Experience Manta Rays in Bali: Diving Manta Point Nusa Penida

Wondering where the best place to see manta rays in Bali is? And what to expect when diving Manta Point in Nusa Penida? Great! This article is for you!

Every wildlife fanatic has a list of creatures they want to see. Well, the same goes for scuba divers. Diving with manta rays had been on my ‘scuba bucket list’ since before I was a qualified diver. Until I experienced Manta diving in Nusa Penida, they had eluded me.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to see the manta ray in Nusa Penida.

Swimming with mantas in Bali was one of the highlights of my trip to Indonesia. It was worth the years of waiting to get the opportunity to swim with manta rays. I 100% recommend the experience! Let’s go!

Manta Rays in Bali

Diving and swimming with manta rays in Bali is well up there with one of the most epic wildlife experiences I’ve ever had. 

Diving Manta Point in Nusa Penida is certainly something I recommended you add to your Bali itinerary.

Where Can I See Manta Rays in Bali?

During my time in southern Bali, it diving in Manta Point was going to be pretty much at the top of my Bali bucket list.

As the name implies, Manta Point is the best place to see manta rays in Bali, making it a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to witness these majestic creatures.

Why Are There Manta Rays in Nusa Penida?

The manta rays come to Manta Point for two reasons, the main one is for the cleaning stations. There are dozens of cleaning stations dotted around the rocks, in particular, a large rock in the centre of the dive site.

The cleaning station is where tiny fish congregate. They often choose reefs and rocks because it protects them from predators as well as the current of the sea. The manta rays come to these areas to allow the small fish to pick parasites off their skin, hence why it’s called a cleaning station.

They also come here to feed. Manta rays are channel feeders, which basically means they swim about with their mouths open taking in massive amounts of zooplankton.

If you’re really lucky, you might even see the manta rays performing their mating dance.

When Is Manta Ray Season in Nusa Penida?

Manta rays come to Manta Point all year round, with the peak of Manta season in Nusa Penida falling between March to June.

During the main manta ray Nusa Penida season, you’ll find larger group sizes. These can range from only a couple, through to decent-sized groups of 15 or more circling the area. 

As with all wild animal experiences, you can’t ever 100% guarantee seeing them, however, because they congregate to feed and be cleaned, the chances are high.

Are Manta Rays Dangerous?

If you’re planning to swim with manta rays in Nusa Penida, then you’ll probably want to know if manta rays are dangerous. 

No, they are not dangerous. These gentle underwater giants are harmless to people. 

However, they are inquisitive, so they do come quite close. They might linger above you, hovering over the bubbles your scuba gear makes – this is pretty much for the same reason we love sitting in a jacuzzi hot tub, the bubbles feel nice! 

Is Manta Diving in Nusa Penida Worth It?

Yes! Absolutely!

Manta diving in Nusa Penida gives you the opportunity to view the manta rays up close. 

Because Manta Ray Bay in Nusa Penida is where the manta rays come to feed and be pampered, Nusa Penida is a great spot to view them. Like us humans when we have a pampering session, the Mantas are relaxed, swimming slowly in large circles to allow the fish to clean them.

Diving Manta Point Nusa Penida – Know Before You Go

Before you go diving with manta rays in Nusa Penida, here is some useful information that you can use to make the most of your journey.

Nusa Penida vs Nusa Lembonghan

Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are neighbouring islands located just off Bali. 

Manta Ray Point, Bali, is known for its manta ray sightings. It’s situated on Nusa Penida.

There are plenty of things to do in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, including stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, making both islands popular for travellers visiting Bali.

Map of Nusa Penida

Manta Point, Bali is on Nusa Penida Island. There are three islands just off mainland Bali, Nuda Penida (the largest of the three islands), Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

How to Get To Nusa Penida

Manta Point is a small bay, located below towering cliffs just off Nusa Penida. 

It’s easily accessed by speed boat from Sanur on mainland Bali. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

You’ll also find frequent boats going from the nearby island Nusa Lembongan, which takes about 20 minutes.

Best Tour Options to See Manta Ray in Nusa Penida

There are plenty of options to book both dive and snorkel trips to Manta Point Nusa Penida. 

Nusa Penida tours are available from mainland Bali or from nearby Nusa Lembongan. Here are some great options which offer tours to see the manta rays.

Best Manta Point Dive, Nusa Penida Tours for Certified Divers

If you’re a qualified diver and thinking of Nusa Penida diving at Manta Point, this in my top pick for the best scuba tour. You can pick this your up straight from Nusa Penida. 

If you’re still not convinced about diving here, then check out this Nusa Penida diving review.

Best Manta Ray Diving in Nusa Penida for Non-qualified Divers

One of the great things about this dive site is that it’s suitable for non-qualified divers. You don’t have to be a qualified diver to see manta rays at Manta Point. 

Here’s my top pick for non-qualified divers:

Best Manta Ray Snorkel Tours

Alternatively, if you don’t want to dive, or have someone in your group who isn’t qualified, then you also have the option to go snorkelling with manta rays in Nusa Penida.

Manta Ray Nusa Penida Diving – What to Expect

This section is filled with everything you need to know about diving Nusa Penida Manta Point. 

Manta Bay in Nusa Penida is one of the best spots to get up close and experience manta rays in Bali – whether you’re a newbie diver, or have experience, you won’t be disappointed with this fantastic dive site. 

Manta Point Nusa Penida Diving Difficulty

As far as scuba diving goes, this is a relatively easy dive site. 

The topography of Manta Point is a gradual slope near the cliff face, dropping to a depth of about 25 metres, although you probably won’t go that far down. 

Sometimes there can be a bit of a current so although you don’t need to be qualified to dive here, it would be a good idea to have some scuba dive experience and a good level of buoyancy control to get the most out of this dive.

Manta Point Dive Site

The bottom of this dive site is a mixture of sand, rocks and coral. 

The manta rays congregate around a large rock in the centre of the dive site. This rock rises to just a few metres under sea level (which is why it’s a great spot for snorkelling too). The rock acts as a cleaning station for the mantas.

Tips for Divng Manta Point

When you’re observing the mantas, I recommend positioning yourself on some of the lower rocks, firstly, this gives the manta rays some space without harassing them. 

The mantas will naturally be drifting around in large circles in the area, often swimming close. 

This is by far one of the most rewarding ‘laziest’ dives I’ve ever done. I just stayed anchored to my rock and they came so close. I didn’t need to do anything to get close to them.

The Nusa Penida Manta Rays & More

On the day I went diving with the mantas, we had about 10 large rays circling around. 

If you’re lucky you might also see other aquatic life, blue-spotted stingrays are also really common here. I got super excited when we saw a bamboo shark swim past.

The manta rays are all here to be cleaned, and between themselves, they work out a pecking order to see who’s first up. If there’s a long queue of mantas waiting, you can expect quite a show with these beautiful giants circling around and waiting their turn.

Length of the Manta Ray Nusa Penida Dive

We were in the water with the Mantas for about an hour, and for most of this, sat stationed on a rock and just let the Mantas swim around us.

Depending on the others in your group, this time may be shorter. I was in a small group, and we all had decent air consumption, plus you’re not moving, so it’s generally a long dive. 

Manta Ray Nusa Lembongan Dive – FAQs

Can’t wait to see the majestic manta rays up close? Here are some helpful answers to some FAQs to make your diving adventure amazing.

Planning to Go Manta Diving in Nusa Penida?

If you are looking for an unforgettable diving experience, I definitely recommend diving Manta Point in Nusa Penida. 

You will have the chance to see the majestic manta rays in Bali up close with the opportunity to admire their grace and beauty up close. Who knows, they might even sit above you enjoying the bubbles from your dive equipment.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to dive with manta ray in Nusa Penida!

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