Last week, during the full moon ceremony at Pura Paluang I attended with my family, I learned something I could not have planned for: a silhouette of offerings and temple lanterns reflected in the bay as we loaded camera crates into the boat at 04:30. The ceremony—Pak Made’s lanterns swinging, Bu Sari handing us strong kopi—changed the rhythm of our dives that morning. The mood, the light, and the extra care from the community made the day one of the best underwater photo sessions I’ve ever had on Nusa Penida. This guide comes straight from those experiences: as an instructor, a photographer, and a local who knows which warung will mend your strobes and where to get an extra O-ring at midnight.

Main story: Full moon ceremony and the morning dives

We left Toya Pakeh harbor at 05:15 (GPS: -8.7341, 115.4489) with Penida Dive Center (call +62 822-3777-5588 to book) after Bu Sari served us kopi and banana fritters at Warung Sunrise (open 06:00–20:00). The full moon ceremony the night before meant more temple offerings drifting into the swell near Manta Point. That morning the visibility was a gift—20–25 m—and the warm light filtering through the surface created the exact conditions where using a low ISO and natural light mixing becomes a photographer’s dream.

Camera settings and techniques for Nusa Penida

1. Basic settings by subject

• Mantas (Manta Point, approx GPS -8.7228, 115.4495): Aperture f/8–f/11, shutter 1/125–1/200 to freeze wing beats, ISO 100–200. Shoot RAW and use a 10–16mm fisheye or 50mm macro depending on distance.
• Sunbursts and thermoclines (Crystal Bay, approx GPS -8.7375, 115.4702): Aperture f/5.6–f/8, shutter 1/200–1/320, ISO 100–400. Use a dome for wide-angle to manage sun star and reduce chromatic aberration.
• Macro / critters (SD / Gamat Bay area, approx GPS -8.7400, 115.4600): Aperture f/11–f/18 for depth of field, shutter 1/125, ISO 200–400, twin strobes angled to create separation from background.

2. Strobe and natural light mixing

Nusa Penida’s water clarity lets you rely on natural light near the surface at morning dives. For Manta Point, I use one strobe on low power (1/8) as fill to keep natural rim light while exposing for the animal. For macro on current days, two strobes at 1/4–1/2 power work well.

3. White balance and RAW workflow

• Set WB to 5600K as a starting point, but always shoot RAW.
• Bring a slate with a white patch (I use Bu Sari’s laminated menu) for quick color reference if you’re under time pressure.

Practical dive logistics and timing

Typical schedule I run with guests after a ceremony like the full moon: meet at 04:00–04:30 at Toya Pakeh, slip at 05:00, arrive at first dive site by 05:30–06:00. Boat ride to Manta Point from Toya Pakeh is usually 20–35 minutes depending on sea. Travel times by scooter on island roads: Toya Pakeh to Crystal Bay ~25–35 minutes (road condition mixed). Expect bumpy roads; rent a scooter from Rudi Scooter Rental (IDR 75,000/day ~ USD 5) with a full tank and extra helmet.

Costs, comparisons and booking

Below is a price comparison I use when recommending local operators. Prices fluctuate seasonally (high season Apr–Oct) and after cultural events like the full moon ceremony when bookings spike.

Service	Operator	Price (IDR)	Est. USD	Pros / Cons
2-tank dive trip	Penida Dive Center	IDR 750,000	~$50	Boat best for photo gear, small groups
2-tank dive trip	Nusa Penida Divers	IDR 650,000	~$44	Cheaper, larger groups
Camera crate rental	Penida Camera Service (local)	IDR 100,000/day	~$7	Includes towels & locking straps
Scooter rental	Rudi Scooter Rental	IDR 75,000/day	~$5	Delivery to hotel

What to bring: step-by-step checklist

• Camera in a hard housing + backup O-ring kit (I keep one in Bu Sari’s warung for emergencies).
• Two strobes with fresh batteries and small dry bags for spares.
• Neutral density / orange filters for wide-angle in early morning thermoclines.
• Surface marker buoy (SMB), whistle, and dive knife.
• Cash: bring IDR 500,000 in small notes for warung food, tips, and repairs (ATMs at Toya Pakeh near the ferry area; expect fees).

Insider tricks from local life and ceremony rhythms

• Timing: After full moon ceremonies, local boats reduce speed near temples—use this time to plan compositions for surface reflections.
• Warung backups: Warung Sunrise (open 06:00–20:00) will loan you a dry towel and has power for a quick battery swap. Pak Made at Warung Sunrise charges IDR 10,000 (~$0.70) to recharge one strobe if you buy kopi.
• Local rates: If you hire a local helper for carrying gear from boat to shore, always tip IDR 20,000–50,000 (~$1.50–$3.50).
• Low-cost fixes: Bu Sari keeps spare O-rings and silicone; small repairs are IDR 20,000–50,000.

Safety & incidents I've seen

Currents are the real hazard here. I witnessed a v-shaped current rip at Manta Point during a post-ceremony morning when tides shifted; one guest forgot to deploy their SMB and got separated. We practice the following now:

• Always dive with a guide and carry an SMB. Bring a whistle and light for low-visibility surface intervals.
• Use a redundant weight system for quick ditching if you need to ascend fast in a current surge.
• If you see a rapid change in the surface pattern (rips/white lines), abort the dive—these are real and can move you fast.

Cultural etiquette and local phrases

Respect temple areas—during the full moon ceremony locals wear sarongs; do the same at temple piers and keep quiet during processions. Useful phrases:

• “Terima kasih” (te-REE-mah KA-seeh) — Thank you.
• “Permisi” (per-MEE-see) — Excuse me / please allow me through.
• “Berhati-hati” (ber-HAH-tee HA-tee) — Be careful (what I tell guests when crossing uneven temple stones).

Emergency contacts and nearby facilities

• General emergency: 112 (Indonesia)
• Puskesmas Nusa Penida (local clinic) — ask your hotel for the nearest branch; they often coordinate with fast boat operators.
• Bali Med Nusa Penida (referral) — ask Penida Dive Center for assistance if evacuation is needed.
• ATM: Toya Pakeh ferry area (expect fees, bring cash in advance).
• Wifi: Warung Sunrise and Penida Dive Center HQ have the most reliable morning wifi for quick uploads.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Fogging housing: swap to silica gel packs (IDR 50,000 per pack) and keep housing sealed until boat slip.
• Strobe misfire: clean contacts with isopropyl wipes (Bu Sari keeps a bottle) and test before each drop.
• Lost weight/belt: carry a small backup weight of 0.5–1 kg in your kit bag.

Photography & Instagram tips

• For sunbursts at Crystal Bay: shoot RAW, slightly underexpose by -0.7 EV to keep highlight detail, and add a subtle split-toning to emphasize warm morning light (the ceremony lanterns inspired my color grading last week).
• Compose with locals: ask permission before including local ceremonies or people; a small tip (IDR 10,000–20,000) and “Permisi” goes a long way.

Responsible tourism

Keep to reef-safe sunscreen (zinc-based), do not touch or move marine life for shots, and support local businesses—eat at warungs like Warung Sunrise or Bu Sari’s place and hire local spotters like Pak Made. After the full moon ceremony, locals appreciated divers collecting stray offerings from the water; volunteer help is often welcomed.

Conclusion and my personal recommendation

If you only take one piece of advice from my full-moon morning: plan your camera settings before you hit the water, listen to the locals (they will tell you when currents change), and savor the quiet moments—like last week when the temple lanterns still floating in the bay created a surface reflection that framed a passing manta perfectly. Book Penida Dive Center 2–3 days ahead during high season (or earlier if your trip overlaps a ceremony), arrive early, bring IDR 500,000 cash for on-island needs, and practice respect for local customs—“sopan” (civil) behavior rewards you with better shots and better stories. Ready your housing, check your O-rings, and say thanks to Pak Made and Bu Sari when you pass their warung — they’re part of what makes diving and photographing Nusa Penida truly special.