Introduction — Ten years watching, learning, protecting

After ten years of observing tourist patterns on Nusa Penida — as a dive instructor, cultural guide and photographer — I’ve seen the same small mistakes over and over. Tourists arrive obsessed with the perfect manta shot, the viral turtle selfie, or that dramatic reef panorama, and they forget that beneath the waves are living ecosystems woven into Balinese life. I remember one morning in 2016: a guest climbed off the boat with coral in his hand because he thought it would make a better photo prop. The local pecalang (community security) saw it, the dive operator (Blue Corner Dive House — my long-time partner) returned it, and we ended up explaining to a shocked visitor why a tiny piece of coral is also part of someone’s daily offerings. That day changed how I brief every group: diving is local life, and respect starts before you jump.

Why underwater etiquette is also cultural etiquette

On Nusa Penida, the sea is not just habitat — it’s part of ritual and livelihood. Fisher families, temple ceremonies that touch the coast, and shore offerings (canang) connect land and sea. A small white shell you think is pretty may have been collected for a temple canang or for a family’s ceremony. Removing it is like taking a piece of someone’s prayer.

Core principles I teach on every briefing

• Look, don’t take. No shells, no coral fragments, no anemone tentacles as souvenirs.
• Ask then photograph. If a fisherman or local is in shot on the surface, ask permission before you shoot.
• Respect cleaning stations and manta behavior. Keep distance, stay level, and no flash at mantas.

Practical pre-dive steps (step-by-step)

1. Book with a local operator who includes cultural briefings. I recommend Penida Dive Club (pick-up Toya Pakeh harbor) or Blue Corner Dive House — prices and contacts below.
2. Arrive early: meet at the harbor 30–45 minutes before departure. Toya Pakeh harbor GPS: -8.7275, 115.4458. Sampalan ferry arrives — expect 15–30 min transfer to boat depending on operator.
3. Do the cultural-and-safety briefing. I insist my briefings cover: who to ask permission from onshore, what to do if you spot offerings, and the local emergency plan.
4. Leave offerings on shore. If you’re asked to help place a canang, do so respectfully — take your shoes off, step around (don’t overstep) and accept guidance from Bu Sari or Pak Made (names you’ll meet at Warung Sunrise often help visitors).

Underwater etiquette specific to Nusa Penida

• Do not touch or remove anything. Not for a photo, not for decoration. Locals use shells/coral in ceremonies; penalties (local fines or community reprimand) can apply.
• Keep distance from manta cleaning stations. At Manta Point (approx GPS -8.7189, 115.4690) maintain 3–5 meters and stay level with the ray. No strobes within 5 meters.
• Anchor etiquette. Ask the skipper to anchor in sand away from coral. If your operator doesn’t offer mooring guidelines, change operator.
• Don’t follow fishing nets or tamper with lines. If you spot nets, signal the boat — many fishers return daily and nets are family property.

Booking, costs and local businesses (comparison)

Exchange used here: 1 USD ≈ 15,000 IDR (use current rate at time of booking).

Service	Operator (example)	Typical price (IDR)	Price (USD)	Pros / Cons
2-tank dive day (Nusa Penida)	Blue Corner Dive House	700,000 – 900,000	$47 – $60	Local guides, cultural briefing, boat snacks
Manta snorkel trip	Penida Manta Tours	350,000 – 450,000	$23 – $30	Morning trips best; small groups available
Private charter (half day)	Local jukung owner (book via operator)	1,000,000 – 1,500,000	$67 – $100	Good for photographers; higher cost but flexible

Booking tips

• Book 3–7 days in advance in high season (May–Oct). For mantas book 1–2 days before; they’re weather-and-tide dependent.
• Pay deposit via local operator bank transfer or cash on arrival. Expect 200k–300k IDR deposit for private charters.
• Ferry from Sanur to Toya Pakeh: IDR 150,000–200,000 ($10–$13); travel time 30–40 minutes fast boat + transfer to harbor.

What to bring, dive equipment & photography gear

• Mask strap cover and gloves (non-reef touching). If you rent, bring a silicone mask strap — rentals run 50k/day (≈ $3.50).
• For underwater photography: wide-angle lens (10–14mm on crop, 16–35mm full frame), dual strobes with diffuser, and a red filter for snorkeling shots. Bring tethered clamp to avoid losing housing — I’ve lost two housings off Crystal Bay (GPS -8.7423, 115.4385) in 10 years.
• Bring a small reef-safe sunscreen (label: non-nano zinc oxide). Sunscreen bans are enforced by some local operators.

Best times for underwater photography

• Early morning (06:30–09:30) — calmer seas, cleaner water; best for mantas and cleaning stations.
• Midday sun (10:00–13:00) for reef colors but watch currents.
• Dry season (May–Oct) = clearer visibility; wet season (Nov–Apr) has lower prices and fewer tourists but reduced visibility.

Photography tips & best angles (insider specifics)

• For mantas: enter shallow (3–10 m) and keep low-angle silhouette shots by shooting slightly upward with a 0.6–1 stop fill on strobes to keep natural shadow.
• Turtle portraits: approach from the side and back — long lenses (16–35mm wide on full frame) let you capture the reef context; don't tail them. Capture them feeding by framing with a rock foreground (rule of thirds).
• Macro reef shots: look for offerings materials tangled on rubble — but don’t remove them. Use a 60mm macro, shoot at f/11–16 for texture and color.
• Surface island & reef panoramas: shoot from the boat before you slip into water; light is best with sun behind you. Ask Pak Made (driver at Toya Pakeh) to pause for 5 minutes — he knows the photospots.

Local phrases to use (with pronunciation)

• Permisi (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me
• Terima kasih (teh-REE-mah KAH-seeh) — Thank you
• Om Swastiastu (om swas-tee-AH-stu) — Balinese greeting/respect
• Tulung (too-loong) — Please / help

Safety warnings and real incidents I’ve seen

• Strong currents at Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay can separate groups — always buddy up and use a DSMB (surface marker buoy). I saw one buddy separated for 40 minutes in 2018 because the group didn’t deploy a DSMB.
• Boat propeller injuries are common when exiting via ladder in choppy seas — shout to skipper before boarding and hold ladder with both hands.
• Don’t attempt to dive or snorkel after consuming alcohol at beach warungs. I’ve had to coordinate with local rescue after guests ignored this advice.

Nearby facilities & contacts

• Harbors: Toya Pakeh Harbor (GPS -8.7275, 115.4458), Sampalan (main ferry arrival).
• Medical: Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) — ask your dive operator to call them if needed. For serious issues, transfer to RSUD Klungkung on Bali mainland (ferry + 45–90 min road).
• ATMs & wifi: Sampalan village has the most ATMs and decent cafes with wifi (Warung Sunrise area). If you need cash, withdraw in Sampalan — cash is king on the island.
• Recommended warungs and stays: Warung Sunrise (breakfast & local coffee), Warung Putu (lunch), Semabu Hills Hotel Nusa Penida (mid-range stay with transfer service).

Troubleshooting: common problems & fixes

• Problem: Strong current separates you from the boat. Fix: Inflate DSMB, remain calm, drift with current until boat sees buoy (skipper follows drift lines).
• Problem: You find an offering on the beach and want to take a photo. Fix: Ask permission first — ask the nearest warung owner (Bu Sari or Pak Made) and step respectfully (no stepping on the offering).
• Problem: Equipment failure in water. Fix: Signal your buddy and boat via SMB; carry a backup mask strap and quick-release weight system. All reputable operators on the island carry a small repair kit.

Responsible tourism & cultural sensitivity

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, avoid single-use plastics (many warungs will now refuse plastic straws), support local warungs (Warung Sunrise: meals 30k–50k IDR ≈ $2–$3.50), and tip local guides — 50k–100k IDR per day for exceptional service is well appreciated.

Conclusion — My personal recommendations

If you only take one thing from ten years of watching tourists: humility underpins great diving. Book local, listen to briefings, respect offerings, and treat the reef like a temple. For photographers: book a private half-day with a trusted skipper (expect to pay 1,000,000 IDR ≈ $67) so you can time light, respect local practices, and come away with images — and a story — you’ll be proud of. If you want a local contact, tell Bu Sari at Warung Sunrise that Pebri sent you — she’ll know where the best jackfruit and nasi campur are and will remind you, with a smile, to leave the shells in the sea.