pristine coral gardens.
Divers can explore beautiful hard and soft coral formations, swim alongside turtles, moray eels, and schools of batfish, or spot blue-spotted stingrays resting on the sandy seabed. Keep your eyes open for marble rays gliding gracefully across the slope, and during the cooler months, lucky divers may even encounter the famous Mola Mola Diving Bali experience that makes this area famous.
Ceningan Wall
Depth: 3–30 m
Difficulty: Skilled
Ceningan Wall Nusa Penida is one of the most spectacular vertical drop-offs for scuba diving in Nusa Penida, attracting divers from around the world who want to explore Bali’s most colourful coral walls and marine biodiversity. Located between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida, this iconic site is part of Bali’s top diving region, home to famous spots such as Manta Point Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay. Every dive at Ceningan Wall promises clear water, thriving reefs, and the excitement that makes Scuba Diving Nusa Penida world-renowned.
The dive begins on a shallow plateau around 3 to 5 metres, ideal for adjusting buoyancy before drifting along the dramatic wall. The site is covered with vibrant hard and soft corals, giant sea fans, and colourful sponges that provide shelter for hundreds of reef species. Look closely and you’ll spot macro gems such as nudibranchs (Nembrotha, Chromodoris, and Flabellina), Zanzibar shrimp, pygmy seahorses, and moray eels.
East & North Highlights - Nusa Penida
North Coast Drift Dives – Sental, Ped, SD, and Buyuk
Depth: 5–40 m
Difficulty: All Levels
The north coast of Nusa Penida, where our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre and resort are located, is famous for some of Bali’s most magnificent drift diving experiences. From SD Point up to Buyuk and Blue Garden, this stretch of reef offers classic Scuba Diving Nusa Penida conditions — crystal-clear water, healthy coral gardens, and incredible marine life from macro to pelagic.
The sloping reefs here are alive with colour — carpets of hard and soft corals, huge sponges, and sea fans teeming with reef fish. You’ll drift effortlessly with the current, passing schools of fusiliers, angelfish, and parrotfish, while keeping your eyes peeled for turtles and, during the cooler months, even the famous Mola Mola Diving Bali encounters.
East Coast Dive Sites – Sampalan, Karang Sari, Coral Garden
Depth: 5 – 40 m
Difficulty: All Levels
The East Coast of Nusa Penida offers a quieter, more untouched side of Scuba Diving Nusa Penida, ideal for divers who want to explore stunning coral reefs away from the crowds. The sites of Sampalan, Coral Garden, and Karang Sari are true hidden gems, combining colourful reef slopes, mild currents, and a chance to encounter everything from macro critters to pelagic giants, even the Mola Mola.
These coral-rich slopes are coated in sponges, sea fans, and soft corals, creating a perfect home for small reef fish, nudibranchs, shrimp, and crabs. Visibility is usually excellent, and the gentle drift makes it a favourite for underwater photographers and those joining fun dives with our PADI 5 Star Dive Centre. Our guides often find rare macro species here that aren’t spotted at the busier western sites, making it a dream for Scuba Diving Nusa Penida enthusiasts.
Toyapakeh Bay – Nusa Penida’s Coral Cathedral
Depth: 5 – 40 m
Difficulty: Advanced
Toyapakeh Bay is one of the signature sites for Scuba Diving Nusa Penida and a favourite among our guides and guests. Renowned for its incredible coral structures, crystal-clear visibility, and abundant marine life, it represents everything that makes diving in Bali truly world-class.
Located on the northwest tip of Nusa Penida, near the deep channel that separates the island from Nusa Ceningan, current in Toyapakeh range from none to very strong so we make sure to plan our dive there to enjoy a smooth drift northward. Conditions can change quickly, but our Dive Centre team of local experts ensures every dive is safe, comfortable, and unforgettable.
The main attraction here is the enormous coral pillars, often described as underwater cathedrals, covered in soft corals, sponges, and vibrant gorgonian sea fans.
Sites Beyond Nusa Penida
Ideal Training Dive Sites
Padang Bai, Gili Mimpang & Gili Tepekong
Lembongan Bay
Manta Bay Dive Site
Depth: 5 – 40 m
Difficulty: Advanced
Just across the Lombok Strait from Nusa Penida, the world-class dive sites of Padang Bai, Gili Mimpang, and Gili Tepekong are must-dives for experienced divers visiting Bali. Travelling from our PADI Dive Centre takes about the same time as a trip to Manta Point Nusa Penida, making this an ideal day excursion for those seeking adventure beyond the island.
Padang Bai consists of three small rocky islets surrounded by dramatic blue water and pristine reefs. Strong southerly currents sweep nutrients through the channel, attracting schools of trevally, barracuda, tuna, and reef sharks — and in season, even the elusive Mola Mola and reef sharks hiding in the caves.
Depth: 3 – 15 m
Difficulty: Easy
Located just off the harbour of Nusa Lembongan, this calm, protected bay is one of the best dive sites in Bali for beginners and training dives. With shallow depths, gentle conditions, and excellent visibility, Lembongan Bay offers the ideal environment for relaxed PADI courses and introductory Scuba Diving Nusa Penida sessions.
The site features a white sandy bottom dotted with coral bommies, creating a colourful underwater landscape teeming with marine life. The bright sand reflects sunlight, making the coral gardens appear even more vibrant — perfect for underwater photography or first-time divers discovering the magic of Bali’s reefs.
Among the healthy soft and hard corals, you’ll find a lively community of reef fish, juvenile species, and fascinating macro life, from nudibranchs and shrimp to moray eels, octopus, and cuttlefish.
Depth: 5 – 30 m
Difficulty: All Levels
As the name suggests, Manta Bay Nusa Penida is the best place in Bali to dive or snorkel with majestic manta rays. Located along the southwest coast of the island, this shallow, protected bay offers year-round encounters with resident reef mantas — making it one of the most popular spots for Manta Ray Diving Bali.
The site features a gently sloping reef, ideal for both certified divers and PADI Discover Scuba Diving participants. Mantas are often seen gliding gracefully just a few metres below the surface, circling coral bommies to feed and interact with plankton-rich currents. With depths ranging from 5 to 30 metres, Scuba Diving Nusa Penida here is suitable for all experience levels and offers incredible photo opportunities in clear, tropical waters.
Beyond the famous dive sites like Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Toyapakeh Reef, Nusa Penida hides countless secret spots that showcase Bali’s true underwater beauty. From black-sand slopes rich in macro life to colourful coral gardens ideal for underwater photography, every dive here offers something unique for every level of diver.
At Jukung Dive Bali, our small-group dives are guided by experienced local guides and instructors who know the reefs intimately. Their knowledge of currents, marine life, and seasonal changes ensures safe, relaxed, and unforgettable dives across Nusa Penida’s top dive sites.
Whether you’re chasing bucket-list manta encounters, exploring drift dives along the north coast, or hunting for the Mola Mola, our team will take you to the best sites for the day’s conditions.
Jukung Dive’s Top Picks: Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh, SD Point, & Mangrove