Nusa Penida Snorkeling: 4 Bays, Manta Rays & Boat from Bali

Hands grip the boat rail as it cuts toward four snorkeling sites off Nusa Penida

You're picked up from your hotel, driven to Sanur, and taken by fast boat to Nusa Penida for four separate snorkeling sessions at Manta Bay, Gamat Bay, Crystal Bay and Toyapakeh Wall. Equipment, lunch and a guide are included; the boat returns you to Sanur by late afternoon. The whole day runs about 11 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Pick up at hotel lobby
• Check-in at Sanur harbor
• Depart to Nusa Penida Island
• Go to Manta Bay
• Snorkel in Manta Bay
• Move to Gamat Bay
• Snorkel in Gamat Bay
• Snorkel in Crystal Bay
• Move to Toyapakeh Wall / Mangrove Point
• Snorkel in Toyapakeh Wall / Mangrove Point
• Head to Nusa Penida Port
• Depart to Sanur
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The boat leaves Sanur harbor at 7:30 in the morning, and you're already moving. Hotel pickup starts at 6 a.m., so you're in the water by 9:30, which matters — the light is still high and the visibility runs clear. Manta Bay comes first, and the name is the whole point: you're swimming in open water watching for the shape of a manta ray moving underneath you, though they don't always show. The reef here is thick with smaller fish, and the water is cold enough that you notice it, warm enough that you don't mind.

After 30 minutes you move to Gamat Bay, then Crystal Bay for a longer stop — an hour there, which is when you start to see the pattern of the reef and the fish that live in it. Your guide stays with the group, pointing out what matters and what's just color. By midday you're heading to Toyapakeh Wall, the longest snorkeling stretch of the day, and this is where the coral gets serious — walls of it, dropping down, and the kind of density that makes you understand why people come back to Nusa Penida. The boat ride back to Sanur takes an hour, and you're back at your hotel by 5 p.m., which leaves the evening free.

The snorkeling tour includes the fast boat round trip from Sanur, all equipment, a simple lunch and water during the day. Your driver acts as guide, and transport between the four bays is part of it — you're not arranging anything once you're on the water. The itinerary can shift depending on weather or conditions, so the order of the bays or the time at each one might change, but all four stops happen.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in Bali.
• fast boat round trip from Sanur to Nusa Penida.
• snorkeling equipment.
• guide during the tour.
• transport between the four snorkeling sites.
• simple lunch and mineral water.
• entrance fee to Nusa Penida.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wandernesia

Is this one for you?Right for anyone in Seminyak who wants to snorkel four different reefs in one day without renting a boat or arranging their own transport — the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled.

Top questions

What time does the boat leave Sanur?

The boat departs at 7:30 a.m. after check-in. Hotel pickups start at 6 a.m., so you have time to get there from most Seminyak hotels.

Do I need my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour. Bring a towel and sunscreen.

What if the weather is bad?

The itinerary can change depending on weather and sea conditions. The order of the four bays or the time spent at each one may shift, but all four stops are included in the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A simple lunch and mineral water are provided during the day.

Can I do a private boat instead of joining a group?

The tour offers both join and private boat options. Choose when you book.

How long is the boat ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida?

About one hour on the fast boat.

What's the latest I can be picked up?

Pickups run between 6:00 and 6:45 a.m. from your hotel lobby.

Will I see manta rays?

Manta Bay is named for them, but sightings are not guaranteed. The reef and smaller marine life are always present.