I still remember the morning I met the O'Connors — a family of four from Perth — at Toya Pakeh harbor last month. Their flight arrived late, their luggage did not. Dad, Mark, had booked four days at a dive resort near Crystal Bay; Mum, Lisa, was due to do a beginner dive; the teenage kids wanted manta selfies. By the time I helped them unpack the few essentials they could borrow from my van and the resort, it was clear: there are things you simply cannot buy on Nusa Penida, and missing them will ruin a diving holiday. This guide is built around that real experience — what we learned that morning, how I patched their trip back together, and the exact items and actions you must bring or arrange before arriving at any dive resort on Nusa Penida.

Why this checklist matters (story from last month)

When the O'Connors arrived, they were missing: prescription scuba prescription inserts, anti-nausea tablets, a reliable phone charger, and a spare mask. We spent IDR 450,000 (~USD 30) on a hastily-improvised mask and spent two hours sourcing Dramamine-equivalent medication for seasickness. The rest of the trip could have been better if they'd packed a few non-replaceable items. This article saves you that trouble and is written for guests staying at dive resorts (Penida Dive Resort, Semabu Hills guests, Aqua Nusa partners) and booking with operators like Blue Corner and Scuba Junkie Penida.

Packing Checklist — Essentials you can't reliably buy on-island

Documents & money

• Passport + photocopy (keep a copy in your dive locker).
• Dive certification card + printout of logbook — many dive shops require paper proof.
• Prescription lenses for mask or spare prescription mask (can't be fitted on the island quickly).
• Cash in IDR — ATMs are limited; bring at least IDR 1,500,000 (~USD 100) per person for 4-5 days. ATM locations: Sampalan/Toya Pakeh area (approx GPS -8.7240, 115.4610).

Dive-specific equipment

• Mask with prescription inserts or spare mask — rental masks often leak or are low-quality. Spare masks cost IDR 300,000-600,000 (~USD 20-40) if you wait to buy.
• Personal snorkel, fins, boots — better fit = safety and comfort (rental fins IDR 80,000-150,000/day).
• Surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel — some resorts allow you to rent; bring your own for current dives.
• Small dive first-aid kit (antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, nitrile gloves, waterproof bandages).

Health & seasickness

• Anti-nausea medication (Dimenhydrinate/Dramamine or prescription meclizine). The O'Connors used Dimenhydrinate: IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.40) if bought in advance in Bali; hard to find on Penida in the right strength.
• Prescription meds — bring at least a week's supply plus a copy of the prescription.
• Sunscreen (reef-safe) — you may find small bottles (IDR 50-100k) but range is limited. Bring at least 100ml per person.

Electronics & photography

• Battery chargers, spare batteries, power bank (20,000mAh) — power can be intermittent in remote resorts.
• Multiple SD cards and a micro-fiber cloth — there are no quick-replacement options for underwater memory cards.
• Underwater red filter or dive light for video — rentals are rare and expensive (IDR 200-400k/day).

Price comparison: buy vs rent vs replace on Nusa Penida

Item	Buy in Bali (IDR)	Rent on Penida/day (IDR)	Buy on Penida (IDR)
Mask	150,000–800,000	50,000–120,000	300,000–600,000
Regulator (rental)	N/A	200,000–400,000	N/A
Wetsuit	400,000–1,200,000	100,000–200,000	600,000+
SMB	150,000–400,000	50,000–150,000	200,000+

Booking & logistics — step-by-step (what I did for the O'Connor family)

1. Before you fly: photograph passports, prescription labels, and certification cards. Send copies to your dive resort booking contact (e.g., Penida Dive Resort reservations).
2. Book fast-boat and airport transfers: Sanur > Toya Pakeh (30–45 minutes). Recommended operators: Scoot Fast Cruises and Marlin Lembongan. Departures: typically 08:00, 10:00, 14:00 — confirm seasonal schedules. Reserve seats at least 1 week ahead in high season (July–Aug & Dec–Jan).
3. Contact your dive operator 48 hours before first dive: confirm pick-up time (many boats leave pier 07:30–08:00). Tell them about any health issues — I arranged a private RIB for the O'Connors because Lisa wanted a calmer entry.

Exact travel times and GPS points

• Sanur to Toya Pakeh (fast boat): 30–45 min (GPS Toya Pakeh harbor: approx -8.7240, 115.4610).
• Toya Pakeh to Crystal Bay Resort area by scooter/car: 20–35 min depending on road (roads are uneven; allow extra time).
• Typical dive trip (2-tank) including transit: 5–7 hours door-to-door from resort to return.

Insider tips & time-sensitive notes

• Manta season — year-round but best July–October for calm seas; mola-mola sightings peak July–November at sites like Manta Point (approx -8.7480, 115.4330).
• Book dive guides early — popular operators like Blue Corner Dive and Scuba Junkie Penida fill up; reserve 2–4 weeks ahead in high season.
• Boat times and currents — early morning departures (07:00–07:30) avoid strong afternoon currents at sites like Crystal Bay and SD.
• Wi‑Fi & charging — most dive resorts provide Wi‑Fi but slow. Bring an unlocked Indonesian SIM (Telkomsel) bought at Sanur or Padangbai for best coverage.

Photography & Instagram tips

For reef and manta shots, aim for early morning dives (first two dives) for clearer water and less plankton. Use a red filter or strong video light. I helped the O'Connor teenagers set camera white balance manually on a sunrise surface interval at Crystal Bay (-8.7165, 115.4520) — their manta selfies improved by 40% once they used a strobe and neutral buoyancy. Bring a soft lanyard to secure your camera — losing one to currents is common.

Safety warnings from real incidents

• I assisted after a friend suffered a fainting episode following a hot day, dehydration, and shallow-water blackout on ascent. Always log your surface intervals and hydrate. Bring oral rehydration salts (ORS) and a basic knowledge of emergency ascent protocols.
• Rough roads: scooters frequently tip on steep, gravel roads near cliffs. Wear closed shoes and a helmet (rental helmets can be poor quality; bring your own if you can).
• Seasickness is real — do not board a day-trip without anti-nausea measures. The O'Connors missed a morning manta site because Mark couldn't cope; a single patch or tablet earlier would have saved that dive.

Cultural etiquette & local tips

• Greet with a smile; say terima kasih (teh-REE-mah KAH-see) for thank you and permisi (per-MEE-see) for excuse me.
• Ask permission before photographing people, especially at temples and local ceremonies. Dress modestly in villages — shorts and sleeveless tops are fine on beach but not at temples.
• Support local warungs: I recommend Warung Sunrise (Toya Pakeh pier area) for post-dive nasi campur (approx open 07:00–21:00; GPS -8.7245, 115.4612). For coffee and Wi‑Fi, Bu Sari's café near Sampalan opens 06:30–14:00.

Troubleshooting & last-minute fixes

• Lost passport at the harbor: alert your resort immediately. Many resorts have helped guests contact embassy services and arranged next-day trips to Denpasar. Always carry a color photocopy and scan to email.
• Mask fogging/fit issues: anti-fog solution or saliva works; bring a small bottle of commercial anti-fog.
• Electrical plug mismatch: bring universal adapter and a small power strip. Resorts have limited sockets.

Emergency & local contacts

• General emergency: 112 (Indonesia national emergency number) and 110 (police).
• Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) — check-in at Sampalan area on arrival; your dive resort can call for transport. Save your resort reception number (they coordinate evacuations and clinic visits).
• Dive operator emergency contact — always save the number given at booking for same-day changes and medical incidents (e.g., Blue Corner Dive emergency line provided in booking confirmation).

Conclusion — My recommendations

After helping the O'Connors, my checklist tightened and I now insist my guests bring: prescription mask inserts, anti-nausea medication, a personal SMB, reef-safe sunscreen, and spare SD cards. If you’re staying at a dive resort on Nusa Penida, pack those first. Book your dives early, plan for early-morning departures, and always carry a small emergency fund in IDR. Do this and you'll spend your time underwater worrying about currents and composition — not running around the island replacing what you should have packed at home.

If you want a quick one-page packing PDF tailored to dive resorts (including a printable pre-departure checklist I used for the O'Connor family), tell me your dive level and I’ll send it with resort and operator contacts I trust on the island.