I still remember the morning I sat on a cracked wooden bench under the banyan tree in Batununggul, sharing coffee with three village elders—Pak Made, Ibu Sari, and Pak Ketut. They laughed as I pulled out my wetsuit and camera and said, "You chase manta, anak muda? We show you where the sea hums." That conversation—equal parts weathered reef lore and hard-earned seamanship—shapes everything I teach about manta ray diving around Nusa Penida. Their stories (and warnings) are threaded through this guide: from GPS waypoints to the warung that will feed you after a long day on the water.

Quick summary: which site for manta diving?

• Crystal Bay – Best for snorkelers and photographers who want clear water and easy boat access; occasional cleaning-station mantas.
• Gamat Bay – Shallow bay with calm entry, good for relaxed snorkel/early morning dives; mantas in plankton blooms + local cleaning visits.
• SD Point (Suhama/SD Point) – My top pick for consistent manta encounters at the cleaning station, but expect stronger currents and deeper water.

Main dive sites: exact locations and what to expect

Crystal Bay (Teluk Kristal)

GPS: -8.7128, 115.4447
Depth: 3–18 m; entry: rocky beach/shore, sometimes heavy surf. Best for: wide-visibility shots and calmer days. Visibility in dry season can reach 20–30 m.

Notes from Pak Made: "Crystal Bay is old; she is beautiful but proud—watch the bombs of current at the mouth." He advised morning entries (07:30–10:30) for best light and to avoid afternoon wind chop. Expect to meet boats from Toya Pakeh and buy a landing ticket if stepping ashore.

Gamat Bay

GPS: -8.7250, 115.4555
Depth: 1–12 m; entry: small jetty or shore walk. Best for: snorkelers who want mantas in shallow water and those staying in West Nusa Penida.

Ibu Sari told me a story about a manta that keeps visiting the same sponge-covered rock near the north side—locals call it "Batu Ibu". During plankton blooms (June–September) mantas feed here from the surface down; bring a long-lens camera and a strobelight if you want surface-action shots.

SD Point

GPS: -8.7336, 115.4378
Depth: 6–30 m; entry: boat only. Best for: dedicated manta diving at a cleaning station with high encounter rates.

Pak Ketut, who has rowed boats here for 25 years, says: "SD Point is hungry—leave the ego on the ladder." This place holds mantas year-round; cleaning activity spikes April–November, and current can flip from gentle to ripping in minutes. Plan drifts carefully.

Price comparison (typical costs)

Service	Price (IDR)	Approx (USD)	Notes
One-tank manta dive (local operator)	350.000	~$23	Includes boat, guide; gear rental extra
Two-tank day trip	850.000 - 1.100.000	~$57 - $73	Most operators include transport from Toya Pakeh
Snorkel manta trip	200.000 - 300.000	~$13 - $20	Often shorter, surface-focused
Full-day private boat (4 pax)	1.500.000 - 2.200.000	~$100 - $145	Negotiate; includes skipper & fuel
Scooter rental (per day)	70.000	~$4.50	Fuel extra
Speedboat Sanur–Nusa Penida (one way)	150.000 - 300.000	~$10 - $20	Book ahead during high season

Booking, timing and seasonal considerations

• Best months: April–November for the clearest water and consistent manta cleaning; mantas are possible year-round but expect more plankton and variable visibility in December–March.
• Best time of day: Early morning departures (06:30–08:00) beat wind and boat traffic. SD Point often yields the best cleaning-station behavior 08:00–11:00.
• Booking tips: Book 2–7 days in advance during July–August. Operators I trust: Penida Dive Adventures (meet at Toya Pakeh), Blue Corner Nusa Penida (experienced with currents), and local captain groups—ask for captain Pak Ketut if you want a steady hand at SD Point.

Actionable step-by-step for a safe, high-chance manta day

1. Book with a reputable operator and confirm pickup time at Toya Pakeh harbor (usually 06:30–07:00).
2. Arrive 30 minutes early to sign waivers, pack snacks (warung tips below) and check gear. Rent a 5 mm suit if surface intervals are long (IDR 80.000/day, ~ $5).
3. At the brief, ask: "Where is the cleaning station and what is our exit plan?"—use local names (Pak Made taught me this phrasing).
4. Enter with your buddy and guide; at SD Point, hold reef hook or downline position only if trained. Don’t chase mantas—let them approach.
5. After the dive, record time, air consumption, and any unusual currents for the next group. Share notes with the captain—this keeps other divers safe and is how locals help each other.

Safety warnings and recent incidents (insider accounts)

In the last two seasons I witnessed three incidents that every manta diver should know. One was a powerful current reversal at SD Point that dragged a diver from the cleaning station toward the drop; we deployed the surface marker buoy and a trained divemaster performed a controlled pick-up. Another was a snorkeling panic at Crystal Bay when an inexperienced swimmer ignored the boat briefing and swam toward an incoming swell—thankfully the dhoni crew from Penida Rescue saw her and towed her to shore. The third was a small fuel spill from an aging outboard; we contained it and reported to the dive association.

What to do:

• Always dive with a divemaster who knows local conditions.
• Carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and know how to deploy it—practice on a calm day.
• If current picks up, ascend slowly using the guide rope and signal the boat—do not attempt to swim against a ripping drift.
• At Crystal Bay, watch the shore: strong shore-break can slam you into rocks.

What to bring and equipment notes (manta-specific)

• Long lens or 0.6x wet lens for surface shots; wide-angle housing for cleaning station photos.
• Good SMB (orange) and whistle; surface light if returning after dusk.
• 4–5 mm wetsuit for long surface times (IDR rental ~80.000/day).
• Glove-free policy near cleaning stations—no touching coral or mantas.

Local logistics: where to eat, sleep, and rent gear

• Warung Sunrise (Toyapakeh) — great post-dive nasi campur, open 07:00–20:00. Price: 25.000–40.000 IDR (~$1.75–$2.75).
• Penida Colada — beachfront bar and good sandwiches, perfect sunset after a day at Crystal Bay.
• Scooter rentals: Pak Agus near Toya Pakeh — IDR 70.000/day; inspect brakes and tires before you ride.
• Accommodation for divers: Manta Ray Bay Guesthouse (budget) and Semabu Hills Hotel (mid-range) — request early-bird dive pick-up times.

Cultural etiquette and village respect (what the elders told me)

When you meet local fishermen or enter a village pier, greet with "Selamat pagi" (suh-lah-maht PAH-gee) for good morning, and "Terima kasih" (teh-ree-mah KAH-see) to say thank you. Pak Made always insists: "Ask before you take photos of people or their boats." Tip warung staff (10% if service was helpful) and remove fins off the seaweed patches—locals collect seaweed for drying and beach debris disturbs livelihoods.

Photography and Instagram tips

• Shoot wide at cleaning stations; mantas come close—use 10–17 mm equivalent underwater. For surface feeding at Gamat Bay, shoot with polarizer and slow shutter 1/250–1/500 to freeze wing beats.
• Golden hour at Crystal Bay (late afternoon) produces turquoise gradients—great for silhouette shots if allowed on shore.

Troubleshooting common problems

• No mantas? Ask about plankton blooms—sometimes visibility drops but feeding activity rises. Switch to snorkel trip if surface feeding is reported.
• Seasick? Take medication the night before and sit mid-boat; fresh ginger tea at Warung Sunrise helps.
• Boat full or cancelled? Have one backup operator in your phone; book private if you have tight time constraints.

Emergency protocol

If immediate danger, call 112 (Indonesia emergency) and alert your dive operator. Ask for the captain to call the nearest boat clinic or Puskesmas in Toya Pakeh. Always carry travel insurance that covers marine evacuation.

Conclusion — my recommendation

After years diving with Pak Made's stories and Pak Ketut's steady hands, my go-to plan for seekers of manta magic is: book an early two-tank trip that includes SD Point plus a surface stop at Gamat Bay. If you want calm water photography and a post-dive cold Bintang on the sand, add Crystal Bay in the late afternoon. Respect the elders' principle: "The sea gives, the sea takes—listen first." Do that, and Nusa Penida's mantas will give you one of the most humbling wildlife encounters you can have.

Insider final tip: Tell your operator you heard of "Pak Made's bench" when arranging pickup—most captains will smile and give you the extra local route to the quieter approach lanes, saving up to 20 minutes and avoiding crowded cleaning-station traffic.