Nusa Penida: Swim with Manta Rays & Island Tour with Lunch

Summary

Swim with wild manta rays then explore Nusa Penida’s rugged coast

You’ll start your Nusa Penida adventure early with hotel pickup and a friendly local guide who knows every shortcut. Snorkel alongside manta rays in crystal-clear bays, enjoy an Indonesian lunch overlooking the sea, then explore dramatic coastal spots like Broken Beach and Kelingking Beach before heading back salty and happy.

What’s the experience like?

Ketut was already grinning when we climbed into the van at 6am — I guess he could tell we were half asleep but excited. He handed us bottled water and asked if we’d ever seen a manta ray up close. I said no, and he just winked. The drive to Sanur was quiet except for the sound of scooters zipping past in the dark, and honestly, my nerves kicked in when I saw the boat bobbing at the pier. The sea air smelled sharp, almost metallic, mixed with something sweet from a food cart nearby (fried bananas maybe?).

The crossing to Nusa Penida is quick but bumpy — I held onto my hat and tried not to think about breakfast. Once we got our snorkeling gear sorted (the fins were a bit big but whatever), our guide Wayan explained how to spot mantas by their shadowy shapes gliding under the surface. At Manta Bay, everyone went quiet for a second when one actually appeared — huge and slow, like some kind of underwater spaceship. The water was colder than I expected and so clear you could see every flicker of silver below. I kept losing track of time out there.

Lunch was simple — rice, spicy chicken, vegetables — but after swimming it tasted perfect. We dried off in the sun while Wayan told us about growing up on Penida before tourism took off. Then it was back in the van for the island tour part: Broken Beach first (the arch is bigger than it looks in photos), then Angel Billabong where kids were jumping between rocks even though their moms yelled at them to stop. Kelingking Beach was last; that view really does mess with your sense of scale. My legs shook a little looking down at all that blue — not sure if it was nerves or just being tired by then.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much with strangers or feel so small next to those cliffs. On the way back to Sanur, salt still crusted on my skin, Ketut played old pop songs from his phone and everyone sang along badly. It’s funny what sticks with you after a day like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and island tour in Nusa Penida

• Pick up from Seminyak
• Check in boat ticket
• Boat departs from Sanur to Nusa Penida
• Snorkel at Manta Bay and other spots
• Lunch time
• Visit Broken Beach and Angel Billabong
• Visit Kelingking Beach
• Return to harbor
• Check in return ticket
• Boat returns to Sanur

Top questions

What time does the Nusa Penida snorkeling tour start?

The tour starts with pickup between 6:00 and 6:30 am.

Are all snorkeling spots guaranteed on this day trip?

No, snorkeling locations may change depending on weather and sea conditions.

Is lunch included during the Nusa Penida tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of your day trip experience.

Does this tour include hotel pickup in Bali?

Yes, shuttle service for pickup in Bali is provided.

Can pregnant travelers join this Nusa Penida snorkeling trip?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Are entrance fees covered in this package?

Yes, entrance fees and parking are included in your booking.

Will there be a local guide during the island tour?

Yes, you’ll have a local guide throughout both snorkeling and touring parts.

How long do we spend snorkeling versus touring on land?

You’ll snorkel in the morning until lunch; after lunch is dedicated to island sightseeing.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Bali, round-trip public boat tickets to Nusa Penida, all entrance fees and parking charges covered, private transportation around the island itself with a friendly local guide leading both land and sea adventures, bottled water throughout the journey, use of towels and full snorkeling equipment at each bay (including Manta Bay), plus an Indonesian lunch before heading back salty but satisfied in the late afternoon.