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.
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.
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
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
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.
