Manta Snorkeling with Mangrove Kayaking and Lunch from Nusa Penida

Manta Point, Nusa Penida

Manta Point lies off the rugged south-west coast of Nusa Penida, below tall limestone cliffs. It is a cleaning station, a place where reef manta rays come to have small fish pick parasites from their skin, so they can be seen here throughout the year, some with wingspans of up to five metres. Watching one glide slowly beneath you is the moment most people book this Nusa Penida manta snorkelling trip for.

The water here is open ocean and can be cooler and choppier than the other spots, so the crew decides each morning if conditions are safe. You snorkel for about 30 minutes with a guide nearby. Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, and touching the rays is not allowed. Strong swimmers will enjoy it most; if you are prone to seasickness, take your usual remedy before the trip.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay sits on the west coast of Nusa Penida near Sakti village, a white-sand cove backed by coconut palms with a small rocky islet offshore. As the name suggests, the water is usually very clear, and the coral slopes shelter reef fish, parrotfish, and sometimes turtles. Because it is sheltered, it is often the calmest stop of the day.

You spend about 30 minutes snorkelling here. The bay is one of the most visited snorkelling spots around Nusa Penida, and the best time to visit Crystal Bay is in the morning, before the wind picks up. The crew may swap Crystal Bay for another sheltered site if the swell from the Indian Ocean is strong, always choosing the safest option that day.

Mangrove Point, Nusa Lembongan

Mangrove Point lies off the north-east tip of Nusa Lembongan, where the mangrove forest meets the sea. A gentle current runs along a sloping coral reef, so snorkellers can drift slowly over hard and soft corals, anemones and schools of colourful fish without much effort.

This third snorkelling stop lasts about 30 minutes and is usually in calmer, shallower water than Manta Point, a relaxed way to end the time in the sea. After snorkelling, the boat brings you to shore for an Indonesian buffet lunch at a beach restaurant near the mangrove area, with time to dry off and rest. If you have food allergies, bring your own food, as dishes are prepared in a shared kitchen.

The mangrove forest of Nusa Lembongan

The mangrove forest on the north-east side of Nusa Lembongan is a protected ecosystem of narrow, quiet channels lined with twisting roots, where crabs, small fish and birds live among the trees. The water is calm and green, a complete contrast with the open sea of the morning.

On this Nusa Lembongan mangrove tour you choose a kayak, a stand-up paddleboard or a gondola steered by a local boatman, depending on availability, and spend about 45 minutes exploring the lagoon. It is peaceful, family-friendly and a good chance for photos. Afterwards transport takes you back to the boat for the short crossing to Toyapakeh Harbour. Keep your camera in a waterproof bag, as paddling makes splashes inevitable.

Toyapakeh Harbour, Nusa Penida

Toyapakeh is a fishing village and harbour on the north-west coast of Nusa Penida, facing the narrow channel towards Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan. Many fast boats from Bali arrive here, and it is the departure point for this trip at 09:30.

If you are staying in Bali rather than on the islands, you can reach Toyapakeh by an early fast boat from Sanur and join the tour on the same day. Hotel transfers on Nusa Penida are not included, so plan to arrive at the harbour a little early. A local marine conservation fee is collected on the islands; if you already paid it on arrival, bring the receipt.