Snorkeling in Nusa Penida

Snorkeling in Nusa Penida offers an unforgettable adventure with crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. Top spots like Crystal Bay, Manta Point, and Gamat Bay are famous for their rich ecosystems. You can swim with manta rays, encounter sea turtles, and explore coral gardens teeming with tropical fish here.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, the island’s calm waters promise an incredible experience. Book your tickets for guided snorkeling tours and get ready for an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Best snorkeling spots in Nusa Penida

Manta Point

Manta Point is one of Nusa Penida's most iconic snorkeling destinations, where you can swim alongside manta rays in their natural environment. Apart from manta rays, you can also see sea stars, sea cucumbers, and coral formations.

Gamat Bay

Gamat Bay is known for its coral reefs and abundant marine life, offering excellent snorkeling opportunities. The calm, clear waters make it a perfect spot for encountering marine life like mola mola, bamboo sharks, marble rays, and sea turtles.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is renowned for its sparkling clear waters, providing great visibility for snorkeling and exploring thriving coral gardens. It's a popular spot for spotting sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasionally even the rare mola-mola (ocean sunfish) during the right season.

Mangrove Point

Snorkeling at Mangrove Point offers a unique experience where you can explore underwater ecosystems surrounded by mangrove forests. The area is home to various smaller fish, vibrant corals, and peaceful waters, perfect for a calm snorkeling adventure.

SD Point

SD Point is a popular snorkeling site on the island, known for its rich marine life and colorful coral reefs. The most commonly spotted marine life here includes puffer fish, clown fish, angel fish, and moray eels.

Snorkeling tours

Snorkeling tours

Ideal for guests who wish to snorkel at the most popular spots in Nusa Penida. These full-day tours allow guests to spend ample time at each spot and snorkel at their own pace.

Option 1: Nusa Lembongan & Manta Bay Snorkeling Day Tour

Option 2: Nusa Penida & Manta Point Snorkelling Day Tour

Guided tours with optional snorkeling

Ideal for tourists who wish to explore the island, visit popular tourist attractions, and choose to snorkel in 3 popular spots. These guided day trips offer the best of both worlds – exploring the island and the underwater world around Nusa Penida.

Option 1: West Nusa Penida Island Join-In Tour with Hotel Transfers

Option 2: West Nusa Penida Island Private Tour with Hotel Transfers

What can you see while snorkeling in Nusa Penida?

Nusa Penida coral formations underwater scene, Indonesia.

Coral formations

The coral formations here are vibrant and teeming with life, showcasing an array of colorful corals, sponges, and marine species,

Snorkelers swimming with manta rays in clear waters off Nusa Penida, Indonesia.
Sea turtles swimming near coral reefs in Nusa Penida, Indonesia.
Mola mola
Stonefish camouflaged among coral reefs in Nusa Penida, Indonesia.

Plan your Nusa Penida snorkeling tour

Tourists enjoying a speedboat ride to Nusa Penida Island, Bali, offering exclusive access and unique views of the island

The best time to snorkel in Nusa Penida is between April and November as the weather is dry, resulting in better visibility underwater. Snorkeling in the morning, typically between 9 to 11 am, is because the waters are clearer and the snorkeling spots have fewer crowds. The popular snorkeling spots are crowded on weekends over weekdays. If you wish for fewer crowds and quieter experiences, plan your snorkeling trip on a weekday.

If you wish to spot the rare mola mola (ocean sunfish) while snorkeling, plan your trip between May and October as they emerge from the deeper ocean during this period.

Tourists enjoying the breathtaking view of Atuh Cliff on Nusa Penida Island during a private tour, with hotel transfers included

You can reach Nusa Penida from Bali by speedboat or ferry. The journey from the mainland to the island takes approximately 1 hour by ferry and 30 to 45 minutes by speedboat. From Nusa Penida, the various diving spots are accessible by boat.

Group of tourists exploaring the beautiful West Nusa Penida Island with hotel transfers included, standing on a cliff overlooking the crystal clear ocean
  • Snorkel
  • Fins 
  • Goggles 
  • Mask 
  • Wetsuit 
  • Life jackets (for the boat ride to the snorkeling spot)
  • CPR-trained snorkeling guide

Frequently asked questions about snorkeling in Nusa Penida

While snorkeling in the most popular spots you will see a variety of fishes, sea turtles, manta rays, and coral reefs.