Gamat Bay is a magnificent corner of Nusa Penida, a little less convenient to reach than its neighbour Crystal Bay. You drive to the top of the hill, then follow a fairly easy trail down to the shore. It’s a wilder, more intimate spot — and one of the island’s best places to snorkel and dive, with vibrant coral and marine life just offshore.
How Gamat Bay opened up: a local story
Gamat Bay — and the little temple on the beach — were quite hard to reach until 2018. That year, the local taxes paid by the Amok Sun & Cliff Club helped fund a road that now runs almost all the way down to the beach. The road was asphalted in 2020 and inaugurated by the Bupati (the regent of Klungkung, the regency Nusa Penida belongs to) on 9 December 2020.
Then COVID arrived, and the beach stayed deserted until 2022 — I have photos of myself there with not a single building in sight. Since then a first warung has opened, followed by two small resorts (Gamat Bay Resort and Beach House on Gamat Bay). I still see the beach from the boat every time I head out to dive at Crystal Bay or Manta Point. It remains a lovely spot — just a little less wild than it was (and mind the currents).
Snorkeling at Gamat Bay
If you want to snorkel from Gamat Bay beach, bring your own gear or rent some on the road just before you park your scooter. And don’t forget the fins, because the currents can be very strong, as so often in Nusa Penida. Don’t go too far from the beach and be very careful, especially if there’s no boat out front. We once rescued a woman with our dive boat who was being swept out to sea while snorkeling — fun fact: she was mostly worried about her husband (“Help me, where is my husband?”), who was quietly waiting on the beach. Follow these precautions, though, and the snorkeling here is really lovely!
Gamat Bay is also one of the spots typically included in snorkeling tours leaving from Toyapakeh or Crystal Bay. In that case you’ll usually be well supervised (if the operator is professional), and the trip is a great experience — it normally includes Manta Bay to swim with the manta rays.
Scuba diving at Gamat Bay
The Gamat Bay dive site is also one of the most beautiful in Nusa Penida. Because the bay is a plateau about 8 metres deep, it’s home to a diverse array of colourful fish and coral, and you’ll often see turtles too — a great place for a discovery dive when conditions are calm, especially with no current at slack tide. At the mouth of the bay, a wall drops to a sandy plateau 40 metres down: that’s where I once saw 14 Mola Mola in a single dive! But you don’t need to go that deep for a beautiful dive — you may also spot bamboo sharks and marble rays. Always keep an eye on conditions and currents.
The Dune Penida dive centre also offers diving initiations, including training in its three-metre pool before heading out for two discovery dives.
How to get to Gamat Bay
From Toyapakeh, take the first intersection on the right toward Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay.
At a small fork, take the little asphalt road on the right — there’s a green sign reading “Gamat Bay 1 kilometre.” Follow it to the end; halfway along, the road is no longer asphalted. After a while, on a concrete road going down, you’ll see a small green “Pantai Gamat” sign. That’s the road that was inaugurated by the Bupati. About 20 metres before the end of this dirt road, a small path on your left leads down to the beach in 5 minutes.
If you follow the road to the very end, turning left after the Pantai Gamat sign, you reach the Amok Sun & Cliff Club — the place to be for an afternoon by the pool with a great sunset view.
How do you get from Bali to Gamat Bay?
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Conclusion
Gamat Bay reveals a wilder, more intimate side of Nusa Penida, where vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life thrive just offshore. Whether you come to snorkel, dive, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere away from the bigger crowds, Gamat Bay is a rewarding stop. To keep planning your trip, read our complete Nusa Penida travel guide.
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Gamat Bay FAQ
Is Gamat Bay good for snorkeling?
Yes — Gamat Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in Nusa Penida, with coral and turtles in shallow water. Bring fins, stay close to the beach and watch the currents, which can be strong. Joining a supervised snorkeling tour is the safest option.
Can you swim at Gamat Bay? Are the currents dangerous?
You can swim and snorkel, but the currents can be strong and pull you out to sea — we’ve had to rescue a swimmer here by boat. Stay close to shore, don’t go out if there’s no boat around, and be cautious at changing tides.
Is there a resort or anywhere to stay at Gamat Bay?
Until 2022 there was nothing on the beach. Since then a warung and two small resorts have opened — Gamat Bay Resort and Beach House on Gamat Bay. Just above the bay you’ll also find the Amok Sun & Cliff Club for lunch, drinks and sunset.
Gamat Bay or Crystal Bay — what’s the difference?
They’re neighbours. Crystal Bay is easier to reach and more popular; Gamat Bay is quieter and a little wilder, with excellent snorkeling and diving. Many snorkeling tours visit both on the same trip.
Can you scuba dive at Gamat Bay?
Yes — it’s a top dive site, with an 8-metre reef plateau (great for discovery dives) and a wall dropping to about 40 metres at the mouth of the bay, where Mola Mola are sometimes seen in season. Dive with a centre that knows the currents.