Swimming With Giants: My 9-Dive Journey in Nusa Penida’s Manta Paradise
Is Bali’s hidden diving gem worth the journey? After 9 dives in crystal-clear waters surrounded by manta rays, I have my answer.
When people think of diving in Southeast Asia, Thailand’s Similan Islands or Malaysia’s Sipadan usually come to mind. But after experiencing the underwater world of Nusa Penida, I’m convinced Bali’s lesser-known diving destination deserves to be in the top 5 of my dive destinations.
This post shares everything I learned from my 3-day, 9-dive adventure in Nusa Penida — from logistics and timing to the best dive sites and what makes this place truly special.
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Check also at Medium - Not a member, check here: https://medium.com/@simonatomarcelo/swimming-with-giants-my-9-dive-journey-in-nusa-penidas-manta-paradise-112eadd1dd85?sk=fced809e4dc0b9a1c1a8e5e1366ed3c6
Getting There: Planning Your Journey to Nusa Penida
The Route from Bangkok
I flew directly from Bangkok (BKK) to Bali, which takes approximately 4 hours. But here’s the critical part many divers miss: Nusa Penida is a separate island requiring an additional 1-hour boat transfer from Bali’s mainland.
Why You Should NOT Rush It
The fast boats to Nusa Penida typically stop running around 5:00 PM, and this tight schedule creates a logistical puzzle many travelers underestimate.
Consider these time-consuming factors:
- Flight delays and deplaning (30–60 minutes)
- Immigration queues and baggage claim (30–90 minutes)
- Airport to port transfer through Bali’s notorious traffic (60–90 minutes)
My recommendation? Don’t try to catch a same-day boat. Instead:
Day 1: Arrive in Bali, stay on the mainland
- Explore nearby beaches (Sanur is convenient and beautiful)
- Enjoy authentic Balinese cuisine
- Rest and prepare for diving
Day 2: Afternoon transfer to Nusa Penida (2:00 PM departure) — I did this one. The first fast boat to Nusa Penida arrives AFTER the diving boats depart. If you sleep on the mainland, you’ll miss your dive and waste a day of your package.
- Sleep on the island
- Explore local beaches and viewpoints
- Early night for tomorrow’s diving
Day 3–5: Wake up ready for diving (boats depart at 8:00 AM)
The Best Time to Dive Nusa Penida
I visited in September 2025, which is considered prime diving season for several reasons:
Weather & Conditions
- Minimal rainfall during the day
- Cooler water temperatures (21°C-24°C) — this is key!
- Excellent visibility averaging 40 meters
Why Cooler Water Matters
The cooler temperatures attract two magnificent species that make Nusa Penida world-famous:
- Manta Rays — these gentle giants congregate in huge numbers. There were really there. Some dives I could not count the quantity of Manta rays.
- Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) — the mysterious moonfish that divers travel across the world to see. I did not had the opportunity to see one, nature reserved this one on next time in Indonesia.
Best diving months: April-November (dry season) Peak manta season: May-October Mola mola season: July-October
Diving Experience: My 3-Day, 9-Dive Package:
Package Details
- Duration: 3 days
- Dives per day: 3
- Total dives: 9
- Coverage: Most major dive sites around the island
Diving Conditions
· Water Temperature: 21°C-24°C depending on location
- Wetsuit recommendation: 5mm is perfect for 3 dives/day over 3 days
· Visibility: Excellent — approximately 40 meters on most dives
· Currents: Moderate to strong
· Several drift dives available
· What to expect for nature: Healthy coral reefs with vibrant colors
- What to expect from animals: A lot of Mantas — everywhere! Bamboo sharks and some Green sea turtles.
The Top 4 Dive Sites You Cannot Miss
Out of 9 different dive sites, these four stood out as absolutely extraordinary:
1. Manta Bay & Manta Point (The Manta Experience)
Manta Bay is a natural feeding station where plankton accumulates in high concentrations. Watching manta rays glide effortlessly while feeding is mesmerizing.
Manta Point is a cleaning station where smaller fish pick parasites off the mantas. You’ll see them hovering above the coral, performing their graceful underwater ballet.
2. Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh (Coral Paradise)
This site lives up to its name with crystal-clear water and some of the healthiest coral formations I’ve seen in Southeast Asia. A lot of turtles here.
3. Sekolah Dasar / SD (The Adrenaline Rush)
This drift dive offers an exhilarating experience with strong currents sweeping you along pristine coral walls.
Practical Tips for Diving Nusa Penida
What to Bring: I recommend checking good options at https://therightpace.store/collections/dive
- 5mm wetsuit — Even with hot water for 3 consecutive dives it is better to not loose temperature after 2 or 3 dives. You normally can get one on the dive club, but always good to have your own.
- Underwater camera (personal recommendation — GoPro). I really like photos and videos, and the quality of it. I used the dive filters of https://therightpace.store/collections/dive to have the proper colors on this dive.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — As it is a Marine protected area, the rule is to use reef safe sunscreen. I personally had one, and I know some people that searched in Bali and did not found.
- Seasickness medication (boats can be choppy).
Final Thoughts: Is Nusa Penida Worth It?
After 9 unforgettable dives, my answer is an emphatic yes.
The combination of healthy corals, guaranteed manta encounters, excellent visibility, and diverse dive sites makes this one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept diving secrets. Also very budget friendly dive option compared to other dive sites as Liveaboards in Egypt or even Sipadan.
My recommendation: Book your 3-day package, give yourself an extra day for logistics, and prepare for some of the best diving of your life.
The mantas are waiting.
Have you dived in Nusa Penida? Share your experience in the comments below!
Planning your trip? Feel free to ask questions — I’m happy to help.