Roundtrip 21 days Bali and Gili islands - snorkeling, nature and culture

Home > Indonesia > Bali > Roundtrip 21 days Bali and Gili islands - snorkeling, nature and culture

General
Program
Hotels
Map
Places

Offerte

Round trip 21days Bali & Gili - culture, nature and snorkeling

A delightful 3-week individual tour across Bali and the quiet bounty island of Gili Meno, where you can visit all kinds of cultural attractions during the travel days and snorkel during the beach days.
You will get to know the Balinese culture, visit several temples, including the Pura Ulun Bratan in Lake Bratan, the traditional Bali at Klungkung and you can choose from various optional excursions. For example, go for a day of relaxed cycling, climb the Batur volcano or go on a white water raft. Beautiful coral, colorful fish and probably also turtles can be spotted at Menjangan and at the Gili islands. You will almost certainly spot manta rays at the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.

This roundtrip is just an example of what your trip may look like. We are happy to tailor the trip to your wishes.

Target prices 2026

€ 2.250 p.p. based on 2 persons in low season, € 2.550 in high season
€ 2.200 p.p. based on 4 persons in low season, € 2.500 in high season

Included and excluded

Including:
•overnight stays incl. breakfast
•transportation by AC minibus or car, including fuel
•English or Dutch speaking guide during the travel days
•Mentioned excursions and entrance fees
- Snorkeling at Menjangan
- Morning excursion spotting dolphins at Lovina
- Day excursion Mountain Bike tour
- Batur volcano trekking
- Snorkeling at Nusa Penida
- Excursion Uluwatu temple, Kecak dance and fish dinner in Jimbaran

Exclusive
•Intercontinental flights
•Not mentioned or optional excursions
•Lunches and dinner
•Expenses of a personal nature
•Tips
•Booking costs and contribution Calamity Fund (€ 30 per booking)
•SGR contribution € 5 per person
•CO2 compensation € 22 per person
•Travel and cancellation insurance (advised)

Offerte

Day 1 flight Amsterdam-Denpasar

Garuda Indonesia flies non-stop from Amsterdam to Jakarta with her new Boeing 777-300 ER. Experience the hospitality of the Indonesian culture on board of Garuda Indonesia, the national flight company of Indonesia. This direct flight takes you in 13 and a half hour from Amsterdam to Jakarta. Departure Amsterdam around midday, arrival Jakarta early in the morning the following day. Your connecting flight leaves about 2 hours later and is a ca 2 and a half hour-flight. Max. weight: 30 kg.

Day 2 Arrival on Bali and transfer to hotel

Selamat datang di Bali, welcome to Bali! The island of the 1000 gods. A true paradise in the largest archipelago in the world. The Hindu island has a friendly population and is rich in natural treasures. Colorful ceremonies are held daily. You will find lively coastal towns but also little-visited authentic villages with their many temples. There is plenty to do and experience in Bali: cycling, hiking, cooking class or pampering yourself in one of the many spas. When you arrive at Ngurah Rai airport, if you have an international flight, you must first go through the immigration and customs services. Outside your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you to your hotel. Overnight in Sanur. Sanur is a former fishing village on the southeast coast of Bali. This town is less crowded than Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. The lively Sanur is a pleasant destination. It has beautiful sandy beaches and many shops, restaurants and terraces. Most beachfront hotels are located on a long footpath along the sea.

Day 3 Sanur - free day

There’s nothing on the program today. You can lounge around the swimming-pool or on the beach. Sanur has got a very nice street with lots of little shops and restaurants. In some restaurants performances are given during your dinner. You find the most delicious small fish restaurants along the beach. Overnight in Sanur.

Day 4 Transfer en excursies onderweg van Sanur naar Pemuteran

While moving your accommodation to North Bali you will experience a day full of beautiful pictures of enchanting Bali: You will visit the monkeys around the temple of Alas Kedaton, the fruit market of Bedugul, the Ulun Danu Bratan temple at Lake Bratan and the beautiful rice fields at Munduk.

Day 5 Half day snorkeling Menjangan

After breakfast transfer to the harbour. You will take a boat in half an hour to the island, where your 'captain' will show you the most beautiful snorkeling locations. Expect today: beautifully colored coral, at least one turtle, nemos and countless other colored fish! A lunch box will accompany you.

Day 6 Ochtendexcursie dolfijnen spotten bij Lovina

From your hotel in Pemuteran you will be picked up in the morning around 05:00 and taken to the beach at Lovina. From Lovina you leave around 06:00 in the morning with a boat to the area where the dolphins show early in the morning. Especially in the fall there are larger schools of dolphins, while in the summer months sometimes only a few can be spotted.

Day 7 Day 9 Pemuteran - free day

Another delicious free day. You can hire a bike or a moped at the hotel and be your own tour guide today. The north of Bali is very nice and quiet. You could also make a walk in the National park. Overnight Pemuteran.

Day 8 Via Kintamani van Pemuteran naar Ubud of Zuid Bali

Departure from your hotel after breakfast. You have access to a car with a driver and a Dutch or English-speaking guide throughout the day. Along the way you will of course stop at the mountain village of Kintamani with the fantastic view over the Batur volcano and the lake. Then visit the old courthouse and water palace at Klungkung, Goa Lawah temple and your driver will drive you to the traditional village of Tenganan. The residents of Tenganan are Bali Aga. They still live according to the old rules of animism, before the emergence of Hinduism. Overnight in Ubud.

Day excursion Mountain Bike tour

This mountain bike tour takes you from Pludu village, on the southern flank of the Gunung Batur volcano, on roads you would otherwise never visit. You will pass rice fields, villages, temples and bamboo forests. Under the guidance of experienced guides, you will arrive at Hyang Api Temple Kelusa Village after some 25 kilometers of downhill cycling. The tour includes hotel transfers, lunch and good bicycles. Children from 10 years old. 07:15-07:45 Pick-up time for Nusa Dua area. 07:30-08:00 Pick-up time for Kuta area. 07:45-08:15 Pick-up time for Sanur area. 08:00-08:30 Pick-up time for Ubud area.

Day 10 Batur vulkaan trekking

To watch the sunrise from the top of the Batur volcano, you will be picked up from your hotel around 02:00 AM and taken to the starting point for climbing Batur Volcano. At 4:00 am the hike starts to the top of the volcano. Under the guidance of a local guide it is two hours to the top and two hours back. At sunrise you have a beautiful view of the volcanic landscape and Gunung Agung. When you return to the starting point, you can freshen up. You will be driven back to your hotel in South Bali. The hike includes guides and snacks. Advice: bring good walking shoes, long pants, a sweater, sunscreen and good condition. Departure from the hotel at 2 am. Minimum number of participants: 2

Day 11 Ubud - free day

Ubud is a nice place to go shopping and visit the numerous ateliers. The morning market (until 9 o’clock) is a real feast for the eyes with all those vegetables and fruit stalls and you step right into the middle of daily life in Ubud. You can also go for a walk through the rice fields. The Campuhan ridge walk is known everywhere and goes partially over a ridgeline with stunning views. Or you can book a Green Bike tour, a two hour ride on E-Bikes not far from Ubud. Rafting on the Ayu river is possible too. And of course you can also enjoy a Balinese massage in your hotel... Overnight in Ubud area.

Day 12 By Eka Jaya fastboat from Padangbai to Gili Meno

At the agreed time, you will be picked up in a shared shuttle bus and taken to the port of Padangbai. The 09:00 or 11:00 fastboat takes you in an hour and 45 minutes to Gili Meno. When you arrive on the island you have to walk to your hotel yourself, or you can rent a Cidomo, a horse and cart. Overnight on Gili Meno.

Day 13 Gili - free program

The Gili Islands offer a variety of options. Most vacationers visit the Gili's for diving or snorkeling. You can step straight into your tropical aquarium from your hotel room! The islands offer numerous dive centers where you can also take a test dive. Other possibilities are a surf workshop or lazing by the beach.

Dag 14 Gili - free program

Enjoy the underwater world, the beach and the delicious food!

Dag 15 Eka Jaya fastboat Gili Meno- Nusa Lembongan

You make sure to be ready for the Eka Jaya fastboat from 11:00 to Nusa Lembongan for half an hour before the stated departure time at the jetty. At Nusa Lembongan beach, you will be transferred to your hotel in a shared shuttle.

Day 16 Shared daytrip snorkelling at Nusa Penida: Manta Bay and corals

After breakfast you, possibly with other guests, board the speedboat and take a day trip along the other islands where you discover the underwater world while snorkeling. At Manta Bay you will swim among the manta rays. Christal Bay offers beautiful gardens with soft coral and various table corals, while the colorful schools of fish and fish at Gamat Bay abound.

Day 17 Free program

There is nothing on the program for this day. Nusa Lembongan is very quiet, so you can rent a scooter and explore the island. Discover the many beaches with names such as Dream beach, Jungut Batu beach, Secret beach, Blue lagoon or Sandy bay and see the waves crash high against the rocks by Devils tear. If you drive via the Yellow bridge to the island of Nusa Ceningan, be sure to take a look at one of the seaweed farms. You can also book a day trip to Nusa Penida locally. This island is slightly larger than Nusa Lembongan and has many rugged cliffs and hidden white sandy beaches.

Day 18 Transfer and fastboat Nusa Lembongan to Bali

With the fast speedboat you sail back to the ‘main land’ of Bali. Your driver is already waiting and will drive you to your hotel.

Day 19 Excursie Uluwatu tempel en Kecak apendans bij Melasti beach

Around 2 p.m., you will be picked up to visit the Uluwatu Temple on the high cliffs of the Nusa Dua peninsula. Afterwards, you will be taken to Melasti Beach on the southern coast, where the Kecak dance is performed by bare-chested men wearing black-and-white checkered cloths around their waists. Sitting in a circle, the chant of "Tjak-tjak" makes this trance dance so distinctive. After the dance, you will return to your hotel.

Day 20 Pulang kampung, going back home

Well in advance, about 3 hours before the departure of your flight, your driver picks you up for your transfer to the airport.

flight Denpasar-Amsterdam via Jakarta

Flight with Garuda Indonesia with transfer in Jakarta. Departure Denpasar early evening, arrival Amsterdam in the early morning.

Day 21 Arrival Amsterdam

In the morning arrival at Schiphol. The end of a beautiful trip...

Offerte

Besakih Beach resort - Sanur

Het Besakih Beach Resort is een goed middenklasse Beachfront resort in het centrum van het rustige Sanur. Het resort biedt een mix van Balinese architectuur en heeft een heerlijk zwembad en een kinderbad. De kamers zijn voorzien van AC, telefoon, tv, badkamer, haardroger, koffie-en thee faciliteiten, minibar en hebben alle een eigen balkon of terrasje. Aantal kamers: 80 De Superior bungalow zijn onze favoriet en liggen in een tuin, dichtbij zwembad, strand en restaurant. De Standard bungalows zijn verdeeld over 2-verdiepingen bungalows in een tuin bij de ingang van het hotel. De Standard (ROH) kamers in een gebouw bevinden zich ook dichtbij het zwembad, restaurant en het strand. Sommige kamers uit de laatste categorie hebben weinig uitzicht. Faciliteiten: restaurant (Indonesische en Westerse keuken), bar, zwembad, vergaderruimte, massages, room service, laundry service, kluisjes en wifi. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Taman Sari Bali cottages - Pemuteran

Taman Sari Bali cottages is quietly located in the North-West of Bali, right on the sea. An ideal accommodation to rest from the Java trip and with possibilities for snorkelling or diving above the Pemuteran reef. All rooms have AC, telephone, TV, bathroom, coffee and tea making facilities, minibar, safe and terrace. Our favourite roomtype is the Deluxe Studio. Besides these roomtypes, Taman Sari has also private pool villas, see <a href="https://www.merapi.nl/indonesie/bali/pemuteran/taman-sari-bali-villas-pemuteran-2-3-4-bedrooms" TARGET="_blank">this link.</a> Number of rooms: 29 Facilities: Restaurant, pool bar, swimming pool, children's pool, room service, laundry service, Spa, fitness, own diving school, many excursion possibilities. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Adiwana Bisma - Ubud

The luxurious Adiwana Bisma resort is located on the cozy jalan Bisma. The nice restaurants and shops are about 10 minutes from the resort. The resort has a rooftop pool and pool bar/restaurant with fantastic views over the valley. There is a traditional spa and a restaurant overlooking the rice fields. The ricefield rooms all have a terrace, adjacent to a sawah, the other rooms all have a balcony. A top hotel in the cozy Bisma district in Ubud. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Pertiwi Bisma 1 - Ubud

Pertiwi Bisma 1 is a 5-minute walk from Monkey forest and 10 minutes from the Pasar and Palace. The 31 modern rooms have views of the rice fields or the valley, air conditioning, TV, kettle, safe, minibar and a private terrace or balcony. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The hotel has two swimming pools and a restaurant. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Ananda Ubud resort

Ananda Ubud resort (fromerly Ananda Cottages) is situated in the middle of the rice fields, very quiet and calm in the north of Ubud at 25 minutes walking distance of the centre of Ubud. The hotel offers a lot of ‘cool’ activities, such as yoga, meditation, Balinese music and dance, wood-carving and cooking-course. All rooms have got a private terrace or balcony, AC, bathroom and mini-bar. No TV. Number of rooms : 58 Facilities; Restaurant (Indonesian and European dishes), 3 swimming pools with view on garden and rice fields. Daily Yoga program and besides that even a Bali offer workshop. Spa & massages, badminton, baby-sitting service on demand, room-and laundry service. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Seri resort - Gili Meno

The modern Seri resort is located on the east side of Gili Meno. The resort has 16 suites in the main building and 15 bungalows. The seaview suites and bungalows guarantee a beautiful sunrise from your room. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, bathroom with hot water, safe, telephone, TV and DVD and balcony or terrace. The resort has a restaurant, lounge, spa, yoga room and a lovely beachfront swimming pool. You can snorkel directly from the beach. Divers can go to one of the diving centres on the island. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Mahamaya boutique resort - Gili Meno

The Mahamaya resort is a small paradise on Gili Meno. The small-scale resort only has 9 rooms. The Pool suites are located directly on the cosy swimming pool and the Beach front villas have a direct view of the sea. All rooms have hot water, a safe and a private terrace. Number of rooms: 9 Facilities: Very good restaurant, bar and spa. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Indiana Kenanga private villa - Nusa Lembongan (1/2 bedrooms)

Indiana Kenanga is a small and luxurious villa resort on the beach of Jungutbatu on Nusa Lembongan island. The resort has 16 1-bedroom garden villas and 2 2-bedroom villas with private pool. The resort has 2 swimming pools, a large spa, a beachfront restaurant and sun beds on the beach. The 1-bedroom villas have a private garden and terrace, the 2-bedroom villas have a private pool, kitchen, garden and terrace. All villas have air conditioning, TV, DVD, telephone, safe and king-size beds. meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Dream Beach huts - Nusa Lembongan

On the bounty island of Lembongan, only half an hour by boat from Bali, lies the small-scale Dream Beach Huts. With 21 rooms it is a cosy resort, right on the beach in the southwest of Lembongan. Our favorite rooms are the Deluxe Oceanview. All rooms have air conditioning, minibar, shower with hot running water and a small private terrace. The resort has a reasonable restaurant and a nice pool. Snorkel excursions are organised, including to Manta Point (approx € 30 per person). meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Lembongan Beach club resort

The beautiful Lembongan Beach club & resort is located directly on the beach of Jungut Batu on the island of Nusa Lembongan. The resort has only 26 villas and is wonderfully luxurious and equipped with all comforts. The water around Nusa Lembongan invites you to surf, snorkel and dive, while the resort offers you all possibilities for a carefree and relaxing holiday. All villas have private terraces and are equipped with Satelite TV, DVD player with USB, WiFi, air conditioning, kettle, hair dryer and safe meer info more info Informations supplémentaires

Besakih Beach resort - Sanur

Offerte

Denpasar

Denpasar is the busy capital of Bali.
Besides some museums and the market there aren’t many tourist attractions in the capital, though you can do some great shopping for cheap prices.

Sanur

Sanur is located directly on the Indian Ocean.
The beach of Sanur beach is protected by a reef at some 100 meters off shore, which means that the waves are much gentler than in Kuta.
Sanur is a quiet old fishing village with lots of hotels, restaurants and shops

Favourite restaurant

My own experience: Mades Restaurant, in the centre of Sanur. Delicious Balinese food and Indonesian dishes!

Mades Restaurant - Sanur

Pemuteran

Pemuteran is a small fishing village in the northwest of Bali, at the Bali-zee.
It’s situated at the edge of the West-Bali National Park very close to the beautiful seagardens of Menjangan island, one of the most fabulous diving spots in Indonesia.
In the village Pemuteran itself is not much to do. But almost every hotel offer plenty of facilities to fulfil your wishes.
Pemuteran is a perfect place to relax a couple of days after a tiring Java trip.

Favourite restaurant

According to Vera, the tahu and tempeh goreng with saté and gado gado are delicious!

Warung Makan Nengah

What to see

Diving or snorkeling at Nusa Menjangan is the must-do in Pemuteran. Book at your reception a day in advance and you will be taken by boat to the island of Nusa Menjangan. We bet you will meet Nemo and some turtles?
Hiking in the National Park west Bali. Not the breathtaking tropical rainforest of Sumatra or Kalimantan, but you will always encounter some strange birds, monkeys, deer and pigs.
Dolphin spotting at Lovina. You don't have to stay in Lovina for the dolphins. Almost all hotels offer a dolphin excursion. You leave around 5 in the morning by car to Lovina and go there on the boat to the dolphins.
Turtle Hatchery Project. Within walking distance, between the Taman Sari an Adi Assri resort is the turtle center, where the eggs wait in a kind of hatchery for the young sea turtles to hatch. They are protected there for the first few weeks of their lives, until they are large enough to be released on the beach and choose the full sea.

Menjangan

Nusa Menjangan

Nusa Menjangan is een klein eilandje in het noordwesten van Bali. Het behoort tot het nationaal park west Bali en je moet ook niet raar opkijken wanneer je grote edelherten op het strand ziet staan.

Lovina

Lovina is a seaside village in the North at the Bali Sea. The black beach does not immediately invite you to swim or snorkel in the sea. In any case, there is little to see underwater.
Compared to the South of Bali it’s quiet here, whereas all facilities to enjoy your holiday are present. The village has a cozy center with restaurants and shops.
Lovina's must-do is an early morning trip to see the dolphins. With a bit of luck you will be with a few boats in a school of dozens of dolphins, but it can also be unexpected.
Close to Lovina, the Banjar Hotsprings and the Buddhist monastery Brahma Arama Vihara are worth a visit. Furthermore, the West Bali National Park is a short distance away. A visit to the former capital of Bali, Singgaraja, with its many old buildings is very worthwhile.

Ubud

Ubud is called the artist village in central Bali. In and around the busy center are numerous sewing and art studios and several museums and theaters. Dances are performed daily, including in the palace. A visit to the art-market opposite the palace is also definitely worth it.

You can choose a hotel or resort in the busy center, somewhere quiet in the middle of the rice fields or on the border of the river.

Things to see and do

Too much to mention all...
Ubud Palace and Puri Saren Agung Temple: Here you can marvel at traditional Balinese architecture. Daily also the scene of Balinese dances
The Monkey Forest Monkey Forest: A must see for many, personally a torment for me to watch monkeys that have become more than brutal.
Agung Rai Museum of Art houses artworks by, among others, Walter Spies, Rudolf Bonnet and many other artists. The museum's goal is to keep Balinese art alive.
Museum Puri Lukisan specializes in modern Balinese paintings, sculptures and carvings
The Blanco Renaissance Museum is mainly focused on works by the Spanish painter Don Antonio Blanco
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a must do: Take an early morning hike for this 2 hour hike across the ridge to the village of Bangkian Sidem
And there is much more to see in the Ubud area!

Favourite restaurant

The specialty of Ubud is crispy fried duck, Bebek Bengil. There are several restaurants where "Dirty Duck" is on the menu. Our favorite is restaurant Bebek Bengil at the Jalan Hanoman in the center.

Another great restaurant in the center is Cafe Lotus , with a very extensive menu and a beautiful pond at the Jalan Raya Ubud, close to the Royal Palace .

Many trendy and cozy restaurants can also be found in the quieter Pertiwi district.

Kintamani

Kintamani is the mountain village on the southwest flank of the Gunung Batur volcano. The many restaurants offer beautiful views of the volcano and Lake Danau Batur

The Gunung Batur is reasonably easy to climb. The climb to the top of the volcano starts at 4 a.m. Led by a guide, it is two hours to the top and two hours back. At sunrise you have a beautiful view of the volcanic landscape and Gunung Agung. Many climbers then visit the hot springs of Toya Devasya.

The Batur trek can be started from Kintamani, but also from Ubud, for example.

Gili Meno

Gili Meno is the smallest island and is located between Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. It is also called the honeymoon island.
The island is only accessible by public or charter boat from the other 2 Gili islands, or with the Eka Jaya fastboat from Bali and Lombok.
Everything on this small island radiates peace and also has the most beautiful beaches of the three Gili islands.

Things to see

There is a bird park on Gili Meno where various species of birds such as the flamimgos, eagles and cockatoos can be viewed. The Turtle Sanctuary on Gili Meno aims to protect the green turtle swimming in the sea around the Gili Islands, you can see the little turtles swimming in the water tanks.

At the beach on the west and east sides you have the best chance to see the turtles swimming in the shallow water.

There are only a few shops, lounge bars and restaurants on the island.
You can also walk around the island in about an hour, take a ride by Cidomo or do a snorkeling or diving excursion.

Good to know

On none of the Gili islands are motor vehicles, everything is done on foot, by bike or by Cidomo (horse-drawn carriage) which certainly favours the island’s tranquillity.
If you want to go into the sea, be careful. There are sharp little stones and pieces of coral in the shallow water and you have to walk a bit to reach deeper water.
There is only 1 ATM on the island, frequent electricity failures and often very bad Wifi coverage.
There’s no fresh water for swimming pools and bathrooms on the island. There’s only brackish water.

Nusa Lembongan

An hour's boat ride from Bali are the bounty islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida.
Nusa Lembongan has beautiful beaches with even nicer names such as Dream beach and Mushroom Bay beach. Snorkeling is excellent from the beaches, but take the boat to beautiful and interesting locations between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, or to the Mangrove, where you will spot countless colorful fish.

Via the Yellow Bridge you go from Nusa Lembongan to Nusa Ceningan. It is the smallest of the 3 islands and is less known to tourists. It has a beautiful but small beach at Mahana Point.

The Nusa is a paradise for experienced divers, with manta rays, sharks and beautiful corals. In the months of August to November you will also find the impressive and ugly Mola-Mola sun fishing here. Beginners should consider strong currents.
The food on the Nusa's is comparable to that in South Bali. Fresh fish is of course best when the fish is really fresh.

Nyepi Laut

One day per year there’s no boat traffic around Nusa Lembongan. That day the islanders are busy praying because of Nyepi Laut. A quiet day on sea.

The date for Nyepi Laut is only announced one month in advance and is always on the day after New Moon. Nyepi Laut usually falls in September or October.

Dive sites Nusa Lembongan - Nusa Penida

Diving at Nusa Penida ansLembongan

Diving at Nusa Penida and Lembongan islands is for somewhat more advanced divers. There’s often a strong current but the underwater world is certainly worth a visit. You’ll find here manta rays all year long. Majestic, non-dangerous and curious rays with a wing span of up to four meters. Also something for snorkelers, the rays swim very close to the surface here.

BLUE CORNER

This is an exciting site for experienced divers only. The huge expanse of current-swept slopes at Blue Corner provides some dramatic topography. Dropping away to 50m, a series of overhanging terraces hide white tips and large black marbled rays and, as you approach the corner, schools of snapper and jacks regularly pass by. A great site for mola mola (ocean sunfish) during the season and other visitors include eagle rays, wobbegong, tuna and even the occasional shark.

MANGROVES

This site is so-called due to its location, right by the mangrove area to the north east Nusa Lembongan. Mangroves offer a healthy sloping coral reef, with small bommies and table corals waiting to be explored for the smaller stuff but often marble rays and other larger species swim past in the deeper water. Sharks are occasionally seen here too. It’s a great site for all levels of diver.

LEMBONGAN BAY

Lembongan Bay offers the perfect introduction to diving. Due to its maximum depth of 10m and calmer conditions, it is an ideal site for less experienced divers, those wanting a refresher or for avid photographers. The sandy bottom is dotted with coral bommies which are home to frog fish, muray eels, schools of silversides, unicornfish and many more of the smaller species.

MANTA BAY

Manta Bay is a shallow bay with a stunning backdrop. Being rich in plankton it attracts manta rays all year round. The dive has a maximum depth of 12m and the coral bottom, with its gullies and swim-throughs, is an interesting distraction from the manta action going on above. Similar to Manta Point, we cannot get to this site every day, but it is closer and more protected than Manta Point, so is fast becoming a very popular dive spot.

GAMAT BAY

Gamat Bay is a very small yet memorable site off Toyapakeh Strait. The steep, rugged reef slope is rich in hard and soft corals and is colourful down to more than 50m. Gamat is a dive where you don’t want to cover much territory and once you have navigated the slope, there are plenty of bommies, overhangs and small caves to explore as you head back into the shallows.

MANTA POINT

The site that made Penida famous! The plankton rich waters here attract the mantas all year round, sometimes seven or eight at a time, though even one is a fantastic sight. We rarely dive more than 15m deep at this site as along with the main attract of the mantas, turtles, nurse sharks, bamboo sharks and blue-spotted rays are regularly sighted at this depth, when the sea conditions are calm and favourable, it’s a dive to be savoured.

CRYSTAL BAY

Also known as Penida Bay, the ‘Crystal’ in Crystal Bay refers to the fantastic visibility normally experienced here, which can reach over 40m on a good day. Crystal Bay is certainly one of the area’s most popular dive sites and is a favourite of the visiting mola mola (ocean sunfish) from August-October. The rock in the middle of the bay has very steep drop offs to the south and west and an amazing shelf in the north that is carpeted with wrinkled soft corals in the shallows. A healthy reef, an interesting cave, huge table coral and hundreds of fish of all shapes and sizes – there is not much that this dive site cannot offer!

CENINGAN WALL

This impressive coral wall begins at the foot of the sea cliffs to the north of Ceningan and drops down vertically to a depth of 180m. Currents can be strong here and this site is reserved for experienced divers only. The wall is colourful with dense collections of multi-coloured soft corals and sponges making it fun to explore with plenty of nudibranchs to find. Sweeping out into the current along the wall are inquisitive eagle rays which occasionally join the dive groups for the tour, which winds through schools of oriental sweetlips and sleek unicornfish.

PURA PED, PURA MAS GADING & BUYUK

These three sites are found side by side on Nusa Penida and share similar sloping reef topography. The colourful reef is made even more interesting with big, randomly placed barrel sponges and coral bommies. Schools of redtooth triggerfish, fusiliers, butterflyfish and drummers compete for passing food that rides the ocean currents. Turtles, rays, sea snakes and the occasional mola mola distract divers from the multitude of smaller creatures hiding amongst the corals, such as scorpionfish and frogfish.

TOYAPAKEH

The ‘jewel’ of Penida, Toyapakeh means salt water in Balinese and is the richest site in Penida. It is a divers’ favourite as you often find yourself swimming through school after school of colourful fish of every variety, including the red tooth triggerfish, giant trevallies and batfish. It has a steep wall to the south, terraces with huge hard coral formations in the bay and a shelving reef in the north that drops off gently all the way to 190m! The density of coral, sponge and fish life is incredible, even the infamous pygmy seahorse is occasionally spotted here. All this plus occasional larger pelagics such as hammerhead sharks, mantas and sunfish.

SEKOLAH DESA (SD)

Sekolah Dasar means ‘primary school’, but when the currents are running, this site is not for beginners. Although less steep than Blue Corner it has large coral heads and currents that drift you past green and hawksbill turtles, marble rays, sea snakes, octopus, white tip reef sharks and the most diverse collection of corals and sponges in Bali. Not forgetting the resident school of batfish at SD that are almost always a certainty.

Jimbaran

The fishing village Jimbaran, on the way to the peninsula Nusa Dua, is famous for its little fish restaurants on the beach.
For around 16 euro you can eat fresh lobster, crab, tiger prawns or a delicious Red Snapper!
Join a table at around half past five to admire the beautiful sunset and enjoy the good food and the romantic atmosphere on the beach in the evening.
Wine lovers: the local Two Islands Chardonnay is alright. The other wines are not so good.
2018: You can still eat fish in Jimbaran, but it has become a very popular place. Prices have gone up, it’s very busy and less romantic. But the food is still good though…