What a tough question! There are so many dive sites around Nusa Penida and all of them offer stunning marine life as well as vibrant reefs.
Nusa Penida offers an array of spectacular dive sites that will leave any diving enthusiast in awe. But where exactly is the best dive site in Nusa Penida? Let's dive in and explore some of the top contenders.
Manta Point
Manta Point is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after dive sites in Nusa Penida. As the name suggests, this site is famous for its resident population of majestic manta rays. Divers have the opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants as they gracefully glide through the water, creating an unforgettable experience. While it does not have the best reefs around here, the marine life (mantas but also turtles, sharks, nudibranchs and more!) will not fail to impress!
Crystal Bay
As the name implies, Crystal Bay boasts incredibly clear waters, which makes for exceptional visibility. This site is renowned for its stunning coral formations, including colourful soft corals and magnificent table corals. Divers can also encounter an abundance of marine life, from tropical fish to turtles and even the occasional mola (ocean sunfish) during the right season. Crystal Bay offers a combination of beautiful coral gardens and thrilling encounters, making it a must-visit dive site for any diver in Nusa Penida.
SD Point
For those seeking an adrenaline rush and an up-close encounter with some of the ocean's best reef systems, SD point will be a good choice! SD, also known as Sekolah Dasar, is home to one of the richest's reefs around the island. It is also a dive that can be quite fast in terms of currents, and you will enjoy the exhilarating sensation of flying over the reef, like in a giant aquarium!
Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh's diverse underwater topography features coral-covered walls, sloping reefs, and an abundance of marine life, as well as gorgeous reefs. From tiny critters to larger species, such as turtles and marble rays, there is always something exciting to discover at Toyapakeh. The experienced dive guides around Nusa Penida usually say: "the site where you can see anything".
Batu Mulapan
While less popular than the ones mentioned above, Batu Mulapan is an excellent drift dive site that has great topography and abundant fish life; it is also usually where we are blessed with the handful of hammerhead shark sightings we get every year. It's also a good spot for finding Mola-mola! The reefs are home to a huge diversity of corals here with a cool topography.
Of course, this is only a short list and there are many other beautiful dive sites around Nusa Penida!
We have asked some of our staff members to pick their favourite as well to give you some ideas!
Julia: Batu Mulapan
Yvonne: Toyapakeh
Hélène: Toyapakeh
Sammy: Batu Mulapan
Bastien: Manta Point
Ardi: Crystal Bay