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Penida and Lembongan Diving Sites

There are many places to go diving around the Nusa Islands

To make it a little easier to find the dive sites and the type of diving you are looking for we have divided the sites into 4 different areas.

From Crystal Bay, Manta Point and Blue Corner, to the north coast of Penida, you will find detailed descriptions of the Lembongan diving sites.

Penida, Ceningan and Lembongan diving house some of the best diving in Indonesia

Scroll down for information about each Lembongan diving site.

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Lembongan Diving Sites

Manta Ray Dives

To the South and our Manta dive sites, here we find dramatic landscape and below the sea large plateaus creating the ideal cleaning and feeding station for the Manta Rays. Although not as rich in diversity of corals and marine life, the plateaus do offer up some interesting topography with troughs and swimthoughs. The main reason for diving in this area is of course the chance encounter the swirling mantas above as they swoop in for a closer look at the divers.

Difficulty

20%

Diversity

50%

Depth

20%

Chance of Pelagics

80%

Manta Bay

Dive Level: Open Water
Depth: 12m
Average Visibility: 15m
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Type of Dive: Manta Dive!
Known For: Manta Rays, Bamboo Sharks, Woebegong Sharks

Located on the West coast of Nusa Penida, diving conditions are generally easy although we can experience some surge. The Manta Rays are often smaller than the giant ones found at Manta Point, however the dive site is much closer and more protected. The plankton rich water found along the limestone coast attracts the Mantas all year around. The dive site is a shallow bay with a mixture of sandy and coral bottom and generally a maximum depth of 12m. The dive is often spent quite shallow, closely observing the Mantas as the feed and sometimes put on a display for the watching divers. Delving a little deeper into the dive site we can explore the gullies and swim throughs searching for Bamboo Sharks, Woebegong Sharks and turtles often to be found at the site.

Mantas at the point

Difficulty

25%

Diversity

50%

Depth

25%

Chance of Pelagics

80%

Manta Point

Dive Level: Open Water
Depth: 10-25m
Average Visibility:  15m
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Type of Dive: Manta Dive!
Known For: Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks, Bamboo Sharks and Mola Mola (July-Oct)

Located on South West coast of Nusa Penida, strong current and big waves mean that we are not always able to dive this site. A 45 minute boat ride alongside the dramatic limestone cliffs that will make you feel like you are on the set of Jurassic Park and you will arrive at Manta Point.  This site provides year round opportunity for a magical encounter with the majestic Manta Rays. The main attraction of the dive site is the cleaning station or large rock formation found at a shallow depth of 5m, with the plankton rich waters attracting circling mantas above just waiting to be cleaned and often swooping in for a closer look at divers. Manta trains with as many as 30 mantas on one dive have been spotted at this site. Swimming out into the slightly deeper surrounding water can mean an encounter with nurse sharks, bamboo sharks, a plethora of blue spotted sting rays and in Mola Mola season perhaps even an encounter with a sun fish.

North Penida

The sloping reefs found along the North Coast of Penida offer up dive sites with spectacular corals starting from as shallow as 5m, sloping all the way to the bottom and extending as far as the eye can see. Here you can find an incredible array of hard and soft corals, with an abundance of macro life to be found hiding amongst it all for the well trained eye. The rich biodiversity provided by the healthy reef makes for the perfect environment for a diverse range and number of schooling tropical fish. Out in the blue and off the reef it is possible to see those exciting pelagics everyone is hoping for- Sharks, Mola Mola and even Whale Sharks.

Difficulty

50%

Diversity

90%

Depth

75%

Chance of Pelagics

50%

SD (Sekolah Desar)

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: Turtles, Bat Fish, Black and White Tip Reef Sharks

Located on the North coast of Nusa Penida, SD is so named for the village primary school, Sekolah Desar. Seaweed farmers are to be found living along the stretch of white sandy beach, while beneath the blue waters the coral reef runs parallel. SD combines with three other Lembongan diving sites (PED, Sental & Buyuk) to make up the length of the entire coast and offer some of the best drift diving to be found in Indonesia. The currents here can range from exhilarating to non-existent and certainly make for an exciting dive with conditions sometimes changing halfway through the dive. Either way when the boat moors up in front of the school and we roll in its best advised to grab hold of the line just in case. The site consists of a moderately steep slope, covered in fields and fields of corals and sponges. As we drift along we encounter swirling schools of trigger fish, butterfly fish, trumpet fish, angel fish and pretty much any other tropical fish you can imagine. Turtles, sea snakes and reef sharks are often spotted and peering out into the blue we may even be lucky to encounter larger pelagics. At the end of the dive make sure to keep an eye out for the resident school of Bat Fish, a lovely way to finish off the safety stop.

Difficulty

35%

Diversity

90%

Depth

75%

Chance of Pelagics

50%

Ped

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 25 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: Corals, Turtles, Orangutan Crabs

Located on the North coast of Nusa Penida, the drop off point for Ped is punctuated by the Temple found on the shore. Ped is the second of the four dive sites that make up the length of the entire North Coast of Nusa Penida. The dive site offers up a slightly steeper slope than SD and some excellent stretches of wall diving. Once again the currents here can range from a fast moving roller coaster ride to a nice relaxing amble along the dive site. Beautiful sponge barrels, unfeasibly long whip corals and an extraordinary expanse of staghorn coral can be found along the dive site. Schools of triggerfish, sweetlips, unicorn fish and pretty much every other tropical fish you have seen in a guide book can be found along the site. In a slower drift we can have the opportunity to search for orangutan crabs, nudibranchs and leaf scorpion fish. Diving down a little deeper we can sometimes find large pelagics such as eagle rays, white and black tip reef sharks and even Mola Moa during the season

Difficulty

30%

Diversity

90%

Depth

75%

Chance of Pelagics

50%

Sental 

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: White and Black Tip Reef Sharks, Turtles, Moray Eels

Located on the North coast of Nusa Penida, Sental is the third of the four dive sites that make up the length of the entire North Coast of Nusa Penida. Therefore the topography is very similar to Ped and SD, however the slope is steeper and we can also find more clusters of large coral bommies. This area is considered to offer some of the best drift diving in Indonesia and depending on the conditions of the day can be an adrenaline charged ride or a gentle tour past the magnificent corals on display. Once again a dive site in this area offers up a plethora of schooling tropical fish from triggers to batfish and Anthias. Octopus, giant moray eels and beautiful ribbon eels can be found hiding in amongst the corals. Out in the blue and down at depth Hammerhead sharks and whale sharks have even been spotted and regular sightings of Mola Mola in season.

Difficulty

40%

Diversity

90%

Depth

75%

Chance of Pelagics

50%

Buyuk 

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: Reef fish, pelagic swim pasts, Moray Eels

Located on the North coast of Nusa Penida, Buyuk is the fourth of the four dive sites that make up the length of the entire North Coast of Nusa Penida and as such the topography is very similar to the adjoining sites. The strong currents found on this site are evidenced by the amazing coral to be found- sponge barrels, long whip corals and a stunning array of other hard and soft corals. With the right conditions this site offers up an adventurous drift dive, sometimes at quite an exhilarating pace. Swirling schools of fish and an array of interesting macro can be found on the site provided you are not drifting too fast! Giant Napolean Wrasse and large Barracuda are also frequent visitors to the dive. There are rumored sightings of Thresher Sharks down at depth and Mola Mola are also to be seen during the season.

West Penida

In the West area we encounter some exhilarating wall dives and perhaps the area’s most famous dive site- Crystal Bay. Although Mola Mola have been sited at all of the Lembongan diving sites, it is at Crystal Bay where you are most likely to see them as they come up from the depths, during the months of colder water, to be cleaned and photographed by waiting divers. All of the dive sites in this area offer spectacular underwater topography and the best visibility

Mola Mola with diver at Gamat Bay

Difficulty

70%

Diversity

90%

Depth

95%

Chance of Pelagics

80%

Crystal Bay

Dive Level: Open Water
Depth: 10-30m
Average Visibility:  25-30m
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Type of Dive: Bay/Wall Dive
Known For: Mola Mola (July-October), reef sharks, sea snakes, octopus, frog fish, nudi branchs 

Located on the West Coast of Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is perhaps one of Bali’s most famous Lembongan diving sites and certainly the most popular during the July to October Sunfish season. The dive site is given its name due to amazing ‘crystal’ visibility that is usually experienced, with as high as 50m being experienced on its best day. Inside of the bay the dive site is horse shoe shape of coral encircling a white sandy sloping bottom. Here we encounter an amazing variety of sea life including Bat Fish, Sea Snakes, leaf blower wrasse and flounder.   Some pretty amazing soft and hard coral can be found, including giant table corals and as this area is quite protected it is an ideal location to undertake dive training.

As we head outside of the protection of the bay, alongside the small island that can be found, we encounter both a shelf and a deep wall. The strong currents found in this area bring nutrient rich water and this is area show cases beautiful healthy coral and is brimming with sea life. It is here that we can find the Mola Mola waiting to be cleaned by the Banner Fish and Morish Idol. We also find reef sharks, octopus, nudibranchs and perhaps even a frog fish or sea horse for those looking closely.

Fire Dart Goby circle

Difficulty

30%

Diversity

60%

Depth

40%

Chance of Pelagics

40%

Gamat Bay 

Dive Level: Open Water
Depth: 5-10m
Average Visibility:  25-30m
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Type of Dive: Bay/Steep Slope Dive
Known For: Corals, Macro and Mola Mola (July-October)

Located on the West Coast of Nusa Penida, Gamat Bay is perhaps the smallest dive site around the islands, but is also one of the few dives where you are not too affected by the currents with the shallow depths of the bay offering some protection. Here in the bay we find a sandy bottom and a profusion of beautiful soft corals, gorgonians and table coral. We can spend time here exploring and searching for invertebrates, nudibranchs and other macro, a wonderland for photographers.

As we work our way out of the mouth of the bay and onto the steep slope, we find large coral bommies and will also start to encounter stronger conditions. The current here attracts larger marine life such as schools of surgeonfish and batfish along with reef sharks, turtles and during the season a good opportunity to see Mola Mola at depth.

Mackerel circle

Difficulty

65%

Diversity

90%

Depth

90%

Chance of Pelagics

45%

Ceningan Wall 

Dive Level: Advanced Open Water
Depth: 20-40m
Average Visibility: 20-25m
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Type of Dive: Wall Dive
Known For: Rays, Nudibranchs, Sharks, Mola Mola

Located on the East side of Nusa Ceningan, this spectacular wall drops to a dizzying depth of 170m. The water flowing out of the nearby mangroves in combination with the deep waters of the channel, create a nutrient rich feed for the plethora of healthy corals and marine life. A more advanced dive, the site needs to be dived at depth to be truly appreciated and there is often strong current to be found, but in return we find an impressive site quite different to others around the islands. As we drift along the wall there is an abundance of invertebrates, octopus and nudibranchs to be found hiding in the cracks of the wall. Looking out into the deep blue we can often observe reef sharks, bull rays, eagle rays and Mola Mola.

Barracuda circle

Difficulty

70%

Diversity

90%

Depth

80%

Chance of Pelagics

30%

Toyapakeh

Dive Level: Open Water
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: Corals, Giant Trevally, Barracuda, Scropian Fish and Mola Mola (July-October)

Located on the North West coast of Nusa Penida, Toyapakeh means ‘Salt Water’ in Balinese and this site is considered by many to be the most rewarding dive around the islands. From the minute you drop down it is very easy to see why, as you find yourself surrounded by school after school of fish, not to mention the spectacular topography of the site. The shallow bay is covered with a beautiful array of hard and soft corals and offers protection from the fast moving current of Ceningan Channel. Here we can have time to explore and find scorpion fish, orangutan crabs, mantis shrimp, blue ribbon eels and some pretty cool nudibranchs.

As we head out deeper towards the channel, we begin to drift with the current along the steeping slope passing by large coral formations. Schools of red toothed trigger fish, unicorn fish, jack fish and batfish swim all around. We can also encounter large barracuda and giant trevally. Generally the current runs North along the dive site, making for an excellent drift dive, however the conditions can sometimes be tricky making for a more adventurous dive in differing directions. Heading deeper on the slope larger pelagics such as Mola Mola, Eagle Rays and even whale sharks have been spotted here. . 

Coral Crab Circle

Difficulty

60%

Diversity

90%

Depth

75%

Chance of Pelagics

30%

Toyapakeh Wall

Dive Level: Advanced Open Water
Depth: 5-30m
Average Visibility:  25-30m
Travel Time: 20 minutes
Type of Dive: Wall Dive
Known For: Corals, Black and White Tip Reef Sharks, Barracuda and Mola Mola (July-October)

Located on the North West coast of Nusa Penida and the South end of Toyapakeh we find a magnificent wall dive. From 5-15 metres we find a coral plateau and then the site drops off into a very deep wall and the big blue. The constant current running along the wall makes for fantastic diving for those a little more experienced in diving. The nutrient rich waters allow both hard and soft corals to thrive here as well as an abundance of marine life. As we drift along we can find invertebrates hiding in the cracks of the walls, as well as giant moray eels and octopus. Schools of sweetlips, red tooth trigger fish and batfish are to be seen as well as the chance to encounter black and white tip reef sharks, grouper, barracuda and Mola Mola. We have even been lucky to encounter oceanic Manta swimming past in the deep channel.

Nusa Lembongan

On the North West end of Nusa Lembongan we find two very different Lembongan diving sites. Mangrove with something something blue corner. Talk about mangrove being great for all levels of diver and blue corner for those experienced divers.

Difficulty

50%

Diversity

90%

Depth

50%

Chance of Pelagics

25%

Sakenan (Mangrove) 

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 6-30m
Average Visibility: 20-25m
Travel Time: 15 minutes
Type of Dive: Drift Dive
Known For: Giant Pufferfish, Barracuda, Giant Trevally,

Located on the North East of Nusa Lembongan, this site is named for its location next to the mangroves to be found on the island. The nutrient rich waters and healthy ecosystem have created a diverse range of corals and abundant marine life. The healthiness of the reef make for one of the most this dive site one of the most beautiful in the area. The current at this site can range from nonexistent to very fast, however unlike the other drift dives found around the islands, this site has a gentler sloping reef making this the perfect dive site for all levels of divers and is also a very popular location for snorkelers.  A multitude of table corals, anemones and small bommies are waiting to be explored for mantis shrimp, nudibranchs and frog fish. The site is also well known for giant pufferfish, barracuda and giant trevally. The occasional reef shark  or turtle will also join divers for the drift. 

Difficulty

70%

Diversity

90%

Depth

95%

Chance of Pelagics

80%

Blue Corner

Dive Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
Depth: 25-40m
Average Visibility: 25-30m
Travel Time: 10 minutes
Type of Dive: Wall/Drift Dive
Known For: White & Black Tip Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Barracuda, Mola Mola 

Located on the North West of Nusa Lembongan, and as the name suggests this dive is all about looking out into the blue for the impressive pelagics that can be found on the site. This is an exhilarating dive for experienced divers and never fails to disappoint. The dive has spectacular topography with the start of the dive a series of current swept terraces, drifting around to the ‘corner’ and a very deep vertical wall. Schools of snapper and jacks, big napoleon wrasse, big tuna, Eagle Rays, Marble Rays, Turtles, Reef Sharks and Mola Mola have been seen here all year around.

Difficulty

10%

Diversity

60%

Depth

12%

Chance of Pelagics

5%

Pontoon

Dive Level: Open Water Diver
Depth: 6-12m
Average Visibility: 15-20m
Travel Time: 5 minutes
Type of Dive: Training Dive
Known For: Ease of diving for a training site with variable aquatic life.

Set in the shallow waters just off the coast of Jungut Batu, Pontoon is an ideal dive site for a first underwater experience along with being an ideal training site for photography. The shallows provide as bright and colourful a dive as you can find around the islands and the diversity of reef fish is breathtaking.

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