Diving Batu Bolong, Nusa Penida

Diving Batu Bolong, Nusa Penida

Batu Bolong means “hollow stone“. The shape of this rock is indeed iconic, which is why we used it as an inspiration for our logo. Getting ready to go diving Batu Bolong is always a special moment, a mix of excitation & concentration. Because this is one of the most legendary dive sites in Bali ! From Toyapakeh, we will navigate 30 minutes in the direction of Manta point.

The entry point

To choose the entry point, your guide will first analyze the currents & their strength, but also the waves & the wind. We usually enter the water and start the dive with negative buoyancy entry. Because the currents can be strong and you need to reach the bottom pretty fast.

Schools of gold-band fusilier and surgeonfishes will escort us deep to find the coral rock, starting point of the site & consequence of a perfect & safe descent.

Sharks, Rays and Mola Mola are also diving Batu Bolong

It is right there, between our reference rock & the main one that we will be able to observe thresher sharks, families of eagle rays & marble rays, and for the luckiest one hammerhead shark. The Dune Penida team also recently saw a whale shark there on March 5, 2023!

There is on the principal wall a bump which makes the perfect lookout to admire massive schools of batfish, gold-spotted trevally, grouper and sometimes Mola Mola. We may even meet some manta rays passing by. The observation of the wall is also stunning. Octopus, Harlequin shrimp, nembrotha, chromodoris, flabellina will be with us.

Goodbye Batu Bolong

That is where the second part of the dive starts, going around the rock. Drifting along the wall, we remain focused to arrive on a shallow terrace where we can spot some nudibranch & frogfish. We will end the dive and do our safety stop drifting in the open ocean. And finally, our boat, Buraq 3 will pick us up with a big smile.

Words of our guests diving Batu Bolong

Marion, october 2019

I remember when I first dived Batu Bolong, this mythic rock. What an excitement to dive a site where not many people go. As soon as I jumped in the water, I felt the particularity of this site. A school of surgeonfish accompanies us from the entrance to the rock. An unforgettable entry !

After that, for a few minutes, a family of intrigued marble rays played around us. During our ascent along the wall, I was again attracted by the blue, where schools of batfish, banner fish& surgeonfish were cruising. I can’t remember having seen that much life during my different dives around the world. A thresher shark also came furtively to join the party. When we were in the shallow part, the sun’s light highlighted the beauty of the coral gardens, allowing us to observe some smaller animals: crabs, shrimps & nudibranchs.

Batu Bolong is such an untouched spot that it allows us to see a different behavior of the fauna. It seems like species are curious about us. A very special moment in a diver’s life.

Loic, March 2020

Batu Bolong is definitely one of the most prestigious dive sites on Nusa Penida. I think impressive & unpredictable are the words that define it the best. From the negative entry until the safety stop drifting in the wide blue, dozens of thousands of fish are surrounding us. Lucky are the ones diving Batu Bolong in their life, enjoying those delicious and priceless minutes.

You may see every kind of species here. How could you remain insensitive while admiring such an aquatic ballet? Sometimes it is hard to watch in a direction out of fear of missing something. We used to say that every dive is unique, those words are even more true while spending your time diving in this buzzing universe. When I’m asked where to go, without any hesitation, I answer Batu Bolong !

Instructor’s crush at Batu Bolong

It is everything but a coincidence if Batu Bolong is the logo of Warnakali.

I could have written “the diver’s words” as I have been waiting a really long time to dive this site with the right guide. The Mola Mola that started the dive with us and the dive site itself were worth the wait. 5 years ago I wasn’t a guide, even less a diving instructor.

If it is true that there is a huge difference between diving and guiding. This is even more relevant when diving at Batu Bolong. The currents, the low visibility, the negative entry without any reference except the compass during the first minute. I have to focus on all that without forgetting your safety. A minute can be a really long time. As I always mention it in my briefing, stay in my fins and it will be alright. If not, we will have to end the dive. But I never had to cancel a dive. Thanks to everyone for that.

Anyway, whatever conditions the sea offers, it is impossible to leave this site without seeing abundant aquatic life. I have never reached the surface without a bunch of good surprises. No other dive site fulfill more my guests. This is a must on Nusa Penida, nowhere else. Back on the boat, words of my guests are endless, living again this precious time they spent. Something memorable for the ones who dived it correctly.

Batu Bolong dive site characteristics

• Depth : 8-40 m
• Visibility : 10/15 m
• Temperature : 18/22
• Current : strong
• Access : 30 min navigation
• Flora : Coral, sand substrate
• Fauna : Mola-mola, thresher shark, hammerhead shark, eagle ray, marble ray, travelly, mahi mahi (dolphinfish), frogfish, harlequin shrimp, octopus, nudibranch.

Plan your trip to Nusa Penida

If Batu Bolong Dive Site has sparked your curiosity, it’s worth taking a deeper look at everything the island has to offer—both above and below the surface. To help you plan the perfect stay, explore our complete travel guide to Nusa Penida, covering how to get there, where to stay, the best beaches, viewpoints, and practical tips for getting around the island.

For divers, don’t miss our Nusa Penida diving guide, which explains seasons, water temperatures, currents, certifications, and what to expect when diving in these uniquely dynamic waters. You can also dive Batu Bolong and many other exceptional sites with Dune Penida Dive Center, a PADI 5★ center based on Nusa Penida, known for its experienced guides and strong focus on safety and local knowledge. You can also dive deeper into the incredible marine life of the region with our dedicated pages on manta rays, mola mola (ocean sunfish), sharks, and nudibranchs, all commonly encountered around Bali and Nusa Penida.

And if you’re choosing where to dive next, our in-depth guide to the best dive sites in Bali breaks down each site by level, conditions, and marine life—so you can build a dive plan that perfectly matches your experience, your comfort level, and your sense of adventure.