By Blaise Jaeger — PADI Master Scuba Diver based in Nusa Penida, diving Mangrove since 2017 · Updated on July 1, 2026
Mangrove Point is one of the most accessible and most colourful dive sites in Nusa Penida. Located on the north coast of Nusa Lembongan, facing the strait that separates the island from Nusa Ceningan, it takes its name from the large mangrove area lining the coast — a habitat that plays a key role in the health of the neighbouring reef.
The site is a long, gently sloping coral plateau swept by a steady current, which makes it one of the finest drift dives in the region. You’ll cross paths with turtles, eagle rays, schools of trevallies and — in season — sometimes a Mola Mola, all in water that is usually very clear and pleasantly warm.
I’ve been diving Mangrove regularly since 2017, and here I share everything you need to know about the site: conditions, marine life and the best routes for your level. 👉 Looking for the big picture? See our complete guide to the best dive sites in Bali & Nusa Penida.
Mangrove Point at a Glance
| Type of diving | Drift, coral garden, photography, fish ID |
| Level | All levels (with the right guide) |
| Depth | 6–35 m |
| Highlights | Coral, turtles, eagle rays, smooth drift |
| Current | None to moderate, usually west → east |
| Water temperature | 25–28°C |
| Visibility | 20–25 m |
| Best time | Year-round |
| Time from Toyapakeh | ~10 minutes by boat |
What Level to Dive Mangrove Point?
Mangrove suits almost every kind of diver, from a first-timer to the seasoned diver who simply wants a contemplative drift.
Beginners and discovery divers find an ideal playground here: the gentle slope lets you stay between 6 and 12 meters, visibility is usually excellent and the steady current helps you move without effort. It’s one of the best sites for a first taste of Bali’s tropical waters — you can absolutely do your discovery dive here.
Intermediate divers happily drop between 15 and 25 meters to follow the coral plateau and look for turtles resting in the crevices. It’s also a very popular site for PADI Open Water training, especially for dives 3 and 4. Experienced divers push to 30–35 meters in the western part of the site, where the slope steepens and encounters with eagle rays — and, in season, the Mola Mola — become more likely.
The Mangrove Coral Reef
Mangrove’s reef is a long coral plateau running the entire north coast of Nusa Lembongan, over several hundred meters. The length of the dive depends entirely on the current: with no current, an hour isn’t enough to cover the whole site; on a strong drift, you can complete it in twenty minutes.
The topography is simple and easy to read. You descend onto a shallow plateau, between 6 and 12 meters, covered in hard corals and fire corals, then follow the gentle slope that drops progressively to 30 or even 40 meters. The substrate alternates between coral bommies, gorgonian gardens and sandy patches where stingrays often hide. The reef is remarkably healthy: the neighbouring mangrove filters sediment and delivers the nutrients corals need, which translates into an explosion of colour and dense biodiversity, from big pelagics to the tiniest nudibranch.
At the eastern end of the site, submarine cables mark the boundary. Don’t venture past them, especially if there’s current, as it could carry you toward the Blue Corner dive site, where currents can be intense.
Drift Diving at Mangrove
Mangrove is, above all, known as one of the finest drift dives in Nusa Penida. The current, most often running from west to east, carries you along the reef without any need to fin. That sensation of “flying” over the coral is what makes the site so addictive: you glide a few meters above the plateau, eyes free to scan the life streaming past — a school of fusiliers, a grazing turtle, an eagle ray passing in the blue.
The current is usually moderate and predictable, which makes the drift accessible even to less experienced divers. You should still stay alert to local up- and down-currents, especially mid-dive, and keep an eye on your depth and your guide. In the cold season (July to October), Mangrove can also offer — more rarely than Crystal Bay — a Mola Mola sighting in the blue when it rises onto the plateau to be cleaned.
Marine Life at Mangrove
Mangrove’s coral plateau is home to extraordinarily varied marine life, dominated by reef fish and rays. You’ll regularly meet green and hawksbill turtles, often resting on the coral or rising to breathe. Eagle rays frequently pass in the blue, sometimes in small groups of two or three — the encounter that impresses my beginner divers most.
The plateau itself teems with surgeonfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, angelfish and fusiliers, forming colourful clouds above the coral. Trevally schools patrol the edge of the drop-off, and you might come across an octopus hidden in a crevice or a whitetip reef shark resting under a coral head. For macro lovers, the site is a goldmine: nudibranchs of every colour, cleaner shrimps, gobies and decorator crabs hide on the shallow plateau — perfect for finishing the dive in shallow water. You can dive deeper into the region’s species on our pages about mola mola, nudibranchs and sharks.
How to Dive Mangrove
Mangrove lends itself to every way of discovering Nusa Penida’s underwater world. For a discovery dive, the centre takes you to the most sheltered part of the plateau, between 6 and 12 meters: a gentle descent, no strong current, and immediately clear water and a rich reef — one of the best try-dive spots in the whole region. For PADI training (Open Water, Advanced, Nitrox), Mangrove is regularly used for training dives: the simple topography, visibility and steady current let students focus on the exercises without stress.
For certified fun divers, the site is best enjoyed as a 50–60 minute drift, starting from the western tip and letting the current carry you to the cables in the east. Mangrove is also an excellent snorkeling spot: the shallow part of the plateau is reachable from the surface, where you’ll see turtles, tropical fish and coral without any dive gear.
Dive Mangrove with Roy
Roy is a dive instructor at Dune Penida who dives Mangrove all year and knows exactly how to time the drift and where the turtles and eagle rays gather. First tropical dive, PADI course or a relaxed fun drift? Message Roy directly — he’ll pick the right day and route for your level.
Words from Our Divers at Mangrove
I discovered Mangrove during my holidays in Nusa Penida. It was my first time in the tropics — I used to dive in France, in the south but also in St Malo — so I asked my instructor to take me to “an aquarium”. I was definitely not disappointed! The crystal-clear water won my heart before we even descended. I’d never seen so many corals and colours, totally surrounded by fish. There was a tiny current, so no need to kick — a lovely sensation. I also saw white-spotted eagle rays for the first time. Diving Mangrove was my best memory of the whole trip.
Solène, June 2018
The fourth dive of our PADI Open Water course was particularly special. Diving Mangrove was great: we didn’t have to use our fins, just drift nice and easy, carried by the current — while staying focused on the up- and down-currents to hold our depth. We did it on Nitrox. We really had the feeling of flying, just enjoying that underwater world. The spot is rich in colours and surrounded by fish and turtles, each more surprising than the last.
Lucien, January 2020
Marion, PADI OWSI: “If I had to choose one site to make my divers addicted to the ocean, it would be Mangrove. I often call it a diving ‘leisure park’ in my briefings — big and small animals, schools of fish all around us. It’s the ideal spot to teach the Drift Diver specialty, and it works whatever the level of the diver.”
Loïc, PADI OWSI: “Mangrove is very special — the atmosphere is different from Nusa Penida’s waters, warm and crystal clear after diving cold Manta Point. It’s a lovely spot to discover scuba diving or just enjoy a gentle ride. Such a rich diversity makes it perfect for teaching, and it’s a joy to see the astonishment in my students’ eyes facing their first barracuda, eagle ray, reef shark or even a Mola Mola.”
Why Dive Mangrove Point?
Mangrove is, to my mind, the most accessible and most relaxing dive site in Nusa Penida. Its gentle slope, steady current and rich reef make it a dive that everyone can enjoy, from the first-timer to the seasoned underwater photographer. It’s also a site that ages well: its proximity to the mangrove protects the reef, and almost every dive rewards you with a memorable encounter — a sleeping turtle, an eagle ray in the blue or a backlit school of trevallies.
Mangrove Point Diving FAQ
Is Mangrove Point good for beginners?
Yes — it’s one of the best sites for discovery dives and first certified dives in Nusa Penida, thanks to its gentle slope and moderate current.
Is there always current at Mangrove?
There’s almost always some current, but it stays moderate and makes the drift easier. Stay attentive to local up- and down-currents.
Can you see Mola Mola at Mangrove?
More rarely than at Crystal Bay, but yes: a Mola Mola can appear between July and October when it rises onto the plateau to be cleaned.
How deep is Mangrove Point?
The site runs between 6 and 35 meters. Beginners stay between 6 and 18 meters, while experienced divers can drop deeper along the slope.
What is the water temperature at Mangrove?
The water is usually between 25 and 28°C — warmer than Crystal Bay, as the site is less exposed to cold-water upwellings.
Can you snorkel at Mangrove?
Yes — it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in Nusa Lembongan, accessible from the surface over the shallow plateau.
How long does it take to reach Mangrove from Toyapakeh?
About 10 minutes by boat from Toyapakeh harbour in Nusa Penida.
Plan your trip to Nusa Penida
If Mangrove has sparked your curiosity, take a deeper look at everything the island offers — above and below the surface. Plan your stay with our complete travel guide to Nusa Penida, and for divers, our Nusa Penida diving guide covers seasons, temperatures, currents and certifications. You can dive Mangrove and many other exceptional sites with Dune Penida Dive Center, a PADI 5★ center based on Nusa Penida. Dive deeper into the region’s marine life on our pages about manta rays, mola mola, sharks and nudibranchs.
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About the author
Blaise Jaeger opened Nusa Penida’s first PADI dive centre in 2017 and has guided countless drifts along Mangrove and the Nusa Lembongan reef. A PADI Master Scuba Diver based on the island, he shares first-hand, safety-first guides to diving Nusa Penida.