Nusa Penida Manta Snorkeling & West Island Day Trip from Bali
- Duration6 hours
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Overview
Spend a day on Nusa Penida, the rugged island off Bali's south-east coast. You cross by speedboat, snorkel at Manta Bay, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay with a guide, GoPro footage and all equipment, then continue by car to the dramatic cliffs of West Nusa Penida. Our default option includes Bali hotel pickup, the round-trip speedboat, entrance tickets and the island tour, and other options let you meet at Sanur Port or choose snorkelling only. Ideal for couples, friends and confident swimmers.
Highlights
- Snorkel with manta rays at Manta Bay when they are feeding, with a guide in the water
- Swim at Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay, two of Nusa Penida's clearest snorkelling spots
- West Nusa Penida land tour by shared car and driver, with the island's famous cliffs and beaches
- Round-trip speedboat from Bali, with Bali hotel transfer in the default option
- Snorkel gear, life jacket, GoPro footage, towel, shower, water and insurance included
- Entrance tickets to all spots and taxes included
- Choose snorkelling only, with or without hotel transfer, for a shorter day
Full Description
Manta Bay snorkelling on Nusa Penida
Manta Bay, also called Manta Point, is the reason most guests choose this day trip. Reef manta rays with wingspans of several metres glide along the rocky south-west coast of Nusa Penida to feed and visit cleaning stations. Your guide leads the group into the water, and you snorkel above the rays from a respectful distance without touching them.
Sightings are common throughout the year but cannot be guaranteed, because these are wild animals. Currents can be strong at Manta Bay and the water can feel cool, so wear the life jacket provided and stay close to the guide. Guests often ask, what is the best time to see manta rays in Nusa Penida? Mornings in the dry season, roughly April to October, are usually best.
Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay
After the mantas the boat continues to Crystal Bay, a curved beach of pale sand with turquoise water, coral gardens and a rocky islet offshore. It is one of the most popular Nusa Penida snorkelling tours for a reason: the water is clear, the reef is colourful and there is time to swim at your own pace.
Gamat Bay completes the snorkelling programme, with sheltered water and coral where turtles and reef fish are often seen. The guide films with the GoPro so you can enjoy the swim without holding a camera, and all equipment, a towel and a fresh-water shower are provided on the boat and back on the beach.
West Nusa Penida land tour and the famous cliffs
In the options that include the land tour, you leave the beach and drive around the west side of the island in a shared car with a driver who acts as guide. The west route commonly includes Kelingking Beach and its T-Rex-shaped cliff, the natural rock arch of Broken Beach and the tidal pool of Angel's Billabong, although the stops and order can change with the tide and traffic.
The roads are narrow and bumpy, but the views from the clifftops over the deep blue Indian Ocean are the reason many travellers call this the best Nusa Penida day trip from Bali. Entrance tickets to all the spots are included in our default option, and lunch is not, so plan to buy a meal at a local warung.
Getting from Bali: the speedboat, Sanur Port and best time to visit
Speedboats to Nusa Penida leave from Sanur on Bali's east coast, and the crossing takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Many travellers ask how to get to Nusa Penida from Bali without organising tickets themselves. Our default option covers hotel pickup, the round-trip speedboat, the guide and all entrance tickets, so you only need to turn up.
If you prefer to come on your own, choose a Sanur Port meeting-point option. Sea conditions can affect crossings, especially in the rainy season, so the operator may adjust or cancel a departure for safety. The best time to visit is April to October, and morning departures give the calmest sea and best light.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup or meeting at Sanur PortYour driver collects you at your Bali hotel, or you meet the team at Sanur Port, depending on your option.
- Speedboat to Nusa PenidaCross the Badung Strait in about 30 to 45 minutes with a safety briefing on board.
- Manta BaySnorkel with the manta rays with your guide, around 45 minutes.
- Crystal Bay and Gamat BaySwim and snorkel at the two bays, with GoPro footage taken by your guide.
- West Nusa Penida tourDrive to the western cliffs, viewpoints and beaches with a driver-guide (land tour options only).
- Return crossing and drop-offTake the speedboat back to Bali and continue to your hotel if transfer is included.
What's included
- Snorkelling at Manta Bay, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay
- Round-trip speedboat Bali – Nusa Penida
- Snorkel gear, mask, fins and life jacket
- GoPro photos and videos of your snorkelling
- Mineral water
- Towel and shower
- Taxes, fees and insurance
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Bali
- West Nusa Penida land tour
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 5–11
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Guests who cannot swim or feel unsafe in open water
- Pregnant women and people with heart or serious back problems
- People prone to severe seasickness
- Travellers with limited mobility, because of steep steps at the viewpoints
Meeting point
In our default option we collect you from your hotel in Bali's south, central or Ubud areas as shown in the booking panel, usually early in the morning, and your driver confirms the time the day before. In the Sanur Port options you meet the team at the Sanur Port speedboat area, with the exact spot and time stated in your confirmation. Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
Important information
- Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a change of clothes.
- Reef-safe sunscreen is best for the corals and manta rays.
- Lunch, personal spending and tips are not included; bring some cash.
- Take motion-sickness tablets before departure if you are prone to seasickness.
- Do not touch the manta rays, turtles or corals; keep a respectful distance.
- The speedboat may be adjusted or cancelled for sea and weather conditions.
- The exact order of the west island stops can change with tides and road conditions.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Nusa Penida manta snorkelling tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and the number of guests. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes in our default option and in the snorkelling-only option with Bali transfer. The Sanur Port options do not include hotel transfer.
How long is the day trip?
About 11.5 hours with the land tour and hotel transfer, around 10 hours from Sanur Port, and roughly 6 to 7.5 hours for snorkelling only.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children who are comfortable in a life jacket and on a speedboat can join, and there is one passenger category in the booking panel. Check the option details and ask us if you are travelling with young children.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear swimwear and bring a towel if you like, a hat, sunscreen, a change of clothes and cash. Snorkel gear, life jackets and a towel are provided.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, subject to speedboat space and sea conditions. The booking panel shows the dates and options currently available.
What is the difference between the options?
You choose between snorkelling only or snorkelling plus the West Nusa Penida land tour, and between hotel transfer from Bali or meeting at Sanur Port. Each option description in the booking panel lists what it includes.
Will I definitely see manta rays?
Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, because the rays are wild. The guides choose the best time and spot on the day.
Is Nusa Penida worth visiting for a day?
Yes, if you enjoy snorkelling and dramatic scenery. A single day covers the manta rays, two bays and the main western cliffs in one comfortable programme.
What is the best time to visit Nusa Penida?
The dry season, from April to October, brings calmer sea and clearer water. Early departures also avoid the crowds at the viewpoints.
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