Nusa Penida, an island off the coast of Bali, Indonesia, is renowned for its rich and diverse marine life, making it a premier destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Divers can expect to encounter a wide array of species, from majestic pelagic creatures to vibrant reef inhabitants and unique macro life.

Iconic Large Marine Animals

One of the primary draws for divers to Nusa Penida is the opportunity to see Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) and Manta Rays.

  • Mola Mola: Also known as Oceanic Sunfish, these are the largest bony fish in the world and are a major highlight for many divers. They are most frequently sighted between July and October, when cooler water temperatures bring them up from the deep to shallower cleaning stations. While Crystal Bay is famously known for Mola Mola sightings, they can also be found at other dive sites like Gamat Bay, Ceningan Wall, and even Manta Point. The species encountered in Nusa Penida is typically the Mola Alexandrini, not Mola Mola.
  • Manta Rays: Nusa Penida is one of the few places globally where you can regularly see Manta Rays all year round. Manta Point and Manta Bay are dedicated cleaning and feeding stations where divers have a high chance of encountering these graceful creatures. Both reef mantas (up to 5 meters wide) and, less commonly, oceanic mantas (up to 8 meters wide) can be observed.