Nusa Lembongan 3-Spot Snorkeling, Mangrove & Island Tour

Manta Bay and Crystal Bay off Nusa Penida

Manta Bay lies off the south-west coast of Nusa Penida, where reef manta rays gather at a natural cleaning station to have small fish pick parasites from their wings. Snorkelling with manta rays here is one of the most memorable experiences in Bali: these gentle animals can be several metres across and glide slowly just below the surface. The sea can be choppy and sightings are not guaranteed, happening on roughly one trip in three depending on weather and season.

When conditions at Manta Bay are not suitable, the boat heads to Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida's west coast, known for its calm, very clear water, white-sand beach and colourful coral reef. Sea turtles are often seen here gliding among schools of tropical fish. Crystal Bay snorkelling suits beginners well, and your guide stays in the water with you and records the moments with an action camera.

Gamat Bay

Gamat Bay is a quieter snorkelling spot on the north-west side of Nusa Penida, facing the channel towards Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. It is a sheltered cove with healthy coral gardens of hard and soft corals, where schools of fish dart through the reef and visibility is usually excellent. Because it is more secluded than the famous spots, it often feels calm and uncrowded.

The water at Gamat Bay is ideal for relaxed underwater exploration, but currents in the channels around the islands can change quickly, so always stay close to the guide and wear your life jacket if you are not a confident swimmer. This activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. Your guide picks the best moment to enter the water and helps you with your mask and fins before you jump in.

Mangrove Point and the gondola ride

The last snorkelling stop is Mangrove Point, off the north-east coast of Nusa Lembongan, where the reef slopes gently away from the mangrove forest. Shallow coral, small reef fish and the clear water make it a gentle finish to the boat trip. In the default option the experience then continues on land, or rather on the calm water inside the forest.

A local boatman poles a traditional wooden gondola-style boat through the narrow channels of the Lembongan mangrove forest, a protected area where trees stand on arching roots in the tidal water. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and is completely silent except for birdsong, a peaceful contrast to the open sea. Your guide explains how the mangroves protect the coast and shelter young fish.

Devil's Tears, Dream Beach and Panorama Point

The land tour by buggy car takes you to the island's most famous viewpoints. Devil's Tears is a rugged limestone coastline on the south-west of Nusa Lembongan where waves smash into caves and rock channels, sending huge plumes of spray into the air; on sunny afternoons rainbows often appear in the mist. Stay well back from the edge, as the rocks are slippery and the waves powerful.

A short walk away, Dream Beach is a cove of white sand framed by cliffs and turquoise water, a lovely place for photos and a rest, though currents can be strong for swimming. Panorama Point, on higher ground, offers a sweeping view over the island, the seaweed farms and the channel, with Bali and its volcanoes on the horizon on a clear day. The land tour lasts about one and a half hours.

Planning your Nusa Lembongan day

This tour starts and ends on Nusa Lembongan, so travellers usually arrive on the island by fast boat from Sanur the day before or early in the morning. Pickup is from your hotel on the island, and you return there in the afternoon. The default option lasts about six hours, while snorkelling-only options take about three hours and two options include lunch.

For a longer day, one option adds a land tour of West Nusa Penida after the snorkelling, visiting the famous Kelingking cliff viewpoint, Broken Beach and the natural rock pool of Angel's Billabong. The best time for snorkelling around Nusa Lembongan is the dry season from April to October, when the sea is calmer and the water clearer. The tour runs rain or shine, and extreme weather may lead to rescheduling.