Last week, during the full moon ceremony (Purnama) I was guiding a morning muck dive out of Toya Pakeh when Pak Made, my neighbor and the owner of the local scooter shop, waved me away from the dive office with a grin: "Malam besar, ikut ke pura, Pebri." That night I followed him to Pura Dalem Ped for a ceremony I still can't stop thinking about. I wore a borrowed sarong from Bu Sari's Warung (IDR 20,000 / ~USD 1.30), learned to fold my sash correctly, and watched divers-turned-guests move through the temple with more respect than some tourists manage in a week on the island. This article is my dive-resort-focused field guide to the customs and etiquette you must follow in Nusa Penida—especially around ceremonies like the full moon—packed with exact costs, GPS coordinates, local businesses, safety notes, and time-saving insider tips I only share with guests.

Why etiquette matters for dive resort guests

Nusa Penida's dive resorts are not isolated bubble hotels: they sit inside living villages. When resorts, operators and warungs welcome divers, we all rely on mutual respect. Break local rules and you risk offending your hosts, losing access to private mooring sites, or facing awkward confrontations during sacred events like the full moon ceremony I attended last week.

Short checklist before you arrive

• Pack a lightweight sarong + sash (kain/selendang). If you forget: borrow from Bu Sari's Warung (Crystal Bay) — IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.30).
• Bring small cash — many temple donations and warungs are cash-only. IDR 10,000–50,000 (~USD 0.70–3.50) covers most ceremonial donations.
• Book dive trips early around Purnama (full moon). Operators book faster for ceremony nights. Call 2–3 days ahead for busy season.

Important local spots & GPS (use with your map)

• Toya Pakeh Harbor (main dive pickup) — GPS: -8.7139, 115.4769 — fast-boat transfers arrive here from Sanur (45–60 minutes).
• Pura Dalem Ped (temple where I attended Purnama) — GPS: -8.7310, 115.4705 — modest dress required.
• Crystal Bay (popular sunset + warungs) — GPS: -8.7320, 115.4620 — Bu Sari's Warung sits on the right as you walk down.
• Manta Point (dive site) — GPS (approx): -8.7560, 115.4980.

Practical etiquette for dive resorts and dive trips

At the resort and dive center

• Always greet staff: "Selamat pagi" (seh-LAH-mat PAH-gee) in the morning and "Terima kasih" (TEH-ree-mah KAH-see) when leaving.
• Ask permission before borrowing gear or chargers — many guests leave items charging in communal areas.
• Tip protocol: dive guides expect ~IDR 50,000–100,000/day (~USD 3.50–7) for consistent good service. Give at checkout, not directly after a small favor.

During temple visits and ceremonies (like the full moon last week)

• Dress: shoulders and knees covered. Wear a sarong + sash. If you're a diver straight from the boat, change at your resort first — avoid walking into the temple in wet trunks.
• Photos: ask "Boleh foto?" (BOH-lay FOH-toh) — many priests and women participating prefer not to be photographed during offerings.
• Approach altars from the sides, never step on offerings (canang). If you accidentally step on one, stop, remove your footwear and place a small donation (IDR 10,000–20,000) at the shrine. Apologize: "Maaf" (MAH-af).

Exact costs and comparison

Service	Typical Price (IDR)	Approx USD	Notes
Fast boat Sanur <-> Toya Pakeh	IDR 150,000–200,000	~USD 10–14	Book online or at Sanur counters. Season rises to IDR 250,000 in peak months.
Scooter rental (daily)	IDR 70,000–100,000	~USD 4.50–7	Pak Made Scooter Rental (Toya Pakeh) — helmet included; refundable deposit IDR 200,000.
2-dive day trip (local operator)	IDR 900,000–1,200,000	~USD 60–80	Includes boat, guide, weight, tanks. Nusa Penida Dive Center offers packaged discounts for resort guests.
Basic homestay room	IDR 250,000–450,000	~USD 17–30	Bu Sari Homestay near Crystal Bay. Higher-end resort rooms IDR 800,000–2,000,000.

Step-by-step: Attend a temple ceremony the respectful way

1. Check with your resort: many resorts coordinate transfers to local ceremonies — ask the front desk 48 hours prior.
2. Dress properly: sarong + sash (pack or borrow: IDR 20,000). Bring shoes you can remove easily.
3. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Sit quietly, follow the elders' movements, and keep your camera silent.
4. If invited to join a procession, accept humbly. If unsure, watch and copy the local rhythm.
5. Before leaving, offer a donation (IDR 10,000–50,000). Thank the priest with "Terima kasih.""

Insider money- and time-saving tips

• During Purnama and Galungan, dive operators often reduce boat spots. If you want a night-ceremony and a morning dive, book your dive 3–5 days in advance to secure a guide.
• Skip buying a sarong at the Sanur port where prices spike to IDR 80,000. Instead buy from Bu Sari (Crystal Bay) for IDR 40,000 or borrow for IDR 20,000.
• Combine shopping for offerings with lunch at Warung Sunrise (Toya Pakeh). Buy a simple canang for IDR 5,000 and a nasi campur for IDR 30,000 — full ceremony kit for under IDR 40,000 (~USD 2.70).

Safety warnings and real incidents

During last week’s Purnama I helped a tourist who slipped on temple steps where incense had made the stones slick — minor sprain. Lessons:

• Never rush down temple stairs after ceremonies — wait 10 minutes for crowds to clear.
• Do not drive scooters at night after ceremonies; I’ve seen two alcohol-related crashes near Toya Pakeh in the past year. Roads are narrow and unlit.
• For diving: strong currents and drift dives are common. Use a reputable operator, check max depth and surface intervals. In case of decompression incidents, the nearest recompression chamber is at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar — expect at least 2.5–3 hours travel from Toya Pakeh (fast boat + car).

Language shortcuts to show respect

• Permisi (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me
• Boleh foto? (BOH-lay FOH-toh) — May I take a photo?
• Terima kasih (TEH-ree-mah KAH-see) — Thank you
• Maaf (MAH-af) — Sorry / excuse me

Photography & Instagram tips (respectful)

• Ask before photographing people, especially during ceremonies. A friendly "Boleh foto?" goes a long way.
• For temple shots use wide-angle at golden hour; avoid flash during rituals — it can be judged disrespectful and frightening to participants.
• Underwater: keep distance from manta rays and do not chase them for the shot. Use a longer lens and slow approach.

Emergency contacts & nearby facilities

• Emergency (Indonesia): 112 (universal emergency number).
• For dive incidents: contact your dive operator immediately (e.g., Nusa Penida Dive Center) — they will coordinate evacuation to Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar.
• Local clinic: ask your resort front desk for the closest clinic (many resorts work with Klinik Harapan or Klinik Penida) — keep IDR 200,000–500,000 on hand for small emergencies.
• ATMs: Toya Pakeh has the nearest cash machines; bring cash as many warungs are cash-only.

Responsible tourism notes

Support local businesses: buy that sarong from Bu Sari, tip your dive guides, and choose a resort that pays reef restoration fees. During ceremonies, avoid single-use plastics — many temples restrict offerings with plastic, and most locals appreciate guests who dispose of waste properly.

Conclusion & my personal recommendation

If you visit Nusa Penida for diving, respect is as important as your dive skills. The full moon ceremony last week reminded me how intertwined our underwater playground and local life are: guests who honor customs get better access, friendlier local operators, and invitations to authentic experiences. My personal tip: stay at a small resort that works closely with a local operator (I recommend checking-in with Semabu Hills Hotel for comfort or Bu Sari Homestay for budget), borrow a sarong the first night, and join one temple ceremony—quiet observation will teach you more than any guidebook. Say "Terima kasih", fold your sash properly, and you’ll leave Nusa Penida with more than photos; you’ll leave friends.