Scuba Diving in Lembongan
The Ultimate Guide
Nusa Lembongan and its neighbouring islands sit on the edge of the Lombok Strait, where strong currents carry nutrient‑rich water between the Pacific and Indian oceans. This constant water flow produces clear visibility and supports vibrant reefs full of reef fish, trevallies and reef sharks. The area is famous for exhilarating drift dives; experienced divers drop into channels and ride the current over coral walls and slopes. Pelagic highlights include year‑round manta rays at nearby Manta Point and Manta Bay, while the rare ocean sunfish (Mola alexandrini) visits from July–October when cold upwellings bring temperatures as low as 16 °C. Beginner divers aren’t forgotten—sheltered sites like Lembongan Bay and Mangrove offer calm conditions, sandy bottoms and colourful coral gardens. With easy access by fast boat from Bali, Lembongan provides a perfect base to explore the more than two dozen sites around the Nusa islands.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
19–29 °C
Visibility
15–30 m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Lembongan for Diving
✈️Transportation
The easiest way to reach Nusa Lembongan is by fast boat from Bali’s Sanur port.
Multiple departures run daily to Jungut Batu or Mushroom Bay, and the trip takes about 30 minutes.
One‑way tickets cost roughly IDR 150,000–250,000 (US$10–16) depending on the operator; booking a round trip online often secures a discount.
Boats also depart from Serangan or Padang Bai, and local ferries connect Nusa Penida and Lembongan for about IDR 60,000.
Arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure and note that no boats run during the Balinese Nyepi or ocean‑silence days.
Country
Indonesia
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah
Electricity
230V, 50Hz, Euro plug
Cost of a Dive Trip in Lembongan
Day Trip
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Lembongan
🐠Blue Corner
Blue Corner is Nusa Lembongan’s signature dive and one of Bali’s most challenging sites. The slope drops from 15 to over 40 meters and is swept by powerful, often unpredictable currents. Experienced divers perform a negative entry and drift along coral‑covered ledges while scanning the blue for pelagic life—ocean sunfish, eagle rays, marble rays, tuna, barracuda and reef sharks. Due to strong down‑currents, this site is only suitable for advanced divers with experienced guides.
🐢Mangrove (Sakenan)
Situated at the northeastern tip of Lembongan, Mangrove—also called Sakenan—is a classic drift dive. Divers start on a shallow coral plateau before drifting along a sloping reef adorned with hard corals, sponges and vibrant staghorn fields. The current carries you past schools of reef fish, triggerfish, pufferfish and snappers; turtles and passing barracuda occasionally appear. Visibility is often excellent, especially in the dry season, and the site suits everyone from beginners to experienced drift divers.
🦈Lembongan Bay
Lembongan Bay is the island’s most sheltered dive site and perfect for training dives and beginners. Depths range from 3–15 meters with calm conditions and a sandy bottom. Despite being near a busy harbor, the reef remains healthy and bristles with clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish and plenty of juvenile reef fish. Macro lovers will also find nudibranchs, shrimp and octopus hiding among coral bommies.
🐙Crystal Bay
Located on the west side of Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is world‑famous for seasonal Mola mola encounters. During July–October, sunfish visit the cleaning stations here, while the rest of the year offers beautiful coral gardens, a sandy bay and the chance to see barracuda, trevally and even thresher sharks. The site features a sloping reef and deeper drop‑off with tricky currents, so diving with an experienced guide is essential. Depths range from 5–40 meters with water temperatures of 18–29 °C and excellent visibility.
🐚Manta Point
Manta Point on the south coast of Nusa Penida is a cleaning station where reef manta rays gather all year. Divers drop onto a rocky plateau at 5–40 meters and watch as mantas circle above, sometimes accompanied by nurse sharks and blue‑spotted rays. The area can experience surge and cooler water (18–30 °C), but the spectacle of graceful mantas sweeping overhead makes this a must‑dive.
🦑Toyapakeh
Toyapakeh lies near the harbour of Nusa Penida and is one of the most colourful and diverse sites in the region. Depths range from 5 to more than 40 meters with excellent visibility and adaptable conditions—from gentle dives to thrilling drifts depending on the tide. Stepped coral terraces and a wide plateau support healthy coral formations and schooling fish, while deeper slopes attract tuna, barracuda and seasonal Mola mola. The combination of macro life and wide‑angle scenery makes Toyapakeh a favourite for photographers.
🐡Ceningan Wall
This dramatic wall dive on the southern side of Nusa Ceningan features a vertical drop covered in small hard and soft corals. Divers drift along while schools of fusiliers, red‑toothed triggerfish and barracuda swirl around; lucky encounters may include Mola mola, eagle rays and reef sharks. Strong currents and surge mean it’s best dived by experienced divers when conditions are favourable.
🦀Gamat Bay
Gamat Bay is a scenic, sheltered bay on the northwest of Nusa Penida with vibrant coral gardens, sandy slopes and diverse marine life. Inside the bay the water is usually calm, making it ideal for Discover Scuba Diving, open‑water courses and macro photography. Deeper sections of the bay offer chances to spot tuna, barracuda, giant trevally and even Mola mola during the season, but currents near the channel can be strong, so guides choose routes accordingly.
🐋SD (Sekolah Dasar)
SD is a popular drift dive along the north coast of Nusa Penida. The dive starts on a shallow plateau and slopes into deeper waters covered with hard corals and sponges. It’s accessible for beginners but becomes an excellent drift when the current picks up—allowing divers to glide past schools of reef fish, turtles and macro life while keeping an eye out for pelagic visitors like giant trevally, tuna and, in season, Mola mola. Depths range from 5–40 meters, visibility is often excellent and temperatures average around 25 °C.
What Divers Say About Diving in Lembongan
Alex Thompson
Marine Biologis / DivemasterNusa Lembongan blew me away. 🌊 Drifting along the reef at Mangrove felt like flying—fields of hard and soft corals scrolling past under crystal‑clear water. Schools of triggerfish and snappers zipped by while hawksbill turtles calmly munched on sponges. Blue Corner, though, was the real adrenaline rush. We did a negative entry and were instantly swept down the slope. Hanging in the blue at 30 meters with Mola mola materialising out of the gloom was heart‑pounding! When the current eased, we explored cathedral‑like boulders teeming with anthias, barracuda and reef sharks. Manta Point was pure magic—half a dozen graceful mantas circled the cleaning station, swooping right over our heads. Even the “easy” sites were enchanting: Lembongan Bay’s coral bommies bristled with clownfish and nudibranchs, and I spotted my first leaf scorpionfish at Toyapakeh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Lembongan
When is the best time to see the Mola mola in Nusa Lembongan?
The ocean sunfish is most commonly seen from July to October, when cold upwellings bring these deep‑dwelling giants into shallower water. Water temperatures can drop to 16 °C during this season, so pack a thicker wetsuit and dive with an experienced guide.
Can I see manta rays all year round?
Yes. Nusa Lembongan and neighbouring Nusa Penida host manta cleaning stations where reef mantas gather throughout the year. The dry season (May‑October) usually offers calmer seas and better visibility, but mantas are present in every season.
What are the typical water temperature and visibility?
Sea temperatures range from about 19–29 °C, although thermoclines can cause abrupt drops to 16 °C. Visibility is generally good, usually between 15 and 30 meters.
Are Lembongan’s dive sites suitable for beginners?
Some sites have strong and unpredictable currents and are best for advanced divers (e.g., Blue Corner).
How many dive sites are there around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida?
The Nusa islands collectively offer more than 25 dive sites across various zones, ranging from easy coral slopes to challenging drift dives. Lembongan itself has three main sites—Mangrove, Blue Corner and Lembongan Bay, while Penida boasts numerous sites like Crystal Bay, Manta Point, Toyapakeh, SD and Ped.
Is it necessary to book boat tickets to Lembongan in advance?
During peak tourist seasons and Balinese holidays, boats can fill up quickly. It’s recommended to reserve your fast‑boat tickets beforehand and arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.
Does Nusa Lembongan have liveaboard diving?
Liveaboards occasionally include Nusa Penida and Lembongan on longer Bali itineraries, but most diving here is done via day trips or from land‑based dive resorts. The islands are close to Bali and have plenty of dive shops offering daily excursions to the surrounding sites.