Big-animal drifts, manta cleanings, and cliff-top views a fast boat from Bali
Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 9 sources
Top species linked to approved dive spots in Nusa Penida.
Share what the whole destination was like. Once enough independent reviews are approved, DiveJourney publishes anonymous patterns, not reviewer profiles.
Operators with explicit destination or local dive-site coverage.
Padangbai, Indonesia
Absolute Scuba Bali is situated on the beach in Padang Bai, with white beaches and the charm of a small fisher mans village. with 20 rooms and 4 garden bungalows nestled in a tranquil balinese style garden and koy pond. An overflow pool with sea view wraps around our pool bar, where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail to unwind from the days activities. La Cabana restaurant where you can fill your belly with delicious local and international quisine, or order a pizza from our wood burning pizza oven. Relax your soul with a range of massages from Taman Sari Spa. We have a small yet well equipped gym for the fitness lovers, with a boxing bag to de stress. We are a full dive and stay resort offering a range of padi courses from open water to divemaster, or just do a try dive to see if diving could become your next passion.
PADIDives near 8 spots
Indonesia
Temple is a PADI 5 stars dive center offering high-quality scuba diving experiences in Nusa Penida, Bali. We cater to both beginners and certified divers, with programs ranging from Discover Scuba Diving and PADI Open Water courses to guided fun dives, all designed with a strong emphasis on safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
PADIDives near 15 spots
Quick shortlist before you jump into the full planning page.
Compare active operators connected to dive sites in this destination. Featured partners are clearly labeled.
Padangbai, Indonesia
Absolute Scuba Bali is situated on the beach in Padang Bai, with white beaches and the charm of a small fisher mans village. with 20 rooms and 4 garden bungalows nestled in a tranquil balinese style garden and koy pond. An overflow pool with sea view wraps around our pool bar, where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail to unwind from the days activities. La Cabana restaurant where you can fill your belly with delicious local and international quisine, or order a pizza from our wood burning pizza oven. Relax your soul with a range of massages from Taman Sari Spa. We have a small yet well equipped gym for the fitness lovers, with a boxing bag to de stress. We are a full dive and stay resort offering a range of padi courses from open water to divemaster, or just do a try dive to see if diving could become your next passion.
PADIDives near 8 spots
Indonesia
Temple is a PADI 5 stars dive center offering high-quality scuba diving experiences in Nusa Penida, Bali. We cater to both beginners and certified divers, with programs ranging from Discover Scuba Diving and PADI Open Water courses to guided fun dives, all designed with a strong emphasis on safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
PADIDives near 15 spots
May 30, 2026
Traveling solo and need a dive buddy? Learn safe ways to find scuba buddies through DiveJourney, dive shops, boats, courses, clubs, and liveaboards.
DiveJourney destination guides are living documents built from local knowledge, operator experience, and publicly available sources. Conditions, regulations, and logistics can change. Each guide shows its last update date and sources used.
Last updated: October 30, 2025 • 9 sources
If destination data is inaccurate, stale, missing, or sourced poorly, send a factual correction. This is separate from anonymous destination reviews.
Overview
Nusa Penida is Bali's high-energy dive hub. The Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area protects 20,057 hectares of reef shared by Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningan, home to reef mantas year-round and seasonal mola mola. Expect swift drifts, thermoclines that can drop water to 16°C, and world-class coral slopes. Most diving is from fast boats, with easier drifts along the north and more exposed sites on the south and in the Ceningan Channel. Snorkelers target manta encounters and calm bays, while topside days hit Kelingking, Diamond and Atuh beaches, and Goa Giri Putri temple. Access is via Denpasar's DPS airport and the Sanur fast-boat piers, making quick combinations with mainland Bali easy.
Formal MPA since 2010 covering 20,057 hectares with zones for tourism, traditional fishing, sacred sites, and harbors.
Reef mantas year-round at cleaning stations; mola mola most reliable Jul-Oct when upwellings cool the water.
Fly to DPS then fast boat from Sanur piers; crossings are about 30 km over open channel.
Plan for drift procedures, negative entries, and thermoclines from 29°C down to around 16°C in season.
Trip Planning
External Booking PartnerThis destination works either as a land-based plan or as a longer liveaboard itinerary. Use the guide for local planning, or compare boats if the remote circuit is the priority.
Land-based guide
Base areas, day boats, local operators, and shore logistics
Liveaboard planning
Boats, departures, and longer expedition-style routes
DiveJourney may earn referral revenue from the external booking partner. Liveaboard bookings are handled by the partner and operator under their terms.
Chelonia mydas
19 linked spots
Best time to go
Apr-Oct
Calmer seas on most coasts, frequent blue skies and easier crossings.
Main caution: Tradewind swell on south coast; great visibility but bumpy rides.
