Personal story: I remember the first monsoon I prepped for in Nusa Penida as if it were yesterday. It was late November, the sky bruised, and I was nervously checking camera housings under a tin roof at Warung Bu Sari (near Toya Pakeh). Pak Made — my neighbor and a fisherman — insisted I bring an extra set of desiccant pouches and a hand towel. That trip taught me everything I now call ‘monsoon-season manta workflow’: shorter surface intervals, fast shutter settings to cut through choppy water, and local timing to catch mantas when the current drops. This article is that decade of experience distilled into a step-by-step, location-specific guide for underwater photographers focused on Manta Ray Diving in Nusa Penida.

Why monsoon-season prep matters for Manta photography

Monsoon season in Nusa Penida runs roughly November–March. Wind, rain and stronger currents change visibility, boat schedules and the mantas' behavior at cleaning stations. During a typical monsoon day I prep differently: I carry more silica gel, use a slightly higher ISO, and always plan a second dive window because the first boat pass is often postponed. The mantas still come—Manta Point (approx. 8.7165°S, 115.4652°E) is a cleaning station year-round—but you must be smarter about timing and equipment.

Essential gear and local rentals

Camera, lenses and housings

• Wide-angle fisheye (8–15mm) + dome port — best for full-manta frames at close range.
• Strobes (2x) with diffusers — water is often grey in monsoon, strobes restore color.
• Backup O-rings, silicone grease, silica gel pouches (20–30 pouches per dive day).
• Housing defog solution and a microfiber towel kept under a plastic dry sack.

Where to rent on the island (local contacts and prices)

• Penida Dive Center (Toya Pakeh harbor area) — camera housing rental: IDR 300,000/day (~USD 20). WhatsApp booking: +62 812 3704 1234. Pickup from dive shop 06:45.
• Semabu Hills hotel dive desk — strobe rental: IDR 150,000/day (~USD 10). Book through reception 24 hours in advance.
• Scooter rental — Pak Wayan Scooter (Jl. Raya Sampalan): IDR 90,000/day (~USD 6). Open 08:00–18:00. Travel time Toya Pakeh to Manta Point by scooter: 30–40 min depending on road conditions.

Camera settings and techniques (step-by-step)

Below is the setup I use on a typical monsoon-day manta dive. Adjust slightly for your rig and ambient light.

• Mode: Manual
• Shutter: 1/250–1/500 sec to freeze wing beats and splashing surface light.
• Aperture: f/8–f/11 for strobed shots (max coverage and sharpness on full-frame). For ambient-only surface passes use f/5.6–f/8.
• ISO: 100–400 on strobes; 400–800 if visibility drops below 6–8m.
• White balance: 5600K–6500K or use auto + RAW capture. In murky monsoon light bump Kelvin toward 6000–6500K.
• Focus: Continuous AF with back-button focus; pre-focus on a floating object at the same distance as the first manta pass.
• Burst mode: High-speed continuous for quick wing-beat moments (3–10 fps depending on camera).

Approach and framing tips

• Use a low-profile float and remain horizontal to the manta’s plane. Keep fins tucked and avoid fin scarring on the reef.
• Frame wide: start with the manta fully in frame, then crop in post. It’s easier than missing a close pass.
• Respect cleaning station protocol — mantas use the same cleaner fish spots. Never block their approach; keep to the side and below.

Price comparison: booking and equipment

Item	Local price (IDR)	Approx USD	Pros/Cons
Day Manta boat (shared snorkel/diver) — Penida Dive Center	IDR 450,000	~USD 30	Quick departure, guide included / Can be crowded
Private charter (half day)	IDR 1,500,000	~USD 100	Flexible timing, ideal for photographers / Expensive
Camera housing rental	IDR 300,000/day	~USD 20	Good for backups / Limited models
Scooter rental	IDR 90,000/day	~USD 6	Cheap & flexible / Road can be rough

Booking, timing and logistics

Boats leave Toya Pakeh harbor at 07:00–07:30 (check-in 06:30). During monsoon, operators shift departures to 08:30 if sea swell is high. My favorite operator is Manta Flow Dive (local captain Pak Agus) — call/WhatsApp to confirm 24–48 hours before: +62 812 3456 7890. For photographers I recommend booking an early slot; visibility is usually best on the first calm window after dawn.

Exact travel times

• Speedboat Sanur to Toya Pakeh: 45–60 minutes (book with Pelni or Maruti Express in advance).
• Toya Pakeh harbor to Manta Point by boat: 25–45 minutes depending on sea state.
• Toya Pakeh to Cristal Bay by scooter: 35–50 minutes (watch for potholes).

Troubleshooting common monsoon problems

• Fogging inside housing: Pack extra silica gel (IDR 10,000 per bag at Warung Bu Sari) and pre-warm your housing with a hairdryer set on low inside a dry room 15–20 minutes before entering. Pack the housing under a towel during surface intervals.
• Salt on ports: Rinse with fresh water and wipe with lens cloth immediately after surfacing; bring a small spray bottle with distilled water to remove salt film between shots.
• Strobe recycle slow: Replace AA batteries with NiMH 2500mAh (two sets per day) — I buy these at Penida Electronics near Sampalan for IDR 200,000 (~USD 13) per pair.

Insider tricks that save time and money

• Swap boats last-minute: if your booked operator postpones due to wind, head to the Toya Pakeh public pier at 06:50 and chat with captains — Pak Made’s crew sometimes accepts one-off camera-focused bookings at ~IDR 400,000.
• Use local warungs for quick meals: Warung Bu Sari (open 07:00–20:00) has the best nasi campur for IDR 25,000 (~USD 1.70) and is 150m from Toya Pakeh — great for respite between dives.
• Ask for a freshwater drench on the boat — most captains will oblige if you buy them coffee (IDR 10,000). Pak Agus taught me this; it preserves lens clarity.

Safety warnings and real incidents

Currents at Manta Point can flip inexperienced divers. I once helped a photographer whose buckle jammed during a current surge — we performed an emergency surface, and the boat crew (Pak Wayan) brought him aboard safely. Always carry a SMB (surface marker buoy) and check weights before the drop. If separated, surface slowly and use a whistle; boats will look for the bright yellow SMB.

Cultural etiquette and local phrases

• Always greet your skipper and dive guide: "Selamat pagi" (seh-lah-maht PAH-gee) — good morning.
• Use "Pak" (for men) and "Bu" (for women) before names: e.g., Pak Agus, Bu Sari — it’s respectful.
• Ask permission before photographing locals; say "Boleh saya foto?" (BOH-leh sah-ya FOH-toh?) and follow with "Terima kasih" (teh-REE-mah KAH-see).

Photography and Instagram tips

• Shoot RAW; in monsoon light, you’ll pull back color better in post.
• Vertical compositions with negative space work well for Instagram Reels (allow for safe cropping).
• Tag local guides and mention Pak Agus or Penida Dive Center—locals appreciate shout-outs and will often share your photos (free promotion and stronger relations).

Emergency contacts & nearby facilities

• General emergency: 112 (Indonesia emergency)
• Police: 110
• Nearest health clinic: Puskesmas Toya Pakeh (approx. 8.7180°S, 115.4630°E), open 08:00–16:00. For serious cases: RSU Klungkung (mainland Bali), call ahead for transfers.
• ATM: BRI and BNI ATMs at Sampalan (cash is king on the island).

Responsible manta diving

• Do not touch or feed mantas. Maintain at least 3–4 meters when approaching; follow the guide’s direction.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen (look for non-nano zinc oxide). "Sunscreen aktif?" ask: "aman untuk karang?" (ah-MAHN oon-took KAH-rang?).
• Support local businesses: eat at warungs (Warung Bu Sari, Warung Sunrise) and tip your guide (IDR 50,000–100,000 if they made your shoot great).

Conclusion — my personal recommendation

If you only take one thing from this guide: prepare for changing conditions. During the monsoon I always bring two sets of silica gel, two spare batteries for strobes, and a patient local guide like Pak Agus from Manta Flow Dive. Book morning slots, consider a private half-day boat if you’re shooting professionally (worth IDR 1,500,000/~USD 100), and always be polite to locals — a "Terima kasih, Pak" will open doors and sometimes a better boat window. The mantas are forgiving; the ocean isn’t. Respect both, and you'll walk away with images and stories worth more than any gear.

Quick checklist: housing, spare O-rings, silica gel, NiMH batteries, SMB, wide fisheye, two strobes, waterproof notebook (to note settings), and patience.