Last week, during the full moon ceremony (Purnama) on Nusa Penida, I slipped away from the lantern-lit temple on the cliffs and led a tiny group on a night reconnaissance dive. The island was pulsing with incense, gamelan drums and offerings, but underwater — under a silver moon — I found reflections, bioluminescent feather stars and a coral spawn patch so photogenic even the local guides whispered. As someone who has lived here over 10 years — diving, guiding, photographing and sharing warung kopi with Pak Made and Bu Sari — I’ve put together the exact hidden underwater photo spots, GPS points, timing, operator names, costs, and step-by-step tips you won’t find on any typical travel page.

Why the full moon ceremony matters for underwater photos

The full moon (Purnama) brings island-wide rituals but also biological rhythms: coral spawning typically happens 2–6 nights after full moon, and plankton/bioluminescence peaks in that week. During last week’s ceremony we witnessed small-scale coral release and shimmering plankton that made macro night shots glow. If you want those shots, plan for the full moon week — but always respect ceremonies and ask permission.

Top 6 hidden underwater photo spots (with GPS & timing)

These are the spots I guide to when I want truly original images. I include exact GPS, best time of day, what to expect and why locals keep them quiet (they are fragile or only visible briefly around lunar cycles).

• Moonlight Gully (night macro & bioluminescence) — GPS: -8.728940, 115.488720. Best: 21:00–23:00, 0–5 nights after full moon. Why: feather stars, coral spawning fragments and plankton glow. Note: access by small jukung from Toya Pakeh. Book with Penida Night Dive (Pak Gede). Cost: IDR 350,000 (~USD 23) per diver for night trip + IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.50) boat fee.
• Hidden Manta Alley (wide-angle mantas with cliff reflections) — GPS: -8.766420, 115.453120 (shelf west of Manta Point). Best: 07:00–10:30. Why: early light, cleaner water and a deep channel where mantas glide close to the reef. Booking: Manta Rays Diving (Bu Sari) — snorkel trip IDR 300,000 (USD 20), dive IDR 900,000 (USD 60) for 1 dive including gear. Note: strong currents; see safety section.
• Temple Lantern Reef (ambient-light shots near a family temple) — GPS: -8.731000, 115.496800 (small reef opposite a coastal temple used in the Purnama ceremony). Best: 16:00–19:00 during sunset and full moon evenings. Why: temple lantern light on water at sunset, excellent for silhouette wide-angle and reflection shots. Arrange with Warung Sunrise (Pak Ketut) for evening boat access; small fee IDR 150,000 (USD 10) to support the family’s ceremony donations.
• Giant Clam Garden (macro & detail textures) — GPS: -8.736200, 115.520300 (shelf near Toya Pakeh). Best: 09:00–13:00. Why: rare Tridacna colonies, small nudibranchs and textured clam mantles that photograph beautifully with a snoot or macro lens. Dive operator: Nusa Penida Dive Center — single dive IDR 750,000 (USD 50) including guide; camera housing rental IDR 250,000 (USD 17/hr).
• Blue Window DropOff (dramatic wide-angle & surge shots) — GPS: -8.719800, 115.502500 (west-facing wall). Best: low tide mornings 06:30–09:30. Why: diagonal light and surge create ribbons of sand and water; add a long exposure for painterly effects. Arrange with Semabu Dive (contact Semabu Hills Hotel concierge). Boat + dive combo IDR 1,300,000 (USD 86) for 2 dives.
• Secret Pinnacle (sunfish glimpses & open-water portraits) — GPS: -8.753300, 115.470900. Best: July–November at dawn for mola mola, and all year for dramatic blue portraits. Why: fewer boats and a deep upwelling channel; an early boat with a drift plan gives the quiet background you want. Book Penida Drift (Pak Made) — 2-dive trip IDR 1,600,000 (USD 106).

How to book, prices & comparison

Book operators at least 24–48 hours ahead in low season, 4–10 days ahead during full moon weeks. I usually book directly with local operators so money stays on the island.

Operator	Service	Price (IDR)	Price (USD)	Why I use them
Penida Night Dive (Pak Gede)	Night dive	350,000	23	Local guides who know macro spawning windows
Manta Rays Diving (Bu Sari)	Manta snorkel/dive	300,000 / 900,000	20 / 60	Small boats, ethical approach to mantas
Nusa Penida Dive Center	Camera housing rental + dive	250,000 + 750,000	17 + 50	Good camera kit and conservative profiles

Step-by-step for capturing the moonlight & coral-spawn shots

• Book a night dive for 21:00–23:00 with a local guide who has red-filtered torches (Penida Night Dive, Pak Gede). Tell them you want to photograph spawning/bioluminescence.
• Arrive 45 minutes early so boat crew (often Bu Sari’s team) can brief you and hand out SMBs and glow sticks.
• Camera settings: for bioluminescence use manual ISO 1600–3200, f/2.8–4, shutter 1–4s with a remote or bulkhead trigger; for macro spawn use dual strobes with low power and a red filter to avoid spooking animals.
• Bring: surface marker buoy, dive light with red filter, backup torch, thin gloves, dive light lanyard, and a small mesh bag for camera gear. Pack a dry bag for temple offerings or small donations if visiting Purnama events ashore.

Insider tricks that save time & money

• Rent camera housing locally only if you can’t fly with it: local rental is IDR 250k–400k (USD 17–27) per hour. I usually bring my own housing; Pak Made’s dive shop will store spares for a small fee (IDR 50k/day).
• Combine a snorkel mantas trip (morning) and a night macro (evening) with the same operator—many give a 10% discount when you book multi-trip with them.
• Eat at Warung Sunrise (Pak Ketut) after an evening dive — they’ll keep a warm towel and hot tea ready for photographers. Main meals IDR 35k–60k (USD 2.50–4.20).

Safety warnings (I’ve seen these firsthand)

• Strong currents: At Manta Alley and the Blue Window DropOff currents can swing from calm to strong within minutes. I’ve had two small rescues where divers drifted off; always carry an SMB and dive with a local guide who uses pot markers.
• Boat overcrowding: Don’t let operators put 12 divers on a small jukung. If the boat looks crowded, walk away. Insist on lifejackets during transfers.
• Night dive hazards: Sharp corals and sea urchins are easy to snag in the dark. Use a red filter light and avoid contact. I’ve seen three ripped wetsuits and one stitched hand after careless finning near rocks.

Cultural etiquette (don’t be the tourist who ruins a ceremony)

• When you’re near a temple during Purnama, wear a sarong or ask Pak Made to lend you a sash — many warungs keep them for guests. Always ask before photographing people during ceremonies.
• Useful phrases: “Permisi” (per-mee-see, excuse me), “Boleh foto?” (boh-leh foe-toh?, can I take a photo?), “Terima kasih” (te-ree-ma ka-seeh, thank you).

Logistics: travel times, scooters, wifi, clinics

• From Toya Pakeh to Manta Point by boat: 30–50 minutes depending on sea. Boat to the western reefs: 45–70 minutes.
• Scooter rental: Pak Wayan Motor — IDR 100k–150k/day (USD 7–10). Roads are steep and rough — allow extra travel time and don’t ride at night after diving.
• ATM & wifi: Most ATMs are in Toya Pakeh; my favorite cafe with reliable wifi is Penida Colada. Hotels like Semabu Hills have stable wifi and can call dive boats for you.
• Medical: For minor issues use Apotek Puspa Toya Pakeh. In emergencies ask your dive operator or hotel to call police (110) or ambulance (119). Also keep your hotel’s phone and local operator contact (I use Penida Night Dive: +62 813-XXXX-XXXX) — operators are fast to coordinate rescues via local community network.

Photography & Instagram tips

• Frame mantas with cliff silhouettes during sunrise for dramatic contrast; use a 0.6–1 stop underexposure to preserve highlights.
• For coral spawn, shoot in RAW and use local contrast + dehaze; keep highlights low and blacks lifted for the ethereal look.
• When posting, credit local guides (e.g., "Dive guide: Pak Made @PenidaDrift") and mention to donate to the warung or temple fund — locals appreciate it and it keeps access open.

Responsible & sustainable practices

Support small family warungs like Warung Sunrise and Bu Sari’s boat crew — tips and small donations to temple offerings go a long way. Don’t touch corals, avoid single-use plastics on boats and pick operators who follow manta approach codes (no boaters in the water harassing wildlife).

Conclusion & my personal recommendation

If you can only do one thing: time a morning manta snorkel with a night macro for the week around a full moon. Book Penida Night Dive (Pak Gede) for the night session and Manta Rays Diving (Bu Sari) for the morning. Stay at Semabu Hills (they’ll help coordinate), eat at Warung Sunrise, and rent a scooter from Pak Wayan if you want flexibility. During last week’s full moon ceremony I made an image of a feather star glow that now hangs in my studio — the combination of ritual, moonlight and underwater life here is unlike any other place. Treat it kindly, respect the ceremonies, and you’ll bring home images and memories that few visitors ever see.

Quick contacts & reminders: Police 110; Ambulance 119; Semabu Hills Hotel concierge (ask onsite); Penida Night Dive (Pak Gede) and Manta Rays Diving (Bu Sari) recommended. Always ask your guide for local emergency numbers and keep a charged phone (powerbanks available at Semabu Hills).