After ten years of observing tourist patterns I still remember the first time I watched a tourist surface grinning with a ruined compact camera — the mantas had performed, the settings hadn't. Over a decade living and guiding on Nusa Penida I’ve taught thousands to photograph manta rays without losing equipment, respect, or the perfect shot. This guide packs that island-honed experience into camera settings, techniques, seasonal timing, and real local insider tips you won't find on generic blogs.

Why this matters: my decade of patterns

After ten years of observing tourist patterns, I know when visitors overpack, when they under-book, and when they miss the manta moment because of tide and tide tables. I also know the small businesses — Pak Made the boatman, Bu Sari at Warung Sunrise — who will make or break your day. Read this and you’ll go home with great photos, not a story about a lost housing or a scolded manta.

Where to shoot (exact spots and GPS)

• Manta Point (cleaning station) — GPS: -8.72050, 115.45720. Typical boat travel from Toya Pakeh harbor: 25–35 minutes depending on swell.
• Manta Bay — GPS: -8.73900, 115.44650. Slightly shallower, calmer mornings. Boat time: 30–40 minutes.

Both sites are reached from Toya Pakeh (harbor) — allow 10–20 minutes to reach the pier from main guesthouses like Semabu Hills Hotel (IDR 80k–120k by scooter, ~15 minutes) or from Crystal Bay area (~25 minutes).

Best season & weather considerations

Dry season (Apr–Oct): Best visibility (12–25m), calmer seas, busiest (July–Aug). Book 1–2 weeks in advance during July–Aug and holiday weeks (Dec–Jan).
Wet season (Nov–Mar): More variable visibility (6–15m), stronger winds and choppy mornings. Mantas are still present year-round but expect cancellations. If you come Nov–Mar, pack patience and flexible schedules.

Daily timing

• Depart pier: typical dive/snorkel boats leave Toya Pakeh 07:00–08:00. Arrive at cleaning stations 08:30–09:30 — this is often the sweet spot.
• Afternoon sessions are possible (13:00–15:00) but currents and visibility worsen later.

Camera gear and ideal settings (step-by-step)

My students come with GoPros, compact housings, and full mirrorless rigs. Here’s how I tune each setup for mantas.

1. Wide-angle mirrorless + dome port (recommended)

• Mode: Manual (M) — control shutter, aperture, ISO.
• Shutter: 1/250–1/500s to freeze wing tips in current.
• Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 (sharpness across frame and good strobe balance).
• ISO: 200–800 depending on depth/visibility (use lowest native ISO possible).
• White balance: 5500–6500K or Auto and shoot RAW to correct later.
• Strobes: Dual strobes at ~1/8–1/16 power, TTL if you trust it; I teach manual to avoid inconsistent exposures under moving mantas.
• Focus: Continuous AF (AF-C) with wide area zone; pre-focus on 3–5m then track.

2. GoPro / action cam

• Resolution: 4K at 60fps for slow-motion options.
• FOV: Wide or Linear depending on mantas’ proximity; use filters (red filter) below 5m if available.
• Settings: Protune on, ISO max 400, shutter 1/120 or AUTO with high framerate.
• Tip: Use a short leash on housing and a float; I’ve watched two GoPros descend because of weak tethers.

3. Compact camera in a housing

• Use widest lens, shutter 1/250, aperture f/4-f/5.6, ISO 200–800. Disable flash when too close; use in backscatter-friendly conditions with low power.

Actionable techniques — step by step on the boat and in water

1. Pre-dive: Walk through your settings on deck with masks off and housings closed. I make students do this 3 times; one time I forgot and lost 12 minutes switching modes while the mantas circled — you won’t get that back.
2. Entry: Use giant stride or seated entry as instructed by Pak Made; keep leash attached to boat rail.
3. Approach: Stay at least 3 meters from mantas — guides will mark a safe zone. Never block their access to the cleaning station.
4. Positioning: Anchor your position facing the mantas with the sun behind you (if possible) so subjects are lighted from the front. I tell students to keep eyes on fins — sudden turns are common in current.
5. Shoot bursts and video: Mantars roll unpredictably. Burst mode increases chance of a perfectly winged shot.
6. Strobe placement: Aim strobes slightly outward to minimize backscatter; reduce power when mantas get close to avoid blinding and stressing them.

Equipment rentals & costs (practical table)

Local prices I’ve tracked over ten years — boats, rentals, and lessons.

Item	Typical Cost (IDR)	Approx (USD)	Notes
Single manta snorkel trip (shared boat)	IDR 200,000–350,000	$13–$23	2–3 hrs, includes guide, mask/snorkel extra IDR 50k
Guided scuba manta dive (per diver)	IDR 650,000–1,000,000	$42–$65	Includes boat, guide, weights; tanks extra with some shops
Housing rental (mirrorless)	IDR 300,000–500,000/day	$20–$35	Ask for leak check — bring your own o-rings
Strobe rental	IDR 150,000/day	$10	Bring batteries; recharge at dive center
Scooter rental	IDR 70,000–120,000/day	$4.50–$8	Ayu Scooter Rental (Toyapakeh), helmet included

Booking & timing tips (insider)

• High season: Book dives 7–14 days ahead (July–Aug). I’ve seen operators fully booked two weeks prior.
• Local operators I trust: Manta Dive Nusa Penida, Blue Corner Dive Nusa Penida, and Penida Dive (Pak Wayan). Ask for boats that carry fewer than 12 snorkelers/divers for less crowded shots.
• Negotiation tip: Book two activities (e.g., manta trip + Nusa Penida island tour) with one operator — they often knock 10–15% off.

Insider logistics & facilities

• ATM: Closest reliable ATMs in Toya Pakeh main road (allow time — busy in mornings).
• Wifi: Semabu Hills and several warungs (Warung Sunrise) offer decent wifi; don’t count on it at sea.
• Clinic: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local public clinic) — carry dive insurance. Emergency numbers: 112 (emergency services Indonesia), 119 (ambulance).

Safety warnings & real incidents

I’ve seen two common bad outcomes in ten years: lost housings and over-ambitious approaches. Once a guest free-swim chased a manta under the boat and knocked themselves on the keel — we still use that story when briefing. Always secure housings with tethers, respect the 3m rule, and never attempt to ride or touch mantas. Currents can flip divers; always stay with your buddy and follow your guide’s signal kit.

Cultural etiquette & local phrases

We’re on sacred land with offerings along paths. Respect local rules at dive centers and warungs. Useful phrases:

• Terima kasih (teh-REE-mah kah-SEE) — Thank you.
• Permisi (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me.
• Jangan sentuh (JANG-an sen-TOO) — Don’t touch.
• Mohon tenang saat foto (MOH-hon TEH-nahng saat FO-toh) — Please be calm while photographing.

Buy lunch at Warung Sunrise (Toya Pakeh) — Bu Sari cooks a mean nasi campur for IDR 25k (~$1.60) and you’ll support local staff who helped launch many manta sessions.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Backscatter: Reduce strobe power and angle outwards; shoot from slightly higher and crop later.
• AF hunting: Pre-focus at mid-range and use continuous AF; switch to manual focus if hunting persists.
• Housing leaks: Do a double visual o-ring check and leave housing closed on deck for 5 minutes to test. If it leaks, return to dock — Pak Made will wait but don’t dive with a suspect seal.

Instagram & composition tips

• Use negative space: Mantle wings spread across frame look dramatic with open ocean behind.
• Rule of thirds: Place manta’s eye or cephalic lobes at intersecting points.
• Short caption ideas: mention local names (e.g., “Mantas of Manta Point, Nusa Penida — thank you Pak Made”)

Conclusion — my recommendations

After ten years watching patterns, my advice is simple: come prepared, respect the animals, and work with trusted locals. Book your manta trip with a small operator (book 1–2 weeks out in high season), use a wide-angle mirrorless with dual strobes or a 4K GoPro at 60fps, and practice your settings on the surface. Support Warung Sunrise or Bu Sari after your dive — I’ve watched community income from manta tourism lift families here. If you want hands-on help, find me on the dock (I’m Pebri) and I’ll run a camera workshop before we go in. Happy shooting — keep the mantas safe and your gear tethered.