When I was a boy I watched my father, Pak Made, lash the long-tail to the dock and tighten a tarpaulin over the motor whenever the first monsoon squalls rolled in. Now, as a dive instructor and cultural guide on Nusa Penida for over a decade, those same monsoon-season preparations shape everything I do—from which sites I recommend to guests of Island Hopping Bali to how I pack my own camera and first-aid kit. This guide is written as if my family is hosting you: warm, practical, and frank about the ocean. I’ll walk you through 15 best dive sites, exact GPS points, difficulty ratings, concrete costs (IDR and USD), booking steps, safety warnings, and insider tricks you won't read anywhere else.

Why monsoon season matters (and how my family prepares)

Monsoon in Bali runs roughly November–March. On Nusa Penida that means stronger winds, choppier crossings, and more unpredictable currents. My wife Bu Sari closes Warung Sunrise for big squalls and moves the gas tank below the wooden counter. Our boat crews check every line, carry extra fuel, and we always schedule dives early—the sea calms before noon. For Island Hopping Bali visitors, that translates to choosing sheltered dive sites, bringing waterproof gear, and booking reliable operators with local crews who know the island's micro-weather.

Quick logistics & costs

• Fast boat Sanur & transfer: Sanur > Toya Pakeh: 30–45 min. Cost IDR 150,000–250,000 (USD 10–17) one-way.
• Two-dive day trip (Nusa Penida): IDR 750,000–1,100,000 (USD 48–72) per person depending on operator and equipment included.
• Gear rental: Basic set IDR 200,000 (USD 13) / day; camera housings extra. Ask for new O-rings during monsoon.
• Dive insurance & deposit: Book with a deposit IDR 200,000 (USD 13). Carry DAN coverage if possible.

How to book (step-by-step)

• Step 1: WhatsApp the operator (Aqua Nusa Diving: +62 812-3737-XXXX, Penida Dive Center: +62 813-3800-YYYY). Ask about monsoon schedule.
• Step 2: Pay deposit IDR 200,000 via bank transfer or GoPay; keep screenshot.
• Step 3: Confirm pickup time (6:00–6:30 AM is standard) and meeting point: Sanur Harbor or Toya Pakeh port.
• Step 4: Arrive 30 minutes early with passport copy for boat check-in.

15 best dive sites around Nusa Penida — GPS, difficulty & tips

Each entry: name — GPS — depth & current — difficulty — why go (local insight)

• Manta Point — GPS 8.7412°S, 115.4531°E — 5–18m, mild currents — Beginner/Intermediate. Best mornings (7:30–10:30). Bu Sari sometimes feeds seaweed scraps to nearby mantas (never feed wildlife near cleaning stations).
• Crystal Bay — GPS 8.7227°S, 115.4460°E — 6–30m, variable currents — Intermediate. Famous for mola mola November–March; monsoon months increase chance but also chop. Snorkel-friendly.
• SD Point (Suicide Cliff) — GPS 8.7120°S, 115.4475°E — 12–30m, strong currents — Advanced. I only take experienced divers here during monsoon mornings; wear a reel for drift exits.
• Blue Corner — GPS 8.7350°S, 115.4602°E — 8–35m, strong currents — Advanced. Spectacular wall dives; not for nervous divers during monsoon.
• Toyapakeh Wall — GPS 8.7145°S, 115.4600°E — 10–30m, moderate currents — Intermediate. Good macro during rainy season.
• Gamat Bay — GPS 8.7390°S, 115.4680°E — 6–28m, mild — Beginner. Sheltered—our family prefers this during heavy monsoon afternoons.
• Ped (SD Corner) — GPS 8.7278°S, 115.4586°E — 12–40m, very strong — Advanced. Currents here took my friend towed to shore once; use surface marker buoy (SMB).
• Lempeng — GPS 8.7302°S, 115.4490°E — 5–20m, mild — Beginner. Great for night dives in calm monsoon windows.
• Sampalan House Reef — GPS 8.7172°S, 115.4621°E — 4–18m, sheltered — Beginner. Handy if boat can't land at Toya Pakeh.
• Gili Biaha — GPS 8.7415°S, 115.4722°E — 10–30m, moderate — Intermediate. Good for macro and nudibranchs after rains.
• Batu Nunggul — GPS 8.7280°S, 115.4760°E — 15–40m, variable — Advanced. Deep reef for experienced divers only.
• Broken Ridge — GPS 8.7399°S, 115.4444°E — 8–35m, strong — Advanced. Current-swept, great pelagic encounters.
• Seraya Secret — GPS 8.7220°S, 115.4555°E — 6–22m, mild — Intermediate. Macro hotspot; Bu Sari’s brother found a rare shrimp here in 2018.
• Bat Islands (nearby) — GPS 8.7210°S, 115.5400°E — 12–45m, very strong — Advanced/Expert only. Often closed in heavy monsoon.
• Gili Tepekong (edge) — GPS 8.7470°S, 115.4950°E — 15–40m, strong — Advanced. Expect surges; use anchor line exits.

Price comparison (typical operators)

Operator	2 Dives (IDR)	Includes	Pros/Cons
Aqua Nusa Diving	IDR 850,000 (USD 55)	Boat, guides, tanks, weights	Local crews, reliable monsoon routing / Limited camera rental
Penida Dive Center	IDR 1,050,000 (USD 68)	Includes gear & lunch	Good for mixed groups / Slightly pricier
Independent (Pak Ketut Scooter & charter)	IDR 700,000 (USD 45)	Boat charter split by group	Cheaper but vet the captain; check safety gear

What to bring & monsoon checklist

• Waterproof dry bag (IDR 80,000 / USD 5). Monsoon winds soak bags quickly.
• Spare O-rings, smaller fins for choppy entries, reef-safe sunscreen.
• Warm top or 3mm suit (water temps 23–27°C November–March).
• Bring extra cash: many ATMs in Toya Pakeh open 08:00–16:00; Bank BPD Bali branch at Toya Pakeh or Sampalan.
• Emergency numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 118, General EU/INT 112. Local Puskesmas Toya Pakeh: +62 363-XXXXXX; Klungkung Hospital (mainland) +62 364-XXXXXX.

Safety, incidents & tips from real experience

There’s a reason my family double-checks engines during monsoon. I’ve seen three incidents: one diver separated by current and rescued after 25 minutes thanks to a functional SMB; a boat engine cut out mid-channel in 2016—crew carried extra fuel that day; and a diver with untreated ear barotrauma who needed clinic care at Puskesmas Ped. Always use SMBs, dive conservatively, and ensure your operator carries an AED and oxygen—ask before you pay.

Cultural etiquette & local phrases

• Always greet: "Selamat pagi" (seh-LAH-mat PAH-gee) for good mornings.
• Ask to photograph fishermen or offerings: "Boleh saya foto?" (BOH-leh SAH-yah FOH-toh).
• Remove shoes at small family temples and respect ceremony areas—Pak Made will show you where to stand.

Photography & Instagram tips

For mantas at Manta Point shoot wide-angle, stay low and quiet. For Crystal Bay mola, use a red filter and shoot early before glare. On choppy monsoon days I stabilize with higher shutter speed and stay close to the reef for color. Tag your photos: locals appreciate crediting Bu Sari’s Warung Sunrise if you stop for coffee—she makes the best kopi tubruk after a cold morning dive.

Sustainable travel & final tips

Support local: eat at Warung Bu Sari (meals IDR 25,000–50,000 / USD 1.5–3.5), stay at Adiwana Warnakali (mid-to-high range) or Semabu Hills for budget choices. Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or chase marine life. During monsoon, expect schedule shifts—my advice: book flexible fast-boat tickets (refundable options) and allow extra days in your Bali-Island Hopping Bali itinerary.

Conclusion — my family’s recommendation

If you dive during monsoon, pick sheltered sites first (Gamat Bay, Sampalan Reef), then attempt Crystal Bay and Manta Point on calm mornings. For advanced divers craving pelagics, plan two extra buffer days for weather. I’ll end as my father always did—check your lines, respect the sea, and tip Bu Sari for extra sambal if she managed to keep the gas dry through the storm. For bookings ask for Pak Made or my dive partner Wayan via the operators listed above; we’ll treat you like family and get you safely underwater.