Manta Point Nusa Penida Snorkeling Freediving Instructors

Three reef sites, manta rays at a cleaning station, and instructors who stay in the water with you

Snorkel Manta Point and two other reef sites around Nusa Penida in a small group led by freediving instructors who stay in the water with you the entire time. The trip prioritizes manta encounters at the less-crowded Manta Point cleaning area rather than the busy feeding grounds, adjusts timing to avoid crowds, and includes a full safety briefing on manta behavior and interaction rules before you enter the water. Meet at Freedive Nusa school at 10 am, get fitted with snorkel and wetsuit gear, and travel by speedboat to three stops: Manta Point for manta rays, Toyapakeh Wall for coral and reef fish, and SD Point for a shallow drift where turtles are common.

The experience

Manta Point sits farther out than the crowded Manta Bay feeding area, which means fewer boats, calmer water, and mantas that are less stressed by constant swimmer traffic. Your guides are freediving instructors, not boat crew. They stay in the water with you the whole time, watching currents, spacing between swimmers, and group safety. The briefing covers manta biology, behavior, and the rules that matter: keep distance, no touching, no chasing, and let the animals decide the encounter. This is wild nature, so a manta sighting is never guaranteed, but the crew adjusts the start time and checks alternative nearby spots if the main site is quiet.

The day runs four hours total. You meet at Freedive Nusa at 10 am, get fitted with mask, fins, and a wetsuit if you need one, and board a speedboat right from the school. The three stops are Manta Point first, then Toyapakeh Wall (a coral-covered underwater wall with reef fish), and finally SD Point, a shallow drift where turtles show up regularly. The open ocean can get choppy, so seasickness pills are available if you need them. All snorkel and freediving gear is included, along with a hot shower and facilities at the school afterward, plus hot ginger tea and free water refills throughout.

The route and timing shift based on weather and sea conditions: safety always comes first. Small groups mean your instructors can actually watch every person, not just count heads. Children from age 6 can join, and the guide speaks English.

What’s included

• Full snorkel and freediving equipment including mask, fins, and wetsuit.
• hot shower and facilities at Freedive Nusa school.
• safety boxes for belongings.
• hot ginger tea and free water refills.
• all fees and taxes.
• seasickness pills if needed.
• English-speaking freediving instructor in the water with your group the entire time.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEN

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The trip starts from Nusa Penida island, not from the Bali mainland! You have to come to Nusa Penida on your own a day before the trip or on the same day by the first speedboat from Sanur.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Freedive Nusa

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and stays in the water beside you, so you're not watching from a distance or following hand signals alone. The instructor can brief you on conditions, watch your safety, and point out what's below as it happens. Small groups mean personalized attention, not a crowded boat scene.

Traveler reviews

4.73★★★★★★★★★★

80 verified traveler reviews

5 ★70

4 ★3

3 ★4

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (6 to 9 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's the difference between Manta Point and Manta Bay around Nusa Penida?

Manta Bay is the feeding area closer to shore, crowded with many boats and swimmers in a chaotic scene. Manta Point is the cleaning station farther out, less crowded, where mantas are calmer and the water is usually more settled.

Will I definitely see manta rays on this snorkel trip?

Manta encounters are never guaranteed because this is wild nature and the animals set the terms. Your instructors will adjust timing and check alternative nearby spots if Manta Point is quiet, but sightings depend on the day and conditions.

Do the guides stay in the water with us, or do they just drive the boat?

Your guides are freediving instructors who stay in the water with you the entire time, watching currents, spacing between swimmers, and group safety. They're not boat crew. They're in the water managing the experience.

What three snorkel sites do we visit on this trip?

Manta Point is the priority site for manta rays; Toyapakeh Wall is a coral-covered reef with fish; and SD Point is a shallow drift where turtles are common.

What's included in the snorkel gear, and do I need to bring my own?

All snorkel and freediving equipment is included: mask, fins, and wetsuit if needed. You don't bring your own gear. The school also provides a hot shower, safety boxes for your belongings, hot ginger tea, and free water refills.