MANTA POINT NUSA PENIDA – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Snorkeling at Manta Point Nusa Penida is up there with one of the most epic experiences I have ever had. These underwater giants are incredibly humble and to be able to swim with them is a moment you will never forget!

I have put together this complete guide of Manta Point Nusa Penida including where to book and what to expect!

 

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WHERE TO BOOK A SNORKELING TRIP TO MANTA POINT

There are a couple of options to book a snorkeling trip to Manta Point Nusa Penida and they are:

Option 1:

From Nusa Penida island, boat tours operate out of Toya Pakeh Bay to Manta Point Nusa Penida on a daily basis.

You can head down to one of the many tourist offices in Toya Pakeh to organise your snorkeling trip to Manta Point. The cost of a Manta Point snorkeling tour is around 200,000 rupiah.

Option 2:

If you happen to be in Bali and want to go snorkeling with manta rays at Manta Point Nusa Penida, there is one tour that I can highly recommend which is a full-day trip from Bali.

The Manta Bay Snorkeling Tour is the most top-rated tour with great reviews and thousands of bookings.

This tour includes a hassle-free pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, return boat transfers from Bali, English-speaking guide and you will visit such spots as Manta Point Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay, Toyapakeh Wall and more! All this for less than $50 USD.

Book Now → Manta Bay Snorkeling Tour

Manta Point Snorkeling

Flying underwater with the manta rays

Getting ready to jump in at Manta Point Nusa Penida

MY EXPERIENCE AT MANTA POINT NUSA PENIDA

Our snorkeling trip began at 8:30am, so my friends and I went down to meet with our boat and guide at Toyapakeh Bay. We got sorted with our snorkeling gear and fins before jumping on board the boat.

We cruised through crystal clear waters towards Nusa Penida Manta Point. Within seconds of arriving, our snorkeling guide starting yelling out “manta, manta, manta.” We spotted a ray cruising along the surface of the water and we were quick to jump in with mask, snorkel and fins!

These majestic creatures are absolutely incredible! They glide effortlessly through the ocean and are really friendly to swim with.

The manta rays at Manta Point Nusa Penida can be quite intimidating to begin with due to their body size of up to 5 meters, though you will soon realise they are harmless, humble giants.

I counted roughly 8 to 10 different mantas at Manta Point Nusa Penida on this morning’s snorkeling experience, which is more than usual. I think it is safe to say we got very lucky!

Search All ∼ Homestays / Resorts / Hotels in Nusa Penida

A black manta at Manta Point Nusa Penida

Our Manta Point Nusa Penida guide

GoPro shot of a manta ray

MANTA POINT NUSA PENIDA – CONTINUED

Our guide on the Manta Point Nusa Penida tour was really flexible with our group and was happy to do whatever we requested.

So we snorkeled for at least 2 hours at Nusa Penida Manta Point before making our way around to Crystal Bay on the boat. The reef here is super colourful and many species of fish can be seen.

Palm trees in the bay line the beach on a golden stretch of sand, so we asked our guide if we could go explore and he was more than happy to drop us to the beach.

We spotted a large group of locals that were gathered under some temporary tarps hung between the trees. We wandered over to see what was going on and discovered a traditional cockfighting tournament. Big money was getting thrown around the arena, betting for one rooster to win the battle. It wasn’t my scene by any means and I couldn’t stand watching it for long.

Small warungs line the beach at Crystal Bay if you want to grab a fresh coconut to sip on under the shade of the palms. Crystal Bay beach is also an epic location to get those ‘tropical island vibe’ shots.

Book Now → Manta Bay Snorkeling Tour

Palm tree lined shoreline at Crystal Bay Beach

A traditional cockfight at Crystal Bay Beach

Snorkeling at Manta Point Nusa Penida

TOYAPAKEH WALL SNORKELING SITE

After a short stop at Crystal Bay, the Manta Point Nusa Penida tour continues to Toyapakeh Wall which is another popular diving and snorkeling site here on Nusa Penida Island.

Toyapakeh Wall is a diverse marine ecosystem with an abundance of corals and tropical fish that you can see while drifting in the current along the surface. Make sure you save enough battery on your cameras for this spot.

From here, the boat will drop you back to Toya Pakeh which concludes the Mant Point Nusa Penida tour.

Must Read → 14 Things To Do In Nusa Penida

Manta Point Nusa Penida Tour

 

PIN LOCATION OF MANTA POINT NUSA PENIDA

 

WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA

Nusa Penida has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Nusa Penida to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers. See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

Luxury: Pandawa Beach Resort & Spa

This amazing beachfront 5-star resort is centrally located on Nusa Penida island. Pandawa Beach Resort offers beachfront rooms, outdoor swimming pool, free wifi and ocean views. The rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen tv’s, private bathrooms and modern interior. A continental or buffet breakfast is included for all guests.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com

Mid Range: La Roja Bungalows

La Roja Bungalows is the most Instagrammable accommodation in Nusa Penida! These cute wooden bungalows sleep up to 2 people featuring spacious rooms, private bathroom, air-conditioning and free wifi. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, shared lounge and restaurant. An à la carte breakfast is also included. Perfect place to stay for couples and friends.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com

Budget: Nusa Garden Bungalow

The best budget accommodation in Nusa Penida! There are dorm rooms, double rooms and family rooms available at Nusa Garden Bungalow at a very affordable price. These Balinese-style bungalows are fitted with a fan, mosquito net and ensuite bathroom. Perfect for solo travelers and friends.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking.com

FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

 

BEST TOURS IN BALI

 

MORE BALI TRAVEL GUIDES

Nusa Penida Guide: 14 Things To Do In Nusa Penida

Nusa Lembongan Guide: 5 Things To Do In Lembongan

Nusa Ceningan Guide: 3 Things To Do In Nusa Ceningan

Bali Travel Guide: 2 Week Bali Itinerary

Bali Waterfalls Guide: 7 Best Bali Waterfalls

Bali Beaches Guide: 10 Best Beaches In Uluwatu

 

AIRBNB NUSA PENIDA

Another option for accommodation in Nusa Penida is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals on Nusa Penida Island.

Get your $40 Airbnb discount here!

 

MY CAMERA GEAR

• DSLR Mirrorless Camera: Sony A7ii 

• Drone Camera: DJI Mavic Pro 2

• GoPro: GoPro Hero 8 Black

• Everyday Lens: Sony F2.8 24/70mm

• Camera Bag: Lowepro Protactic 31L

• Selfie Stick: Sandmarc Metal Edition 1.2m 

• Tripod: Joby Flexible GorillaPod

• GoPro Dome: Underwater GoPro Dome

• Power Bank: Anker Powerbank

• External Hardrive: WD Elements 4TB

 

WHAT TO PACK FOR BALI?

• Waterproof Phone Case: Universal Waterproof Case

• Reusable Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Water Bottle

• Rain Jacket: North Face Rain Jacket

• Water Shoes: Slip-on Water Shoes

• Day Bag: Nomatic 20L Day Bag

• Power Adapter: Universal Power Adapter

• Packing Cubes: 4 Set Packing Cubes

• Microfibre Towel: Quick Dry Travel Towel

• Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance

• Money Belt: Hidden Money Belt

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Manta Point Nusa Penida please drop me a comment below.

Happy Adventuring!