Last week, during the full moon ceremony (purnama) at Pura Dalem in Toya Pakeh, I sat on the low stone wall eating nasi campur with Bu Sari and watching orange-saronged families carry offerings. It sounds unrelated to snorkeling, but the ceremony is exactly why I learned the hardest lesson about gear: when half the island is at temple and shops close early, the difference between renting and having your own kit becomes very real. I ended up lending my spare mask to a German couple who had flown in without one — we watched the bioluminescence from Crystal Bay that night and I realized how much local timing, community ties, and a little luck change the cost equation for beginner snorkelers.

Why this matters for Beginner Diving Spots

Nusa Penida's beginner snorkeling areas — Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh, and the calmer parts near Manta Point entry — are shallow, full of life, and forgiving of small mistakes. But beginners also rely heavily on good-fitting masks, fins, and floatation devices. Choosing to rent or bring your own affects safety, comfort, budget, and the ability to snorkel during local events (like the full moon ceremony) when rental shops might close early.

Quick summary (TL;DR)

• Rent if: You're short on luggage space, only snorkeling 1–2 days, or want higher-end demo gear (fins/masks) without purchasing.
• Bring if: You snorkel often, need a custom fit, or are visiting during festivals/full moon weeks when shops close early.
• Hybrid: Bring your mask and snorkel, rent fins and buoyancy aids locally.

Exact local prices and places I trust (observed last week)

I checked rates across three operators during the full moon week; these are the real prices I recorded walking the lanes from Toya Pakeh to Crystal Bay between 07:30–10:30 while shops were opening after the ceremony.

Item	Penida Dive Center (Toyapakeh)	Warung Sunrise / Pak Made (Crystal Bay lane)	Penida Colada Rentals (near Toya Pakeh)
Mask	IDR 50,000 / day (~USD 3.50)	IDR 40,000 / day (~USD 2.70)	IDR 60,000 / day (~USD 4.00)
Snorkel	IDR 30,000 / day (~USD 2.00)	IDR 25,000 / day (~USD 1.70)	IDR 35,000 / day (~USD 2.30)
Fins	IDR 40,000 / day (~USD 2.70)	IDR 35,000 / day (~USD 2.30)	IDR 50,000 / day (~USD 3.30)
Full set (mask+snorkel+fins)	IDR 120,000 / day (~USD 8.00)	IDR 100,000 / day (~USD 6.70)	IDR 140,000 / day (~USD 9.30)

Notes: Penida Dive Center (office @ Toyapakeh coordinates: -8.7179, 115.4688) opens 07:30, office phone during my visit: ask at reception of nearby hotels; they run guided snorkel trips starting 08:00. Warung Sunrise (approx -8.7196, 115.4750) is a family-run stall where Pak Made lends budget fins and has a flexible return policy (late returns until 20:00 if you tell him; speak to him as ‘Pak Made’). Penida Colada (near the harbor, -8.7190, 115.4665) is slightly pricier but lends life jackets in better condition.

Cost comparison: renting vs buying (real numbers)

Option	Upfront Cost (IDR)	Daily Rent (IDR)	Breakeven days
Buy mid-range set (mask 300k + snorkel 150k + fins 300k = 750k)	IDR 750,000 (~USD 50)	-	-
Rent set at Warung Sunrise	-	IDR 100,000/day (~USD 6.70)	7.5 days
Hybrid (bring mask/snorkel; rent fins)	Buy mask+snorkel IDR 450,000 (~USD 30)	Rent fins IDR 35,000/day	~9 days

Conclusion from the table: if you're here 1–3 days, renting is cheapest. If you travel often or stay >7–10 days, bring/buy your own mask and snorkel.

Exact travel times and logistics

• Toya Pakeh harbor to Crystal Bay by scooter: 12–18 minutes (depends on traffic and the road near the cliff; GPS: Crystal Bay -8.7246, 115.4776).
• Toya Pakeh to Manta Point (drop-off area): 25–35 minutes by scooter; boats to Manta Point vary — ask your tour operator to schedule early morning to avoid current.
• Boat snorkel trips (shared) typically leave Toya Pakeh at 08:00; private charters start at IDR 600,000 (~USD 40) for basic 3-spot morning trips.

Booking tips and time-sensitive advice

• During full moon week and temple festivals: many small warungs close by 16:00. Book rental gear the day before; don’t assume you can rent the evening before a morning trip.
• Penida Dive Center and Penida Colada accept bookings via WhatsApp (ask your hotel reception for the exact number); confirm pick-up times 24 hours ahead.
• High season (July–August, Easter) and full moon ceremonies: rental prices and demand spike — negotiate if you stay longer than a day.

Actionable step-by-step: How I recommend beginners handle gear

1. Pack a well-fitting mask and snorkel if you have them. Masks are the #1 comfort item.
2. If you can’t, email/WhatsApp your chosen operator (Penida Dive Center recommended) the day before and reserve a set.
3. On arrival, inspect the mask seal and the fin straps. Swap if the lens fogs or strap is brittle.
4. Use reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone). Buy at Warung Bu Sari (Toyapakeh) if you forget.
5. For your first beginner spot (Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh entry), snorkel with fins and a life vest for 30–60 minutes. Ask your guide for a shallow route near coral bommies.

Troubleshooting common problems (real incidents I’ve seen)

• Fogging mask: dip in seawater, squeeze a small amount of toothpaste, rinse; or use an anti-fog from Bu Sari (IDR 20k).
• Broken fin strap: tie with a spare cord (many warungs keep a kit). I once swapped fins with Pak Made after a strap snapped 100m from the shore.
• Water ingress during drift: flag down your boat or swim to the nearest reef carefully — avoid standing on coral; call for pick-up if exhausted.

Safety warnings & incidents

During the full moon week I saw two beginner incidents: one due to an ill-fitting rented mask causing panic at Crystal Bay (resolved by swapping to my personal mask), another tourist with severe reef rash from wearing non-biodegradable sunscreen. Always do a buddy check; ask boat staff about currents at Manta Point entry — even beginner areas can have surges.

Cultural etiquette & local phrases

When you’re on land, especially around temples during purnama, wear a sarong if you pass a shrine. Polite phrases:

• Terima kasih (teh-ree-mah kah-see) — thank you
• Permisi (per-mee-see) — excuse me
• Tidak apa-apa (tee-dahk ah-pah ah-pah) — it’s okay

Tip: if borrowing gear from a warung during a ceremony, a small offering or a round of kopi for the family goes a long way.

Photography & Instagram tips for beginners

• Bring a simple GoPro with a floating strap. I used a GoPro Hero Session-style floating strap during the full moon glow at Crystal Bay — low tide helped light the shallows.
• Golden hour on the boat (sunrise 06:10–06:40) gives the best soft light for surface shots.
• For underwater macro of reef fish near Toyapakeh, shoot at 1–3m depth with a red filter in the morning.

Nearby facilities & emergency info

• ATMs: limited on Nusa Penida — best to withdraw at Sanur before arrival or use the small ATM near Toya Pakeh harbor (cash reliability varies).
• Medical: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) is reachable from Toyapakeh in 10–15 minutes by scooter. For serious emergencies, travel to RSUD Klungkung (~40–50 minutes including boat transfer).
• Emergency number in Indonesia: 112 (general emergency).
• Wifi: many warungs and Penida Colada offer basic Wi‑Fi; don’t rely on it for last-minute reservations during ceremonies.

Responsible tourism & final personal recommendation

During the purnama ceremony last week I noticed respectful visitors who carried sarongs, avoided loud behavior, and used reef-safe sunscreen got friendlier service and local tips (Pak Made pointed me to a hidden swim lane). My personal recommendation for beginners: bring a well-fitting mask and snorkel, rent fins and a life jacket locally, and always reserve gear the day before during festivals. It balances cost, comfort, and cultural respect — and it saved my new friends from missing the bioluminescent show at Crystal Bay.

Contacts & final notes

• Penida Dive Center (Toyapakeh) — base office near the harbor; reserve 24 hrs in advance.
• Warung Sunrise / Pak Made — small family stall near Crystal Bay lane; cash only, flexible returns during ceremonies.
• Penida Colada — rentals and nicer life jackets, slightly higher price but central location by harbor.

Remember: during full moon and temple weeks, a small gesture (kopi, sarong, polite Bahasa) can save you time and money. Selamat snorkeling — and if you see Bu Sari at Toyapakeh, tell her I said hi and to keep the sambal on the side.