Nusa Penida Snorkeling – Guide To The Best Spots

Nusa Penida snorkeling places are considered to have some of the world’s most diverse underwater ecosystems, featuring pristine coral reefs and rich marine life. This incredibly beautiful island is just a short boat ride away from Bali and is an absolute heaven both on land and underwater.

Nusa Penida was one of the first islands we visited in Indonesia and we fell in love with its beauty instantly. During our stay, we snorkeled pristine coral reefs in Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay, and the Toyapahek Wall, swam with mantas rays, and saw the underwater Buddha Temple.

If snorkeling in Nusa Penida is on your bucket list, you will find lots of information in this guide about the top sites and additional travel tips to plan your trip.

Nusa Penida Snorkeling Overview:

Top Spots:

• Crystal Bay
• Gamat Bay
• Manta Bay
• Toyapakeh Wall Point
• Budda Temple
• Diamond Beach (Atuh Beach)

Important Things To Know:

• You can see rich marine life, including healthy coral reefs, sea turtles and manta rays
• There are strong currents around the island, therefore shore snorkeling is limited to a few beaches; Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay are safe spots
• A convenient way of visiting the best snorkeling sites is by joining a boat tour that departs from Crystal Bay and Toya Pakeh Harbor
• The best time for snorkeling is the dry season, between May and mid-November
• You should stay approx 4-6 days to visit all snorkeling spots and attractions comfortably; if you can’t stay that long, day trips are available from Bali

Nusa Penida Snorkeling Spots We Recommend Visiting

Let’s cut to the chase and start with a brief description of the island’s best snorkel sites, including shore and boat-accessible spots:

Crystal Bay

Nusa Penida doesn’t have too many options for shore snorkeling, but Crystal Bay is one of the few sandy beaches where snorkelers at all levels can enjoy exploring beautiful coral reefs.

The water is shallow and crystal clear, and a vibrant reef runs along the shore. You can get into the water easily by walking through the sandy beach.

We snorkeled in the left corner of the bay because this is where the reef is the nicest and the current is the weakest. The water was calm in the morning, but the waves and currents got strong during the day. Therefore, we recommend arriving early in the morning.

Crystal Bay is accessible thanks to well-developed roads (which is a massive advantage of this beach as most roads on the island are in bad condition) and has all the comfort facilities you might need during the day: there are small warungs, sunbed rental, toilet, and shower; however, they are not free.

Gamat Bay

Gamat Bay, a secluded little beach is another fantastic snorkeling spot in Nusa Penida. You can get there from land and by boat. However, the land access includes an approx. 20 mins long hike from the parking area on a narrow and steep path, so most people prefer arriving by boat. We visited this beach as part of a full-day boat snorkeling trip.

Once, Gamat Bay was a hidden paradise with no facilities, and very few people knew about it. It is more popular and more developed now; there is a small warung, a toilet, and a shower, but it is still quiet and peaceful.

The underwater scene of this bay simply took our breath away! The water is crystal clear, calm, and current-free, so it is one of the safest snorkeling beaches in Nusa Penida.

We’ve been snorkeling here for hours, observing healthy corals and hundreds of reef fish. The best is that we saw a turtle too! We heard from other people that sometimes even manta rays swim into the bay; we were not lucky to encounter them, but maybe you will be!

Manta Bay

Swimming with manta rays is a bucket list experience and Nusa Penida is the perfect place for this unique encounter. Thanks to the plankton-rich water, these majestic filter-feeder creatures are present all year round in the area.

They can be spotted all around the island but usually gather in a shallow bay called Manta Bay. If you sign up for a manta tour, this is the place that you will visit. To know more, see our detailed manta snorkeling Nusa Penida post, where we share all the information you need to know about this experience!

Toyapakeh Wall Point

The wide variety of fish and large coral colonies make the Toyapakeh Wall diver’s favorite spot. The reef has a steep drop-off therefore, pelagic species like the rare Mola Mola fish can be seen here. Besides being a superb diving site, the Wall Point is an excellent snorkeling spot too!

There is no access through the cliffs; you need to come by boat. The current is quite strong, so you will be doing drift snorkeling: your captain will stop the boat near the wall, you will jump into the water and slowly drift with the current that runs parallel to the wall while enjoying the amazing underwater scenery. The boat picks you up further down at the end of the Wall snorkeling site.

Underwater Buddha Temple

The Buddha temple is an artificial reef with a Buddha statue and some stupas. It is in the Nusa Ceningan channel, but most Nusa Penida snorkeling trips include this point in their itinerary, thanks to its uniqueness. The site is not too deep (6-7 meters) and the statues are visible even from the surface, making it an easy and enjoyable snorkeling experience for everyone.

Diamon Beach/Atuh Beach

We heard that there is good snorkeling at Diamond/Atuh Beach too, but you need to be very lucky to find calm conditions there. Unfortunately, the water was too rough when we were there, so we could not go in to check. The beaches are beautiful and worth visiting even if you can’t go snorkeling!

Nusa Penida Snorkeling Conditions – Thing To Know

The marine life is vibrant

The Nusa Islands are part of the Coral Triangle and enjoy constant fresh water delivered by the deep, strong currents of the Indo-Pacific Throughflow. It is a huge ocean current that transfers the water from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean through the Indonesian Seas.

These nutrient-rich currents explain why marine life is so diverse around the island: there are more than 300 species of coral and more than 500 species of reef fish in the nearby waters, making Nusa Penida one of the best snorkeling places in Bali. You can encounter turtles and manta rays year-round and even an Ocean Sunfish in the Mola-mola season, between July and October.

There are strong currents

Being part of this extreme water movement means strong currents. This makes snorkeling in Nusa Penida challenging, even for experienced snorkelers.

Be careful when exploring the underwater world, whether by land or boat. The sea might seem calm from the shore, but undercurrents can pull you out to the open sea in seconds.

The sea might sea calm and flat, but beware of the undercurrents and don’t swim far from the shore

Shore snorkeling is limited

For the previously mentioned reason, there are only a few beaches where you can safely enter the water from the shore. If you are a newbie and looking for a beginner-friendly snorkel site, go to Crystal Bay.

Most places are best to visit by boat

Most Nusa Penida snorkeling places are accessible by boat. The captain and staff know the local conditions well and can select the safest entry points. Also, they can pick you up if you accidentally get caught by a stronger current.

Snorkeling Tours

The best way to explore the island’s top underwater sites is by joining an organized trip. Locally, boat tours depart from Toyapakeh Harbor or from Crystal Bay. There are manta ray tours, half-day trips (including two stops), and full-day tours that take guests to all the best snorkel spots.

Some tour operators also offer day trips departing from Bali, which is a good option for those on a tight schedule who don’t want to stay on the island. For inspiration, here are some of the best tours:

Best Time To Visit Nusa Penida

The best period to visit Nusa Penida is the dry season, from May to mid-November. The climate is very similar to the weather in mainland Bali. The difference is that the Nusa islands get less rain.

However, the weather can change quickly since the area has a tropical climate. Therefore, long-term forecasts are unreliable. Cloudy periods are common throughout the year because of low-pressure systems in the region, but these don’t last long and don’t bring heavy rains.

How Many Days Should You Spend On The Island?

The main points of interest like Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Broken Beach and Manta Bay can be visited in 1 day following a tight schedule, but we think the island is worth more than a short visit!

We recommend spending at least 4-6 days in Nusa Penida, which offers an adventure-packed yet convenient itinerary. Like this, you will have enough time to see all the attractions, chill out on the best beaches, and visit all the best Nusa Penida snorkeling spots.

Where To Stay?

Accommodations in Nusa Penida are still limited compared to mainland Bali, but the selection is getting wider, with new developments every year. The prices are generally a bit higher than in Bali or Nusa Lembongan. But don’t worry, room rates are lower than in the US or Europe, so you can find decent places in every price range.

If you want to be close to the best shore snorkeling, stay near Crystal Bay. The Tinsi, a modern campground just a few steps from Crystal Bay Beach, provides an authentic experience. There is also a holiday park nearby, the Penida Bay Village, which is perfect for families.

Another good location to stay is Gamat Bay; we recommend the Tanah Damai Hotel here. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, check out Bintang Hostel and Homestay, which is about halfway between Crystal Beach and Gamat Bay.

If you prefer to stay near the center, choose an accommodation near Toyapakeh Harbor. We stayed in the Saka Boutique Hotel and enjoyed it a lot. The hotel is fantastic and strategically located within walking distance of the harbor, where snorkel tours depart.

Things To Do Other Than Snorkeling

We would never get bored of going back and forth between Nusa Penida snorkeling spots, but of course, there are many things to do and see on land, too, so here is a list of the main attractions.

Visit Kelingking Beach

Probably the most famous point of interest in Nusa Penida is the breathtaking Kelingking Beach. There is no need to explain why this place became one of the most Instagrammed spots in Bali. The picturesque view of amazingly blue water, dramatic cliffs, and vibrant sandy beach beneath you makes it a must-see spot.

If you feel the adventure, walk the steep path down and enjoy chilling at probably one of the most unique beaches you have ever seen!

Take a dip in Angel’s Billabong

The spectacular natural pool on the island’s west coast is a top attraction in Nusa Penida. It looks like an infinity pool surrounded by cliffs and the ocean.

Although it is tempting to take a perfect Insta photo standing at the edge of this natural infinity pool with crashing waves in the background, but don’t take the risk. Many accidents happened here and tourists died because they were pulled out by waves while taking photos.

Tour around Broken Beach

Next to Angel’s Billabong is another famous place to visit, Broken Beach. Just follow the signs to get to this incredible cove and natural cliff arch.

The location is surreal and picturesque at the same time, making you feel like you are in a movie scene. Take your time, walk around, and enjoy nature’s beauty!

Dive into Tembeling Forest natural pools

Tembeling Forest, with its freshwater natural pools, is a true hidden gem. Visiting this location combines trekking, exploring a tropical rainforest, discovering some spiritual places, and relaxing.

After walking through the forest, you find two natural pools, one for women and one for men. Don’t miss out on chilling out on the nearby beach too!

Watch the sunset at Crystal Bay Beach

Crystal Bay is one of the best Nusa Penida snorkeling spots and a picturesque place to watch the sunset! After a long day exploring, enjoying a cool drink while watching the sun going down from this perfect palm-fringed beach is truly a blessing!

Tip: Don’t forget to bring a good mosquito repellent; the forest around Crystal Bay is full of biting insects!

How To Get To Nusa Penida?

You can reach Nusa Penida from Bali and Lombok by speedboat and ferry. The journey takes approx. 30-120 minutes, depending on the boat and weather conditions.

Here is a list of what options you have:

From Sanur – Various Speedboats

The best way of traveling to Nusa Penida taking a speedboat from Bali Sanur Harbour. Several companies offer 2-3 daily departures from Sanur to Nusa Penida.

Most Nusa Penida boats use the Toyapakeh pier but some go to Buyuk Harbour, which is on the other side of the island. Always clarify this with your salesman so you will be going where you want to. There are departures available from morning till the afternoon back and forth.

Ticket prices vary by company, one-way ticket costs approx. 150-200.000 IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) while a return is approx. 400.000 IDR. Altough you can book your tickets online, it is not necessary as you can get them on the spot, too. Tip: try to negotiate the price!

From Benoa Harbor – Quicksilver Cruise

Although the easiest way to get to Penida is taking a boat from Sanur, you can choose to leave from Tanjung Benoa Harbor too. The Quicksilver boat departs from Benoa and arrives at the north-western shore of Nusa Penida. The ticket is more expensive than Sanur ferries (about 110 USD/person) but includes complimentary snacks, drinks, and watersport activities.

From Serangan – Gili Getaway

Gili Getaway is one of the newest speedboat charters that uses the well-developed Serangan Harbour. Their prices are higher, but our personal experience is that their boats are in excellent condition and the staff is helpful. Moreover, their customer service is great; we needed to change our travel dates and they allowed us to do it for free.

From Padang Bai – public ferry

Should you come from or going to Padangbai, you must take the public ferry as there is no speedboat service.

Little information is available online about it, or at least we found no official website, so below we collected all the information we got when we used the Nusa Penida Padang Bai ferry:

The public ferry departs from and arrives at the Port Ro-Ro, not the Toyapakeh Harbor. There is one departure per day, usually in the morning, but there is no fixed schedule. The ticket costs around 31.000 IDR, but you may need to pay a bit more (‘tourist price’). The trip takes about 2 hours but can be longer as all other ferries and commercial boats enjoy priority in Padangbai. Therefore, the ferry may need to wait outside the harbor.

To cut this short, if you are flexible and are not in a hurry, the Nusa Penida Padang Bai public ferry is a cheap way of traveling. But it is better to choose a speedboat if you don’t want to waste time.

From Kusamba – Gangga Express

The Gangga Express speedboat operates between Tribuana Port Kusamba-Bali and Sampalan Nusa Penida. If you think the public ferry trip takes too long, you might choose this option. Kusamba is a small traditional salt-making village 10 kilometers south of Padang Bai.

The Gangga Express speedboat at their mobile pier in Penida
This is a good option if you are coming from Ubud to Penida or the other way around, you want to go to North Bali from the island. The ticket costs 150.000 IDR for tourists and the trip takes about 30 mins.

From Lombok – Gili Getaway

The above-recommended Gili Getaway is the only company that connects Nusa Penida and Lombok. They offer daily service between Lombok and Bali. The departure point can be Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, Bangsal Port, and also Gili Gede. You can find the schedule and prices on their website.

Tip: If you plan to visit the neighboring Lombok too, make sure to read our Lombok snorkeling places guide!

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