NUSA PENIDA
Nusa Penida is the largest, 17km long, of 3 islands the others being Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, that lie the other side of the Bandung Strait from Bali’s east coast. The water here is fairly cold, due to a deep upwelling south of Bali, but often startlingly clear, with gorgeous corals and prolific fish and some turtles, Grey reef and Silver-tip sharks. In July-mid November Mola-Mola, the weird and wonderful Ocean sunfish can be seen here.
NUSA PENIDA
Distance from Zen Dive Bali: 20 minutes minibus ride to Padang Bay and from their 45 minutes more by a speed boat
Water temperature: 19° – 29° C
Visibility: 15 – 30 meters
Average dive time: 45 minutes
Current: Mild to Extremely Strong
Diver level: Medium to Expert
Marine life: Eagle rays, dolphines, napoleon wrasse, jackfish, sweetlips, snappers, shrimps, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, moray eels, trumpetfish, puffers, and giant trevally
Nusa Penida is famous for it`s strong currents and beautiful hard corals covering long stretches of underwater walls and slopes. In order to enjoy most it`s beauty we mainly make drift dives in this area, why it is advised to be a bit more than a beginner level diver. Eagle rays and sometimes dolphins are cruising along with divers over this reefs.
MANTA POINT
Distance from Zen Dive Bali: 20 minutes minibus ride to Padang Bay and from their 45 minutes more by a speed boat
Water temperature: 19° – 29° C
Visibility: 10 – 25 meters
Average dive time: 45 minutes
Current: Mild to Extremely Strong
Diver level: Beginner to Expert
Marine life: Manta – what more do you need?
Manta point and Manta bay are at the far south side of Nusa Penida and are quite easy dives. Mantas can be seen cruising in formations of 2 to more than 7 in very shallow seas at some 5 meters. There can be a surge present which keeps forcing divers to equalize continuously.
CRYSTAL BAY
Distance from Zen Dive Bali: 20 minutes minibus ride to Padang Bay and from their 45 minutes more by a speed boat
Water temperature: 19° – 29° C
Visibility: 15 – 30 meters
Average dive time: 45 minutes
Current: Mild to Extremely Strong
Diver level: Medium to Expert
Marine life: Ribbon eel, turtle, sea snake, nudibranch, porcupine fish, angel fish, bannerfish and often Mola-Mola
Crystal bay beneath it`s crystal clear water hides shallow coral gardens with a lurking very deep drop off with an unpredictable mood. Down currents are often present but what makes it extremely interesting and tempting for experienced divers is presence of Mola-Mola`s at certain seasons, and of course it`s crystal clear beauty.