Discovery Dive in Bali: Discover Scuba Diving (2026)

By Blaise Jaeger — PADI Master Scuba Diver, based in Nusa Penida · Updated July 2026

What is a discovery dive?

A discovery dive — known in the PADI world as Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) — is an introduction to scuba diving. It’s designed for anyone who wants to feel what diving is like without spending the few days needed to become a certified diver. Discovering scuba diving in Bali is quite a memory to bring home, isn’t it? And who knows — you may love it so much that you’ll want to continue with the PADI Open Water Diver course. To go further, you can also read our complete guide to scuba diving in Bali and Nusa Penida.

We run our discovery dives at Dune Penida, the dive centre I opened in 2017 under the name Warnakali — the first PADI centre on the island, which now operates as Dune Penida.

Can you do a discovery dive without experience (or without knowing how to swim)?

Yes. No prior scuba experience and no certification are required — that’s the whole point of a discovery dive. You don’t even need to be a strong swimmer: you must simply be in good health (you’ll fill in a short health questionnaire beforehand) and comfortable in the water, without a fear of it. Everything happens under the direct, one-on-one supervision of a PADI instructor, who guides a maximum of two beginners at a time.

How is a discovery dive in Bali?

A discovery dive with Dune Penida follows the standards of the world’s leading diving organization, PADI. It consists of some training in the swimming pool, followed by two sea dives around Nusa Penida, Bali. The experience is led by experienced dive instructors who know Nusa Penida’s dive sites and currents perfectly. And to ensure the best possible care, each instructor guides only two divers on a discovery dive.

We start discovering diving in the pool

We first pick you up from your hotel in Nusa Penida in the late afternoon and bring you to the centre to choose your equipment. After a short diving theory briefing, it’s time to get in the water and “breathe underwater”. You calmly get used to the scuba equipment in shallow water.

Then you dive into the 3-metre deep pool to learn to equalize your ears in a reassuring environment. That’s it — you’re ready to dive in the beautiful waters of Nusa Penida! But before that, we’ll probably enjoy the beautiful sunset from the Dune Penida dive centre.

Then let’s go diving underwater in Nusa Penida!

We pick you up the next morning at your hotel and head straight to the port of Toyapakeh. From there we go to the first dive spot for your first underwater discovery dive around Nusa Penida. After a well-deserved fruit salad and coffee, we do a quick recap of the first dive. Soon you’ll head back into the colours of the underwater world for the second discovery dive. With a little luck, you may spot manta rays on one of the two dives. Finally (already?), we take you back to your hotel — and that’s it, you’ve joined the great family of scuba divers!

What will you see on a discovery dive?

This is what makes Nusa Penida so special for a first dive: even as a beginner, you dive on world-class sites. On the shallow reefs you’ll see colourful fish, healthy coral and often green turtles — and, in the right conditions, your instructor can take first-timers to Manta Point, where reef manta rays glide over the cleaning station at just 8–12 metres. Very few places on earth let you meet mantas on your very first dive.

At what age can you start diving?

For a discovery dive at sea, you must be at least 10 years old. No prior scuba-diving experience is required, but you must be in good physical health. We’re proud to have introduced 10-year-old Elias to diving — his birthday present was a discovery dive in Bali, and more precisely at Manta Point with the manta rays of Nusa Penida!

Between 8 and 10 years in the pool, from 10 years at sea

If your child is between 8 and 10 years old, you can also introduce them to diving in the Dune Penida swimming pool. Two options for this: the Bubblemaker programme for a first contact with diving, and the PADI Seal Team programme, which builds technique through exciting AquaMissions.

What will you learn during your discovery dive?

You learn the basic safety guidelines and skills needed to dive under the direct supervision of a PADI professional. During the sea dive, you’ll practise a few skills in shallow water to prepare for your adventure. Get ready to:

• Go over the scuba equipment you use to dive, and see how easy it is to move around underwater with your gear.
• Find out what it’s like to breathe underwater.
• Learn key skills that you’ll use on every scuba dive.
• Have fun swimming around and exploring.
• Hear about becoming a certified diver through the PADI Open Water Diver course.

What scuba gear will you use?

Dune Penida provides all the basic scuba gear you’ll use, including a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device, dive gauges and a tank.

All equipment at the Dune Penida dive centre is new and maintained by qualified staff. And most importantly, all the necessary safety equipment is on hand.

How deep is a discovery dive?

The PADI standard requires staying within 12 metres deep. The first 3 metres are the most important, to properly equalize the air pressure in your inner ear — which is exactly why we practise it in the swimming pool before going to sea.

The good news is that most dive sites in Nusa Penida offer very nice dives at less than 12 m deep.

Where do you do a discovery dive in Nusa Penida?

Your Dune Penida instructor chooses the best sites each day according to the tides, currents and weather. The most common sites for your first dive, depending on conditions, are:

• Manta Point
• Gamat Bay
• Crystal Bay
• Toyapakeh
• PED, SD, Buyuk, Sental or Tugu

In any case, your instructor will ensure your safety and comfort and make this experience unforgettable! For the full list, see our guide to the 20 best dive sites around Nusa Penida.

What is the price of a discovery dive in Nusa Penida?

A discovery dive — a pool session plus two sea dives around Nusa Penida, including a dive at Manta Point — costs around 2.6 million rupiah per person (about €135).

The price generally includes:

• a pool dive plus two recreational dives with an experienced guide
• rental of complete equipment (regulator, buoyancy control device, dive gauges, 5 mm wetsuit, boots, mask, fins, weight belt, 12-litre aluminium tank)
• transport to the Nusa Penida dive sites by speedboat, with oxygen, radios and safety equipment on board
• PADI insurance
• a snack on board: tea, coffee and a bite to eat
• pick-up and return to your hotel within a 5 km radius of the dive centre

Book your discovery dive

Most of our divers book their discovery dive a few days ahead directly on WhatsApp. Message Roy at Dune Penida with your dates and questions — he’ll confirm availability, the best day for conditions, and current rates.

Discover scuba diving with Roy

Roy is an Indonesian dive instructor at Dune Penida who guides first-timers every day and knows exactly which site and time suit beginners best. Nervous about your first dive, or not sure it’s for you? Message Roy directly — he’ll reassure you, pick the right day and book your discovery dive.

Ask Roy on WhatsApp

About this guide

This guide was created by Blaise Jaeger together with Roy, dive instructor at Dune Penida. Blaise discovered Nusa Penida in 2015 and opened the island’s first PADI dive centre in 2017 (created as Warnakali, now Dune Penida); he is a PADI Master Scuba Diver with more than 700 logged dives. Roy is a PADI dive instructor at Dune Penida who guides first-timers on discovery dives almost every day. Together, our goal is to give you accurate, first-hand information so you can safely try scuba diving in Nusa Penida.

Read some reviews from other divers!

Dune Penida has received more than 800 outstanding reviews from divers around the world. Read them and contact us if you have any questions — it’s always a pleasure to chat with divers. Here are a few recent reviews from happy first-timers:

Discovery diving

As someone who doesn’t swim, I really appreciate the patient and attentive training and company of my pool training instructor Ilham and my diving instructor Badra. When I first started the pool training, I actually told the center that I wouldn’t continue the diving the day after because I was really terrified. However Ilham calmed me and gave me confidence through step-by-step instruction given the information was quite overwhelming for beginner/or ocean fearer. The second day when I dived, Badra was very patient with me coming up and down and getting used to the water condition. I managed to dive eventually. I’m very proud of myself and extremely grateful for my two instructors who accompanied me to come out of my comfort zone safely. I am still afraid of water at the end of the end, so this kind of experience is priceless to me! I saw manta!!! Phoebe

Colorfully fish, turtle and mantas.

It was my first dive and I was nervous, the dive teacher Ilham gave a good and clear instruction in the swimming pool and made me feel more comfortable under water. The next day we did two dives and we saw a lot of different colorfully fish, a turtle and manta’s. I would recommend the company! Carmen

Discovery dive

My girlfriend and I booked a discovery dive on whatsapp a couple days before. Price is good and i could not find better pricing in other places like Karimunjawa or Lebuan Bajo. Our diving instructor was Ilham, we were happy to have him as our instructor. We saw a lot of fish and even Manta Rays and a Green Sea Turtle. The vibe on the boat was good with nice music. Jack

Wonderful experience

What an absolutely wonderful experience. Thomas is an amazing instructor: he explains everything very well and he’s very patient. He made the experience even better. Jyoti

Absolutely amazing!

All staff is very professional and kind. This was my very first time diving and I felt extremely comfortable. Got to see mantas and turtles!! Kelsee

FAQ — discovery dive in Nusa Penida

Do you need to know how to swim to do a discovery dive?

No, you don’t need to be a strong swimmer. You must be in good health (you’ll complete a short health questionnaire) and comfortable in the water without a fear of it. Everything is done under the direct one-on-one supervision of a PADI instructor.

Do you need a certification for a discovery dive?

No. A discovery dive (PADI Discover Scuba Diving) requires no certification and no prior experience — it’s the easiest way to try scuba diving for the first time.

How much does a discovery dive in Nusa Penida cost?

Around 2.6 million rupiah per person (about €135), including a pool session, two sea dives with a dive at Manta Point, full equipment, boat transport, insurance and hotel pick-up within 5 km of the centre.

Can you see manta rays on a discovery dive?

Often, yes. In the right conditions your instructor can take first-timers to Manta Point, where reef mantas cruise at just 8–12 metres — well within discovery-dive depth. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but Nusa Penida is one of the very few places where you might meet mantas on your first dive.

What’s the difference between a discovery dive and the Open Water course?

A discovery dive is a guided one-day taster with no certification. The PADI Open Water Diver course takes a few days and certifies you to dive independently worldwide down to 18 metres.

Plan your trip to Nusa Penida

If this article has sparked your curiosity, it’s worth taking a deeper look at everything the island offers — 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.

For divers, don’t miss our Nusa Penida diving guide, which explains seasons, water temperatures, currents, certifications and what to expect in these uniquely dynamic waters. You can also dive deeper into the region’s marine life with our 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 around Nusa Penida breaks down each site by level, conditions and marine life — so you can build a dive plan that matches your experience, comfort and sense of adventure.