Diving Nusa Penida, Bali with Ceningan Divers
Often called the “Sister Islands” of Bali: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Penida offer world-class diving. Part of the Coral Triangle and the Nusa Penida marine protected area, these 3 islands located 25 kilometres east of Bali are a must see destination for any dive enthusiasts.
Welcome to Nusa Paradise where you will find colourful reefs populated by various species of tropical fish such as anemonefish to schools of Mantas. The conditions here are suitable for open water students to advanced divers. Whether you are a new or an experienced diver, you will find a variety of conditions and sites to meet you holiday needs, learning goals or desire for adventure.
Come Dive Nusa Ceningan, Lembongan Island, and Nusa Penida with our experienced team!
The area is best knows for being one of the few locations in the world to see Mola Mola (Oceanic Sunfish), we also have a healthy population of Manta rays, Sharks, Napoleon and Giant Trevally
Average visibility range from 15 to 30 meters, dive site depth range up to 40 meters plus. Water temperature can drop to low 20s during the month of July to October, which is the best time to see the Sunfish.
Nusa Penida Dive Sites
Crystal Bay
Crystal Bay is one of Bali’s most popular dive sites. Located on the south west of Nusa Penida, this bay with a rocky island in the middle can be an amazing dive site. The inside of the bay is sheltered from the currents, and house a colourful reef sloping down to the white sandy bottom.
The rocky island has steep drop offs to the south and west. There is an amazing shelf in the north covered with soft corals in the shallows.
Outside the bay the currents bring nutrient rich waters, making this a favorite site for Mola mola and other pelagics. Over the years the growing popularity of this dive site combined with the challenging conditions has often been the cause of discussions. Caution is recommended when venturing down the drop off, as downward currents can be extremely strong.
Manta Point
This Manta cleaning station is located on the south-west side of Nusa Penida. This site provides a fantastic opportunity to see Manta Rays, often in large groups just circling around waiting to be cleaned.
Manta Point actually consists of several small bays and rocky headlands on the exposed southwest coast of Nusa Penida. Large swell from the Indian ocean pushes up against the coast of Penida and brings plankton rich waters which attract the Mantas all year round. The main reason to come here is diving with Manta rays! However these sites offer interesting underwater topography and are also frequented by Nurse Sharks, Blue-spotted Stingrays and lots of soft corals.
The Mantas are often curious and will swoop down to get a closer look at divers. It can be the dive of a lifetime, if you see the Mantas dancing!
Sekolah Dasar / PED / Sental
These popular sites are part of a vast fringing reef on the northern coast of Nusa Penida. The healthy reef starting in shallow water slopes down to depths well below recreational diving limits. Therefore this site has something for everyone from snorkelers to technical divers.
The coral slopes down at a 45 degree angle and is home to an abundance of reef fish including red toothed triggerfish, unicorn fish, angel fish and butterfly fish. There is often a drift of up to 4 knots making this an exciting dive.
These sites are a great place to see Sunfish in season, and offers some of the best drift diving in the world. Common encounters can be had here with Green and Hawksbill Turtles, Marble Rays, Sea Snakes, Octopus, White Tip Reef Sharks and a huge diversity of corals and sponges.
Toyapakah
Toyapakeh (meaning “salt water” in Balinese) is located at the north end of the deep channel between Penida and Ceningan. It offers a steep wall to the south, terraces with huge hard coral bommies in the bay and a terraced reef in the north. We think this is possibly one of the best dives around the area!
Drifting with the current at this site gives you the possibility of seeing anything and everything! The occasional mola mola (in season), eagle rays, morays, schools of trevally and red-tooth triggerfish can all be spotted here. Vast forests of acropora coral and towering coral heads provide interesting finds for even the most seasoned marine biologists!
Nusa Lembongan Dive Sites
Blue Corner
Located on the northwest of Nusa Lembongan is the famous Blue Corner dive site.
If you are hoping to dive with amazing pelagic like Mola Mola, a school of bullrays, or reef sharks and you are okay with cruising in strong current, this site offer some of the most extreme condition around the islands. However with harder conditions comes greater risks.
This is an exhilarating dive for experienced divers. There are wild currents at this drift dive site with dramatic underwater topography.
The shallow part of Blue Corner has a large flat reef forms a protected area from the strong currents of deeper waters. The gradual sloping reef from 6m – 18m is perfect for all skill levels. Molas and Thresher sharks have been spotted in the shallows here, and there’s always great macro hiding under the numerous large coral bommies scattered through the area.
Lembongan Bay
Lembongan Bay is an ideal site for night dives, beginner divers, or for avid photographers. The sandy bottom is scattered with coral bommies which are home to frog fish, moral eels, lobsters, schools of damselfish and many more of the smaller species.
Sakenan (Jack’s Point or Mangrove)
Sakenan is sometimes referred to as Jack’s Point or Mangrove. This site is near the mangrove forest to the north east of Nusa Lembongan. Mangroves are important for ensuring coral reef health – and the surrounding reef definitely shows. The coral slopes gently outwards and has often been compared to diving in a giant underwater aquarium due to the many varieties of reef fish found here!
This drift-dive is designed for nature lovers and is great for all diving levels.
Nusa Ceningan Dive Sites
Ceningan Wall
Located on the east side of Nusa Ceningan Island. This impressive coral wall at the base of limestone cliffs is fed by nutrient rich waters from the nearby mangroves and upwellings from the deep channel. The colourful coral wall drops vertically to depths beyond recreational diving. Currents can be strong here, however experienced divers will really appreciate this amazing wall dive.