Nusa Penida Diving : Our Ultimate Guide for 2026

If you are planning a dive trip to Bali, there is one destination you simply cannot miss: Nusa Penida. Just 40 minutes by boat from the mainland, this island delivers some of the most spectacular diving in Indonesia. Year-round manta rays, seasonal encounters with the legendary oceanic sunfish (Mola Mola), powerful drift dives, vibrant coral reefs, reef sharks, turtles, and massive schools of fish — Nusa Penida offers the kind of underwater experience divers travel across the world for.

While Bali has excellent wreck and macro diving, it is Nusa Penida that truly defines world-class diving in the region. Strong nutrient-rich currents attract extraordinary marine life, creating dynamic and unforgettable dives with visibility often reaching 20–30 meters. Whether you are an experienced diver looking for adrenaline-filled drift dives, dreaming of seeing a Mola Mola, or planning your very first discovery dive with manta rays, this guide will show you exactly why Nusa Penida should be the highlight of your Bali diving adventure.

In this 2026 ultimate guide, we share everything you need to know — best dive sites, seasons, safety, training options, and how to organize your dives for maximum marine life encounters.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Let’s dive in.

Marine Life in Nusa Penida

Manta Rays at Manta Point

One of the highlights of Nusa Penida diving is the opportunity to encounter manta rays year-round at Manta Point. This iconic site features several natural cleaning stations where reef manta rays gather to have parasites removed by smaller fish. Divers can calmly observe these graceful giants as they circle, glide overhead, and sometimes approach within just a few meters. With relatively shallow depths and consistent sightings throughout the year, Manta Point offers one of the most reliable and unforgettable manta ray experiences in Bali.

Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish) Season

One of the most extraordinary experiences in Nusa Penida diving is encountering the majestic Mola Mola, also known as the oceanic sunfish. These impressive deep-water giants typically appear between July and October, when cooler upwellings rise along the reefs and cleaning stations. Divers often find them at depths of 25–40 meters, hovering almost motionless as reef fish remove parasites. Seeing a Mola Mola in its natural habitat is a rare and unforgettable highlight of diving in Nusa Penida, and one of the main reasons experienced divers travel here from around the world.

Sharks and Pelagic Species

Beyond manta rays and Mola Mola, Nusa Penida diving regularly offers encounters with sharks and other exciting pelagic species. Bamboo sharks are the most commonly seen at Manta Point. But whale sharks and thresher sharks are occasionally spotted. In the blue, divers may also encounter eagle rays, large tunas, giant trevallies, and schools of barracuda moving with the currents. The nutrient-rich waters surrounding the island create ideal conditions for these larger predators, making diving in Nusa Penida dynamic, unpredictable, and thrilling for those who love big marine life.

Schools of Fish and Reef Life

While pelagic encounters steal the spotlight, Nusa Penida diving is equally impressive for reef life and schooling fish. The coral plateaus and walls are alive with fusiliers, surgeonfish, and anthias shimmering in the current. Healthy hard and soft corals create a vibrant backdrop, sheltering moray eels, scorpionfish, and countless reef species. Even between big-animal sightings, diving in Nusa Penida offers constant movement, color, and biodiversity at every depth.

Macro Diving and Nudibranchs

Beyond its famous pelagics, Nusa Penida diving is a true playground for macro lovers. The reefs host an impressive variety of nudibranch species — from colorful chromodoris and delicate flavellina to striking nembrotha — turning every dive into an underwater treasure hunt. Patient divers and keen-eyed guides can also spot rare and fascinating creatures such as pygmy seahorses hidden on sea fans, Zanzibar shrimps camouflaged in soft corals, and the iconic orangutan crab tucked inside bubble corals. For photographers and detail-oriented divers, diving in Nusa Penida offers just as much excitement in the small as it does in the big.

Best Dive Sites in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida offers an exceptional concentration of world-class dive sites within a relatively small area. From iconic pelagic hotspots to colorful drift dives along coral plateaus, diving in Nusa Penida delivers remarkable diversity in just a few boat minutes. Below are some of the most famous and frequently dived sites around the island. For a complete regional overview, you can also explore our full guide to the 20 Best Dive Sites in Bali.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay dive site is one of the most legendary Nusa Penida diving sites, best known for seasonal encounters with the Mola Mola. Between July and October, divers descend along the reef slope to cleaning stations where oceanic sunfish may appear from the deep. The bay also features healthy coral gardens, reef sharks, and excellent visibility, making it a favorite year-round.

Manta Point

Manta Point is the island’s most reliable site for year-round manta ray encounters. Several cleaning stations attract reef manta rays that glide gracefully in shallow water, offering long and unforgettable interactions. Although sea conditions can sometimes be lively, the site’s relatively shallow depth makes it accessible to a wide range of divers.

Toyapakeh

Located on the northwest coast, Toyapakeh dive site is famous for its vibrant coral plateau and rich marine biodiversity. The site combines colorful reef life with occasional pelagic surprises drifting in from the blue. Depending on the current, it can be enjoyed as a relaxed reef dive or an exhilarating drift along one of Nusa Penida’s most beautiful underwater landscapes.

SD Point, Ped, Sental & North Coast Drift Dives

The north coast of Nusa Penida is renowned for spectacular drift diving. Sites such as SD Point, Ped, Sental, and the nearby plateaus form a continuous reef system where divers glide effortlessly with the current. Expect large schools of fish, turtles, reef sharks, and occasional pelagic visitors. These dynamic drift dives are among the most thrilling experiences in Nusa Penida diving and highlight why the island stands out within Bali’s underwater scene.

👉 For a broader comparison including Tulamben, Padang Bai, and North Bali, read our complete guide to the 20 Best Dive Sites in Bali.

Different types of diving in Nusa Penida and Bali

Nusa Penida Island offers a range of scuba diving experiences suitable for all levels of expertise. From drift diving in strong currents to deep diving in search of the majestic Mola Mola, divers of all backgrounds have fallen in love with Nusa Penida’s offerings.

Drift diving in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is renowned for its currents, some of which are stable and moderate, such as those found on the north coast of the island, which enable stunning drift dives along the reef. To enjoy the show, maintain proper buoyancy and let the current carry you along.

However, the currents can become more violent in the channel between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan during the middle of the rising or falling tide. These currents bring an abundance of marine life and can make for a breathtaking dive. But you must exercise caution and heed the guidance of your guide. You may also want to check the Nusa Penida tide times.

Deep Diving for Mola Mola

One of the highlights of diving in Nusa Penida is the opportunity to go on a deep dive to see the Mola Mola, or oceanic sunfish.

During the right season, which is typically from July to November, the Mola Mola can be found at depths of over 30 meters, making a deep dive necessary to see them. However, for experienced divers with advanced certifications, the thrill of encountering these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is well worth the effort.

Finally, the easiest dive sites allow you to combine scuba diving and snorkeling. This is interesting if your partner does not want or cannot scuba dive with you.

Beginner & Discovery Dives

You don’t need to be an experienced diver to enjoy Nusa Penida diving. Many sites around the island offer relatively shallow coral plateaus with excellent visibility, making them suitable for beginners under professional supervision. Most programs start with a short pool or confined-water session to build confidence before heading into the ocean. If you’d like to try scuba diving for the first time, you can read our complete guide to Discovery Diving in Nusa Penida to understand how the experience works step by step.

One of the biggest advantages of diving in Nusa Penida is that even beginners can experience something truly spectacular. Manta Point is particularly well suited for discovery dives because the manta cleaning station lies at around 10–12 meters deep. This means first-time divers can safely descend with an instructor and still have the chance to see manta rays gliding gracefully overhead — an unforgettable first underwater experience.

Snorkeling + Diving Combinations

Nusa Penida is also ideal if you are traveling with a partner or friends who don’t dive. Several locations offer shallow reefs where snorkeling and scuba diving can take place in the same area, allowing everyone to enjoy the marine life together. While certified divers explore deeper sections of the reef, snorkelers can observe manta rays, turtles, and vibrant coral gardens from the surface. This flexibility makes Nusa Penida diving trips easy to organize for mixed groups, without anyone missing out on the experience.

Diving Conditions in Nusa Penida

Currents and Safety

When selecting a diving center in Nusa Penida, safety is crucial. The region’s strong currents, including tearing and downward currents, require safety equipment and experienced guides. Additionally, Indonesian law mandates a maximum of four divers per guide.

To guarantee your safety, make sure to select a reputable diving center that provides essential safety equipment like oxygen and radio onboard and provides insurance. Experienced guides and instructors who are familiar with Nusa Penida’s diving sites are also essential. Reading reviews from other divers on sites like TripAdvisor can help you make an informed decision.

Visibility and Water Temperature

One of the reasons Nusa Penida diving is so rewarding is the generally excellent visibility and refreshing water conditions. On most days, visibility ranges between 20 and 30 meters, allowing divers to fully appreciate the dramatic reef structures, schooling fish, and approaching pelagic species. Water temperature at the surface typically sits around 26–28°C, but it can drop significantly at depth, especially during Mola Mola season when cooler upwellings bring nutrient-rich water from the deep. Thermoclines are common, and temperatures below 20–22°C are not unusual on deeper dives, so a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit is usually recommended for comfort when diving in Nusa Penida.

Best Season to Dive

Diving in Nusa Penida is available throughout the year, with incredible marine life to witness. However, to catch a glimpse of sunfish, it’s better to schedule your diving trip between August to October, during the Mola Mola season. On the other hand, you can see Manta rays all year long. Nevertheless, we guarantee you an unforgettable diving experience in Nusa Penida, regardless of the time of your visit.

PADI Courses in Nusa Penida

Thanks to its wide variety of dive conditions — from calm coral plateaus to dynamic drift dives — Nusa Penida is an excellent place to continue your scuba training. Whether you are taking your first certification or progressing toward a professional level, diving in Nusa Penida offers real-world experience in currents, buoyancy control, deep diving, and marine life awareness.

Open Water Course

The PADI Open Water Course is the most popular certification for beginners and your first step toward independent diving. Training begins in a controlled environment, where you learn essential safety skills before completing your open water dives in the sea. Learning while diving in Nusa Penida means discovering vibrant reefs and rich marine life from the start, building confidence in real ocean conditions under close instructor supervision.

Advanced Open Water

The PADI Advanced Open Water course helps you expand your skills and dive deeper into specialized experiences. In Nusa Penida, this often includes drift diving, deep diving, underwater navigation, and sometimes fish identification. Training in these dynamic conditions prepares you to handle currents and depth changes with confidence — and increases your chances of safely encountering species like the Mola Mola.

Rescue Diver Course

The PADI Rescue Diver course is often described as the most challenging and rewarding step in a diver’s journey. This program focuses on prevention, problem-solving, and managing emergency situations both underwater and at the surface. Completing your Rescue training while diving in Nusa Penida gives you practical experience in real current conditions, improving awareness, confidence, and your ability to assist other divers in dynamic environments.

Divemaster Training

For those ready to turn their passion into a professional path, Divemaster training in Nusa Penida provides intensive real-world experience. You will assist instructors, guide certified divers, and learn how to manage dive logistics in varying conditions. The island’s currents and biodiversity create an ideal training ground, helping future dive professionals develop strong situational awareness, leadership skills, and technical confidence in one of Bali’s most exciting underwater destinations.

Why Dive With Dune Penida

Safety Standards

In 2017, Dune Penida diving center was established under the name of Warnakali. As the first PADI certified diving center in Nusa Penida, it quickly gained recognition. And joined the exclusive club of PADI Five Star dive resorts in Bali in less than two years. With several hundred 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor, the center and its team have proven to deliver exceptional services.

The team’s profound knowledge of dive sites enables them to offer a diverse range of dives every day, guiding you to sites or times when you will encounter minimal traffic from other divers.

Equipment and Facilities

Dune Penida offers an extensive range of diving options, including Nitrox and 15-liter tanks, to suit your preferences.

Furthermore, the center boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including a 3-meter deep swimming pool, which guarantees a safe and comfortable environment for divers of all skill levels. The pool serves as an excellent training ground for beginners, preparing them for their first sea dives with exceptional ease and comfort.

Daily Dive Organization

The scuba diving excursion in Nusa Penida will begin with a meeting at Toyapakeh, where our boat is stationed. Your equipment, in the sizes you provided the day before, will already be set up on board. After a brief coffee break to introduce ourselves, we’ll embark on our adventure for either a full day of three dives or a half day of two dives. During the surface interval, a snack will be provided on the boat.

The selection of dive sites will depend on the sea conditions as well as the preferences and experience levels of the group. We have access to fifty dive sites in Bali that we frequent regularly.

Where to Stay for Diving in Nusa Penida

Choosing the right accommodation can make a significant difference in your overall Nusa Penida diving experience. Staying close to your dive center simplifies logistics, reduces early-morning transfers, and allows you to relax between dives.

Staying at Adiwana Warnakali

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, Adiwana Warnakali offers a boutique dive resort experience designed with divers in mind. Guests can enjoy ocean-view rooms, 2 swimming pools, including one for training sessions, an on-site restaurant, and easy coordination with the dive team. For divers seeking both comfort and efficiency, staying at Adiwana Warnakali allows you to focus entirely on exploring the underwater world of Nusa Penida.

Other Diving in Bali (Extension Guide)

Wreck Diving in Bali

Bali’s waters are home to some incredible wreck dive sites, offering divers a chance to explore the remains of sunken ships that have become artificial reefs and habitats for a diverse range of marine life. One of the most famous wreck dive sites in Bali is the USAT Liberty shipwreck. This ship was torpedoed during World War II and now rests on the seabed off the coast of Tulamben.

The USAT Liberty is a fascinating wreck dive, with the ship’s hull and superstructure covered in colorful soft corals, sponges, and anemones. Schools of fish, such as snappers, batfish, and jacks, can be seen weaving in and out of the wreck. And larger species, such as barracudas and reef sharks, patrol the area.

Other popular wreck dive sites in Bali include the Japanese shipwreck at Amed and the Boga wreck at Kubu. These sites offer unique opportunities for divers to explore history, witness the growth of new coral formations. And also encounter marine life in a completely different environment.

Padang Bai and Gili Islands

While Nusa Penida diving is the highlight for many visitors, the dive sites around Padang Bai and its nearby Gili islands offer an exciting extension to your Bali underwater adventure. Located on Bali’s east coast, these sites are known for dramatic underwater topography, strong currents, and impressive pelagic encounters. The trio of islands — Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha, and Gili Mimpang — feature steep walls, shark caves, and deep-water cleaning stations where Mola Mola may also appear during the season. These dives are generally best suited for experienced divers and add a thrilling, more technical dimension to a Bali diving itinerary.

Dune Penida regularly organizes dive trips to these Gili islands directly from Nusa Penida, with a boat ride of less than 30 minutes, making it a convenient and thrilling addition to your diving itinerary. These sites are generally best suited for experienced divers and add a more technical, adventurous dimension to a Bali diving experience.

Amed and Macro Diving

For divers who love small and unusual marine life, Amed on Bali’s northeast coast offers a completely different atmosphere from Nusa Penida diving. Known for its calm conditions and dark volcanic sand slopes, Amed is a haven for macro photography and patient exploration. Sites such as Jemeluk Bay and Lipah Bay are famous for critters including frogfish, ghost pipefish, shrimp species, and a wide variety of nudibranchs. Compared to the powerful currents of Nusa Penida, diving in Amed is generally more relaxed, making it an ideal complement to a trip focused on big pelagics and drift dives.

Plan Your Nusa Penida Diving Trip

Planning your Nusa Penida diving trip is simple, but a little preparation helps you maximize your underwater time.

How to Get There

Nusa Penida is just 35–45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur in Bali. While day trips are possible, staying on the island gives you earlier access to dive sites and more flexibility.

How Many Days

We recommend at least 2–3 diving days to explore different sites and increase your chances of seeing manta rays or sasonal Mola Mola. Four or more days allow a more relaxed schedule and greater variety.

Booking Advice

Nusa Penida is popular year-round, especially during Mola Mola season (July–October), so advance booking is recommended. Choose a professional dive center experienced with local currents and safety standards.

For full logistics, transport options, and accommodation advice, see our complete Nusa Penida Travel Guide.

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