Snorkeling in Nusa Lembongan: Three Spots with Manta Rays

Dive into three different reefs and come face-to-face with manta rays in their natural habitat

Snorkeling at three spots around Nusa Lembongan takes about 3 hours, with a guide leading you to Manta Bay (where giant manta rays gather), Gamat Bay (a protected nursery of reef fish), and Mangrove Point (a shallow reef with coral formations). The boat, snorkeling gear, guide and hotel pickup are included. Non-swimmers can join with safety equipment and instruction. Manta sightings are not guaranteed since the rays are wild, but the waters here are nutrient-rich and attract them regularly. You choose whether to be picked up at your hotel in Lembongan or meet the boat at the snorkeling point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling at three island spots

• Snorkel at Manta Bay Nusa Penida
• Optional snorkel at Crystal Bay if bad weather
• Snorkel at Gamat Bay Nusa Penida
• Snorkel at Mangrove Point Nusa Lembongan

The experience

You arrive at the dock in the morning and board a snorkeling boat with your guide and a small group. The first stop is Manta Bay off Nusa Penida, where the water is deep and the plankton-rich currents draw giant manta rays to feed and clean themselves. You enter the water with your mask and fins, and the guide stays close as you watch the reef below. If weather turns rough, the boat diverts to Crystal Bay instead, where steep cliffs frame clear water and small caves shelter reef fish. Either way, you are in the water for the moment the conditions allow it.

The second stop is Gamat Bay, a protected marine nursery on the Nusa Penida side. The bay is calm and shallow enough to see the bottom clearly: small white sand beach, brightly colored reef fish, and invertebrates moving through coral crevices. This site is popular with divers because the water is so clear and the marine life so dense. Your guide points out the habitat as you float above it. The third stop is Mangrove Point back at Nusa Lembongan, a shallow reef with coral formations and fewer visitors, so the water feels quieter and the fish less skittish.

The whole outing runs about 3 hours from start to finish. You get a welcome drink before departure, mineral water during the day, and an underwater camera to capture what you see, or you can bring your own. Non-swimmers are welcome. The guide acts as instructor and the safety equipment keeps you afloat. Bring sunscreen, a change of clothes and cash if you want to buy anything on the island. If you stay in Nusa Ceningan, you meet the boat at the Yellow Bridge at 9:30 am instead of arranging a pickup.

What’s included

• Snorkeling boat and guide in English.
• snorkeling equipment and underwater camera.
• welcome drink and mineral water.
• hotel pickup and drop-off service in Lembongan (or meeting point at Yellow Bridge in Nusa Ceningan at 9:30 am).

Options for this experience

2 options

Meet at the snorkeling pointGuide in English · 09:30Three-point snorkeling trip covering Manta Bay, Toya Pakeh Wall and Mangrove Point Lembongan, lasting 3 hours, with a welcome drink and mineral water. Hotel pickup is not included: guests should make their own way (car or scooter) to the meeting point, Lagoon Bliss Captain Good, between 9:45 and 10:00 am (see Google Maps).

Snorkeling pickup in LembonganGuide in English · 09:30Three-point snorkeling trip covering Manta Bay, Toya Pakeh Wall and Mangrove Point Lembongan, lasting 3 hours, with a welcome drink and mineral water. Pickup from Lembongan hotels only: guests staying at Nusa Ceningan will meet at the Yellow Bridge at 9:30 am. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Telaga Waja River Rafting

Is this one for you?Choose pickup from your Lembongan hotel if you want to sleep in and let the boat come to you. Meet at the snorkeling point if you are already exploring the islands or staying in Nusa Ceningan. Either way, the guide handles the route and timing, so you show up ready to enter the water.

Traveler reviews

4.57★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

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 24 h before the start.

What are the chances of seeing manta rays at Manta Bay?

Manta rays gather at Manta Bay regularly because the plankton and nutrient-rich currents attract them to feed and clean themselves, but sightings are not guaranteed. The rays are wild animals in their natural habitat and their presence varies with environmental conditions. The site is designed around where they are most likely to appear.

Can I snorkel if I don't know how to swim?

Non-swimmers can snorkel on this trip. The guide acts as your instructor, and safety equipment keeps you afloat and stable in the water so you can focus on watching the marine life below.

What is Gamat Bay like compared to the other snorkeling spots?

Gamat Bay is a protected marine nursery with calm, crystal-clear water and an exceptional variety of reef fish and invertebrates living in coral crevices and small caves. It is reachable only by boat and has a small white sand beach, making it popular with divers for the density and clarity of the underwater life.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the boat?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lembongan are included in the snorkeling trip. If you stay in Nusa Ceningan, you meet the boat at the Yellow Bridge at 9:30 am instead of arranging a pickup.

What should I bring on the snorkeling day?

Bring comfortable clothing, a change of clothes, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, a camera (or use the underwater camera provided), and cash or a credit card for any personal expenses on the island. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, a welcome drink and mineral water.

How long does the whole snorkeling trip take?

The snorkeling outing runs about 3 hours from pickup to drop-off, including time at all three spots and travel between them by boat.