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

Nusa Penida’s manta rays are the star here, often gliding above their cleaning stations while you watch from below. The trip also gives you a chance to visit famous sites such as Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay, with guides including Sybille, Andy, Lino, Rai, and others on the local team.

I like the small maximum group of eight, which gives the guide a better chance to keep the pace comfortable. I also like the simple boat lunch, coffee, and tea during the surface interval, since you do not lose half the day returning to shore.

The main thing to weigh is flexibility. Manta Point is visited regularly, but it is not guaranteed on every departure, and sea conditions may change the plan. A fuel surcharge for Manta Point is also paid separately.

What Makes This Nusa Lembongan Trip Worth Considering

• Manta Point is the main attraction: Manta sightings are considered almost certain, though the exact site depends on conditions and scheduling.
• Three famous sites may be available: Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay offer different underwater settings and wildlife possibilities.
• You choose two or three sessions: The shorter option suits a busy schedule, while three sessions gives you more time below the surface.
• Lunch stays on the boat: A lunch box, coffee, and tea are provided while you wait between sessions.
• Groups are capped at eight: This is a useful size for personal attention without paying for a private boat.
• Equipment extras are clear: Basic scuba equipment is included, while a computer and GoPro cost extra to rent.

Mantas First, Then the Best of Nusa Penida

If you are certified and staying on Nusa Lembongan, this is one of the most direct ways to reach the celebrated underwater sites around Nusa Penida. The day focuses on marine life rather than sightseeing from land, so you should arrive ready for a full morning and early afternoon on a boat.

Manta rays are the big draw. You might watch them circle cleaning stations or pass overhead in a graceful train. The appeal is not simply seeing one animal briefly. At the right place and time, you can sit quietly and watch their repeated movements unfold.

The sunfish, or mola mola, offer a more seasonal possibility. From June through October, conditions may allow sightings of these large, elusive fish. They are not promised, so treat them as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

The operator is Bali Diving Academy, a local 5-star center with a team that includes instructors and guides such as Sybille, Andy, Lino, Rai, Sami, Ledo, Katie, and others. You may not be assigned a particular person, but the team’s range of experience is useful for a mixed group with different comfort levels and requests.

Starting at Bali Diving Academy in Jungut Batu

You meet at Bali Diving Academy in Lembongan, in the Jungut Batu area. The stated meeting times are 7:30 a.m. or 10 a.m., with boat departures listed at 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Confirm your assigned time when booking, because the choice appears to vary by departure.

At the center, you set up your equipment and listen to a briefing from the guide. This is the point to explain your certification level, comfort in current, interest in particular sites, and any equipment needs.

A full set of scuba equipment is included, but a dive computer is available only as a rental item. A GoPro is also available for rent. If you value your depth, time, and safety information on your wrist, ask about the computer before the morning begins rather than assuming it comes with the package.

The boat then heads toward the Nusa Penida sites. The entire outing lasts about six hours, and it returns to the shop around 2:30 or 3 p.m. That timing leaves little room for another major activity the same afternoon, so I would keep your later plans light.

Manta Point: The Site Everyone Wants

Manta Point is the headline stop, and for good reason. It is the place most likely to deliver the close encounter that brings people to Nusa Penida. The rays can hover near cleaning stations, giving you time to observe instead of chasing a fast-moving animal.

The wording around Manta Point matters. Sightings are described as almost guaranteed, but the operator cannot promise either a sighting or a visit to the site on every departure. Weather, sea conditions, scheduling, and local operating decisions can all affect the plan.

You should also budget for a Manta Point fuel surcharge paid on the spot. The price given for the activity does not include this extra charge. That does not necessarily make the trip poor value, but it means the advertised price is not the complete final cost.

The site can also be a better fit for confident certified participants than for someone who is newly qualified and uneasy in moving water. The activity asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and conditions around Penida can influence how comfortable the outing feels.

Crystal Bay and the Seasonal Mola Mola Chance

Crystal Bay is another well-known stop and may be paired with Manta Point. From June to October, this area can offer a chance of seeing mola mola sunfish, although the operator gives no guarantee.

The seasonal timing is worth using when planning your trip. If your priority is a mola mola, book with realistic expectations and understand that marine life and sea conditions remain outside anyone’s control. If your priority is a strong day around Penida with a good chance of mantas, the season matters less.

Crystal Bay also helps give the day variety. You are not relying on one single site or one single animal encounter. Depending on the final route, the second or third session may offer a different setting from the manta encounter.

Specific site requests are welcome, but they are not guaranteed. You can ask for Crystal Bay, Manta Point, or another preferred location, yet the guide may need to change the plan when the sea is rough or the schedule does not allow it.

Gamat Bay and the Flexible Third Session

Gamat Bay is listed as a possible third stop. Choosing the three-session package gives you more time underwater and a better chance to experience a wider mix of sites.

That extra session is most useful if you already enjoy scuba and want a full day on the water. It may also suit you if you have come specifically for the Penida area and do not expect another chance during your stay.

The two-session option is the sensible choice for a tighter schedule or a slower morning. You still get the main experience, lunch, and a guided outing, without committing to the longer version.

The exact combination remains flexible. The listed sites are best understood as intended stops, not a rigid guarantee. Conditions and scheduling may determine which locations you actually reach.

Lunch on the Boat Keeps the Day Moving

After the first session, you eat lunch on the boat during the surface interval. A lunch box, coffee, and tea are included.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the group near the sites and avoids a return to shore between sessions. It also gives you a practical pause to eat, rest, and prepare for the next entry into the water.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long break ashore. This is a working boat day, so the lunch is there to keep you fueled and on schedule. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure, since no special meal information is provided.

The return to the shop around 2:30 or 3 p.m. makes the six-hour estimate believable. You have an early start, several boat transfers, equipment preparation, surface time, and a return journey packed into one outing.

Why the Small Group Size Matters

The maximum group is eight people. That is not a private experience, but it is small enough for the guide to monitor the group more closely than on a large boat with several dozen participants.

The group size is especially useful when people have different experience levels. The operator has arranged small groups for longer multi-day packages, and the same general approach is valuable here, even though the exact group arrangement may vary.

A guide can also respond more easily when you have a particular request. Past service has included help with equipment sizing, communication, and tailoring sessions to preferences. That does not mean every request will be possible, but it suggests you should speak up early.

You need proof of certification. This is not an introductory lesson, and the center is entitled to check your credentials before you take part. Bring the required certification evidence and be ready to discuss your recent experience if asked.

Equipment, Rentals, and Added Costs

Essential scuba equipment is included in the package. A full set is available, so you do not need to bring every piece of personal gear to Lembongan.

A dive computer is available for rent, not included. The same applies to a GoPro. These add-ons are useful if you want your own depth and timing data or hope to record the mantas, but you should ask for current rental prices before booking.

The Manta Point fuel surcharge is another extra paid locally. This is the most important cost detail to remember when comparing the $105 per-person price with other options.

The package includes all fees and taxes, a guide, lunch, and a community contribution. It does not include private transportation. Since the meeting point is at the Bali Diving Academy in Jungut Batu, you need to arrange your own way there.

Is $105 Good Value?

At $105 per person, the package offers a reasonable bundle for a certified participant who wants a guided day around Nusa Penida. You receive two or three sessions, boat transport during the outing, equipment, a guide, lunch, and the community contribution.

The value improves if you want three sessions and need to rent most of your equipment. It is also useful if you prefer not to arrange separate boats, guides, and site planning yourself.

The value is less straightforward if you need a private guide, private transport, a computer, a GoPro, and the Manta Point fuel surcharge. Those additions can push the final cost above the headline rate.

I would compare the complete price, not just the $105 starting figure. Ask about the fuel surcharge and rental rates before committing, especially if you are working with a fixed budget.

What the Strongest Service Feedback Tells You

The most consistent praise centers on the staff. Sybille is noted for helping organize trips and offering practical advice on land, while guides such as Andy, Yao, Lino, Adi, and Rai are praised for their calm handling and attention underwater.

One useful detail is the staff’s willingness to tailor outings to requests when conditions permit. Another is the effort to keep groups small, which can make a real difference when you are building confidence or returning to scuba after a break.

The team has also supported people across several days, not just one outing. That matters if you want to add more sessions or combine this trip with other Bali Diving Academy locations such as Amed.

Still, friendly service cannot control the ocean. A good guide may change the route, skip Manta Point, or substitute another site when conditions are unfavorable. I would view that flexibility as part of responsible operation, not as a failure to deliver the advertised plan.

Who Should Book This Experience?

This outing fits certified participants who want a focused day around the famous Nusa Penida sites while staying on Lembongan. It suits you best if you are comfortable with boat travel, a moderate level of physical activity, and a schedule that begins in the morning and ends mid-afternoon.

Choose the three-session package if you want the fullest day and have a strong interest in visiting more than one site. Choose two sessions if you want the manta experience without making the outing your only major activity that day.

It may be less suitable if you are not certified, need private transportation, want a guaranteed site, or require a completely fixed itinerary. Manta sightings are highly likely, but the route remains subject to conditions.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, you do not receive a refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

My Call: Book It If Mantas Are Your Priority

I would book this experience if you are certified, based in Lembongan, and want the best practical chance of seeing manta rays around Nusa Penida. The small group limit, included lunch, local guides, and choice of two or three sessions give it a useful balance of structure and flexibility.

Before paying, confirm the departure time, equipment rentals, and Manta Point surcharge. Then accept one basic rule of sea travel: you can request the site, but you cannot command the ocean. If that suits you, this is a strong choice for a concentrated Penida underwater day.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. The activity is for certified participants, and proof of certification is required.

How many scuba sessions can I choose?

You can choose either two or three sessions, depending on the package selected.

Where does the activity begin?

You meet at Bali Diving Academy Lembongan in the Jungut Batu area of Nusa Lembongan.

How long does the outing last?

The experience lasts about six hours and returns to the shop around 2:30 or 3 p.m.

What time do I meet the operator?

The listed meeting times are 7:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. Your exact departure time should be confirmed when you book.

Are manta rays guaranteed?

Manta sightings are described as almost guaranteed, but wildlife sightings cannot be certain. The operator also cannot promise a visit to Manta Point every day.

Which sites may be visited?

Possible sites include Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and Gamat Bay. The final route may change because of sea conditions or scheduling.

Can I see mola mola sunfish?

Mola mola may be seen from June through October when conditions permit. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

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

Is scuba equipment included?

Essential scuba equipment and a guide are included. A full equipment set, dive computer, and GoPro are available for rent, and the Manta Point fuel surcharge is paid separately.