2 or 3 dives in Nusa Lembongan and Penida, for certified diver (in Lembongan)

Mantas are the main event. From Nusa Lembongan, certified divers head toward Nusa Penida for two or three boat-based scuba descents, with Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay among the possible sites. I like the near-year-round chance to see manta rays and the small maximum group size of eight, which gives the outing a personal feel.

I also like the practical setup: a guide, lunch, coffee, tea, taxes, and the community contribution are included. The crew has a strong reputation for friendly care, with guides such as Andy, Lino, Rai, Yao, and others receiving warm praise. The main caution is that Manta Point is not guaranteed every day, and the fuel surcharge for that site is paid separately.

Key points to know before you book

• Manta sightings are highly likely: Manta rays gather around cleaning stations near Nusa Penida throughout the year, although sea conditions and daily scheduling can affect the route.
• You choose two or three descents: The longer option gives you more time underwater and a better chance to visit another site, while two descents suit a tighter schedule.
• The boat leaves in the morning: Depending on your booking, check-in is around 7:30 or 10 a.m., with the boat leaving at approximately 8 or 10:30 a.m.
• Lunch is served onboard: A lunch box, coffee, and tea are provided during the surface interval after the first descent.
• This is for certified divers only: You must show proof of certification, and a moderate level of physical fitness is expected.
• Extra costs need attention: A full equipment set, dive computer, GoPro, private transport, and the Manta Point fuel surcharge are not included.

Why Nusa Penida is the draw

Nusa Lembongan is the base, but Nusa Penida is the reason many people make this trip. The channels and reefs around the two islands are known for manta rays, which can glide over cleaning stations or gather in groups during mating behavior.

That gives the outing a clear purpose. You are not simply taking a boat to look at ordinary reef life. You are heading toward one of Indonesia’s best-known manta areas, with a realistic chance of seeing the animals that made this corner of Bali famous among scuba enthusiasts.

Mantas are found here throughout the year. The chance is described as almost guaranteed, but you should still read that as a strong possibility rather than a promise. Wildlife is wildlife, and the boat may also skip Manta Point if sea conditions are poor or the day’s schedule does not allow it.

From June through October, you may also have a chance to see a mola mola, or ocean sunfish. These large, unusual fish are far less predictable than mantas, so treat them as a seasonal bonus rather than the reason to book.

Starting at the Lembongan shop

You meet at the BDA Lembongan center in Jungut Batu. The supplied address identifies the location as Jungutbatu in the Klungkung area, so check your booking confirmation carefully and allow time to find the shop before the meeting hour.

The earlier schedule begins around 7:30 a.m., with the boat departing at about 8 a.m. A later schedule meets around 10 a.m. and leaves at approximately 10:30. Since the exact departure depends on the package and day, confirm your meeting time rather than assuming the early option.

At the shop, you set up your equipment and receive a briefing from the guide. This is an important part of the morning, especially because conditions around Nusa Penida can affect the site order and the route. You can request a particular site, but the crew may need to change plans for safety, timing, or weather.

The group limit is eight people. That is a useful number for a guided boat outing. It is not a private charter, but it should be more manageable than a large boat filled with divers at different experience levels.

Manta Point: the headline stop

Manta Point is the star of the trip. The attraction here is the chance to watch manta rays pass over cleaning stations, where small fish remove parasites from their skin and gills. This can create a memorable viewing experience because the mantas may circle repeatedly rather than simply flash past once.

The exact underwater conditions are not provided, so you should be prepared for nature to set the pace. The crew visits Manta Point regularly, but not every day. You may request it, yet requests are not guaranteed.

There is also a fuel surcharge for Manta Point, paid locally. That extra charge matters when comparing the advertised $105 price with your final cost. Ask the operator how much the surcharge is before you go, since the amount is not specified here.

Manta Point can be a particularly good fit if your main goal is large marine life. It may be less suitable if your priority is a quiet reef session or a fixed list of locations. Conditions determine the plan, and the animals determine the show.

Crystal Bay and the chance of a mola mola

Crystal Bay is another famous site around Nusa Penida. It is listed as one of the possible stops and is especially associated with seasonal mola mola sightings from June to October.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The presence of a mola mola cannot be promised, even during the right months. The trip’s strongest wildlife prospect is the manta ray. Crystal Bay adds variety and gives you another chance to encounter larger marine life, but it is not a guaranteed sunfish encounter.

Crystal Bay also helps make the three-descent option more appealing. If the schedule permits Manta Point and Crystal Bay, a third site can give the day a broader sense of the area. For a two-descent outing, the crew may need to focus on the most suitable locations for that day.

Gamat Bay and changing site plans

Gamat Bay is listed as the third possible stop. It gives the crew another option when planning the route around weather, currents, and the day’s timing.

The available information does not promise that all three listed sites will be visited on one outing. Think of Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay as likely possibilities, not a rigid checklist. That flexibility is sensible around Nusa Penida, where conditions can influence the safest and most enjoyable route.

You can send a site request in advance. Just do not book this experience expecting complete control over the itinerary. The operator makes the final call, and that is the right approach for a sea-based activity.

Two descents or three?

The two-descent package is the simpler choice. It may suit you if you want a focused morning and early afternoon at sea, or if you are fitting this activity into a short stay on Lembongan.

The three-descent package is better for certified divers who want more time underwater and a broader chance of seeing different sites. It may also be the better value if the price difference is modest, since you receive another guided descent without arranging a separate day.

The public information gives a price of $105 per person but does not clearly state whether that figure applies to the two-descent or three-descent version. Confirm the exact package price at booking. Also ask what equipment is included in your selected option, particularly if you need a full set.

Your certification must be shown. The outing is not intended for beginners, and a moderate level of physical fitness is required. You should also be comfortable with the possibility of changing sites and following the guide’s instructions in open water.

What is included, and where costs can grow

The $105 price includes all listed fees and taxes, a lunch box, coffee, tea, a guide, and the community contribution. Those inclusions make the price reasonable for a small-group boat outing, especially because lunch and basic trip costs are handled in advance.

Essential scuba gear is included according to the experience description, but the additional details say a full equipment set is available for rent. That wording is worth clarifying. If you need a complete set, ask exactly what the base price covers and what rental fee applies.

A dive computer is available for rent. I would consider one essential for many certified divers, especially if you normally use your own computer and want consistent information during the day.

A GoPro is also available for rent. This is optional, and I would treat it as a nice extra rather than a reason to choose the trip. First-time manta encounters are often easier to enjoy when you are not busy managing a camera.

Private transportation is not included. You need to reach the Lembongan meeting point yourself. The activity ends back at the same place, which keeps the day simple once you arrive.

Finally, remember the Manta Point fuel surcharge. It is paid on the spot and is separate from the advertised price.

Lunch and the rhythm of the day

After the first descent, you return to the boat for lunch and the required surface interval. The lunch box, coffee, and tea are included, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the day.

This break is more than a convenience. A proper surface interval gives you time to rest, eat, drink, and reset before the next session. It also creates a natural pause for talking with the guide and other people in your group.

The boat is expected back at the shop around 2:30 or 3 p.m. That makes the experience roughly six hours long. Build in extra time if you have an evening ferry, flight, lesson, or other fixed booking. Sea conditions can alter the schedule, and the listed return time should not be treated as an exact guarantee.

The crew and the small-group feel

The strongest praise centers on the staff. Sybille is noted for helping people on land, offering advice, and staying in close communication. Guides and instructors named in feedback include Andy, Yao, Lino, Rai, Sami, Ledo, Izzy, KT, Ryan, Andrew, Davide, and Katie.

Several people specifically appreciated the effort to keep groups small. That matters underwater. A compact group can make it easier for a guide to monitor everyone, respond to different comfort levels, and point out marine life without creating a crowd around every sight.

Lino was praised for showing people eels, cuttlefish, turtles, and mantas. Katie, who is a marine biologist, was appreciated for adding extra context about sea life. Those details suggest that the experience can offer more than simply following a guide from one location to another.

The public score is 4.9 out of 5 from 28 ratings, with 96 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong result, though the sample is not huge. The most consistent strengths are friendly service, good organization, helpful guides, and attention to individual requests.

Weather, current, and realistic expectations

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. This is reassuring, but you should still avoid placing the activity immediately before an important onward journey.

Site requests are welcome, but the crew may not be able to honor them. Manta Point might be skipped, and the order of the sites may change. This is not a weakness unique to this operator. It is a normal part of planning sea trips around changing conditions.

You should be ready for a physically active day. The operator asks for moderate fitness, and the experience is limited to certified divers. If you have questions about recent certification, experience level, or equipment needs, contact the shop before booking.

Who will get the most from this outing?

This is a strong choice for certified divers staying on Nusa Lembongan who want a straightforward way to reach the famous sites around Nusa Penida.

It suits you particularly well if:

• You want manta rays to be the main focus.
• You prefer a small group rather than a large boat operation.
• You value a guide who can tailor the plan when conditions allow.
• You want lunch and basic trip costs bundled into the price.
• You are interested in a seasonal mola mola chance from June through October.
• You have enough flexibility to accept a changed site plan.

It is less suitable if you are not certified, need private transport, require a strict return time, or want a guaranteed visit to Manta Point. It may also not be the best fit if you prefer to control every stop.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Confirmation is normally immediate, but bookings made within seven days of the date may take up to 48 hours and depend on availability.

Should you book the Nusa Lembongan manta trip?

I would book this outing if you are a certified diver and seeing manta rays is high on your Indonesia wish list. The combination of a small group, experienced local crew, onboard lunch, and access to Nusa Penida’s best-known sites gives the $105 starting price solid value, provided you confirm the package and equipment costs.

Before paying, ask three direct questions: Is the quoted amount for two or three descents? What does the included equipment cover? How much is the Manta Point fuel surcharge?

If you can accept a flexible route, this is an easy recommendation. If Manta Point is non-negotiable, book with realistic expectations and leave room in your schedule for weather or sea conditions to change the plan.

FAQ

Is this experience suitable for beginners?

No. It is for certified divers, and you must provide proof of certification.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You can choose a package with either two or three sessions. Confirm the exact option and price when booking.

Are manta rays guaranteed?

Sightings are described as almost guaranteed, but wildlife sightings cannot be promised. Manta Point may also be skipped because of scheduling or sea conditions.

When might I see a mola mola?

Mola mola sunfish may be seen from June through October, when conditions permit. The sighting is seasonal and not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A lunch box, coffee, and tea are available on the boat during the surface interval after the first session.

What extra costs should I expect?

GoPro rental, a full equipment set, a dive computer, private transportation, and the Manta Point fuel surcharge are not included. The fuel surcharge is paid on the spot.