Nusa Penida
Penida is an island that is shrouded by ancient beliefs of magic and spirits. Once only reserved for outcasts and criminals, this tiny island off the coast of Bali, has since emerged as Bali’s best dive location.
On the far side of Nusa Penida, lies the Wallace Line – A deep trench which runs 1300 meters deep, separating Bali, Indonesia from Austronesia. Nusa Penida forms a natural barrier for the ocean currents, which cause strong upwelling’s of cold water, this movement of water attracts large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, and the Oceanic Sunfish.
Penida is an island that is shrouded by ancient beliefs of magic and spirits. Once only reserved for outcasts and criminals, this tiny island off the coast of Bali, has since emerged as Bali’s best dive location.
On the far side of Nusa Penida, lies the Wallace Line – A deep trench which runs 1300 meters deep, separating Bali, Indonesia from Austronesia. Nusa Penida forms a natural barrier for the ocean currents, which cause strong upwelling’s of cold water, this movement of water attracts large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, and the Oceanic Sunfish.
Crystal Bay
Level – Advanced
Se trata de una pequeña bahía encantadora, con aguas cristalinas y playas de arena blanca decoradas con palmeras de cocos. Situada en el Canal de Ceningan, es normalmente la segunda inmersión del día de viaje a Nusa Penida.
Es una inmersión muy popular gracias a los frecuentes avistamientos de peces luna gigantes que visitan la bahía en temporada. A parte de éstos, podemos seguir disfrutando de una inmersión genial, rica tanto en corales como en peces. Normalmente cuenta con una gran visibilidad y una pequeña cueva submarina que se ha convertido en hogar de multitud de murciélagos que se alimentan de fruta.
Location: This dive site lies off the coast of East Nusa Penida, on a little islet
Tips: This is a dive site marked by unpredictably strong down currents; stick close to the reef and to your dive guide. This dive site is not for uncertified or beginner divers.
As you begin your descent to about 6-7 meters, you will reach a coral plateau; here you will see an array of some of the healthiest and most vibrant corals in the coral triangle. Often times we see inexperienced divers clinging onto coral and damaging them, due to the unpredictable conditions, do be mindful while diving, and stick to limits you are comfortable with.
Facts: Maximum depth is 40m (only to be limited by your certification and experience level). This is a no decompression dive.
Manta Point
Level – Beginner
Esta es probablemente la inmersión más popular de Bali. Gracias a su estación de limpieza tenemos la oportunidad de observar un montón de mantas oceánicas nadando tranquilamente en las aguas poco profundas, permitiendo que los pequeños peces hagan su trabajo. Está situada en la parte sur de Nusa Penida, entre 40 y 50 minutos de navegación con una lancha rápida.
La profundidad máxima que vamos a alcanzar en esta inmersión es de unos 18 metros aproximadamente. Arena blanca y unas cuantas rocas grandes, cubiertas con corales duros, forman el fondo marino.
La temperatura del agua puede bajar hasta los 19 grados y la visibilidad puede ser reducida. Pero poder ver un gran número de mantas a la vez, compensa cualquier inconveniente.
Location: This dive site lies off the Southern tip of Nusa Penida island.
Tips: Beginner divers may sometimes feel unnerved as one is greeted by a pendulum of surges upon entry, this is however nothing to worry about.
As you begin your descent to about 4-5 meters, there will be a very good chance of being greeted by graceful black and white mantas. They hang around the cleaning station, and to feed on the cool nutrient rich waters.
Facts: The site is covered in hard and soft coral, but the current swept coast keeps the coral growth to a certain height only. This is a shallow dive, with a maximum depth of 15 meters.
PED
Level – Beginner to Advance
Aquí podemos encontrarnos con una arrecife en pendiente que se sitúa perpendicular a las costa, rico tanto en corales duros como blandos. La vida de peces aquí es excelente, desde bancos de jureles, fusileros, labios dulces, damiselas hasta tiburones punta blanca, gigantescos carángidos y tortugas. La parte norte de la isla está expuesta a fuertes corrientes que fluyen a través del Estrecho de Lombok, haciendo que cualquier inmersión aquí, sea con corriente. La visibilidad es muy buena.
Location: Northwest coast of Nusa Penida.
Highlights: This can be a gentle drift dive, or it can go much faster depending on the tide. The topography at PED is very similar to S.D Point, starting with a nice and shallow coral plateau that drops to extreme depths at about 100 meters. PED is known for the hard and soft coral that line the steep slopes and walls.
What you’ll likely see here is schools of glass fish hiding in crevices, lots of Napoleon wrasses, Groupers, Lion Fish, and Green turtles that like feeding on seaweed.
S.D Point
Level – Advanced
On the North coast of Penida, marked by the island’s only Elementary school, and home to seaweed farmers that make a meager living, is one of Bali’s best drift dive site.
Highlights: S.D Point is a drift dive in which you do not need to exert much energy at all! The characteristic walls here slope towards the blue, where plenty of fish and coral can be seen.
Tips: Once you back roll of the boat, grab hold of the mermaid line and wait for you buddy. Upon descent, all you need to do is tuck your fins back and sit upright and enjoy the panoramic scenery of fishes swimming past. Much like watching a National Geographic show live!