© Aqualung

Explore Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida, a gem just a short boat ride from Bali's mainland, is a diver's paradise boasting rugged coastlines, pristine white sand beaches, and breathtaking fringing reefs. This island offers an unforgettable diving experience, with an abundance of marine life that ranges from the impressive oceanic sunfish (mola-mola) seen between August and October, to the graceful manta rays that glide through these waters year-round. The recently designated marine protected area is a treasure trove beneath the waves, with most dive sites featuring a stunning 74% coral coverage below 10 meters/33 feet. Divers can expect encounters with reef sharks, turtles, and an array of vibrant fish that paint the underwater scenery with a kaleidoscope of colors.

For those seeking varied dive environments, Nusa Penida delivers with its thrilling drift dives and steep walls in the Ceningan channel. Novices and underwater photographers alike will appreciate the sheltered bays teeming with elusive macro life, making them perfect for both exploration and beginner dive courses. Whether you choose to stay at one of the island's dive resorts or embark on a daily trip from Bali's mainland dive centers, the diving experience in Nusa Penida is nothing short of spectacular. For those who can't get enough of the underwater world, liveaboards offer an immersive dive journey, dedicating entire trips to exploring the depths of this enchanting marine environment.

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Diving in Nusa Penida

Along the North coast of Nusa Penida, there are beautiful coral reefs and sloping reefs at the likes of SD, Sental and Ped dive sites while the large plateaus in the south are perfect for manta rays. There are two Manta Point’s on Nusa Penida, where manta rays can be seen year-round gliding in the current while cleaner wrasse take care of their personal hygiene.

At Gamat Bay and Ceningan Wall, both located in the channel between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, you can find yourself in towering wall dives. Those in search of the small stuff can trawl along silty seabeds at Lembongan Bay or traverse Gamat Bay’s reef wall for crabs and shrimp. Adventure seekers should follow a sandy passage to the underwater Bat Cave for a unique dive experience lit only by the light filtering through the cavern’s open roof.

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Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida offers year-round diving with conditions varying throughout the seasons. The best time for calm seas is from November to May, allowing divers to explore its waters without much disruption. During these months, water temperatures range from 28°C–30°C/82°F–86°F, providing comfortable conditions for divers. Visibility is typically excellent, often reaching around 20 meters/66 feet or more, ideal for spotting the abundant marine life, including manta rays. Although diving is possible all year, the monsoon season in January and February may bring stronger currents and higher rainfall. If you're planning a trip to see the unique mola mola, visit between June and October when upwellings bring cooler waters, around 20°C–25°C/68°F–77°F, attracting these oceanic sunfish. Despite these seasonal variations, Nusa Penida remains a top diving destination, offering incredible experiences regardless of the time of year.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Nusa Penida

As well as the manta rays and oceanic sunfish which make an experience here unforgettable, Nusa Penida diving hosts a large variety of other pelagic life. Silver-tip sharks, bamboo sharks, wobbegong, grey reef sharks and nurse sharks can all be seen while baby eagle rays glide past in the blue. Looking past the 296 species of coral, you’ll find schools of giant trevally, barracuda and Napoleon wrasse while sea turtle cruise through the water.

In the protected waters of Nusa Penida and its sister islands, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Lembongan, there are known to be 576 species of reef fish, including five species that were previously unknown to science. Use eagle eyes to survey sheltered bays for frogfish, devil scorpionfish, sea snakes, moray eels as dragonets flash their multi-coloured bodies, reflecting the light from the sun. A night dive in calm dive sites may uncover even more weird and wonderful creatures who only dare to show their face under the light on the moon.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray

24k Sightings
J
936
F
1k
M
1.4k
A
2k
M
2.4k
J
2.3k
J
2.9k
A
3.5k
S
3.2k
O
2.2k
N
1.5k
D
821
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

17k Sightings
J
895
F
957
M
1.1k
A
1.3k
M
1.5k
J
1.5k
J
2.3k
A
2.2k
S
2.1k
O
1.3k
N
925
D
808
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

14k Sightings
J
743
F
771
M
879
A
1.1k
M
1.2k
J
1.3k
J
1.8k
A
2k
S
1.7k
O
1.1k
N
773
D
701

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

10k Sightings
J
578
F
562
M
696
A
853
M
970
J
936
J
1.2k
A
1.2k
S
1.2k
O
913
N
706
D
588

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

4.6k Sightings
J
176
F
220
M
216
A
319
M
430
J
509
J
788
A
731
S
575
O
288
N
167
D
156

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

4.2k Sightings
J
257
F
315
M
286
A
371
M
295
J
235
J
293
A
379
S
616
O
472
N
438
D
218
Ocean Sunfish

Ocean Sunfish

3.8k Sightings
J
13
F
33
M
51
A
126
M
175
J
137
J
556
A
945
S
1.1k
O
530
N
72
D
49

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

3.2k Sightings
J
179
F
208
M
217
A
268
M
237
J
351
J
384
A
446
S
410
O
239
N
152
D
128
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

2.3k Sightings
J
50
F
75
M
112
A
182
M
202
J
217
J
276
A
381
S
406
O
223
N
150
D
57

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

1.4k Sightings
J
31
F
32
M
38
A
106
M
151
J
180
J
210
A
242
S
185
O
111
N
55
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

18k Sightings
J
940
F
960
M
1.1k
A
1.3k
M
1.6k
J
1.7k
J
2.2k
A
2.2k
S
2k
O
1.6k
N
1.1k
D
936

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

14k Sightings
J
777
F
841
M
906
A
1.1k
M
1.2k
J
1.4k
J
1.8k
A
1.8k
S
1.7k
O
1.2k
N
833
D
775

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

14k Sightings
J
788
F
765
M
882
A
1.1k
M
1.1k
J
1.4k
J
1.7k
A
1.7k
S
1.5k
O
1.1k
N
771
D
736

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

13k Sightings
J
638
F
766
M
797
A
994
M
1k
J
1.2k
J
1.6k
A
1.7k
S
1.5k
O
1.1k
N
707
D
626

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

12k Sightings
J
688
F
643
M
815
A
1k
M
942
J
1.3k
J
1.6k
A
1.5k
S
1.4k
O
1k
N
734
D
733

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

12k Sightings
J
633
F
625
M
716
A
953
M
1k
J
1.2k
J
1.5k
A
1.6k
S
1.4k
O
940
N
670
D
592

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

11k Sightings
J
593
F
659
M
729
A
929
M
936
J
1.1k
J
1.5k
A
1.5k
S
1.3k
O
923
N
679
D
614

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

11k Sightings
J
439
F
382
M
568
A
1.1k
M
1.3k
J
1.2k
J
1.4k
A
1.4k
S
1.3k
O
824
N
584
D
331

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

11k Sightings
J
487
F
542
M
573
A
817
M
864
J
1.1k
J
1.3k
A
1.5k
S
1.3k
O
945
N
679
D
550

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

9k Sightings
J
523
F
492
M
506
A
670
M
755
J
895
J
1.1k
A
1.2k
S
1.1k
O
767
N
521
D
494

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

7.7k Sightings
J
460
F
454
M
461
A
593
M
635
J
752
J
1k
A
1k
S
826
O
588
N
460
D
412

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

7.4k Sightings
J
382
F
338
M
421
A
617
M
627
J
836
J
992
A
960
S
792
O
624
N
401
D
395

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

6.4k Sightings
J
375
F
374
M
434
A
434
M
498
J
583
J
776
A
791
S
740
O
569
N
461
D
364

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

5.8k Sightings
J
380
F
305
M
361
A
519
M
468
J
564
J
617
A
698
S
675
O
455
N
443
D
272

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

5k Sightings
J
266
F
308
M
344
A
360
M
385
J
576
J
638
A
598
S
499
O
414
N
344
D
246

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

4.6k Sightings
J
243
F
294
M
303
A
364
M
358
J
516
J
614
A
593
S
479
O
405
N
219
D
259

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

4k Sightings
J
243
F
244
M
264
A
372
M
351
J
493
J
497
A
423
S
408
O
287
N
202
D
217

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

3.8k Sightings
J
238
F
177
M
234
A
297
M
322
J
447
J
553
A
437
S
374
O
277
N
177
D
241

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Cornetfish

Cornetfish

3.5k Sightings
J
108
F
195
M
200
A
233
M
343
J
415
J
486
A
562
S
434
O
227
N
156
D
134

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

3.1k Sightings
J
129
F
167
M
160
A
276
M
237
J
354
J
461
A
450
S
318
O
247
N
177
D
142

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

2.6k Sightings
J
122
F
128
M
169
A
212
M
236
J
287
J
296
A
329
S
349
O
213
N
192
D
81

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Tuna

Tuna

2.6k Sightings
J
82
F
86
M
131
A
127
M
188
J
234
J
426
A
587
S
431
O
162
N
73
D
84

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Garfish

Garfish

2.5k Sightings
J
115
F
128
M
121
A
190
M
258
J
302
J
339
A
356
S
322
O
203
N
101
D
93

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

2.5k Sightings
J
92
F
168
M
171
A
195
M
208
J
302
J
343
A
292
S
262
O
201
N
140
D
134

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

2.3k Sightings
J
135
F
119
M
152
A
165
M
203
J
253
J
306
A
295
S
266
O
122
N
114
D
137

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

2k Sightings
J
103
F
127
M
137
A
196
M
186
J
207
J
252
A
247
S
228
O
176
N
105
D
81

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

1.8k Sightings
J
94
F
62
M
85
A
146
M
129
J
186
J
215
A
287
S
206
O
185
N
121
D
61

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

1.6k Sightings
J
67
F
90
M
125
A
114
M
109
J
181
J
217
A
288
S
227
O
128
N
50
D
53

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

1.6k Sightings
J
75
F
64
M
102
A
114
M
129
J
168
J
181
A
292
S
209
O
124
N
88
D
61

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Flounder

Flounder

1.6k Sightings
J
89
F
75
M
106
A
105
M
179
J
199
J
200
A
203
S
137
O
119
N
93
D
64

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

1.4k Sightings
J
20
F
20
M
49
A
148
M
292
J
286
J
316
A
182
S
71
O
50
N
12
D
0
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

1.4k Sightings
J
38
F
63
M
69
A
71
M
71
J
112
J
209
A
261
S
264
O
148
N
94
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

1.4k Sightings
J
110
F
91
M
88
A
112
M
98
J
134
J
190
A
144
S
138
O
135
N
108
D
70
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

1.4k Sightings
J
10
F
23
M
49
A
49
M
187
J
202
J
234
A
243
S
222
O
81
N
45
D
21
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse

1.3k Sightings
J
102
F
30
M
80
A
153
M
216
J
209
J
280
A
27
S
18
O
19
N
58
D
92

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

1.1k Sightings
J
64
F
73
M
83
A
100
M
95
J
124
J
89
A
125
S
104
O
72
N
67
D
63

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

857 Sightings
J
51
F
67
M
34
A
39
M
91
J
98
J
158
A
115
S
104
O
39
N
21
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Sand Eel

Sand Eel

763 Sightings
J
26
F
36
M
25
A
30
M
58
J
91
J
167
A
136
S
67
O
91
N
25
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

685 Sightings
J
35
F
40
M
55
A
92
M
81
J
91
J
99
A
69
S
51
O
21
N
41
D
10

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