Diving in Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida diving needs a different starting decision from a general boat excursion: whether the participant is certified or looking for an introductory experience. The selected options include guided fun dives that require a certificate and beginner programs with their own participation conditions. Choose that category before comparing the number of dives or the cost of transport.
The marine setting includes currents and weather-dependent site choices. A familiar place name is not a promise that a particular boat will visit it on the day. For travelers who prefer a surface activity, the snorkeling guide compares boats and manta routes without the same scuba qualification and equipment arrangements.
Our picks: diving
Our take: Certified divers can choose three guided dives; beginners have two alternatives with equipment included. Compare transfer options and the extra charge for Manta Point.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three guided dives near Nusa Penida
- Tanks, weights, and belt
- Shared boat transfer
- Marine park and site entry fees
Bring your dive certification. Full equipment rental and dive insurance cost extra; pickup outside the listed areas has a surcharge.
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Two guided beginner dives
- Full set of equipment
- Lunch on the boat
- Mineral water
Hotel and Bali–Lembongan boat transfers depend on the option. Manta Point carries an extra charge; check age and suitability requirements.
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Local beginner dive on Nusa Penida
- Diving insurance
- All Fees and Taxes
- Full set of standard diving gear
This local activity suits island guests. A dive computer is not included.
Check availability →Diving options by experience and starting point
Compare three guided fun dives for certified divers, a beginner trip with two guided dives, and a local introductory program for island guests.
Certified divers and three guided fun dives
The certified-diver trip includes three guided fun dives at Nusa Penida, a certified dive guide, tanks, weights and belt. Shared boat transport to and from Penida, drinking water, light onboard snacks and marine-park and site entry fees are included. Bring the dive certificate required for this option; the activity does not provide a qualification for a non-certified participant.
Hotel pickup and drop-off cover Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran, with an additional charge outside those areas. Meeting at the dive center in Sanur is also an option. This gives travelers staying on Bali a way to compare a meeting-point start with the listed pickup areas. Keep that land journey distinct from the shared boat transfer.
Beginner dives and a local introductory program
The beginner option includes guided dives at two spots, a full set of equipment, lunch on the boat, mineral water and a welcome drink. Hotel transport and the return fast-boat connection from Bali’s Serangan or Sanur to Lembongan depend on the booked option. Manta Bay and Crystal Bay appear in the itinerary around Penida; a visit to Manta Point is an additional-cost choice, not the standard program.
The local try-scuba program is an alternative for non-certified visitors already staying on Penida. Standard diving gear, diving insurance and all fees and taxes are included, while a computer is excluded. Its meeting location is described in relation to Toyapakeh and Sampalan harbors. Arrange the journey to the actual meeting point rather than treating that geographical description as a hotel-transfer inclusion.
Before booking either introductory activity, review its participation and suitability requirements. An introductory title alone is not enough to decide whether the format fits everyone in the group. If some travelers want to remain on land, compare a separate island excursion rather than stretching a dive itinerary into a sightseeing promise.
Equipment and extra costs
The three-fun-dive option provides tanks, weights and belt, while the full rental equipment set costs extra. Diving insurance is also separate. This matters when comparing it with the beginner trip’s included full equipment and the local program’s standard gear and included insurance. An identical headline about diving can therefore describe different overall budgets.
For the beginner boat trip, an underwater camera is excluded and Manta Point carries a supplement. For the local introduction, budget around the stated computer exclusion rather than assuming every item of dive equipment comes with the standard set. Keep personal expenses separate and compare the activity inclusions before adding transport or optional photography.
Currents and dive-site choice
Manta Point is described as a diving destination on the southwest coast. Manta Bay is a different location. Use the actual briefing and chosen program to understand where diving is planned, and let sea conditions guide the operational decision. A site associated with mantas offers wildlife observation, not a guarantee of an encounter on every visit.
Follow the guide’s directions and give marine animals room to move. Do not touch, feed, chase or block mantas. A camera should serve the observation rather than encourage pursuit. The conservation setting also means following the instructions for the specific site instead of treating the whole marine area as interchangeable space for any activity.
Weather, arrival and a realistic day
Consult the forecast for the relevant marine location and leave space for operational changes. General seasonal patterns are useful context, while the actual day’s wind, waves and currents shape site choice. The weather guide explains that distinction. A harbor forecast should not be extended to every diving location.
For a start on Bali, identify the hotel or meeting-point leg, the boat and the diving activity separately. For a local Penida program, choose an accommodation location with the meeting journey in mind. The arrival guide covers independent boat travel. This makes the practical plan clear before optional land sightseeing is considered.
Frequently asked questions
Which trip requires a diving certificate?
The three-guided-fun-dive option is for certified divers. The beginner trip and local try-scuba program address a different experience level and have their own participation conditions.
Is all equipment included with the fun dives?
Tanks, weights and belt are included. The full rental equipment set and diving insurance cost extra.
Is Manta Point standard on the beginner trip?
Manta Point is an additional-cost choice. The beginner itinerary includes guided dives at two spots, with the actual program shaped by conditions and the selected option.
Does the local introduction include a computer?
The local introductory program includes standard diving gear, insurance, fees and taxes. A computer is excluded.