Nusa Penida: Snorkeling Manta Bay & Island Tour with Pickup

Summary

Swim at Manta Bay then wander Nusa Penida’s wild beaches

You’ll start your day early with hotel pickup in Bali before crossing by fast boat to Nusa Penida for snorkeling at Manta Bay—yes, with real manta rays—plus time at Crystal Bay. After showering off saltwater you’ll enjoy an Indonesian lunch before exploring dramatic cliffs like Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach. Expect laughter with your guide and moments that stick long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re lucky today,” our driver grinned as he handed us towels outside the little port in Sanur. I’d barely finished my coffee when we piled into the fast boat, salt already in the air and everyone a bit bleary but excited. The ride over to Nusa Penida was choppy — I lost count of how many times I grabbed the seat rail — but honestly, it just made arriving feel more like we’d earned it. Our guide, Kadek, kept making jokes about who would spot the first manta ray (spoiler: not me). He said they call them ‘pari’ here — I tried to say it back and he laughed so hard he nearly dropped his phone.

The snorkeling itself at Manta Bay was…well, I’m still not sure how to describe seeing those huge shapes glide beneath me. The water felt colder than I expected; my mask fogged up twice and I swallowed a mouthful of saltwater from laughing too much. There’s this moment when you look down and suddenly there’s just blue and then a shadow moves — that’s when you know you’re really here. Afterward at Crystal Bay, sunlight flickered on the sand through the water and some little fish nibbled my ankle (I yelped; Kadek thought it was hilarious). We rinsed off quick — showers are basic but do the job — and then lunch was simple nasi goreng with sweet iced tea at a roadside place where everyone seemed to know Kadek by name.

After lunch things got a bit hectic — traffic on Penida is its own adventure. We bumped along narrow roads to Kelingking Beach, which looks unreal even in person (and yes, it really does look like a T-Rex head). The cliffs are steep and windy; I held onto the railing tighter than I’d admit. At Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong we watched waves smash against rocks while some local kids tried to sell us coconuts. Honestly, by late afternoon we were tired but happy in that sunburned way that only comes from a day out here. On the boat back to Bali, hair still wet and skin salty, I kept thinking about those mantas gliding under us — kind of peaceful actually.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Nusa Penida snorkeling and island tour

• Pick up from hotel
• Arrive at Sanur/Serangan port
• Boat departs to Nusa Penida
• Arrive at Nusa Penida port
• Snorkel at Manta Bay
• Snorkel at Wall Point/Gamat Bay
• Snorkel at Crystal Bay
• Finish snorkeling and shower
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Kelingking Beach
• Visit Broken Beach
• Visit Angel's Billabong
• Boat departs to Sanur/Serangan port
• Arrive at Sanur/Serangan port
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

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

The tour lasts about 12 hours including hotel pickup around 6:15–7:15am and return around 6pm.

Is snorkeling gear included on the Nusa Penida tour?

Yes, snorkel, fins, life jacket, towel, and underwater photos are included if you book the snorkeling package option.

Are meals included during the Nusa Penida snorkeling tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a local Indonesian restaurant on Nusa Penida.

Which beaches or attractions are visited on this day trip?

You’ll visit Manta Bay for snorkeling plus Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach (Pasih Uug), Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay.

Is hotel pickup available from all areas in Bali?

Pickup is included from Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Sanur, and Ubud areas.

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

The fast ferry takes about 40 minutes each way between Sanur/Serangan port and Nusa Penida port.

Is this tour suitable for people with health conditions?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health or for pregnant travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip hotel pickup anywhere from central Bali areas like Ubud or Seminyak; fast ferry tickets both ways; all entry fees for beaches and attractions; land transport on Nusa Penida; full snorkeling gear (mask, fins, life jacket) if you choose that package; towels; underwater photos if you snorkel; plus an Indonesian lunch before heading back in the evening.