Nusa Penida: Snorkeling, Kelingking Beach & Fast Boat Day Trip

Summary

Swim with mantas then wander wild cliffs on Nusa Penida’s west

You’ll cross from Bali by fast boat for a day trip packed with snorkeling Nusa Penida’s best bays—Manta Bay, Gamat Bay, Crystal Bay—plus stops at Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach. Swim with manta rays (if they feel like showing up), eat lunch at a local spot, and catch wild ocean views that’ll stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You ready to see if the mantas show up today?” our driver grinned as we stepped off the fast boat at Banjar Nyuh port. I was still shaking off the salt spray from the crossing — it’s only about 45 minutes from Sanur, but the wind really wakes you up. The island air smelled a bit like wet stone and frangipani, which sounds poetic but mostly just made me hungry for breakfast. Anyway, we piled into a van with two other travelers (they’d just flown in from Jakarta) and set off for Manta Bay. Our guide, Made, kept pointing out little shrines tucked into the roadside cliffs — he said his grandmother leaves offerings there every full moon.

I’ll be honest: I was nervous about snorkeling with manta rays. They’re huge — like, car-sized — but when one glided past us in that blue-green water at Manta Bay, all I could do was laugh into my snorkel. It felt unreal. The current tugged at my fins a bit in Gamat Bay (Made warned us to stick close), but the coral was so bright you almost forget to breathe slow. Crystal Bay lived up to its name; I saw a parrotfish nibbling on something that looked suspiciously like a lost flip-flop. We dried off in the sun before lunch at a warung — fried noodles and sweet tea, nothing fancy but it hit the spot.

After lunch we rattled along bumpy roads toward Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong. There’s this weird hush when you stand above Broken Beach’s arch — just wind and waves echoing through the rock tunnel below. Some local kids were selling coconuts by the path; one tried to teach me how to say “terima kasih” properly (I failed). Kelingking Beach was last — everyone calls it T-Rex Beach because of that cliff shape, which is way steeper than photos show. No way was I hiking down after snorkeling all morning, but just standing at the top with my legs shaking a little… yeah, I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nusa Penida snorkeling and sightseeing

• Depart Sanur port at 07:30 AM
• Arrive Banjar Nyuh port, meet driver
• Snorkel at Manta Bay
• Snorkel at Crystal Bay
• Snorkel at Gamat Bay
• Lunch break at local restaurant
• Visit Broken Beach viewpoint
• Swim at Angel’s Billabong
• Visit Kelingking Beach viewpoint
• Return fast boat to Sanur port at 04:30 PM

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida?

The tour starts around 7:30 AM from Sanur port in Bali and returns by fast boat around 4:30 PM.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nusa Penida snorkeling tour?

Hotel or villa pickup is included if you select that option during booking; some areas may have extra charges.

Do I need snorkeling experience for this tour?

No prior experience is needed; guides provide equipment and basic instructions.

Which beaches are visited on this Nusa Penida day trip?

You’ll visit Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, plus Diamond Beach if time allows.

Are manta rays guaranteed during snorkeling?

Sightings are common at Manta Bay but not guaranteed since they’re wild animals.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No, lunch is at your own expense at a local restaurant during the break.

What should I bring for snorkeling in Nusa Penida?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, towel, change of clothes, and some cash for lunch or extras.

Are transfers shared or private?

You can choose between shared or private options for both boats and transfers when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes fast boat tickets between Bali and Nusa Penida, hotel or villa transfer if selected (with possible extra charge for remote areas), all necessary snorkeling gear—mask, fins, life jacket—plus a local driver-guide who meets you right at Banjar Nyuh port holding your name sign. Mineral water is provided throughout the trip; lunch is at your own cost at a local restaurant before heading back in the afternoon.