Nusa Penida Snorkel Tour

Four sites, manta rays and crystal-clear water off Nusa Penida · Nusa Penida, off South-East Bali

A Nusa Penida snorkel tour is one of Bali's most thrilling days in the water. A fast boat carries you across to the island's marine sites for four stops — usually Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay and the Wall — where you drift over coral gardens, reef fish and, at Manta Point, glide alongside gentle manta rays that show up almost year-round.

About Nusa Penida Snorkel Tour

Most tours start with a 30–45 minute fast-boat crossing from Sanur. From there a smaller boat runs between four snorkel sites, each with its own character: Manta Point (also called Manta Bay) is the headline stop, where you float above cleaning stations while 3–4 metre manta rays cruise below — often several at once.

Crystal Bay lives up to its name with clear, calm water and healthy reef, and between July and October it's a chance (never guaranteed) to spot the strange, disc-shaped mola-mola sunfish that rise from the deep. Gamat Bay and the Wall (Toyapakeh) add drift snorkelling over vivid coral walls full of reef fish and turtles.

Tours run in small groups with a guide, life jackets and all snorkel gear included, plus lunch and hotel transfers on most packages. Manta Point faces the open ocean, so it can get swelly — the crew choose the calmest sites first and adapt the order to the conditions on the day.

Highlights

Swim with manta rays. Manta Point delivers gentle 3–4 m mantas at their cleaning stations almost all year round.
Four snorkel stops. Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay and the Wall — coral gardens, reef fish and turtles.
Crystal-clear water. Calm, clear Crystal Bay is a highlight, with a mola-mola chance in July–October.
Easy, guided day. Small groups, gear and life jackets provided, with a guide who picks the calmest sites first.

Practical Information

Opening hours: Full-day tours usually depart Sanur ~7:30–8:30 AM and return mid–late afternoon
Entrance fee: From ~US$ 50 per person including fast boat, gear, guide and usually lunch
Suggested duration: Full day (roughly 8–9 hours door to door)
Best time to visit: April–October (dry season) for the calmest seas and best visibility
Manta sightings are near year-round; mola-mola (Jul–Oct) is a bonus, never guaranteed
Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard recommended
Some swell at Manta Point — take motion-sickness tablets if you're prone

Address: Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia — view on Google Maps

Visitor Tips

Book a tour that includes hotel transfers and lunch — most Sanur departures do.
Go in the dry season (Apr–Oct) for calmer water and much better visibility.
Wear a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen; you'll be in the sun and water for hours.
If you get seasick, take a tablet before the crossing — Manta Point can be choppy.
Bring an underwater camera or GoPro — the mantas come remarkably close.

Getting There

Fast boats to the snorkel sites leave from Sanur harbour, about 30–45 minutes each way.
Most tours include hotel pick-up from Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud.
You snorkel from a boat between sites — no need to land on Nusa Penida itself.

Nearby Attractions

Manta Point (Nusa Penida) — The manta-ray cleaning station and star of the snorkel tour.
Crystal Bay (Nusa Penida) — Clear, calm snorkel bay with a mola-mola chance in Jul–Oct.
Nusa Penida West Day Trip (Nusa Penida) — Kelingking, Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong by 4WD.
Gili Trawangan Day Trip (Off Lombok) — Turquoise water, turtles and no traffic on the Gilis.