Introduction — a day I still teach from: While training new dive instructors early one July morning, I watched Arya — a bright, careful trainee — jump from the skiff into manta-rich water at Manta Point. He surfaced smiling, pointing to his watch: it was 07:12. Back on deck, he reached for his camera and, before I could remind him about the small offering tucked into the corner of the skiff roof (a usual place locals leave a tiny canang), he nudged it loose and flung it into the sea. That tiny basket of flowers bobbed away. The boatman, Pak Made, stepped forward calmly and explained, in a patient voice I’ve heard a thousand times, how offerings are alive for the community. That lesson — mixing dive safety, environmental care, and cultural respect — is what I teach every time I train a new instructor on Nusa Penida. This article lays out those lessons so you can arrive prepared, respectful and eco-aware.

Why this matters for Eco Tourism Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida's reefs, temples and villages are intertwined. Respect for Balinese customs is an eco action: preserving social trust keeps community protections for reefs and sacred forests in place. When I take trainees to sites like Toya Pakeh or Crystal Bay, I teach them that cultural respect protects dive sites just as reef-safe sunscreen protects coral.

Quick facts & GPS (must-know points)

• Toya Pakeh Harbor (fast boat landings): GPS -8.7120, 115.4450. ATMs + small clinic nearby.
• Sampalan Harbor (main link to mainland): GPS -8.7060, 115.4330.
• Crystal Bay (sunset/snorkel): GPS -8.7220, 115.4355.
• Kelingking (cliffs & prayers): GPS -8.7371, 115.3677.
• Broken Beach (Pasih Uug): GPS -8.7449, 115.3968.

Personal rules I teach new instructors (step-by-step)

• Step 1: Begin with greeting — Always start with "Om Swastiastu" (om swah-styahs-too) when you meet elders or enter a village compound.
• Step 2: Ask before photographing — Use "Bolehkah saya foto?" (bo-leh-kah sa-ya fo-to?) and wait. If a ceremony is happening, stand back and photograph from outside the compound.
• Step 3: Respect offerings — Never step on canang, move them or throw rubbish near them. If rubbish is near an offering, quietly pick it up or tell the boatman.
• Step 4: Dress correctly — For temple visits wear a kain (sarong) and selendang (sash). Many warungs lend sarongs for IDR 10,000 (~$0.70).
• Step 5: Follow the guide — During training I always assign one trainee to liaise with Pak Made or Bu Sari (warung owners) to learn household rules — small courtesies go far.

How to enter a temple (detailed)

• Remove shoes at the gate and never point your feet toward the shrine.
• Women in menses customarily do not enter temples — ask politely if unsure.
• When offerings are laid at thresholds, step around them, never over.
• If you are given a sarong/sash, tie it with the knot at the right side (Balinese custom).

Money, bookings, schedules & prices (exact)

Below are the typical prices I give trainees when planning eco-friendly trips or dive courses.

Service	Typical Cost (IDR)	Approx USD	Notes
Sanur <> Toya Pakeh fast boat (one-way)	IDR 150,000–250,000	$10–$17	Book 3–7 days ahead high season (June–Oct). 30–45 min.
Scooter rental (daily)	IDR 70,000–100,000	$4.50–$7	Fuel extra ~IDR 20,000/day. Rent from "Penida Bike Rental" or local pak rentals; inspect brakes.
Discover Scuba / Intro dive	IDR 1,500,000	$100	Includes gear, boat—book with Penida Eco Divers or Blue Corner Divers. 1 day.
PADI Open Water Course	IDR 4,000,000–5,500,000	$260–$370	3–4 days; book 2–4 weeks ahead in high season.

Comparison: Booking direct vs. through Bali operator

• Direct on Nusa Penida: cheaper (save IDR 200k–400k), supports local guides, quicker changes. Cons: fewer cancellation protections.
• Through Bali: more insurance, easier transfer bundles (hotel + boat). Cons: higher cost, may bypass local businesses.

Timing, seasons & eco considerations

• Manta & Mola seasons: Mantas are most reliable June–November. Mola-mola sighting season is August–October (cooler waters).
• Visibility: Best visibility April–October (15–30m). Rainy season Dec–Feb reduces visibility; some dive operations close or limit sites.
• Crowds: High season June–Aug and Christmas — book dive courses and fast boats 2–4 weeks ahead.

Insider tricks I teach my students

• Ask Bu Sari at Toya Pakeh Warung (near dock) for lunch packs — IDR 35,000 (~$2.50) — and she’ll include fresh water refill (a trainee favorite).
• Use reef-safe sunscreen (non-oxybenzone). I carry 50ml reef-safe bottles for trainees; one bottle costs IDR 80,000 (~$5.50).
• Bring a small sarong in your bag — many temple sarongs require a modest donation; local ones can be borrowed for IDR 10,000 (~$0.70).
• For photo permissions, hand a small offering (IDR 5,000–10,000) to the family first — it works wonders with elders.

Safety warnings & real incidents

• Cliff edges at Kelingking and Broken Beach are unstable. I saw a trainee slip in 2018; now we always stay 3m back and never attempt cliff selfies alone.
• Manta Point currents can be strong. During an instructor course in 2019, two divers failed to deploy SMBs and lost contact with the boat; we now require SMB practice before any open water project. Carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and cutting tool.
• Road accidents: roads are steep and sometimes unpaved. Rent helmets and inspect brakes—Pak Made’s son sells good helmets at Sampalan for IDR 100,000 (~$7).

Local phrases & politeness (say these)

• Om Swastiastu (om swah-styahs-too) — greeting/blessing on arrival.
• Terima kasih (te-ree-ma kah-seeh) — thank you.
• Permisi (per-mee-see) — excuse me / to get past.
• Suksma (sook-smuh) — Balinese thank you; warmer when you want to show cultural respect.

Logistics, facilities & emergency contacts

• ATMs: Found near Sampalan and Toya Pakeh harbors (BRI/BNI). Bring cash for warungs and sarong purchases.
• Clinic: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (basic emergency), Sampalan area. For serious incidents fly/boat to Bali emergency hospitals.
• DAN Emergency Hotline: +61 3 9886 9166 (for dive emergencies — keep your operator’s emergency oxygen kit ready).
• General Emergency: 112 (Indonesia).

Photography & Instagram tips (respectful)

• Golden hour at Kelingking: arrive 16:30–17:00 for soft light. Stay behind the worship line if a puja is happening.
• When photographing children or elders in village: always ask. Offer to show them the photo on your camera — it builds trust.
• Use wide-angle lenses for reef photos, but keep 2–3m distance from coral; I teach neutral buoyancy drills to protect reef while shooting.

Troubleshooting common problems

• No cash? Most dive shops accept bank transfer; still, always keep IDR 200,000 (~$13) emergency cash for sampan, tips, or sarongs.
• Bad weather cancels boats — ask your operator about cancellation policies and get a written receipt for rebook/refund. Book boats with 1–2 hour flexible windows in rainy season.
• Lost items on dive? Report to your dive leader immediately — items are often retrieved within 24 hours if reported right away.

Conclusion — my final advice from the deck

Every time I train new instructors I repeat the same three rules: (1) lead with greeting, (2) protect the reef as you would protect a temple, and (3) ask before you act. Support local warungs like Warung Sunrise or Bu Sari’s place at Toya Pakeh, rent from local scooter shops, and book dives with operators who carry oxygen and DAN guidance. Treat the island as you would a family home: remove your shoes, be modest in dress at sacred sites, and leave no plastic behind. Do this and Nusa Penida will share its best gifts with you — manta encounters, silent sunrise dives and the quiet blessing of local smiles.

Contact tip: When you arrive, ask for Pak Made at Toya Pakeh for boat help and Bu Sari for local food — tell them Pebri sent you and they’ll look after you like they do my trainees.