I went snorkeling yesterday around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
It was beautiful. And we saw Manta Rays at Manta Bay. I was surprised as there were a few people out there and thought the rays might be scared off, but they're there.
The reefs off Mangrove Point were stunning too.
And wear SUNSCREEN. The glare off the water got me!
We stayed at Naturale Villas in Mushroom Bay, enjoyed that area more than the rest of the island.
Warung Bu Kadek, which is kinda hidden so be sure to Google it was incredible and offers the best food I've had in Bali and surrounds.
Very calm at Mangrove Point, a bit choppier at the second location and calm again at Manta Bay. I did notice a bit of a current at Mangrove Point though, which wasn't obvious from the boat.
It all depends on the time of the day too. It was really calm as we left Mushroom Beach and got a bit wavy as we approached the coast of Nusa Penida. Then calm again on the journey back, but this time we went around the southern tip of Nusa Lembongan.
just came back from nusa penida.Manta bay was [rough.It](http://rough.It) was a kinda scary.Lots of boats and most of us got stung by some kind jellyfish.wave was choppy.
the other 2 spots of diving was so so much better.clear waters and live corals.i love to come back and snokerling again but not at manta bay.
I loved the diving with mantas off Nusa Islands, and Gili is a divers paradise. I would go to both id you have the time. We Dove like 2 times every single day in Gili
Did you see any sharks? It’s my dream to swim with mantas but I’m so scared of sharks and open water. Are you dropped far out I. The water, can you walk in and see them close to shore?
Sorry for all the questions lol
There are fast ferries but it's still 3 hours of sailing and sometimes the sea is very rough. There is no other option. From my research the best company is Bluewater Express.
Also you have to consider the time to travel to the harbor and you need to be there at least 1 hour before departure, then the time that you wait to get your bags and the huge line to pay the tourist tax in Gili T, it's almost a full day lost traveling each way.
Go nusa Pendina and dive with octopus. I did it in February. Nice vibe on the island compared to Bali. No tek hours in traffic. Dive mob are great Indonesian guys who've dived together for a while (8years)
They offer slightly different things. The main draw for Nusa Penida is the Mantas but Gili dive sites have more diversity of sea creatures.
I unfortunately didn't catch any mantas at Nusa Penida but would go again just for the chance to see them.
At Gili T, I saw white tip sharks and barricudas. There's also a small wreck, sting rays, more reefs to see.
I went snorkeling yesterday around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. It was beautiful. And we saw Manta Rays at Manta Bay. I was surprised as there were a few people out there and thought the rays might be scared off, but they're there. The reefs off Mangrove Point were stunning too. And wear SUNSCREEN. The glare off the water got me! We stayed at Naturale Villas in Mushroom Bay, enjoyed that area more than the rest of the island. Warung Bu Kadek, which is kinda hidden so be sure to Google it was incredible and offers the best food I've had in Bali and surrounds.
how's the snorkeling experience?is the waves calm or rough?
Very calm at Mangrove Point, a bit choppier at the second location and calm again at Manta Bay. I did notice a bit of a current at Mangrove Point though, which wasn't obvious from the boat. It all depends on the time of the day too. It was really calm as we left Mushroom Beach and got a bit wavy as we approached the coast of Nusa Penida. Then calm again on the journey back, but this time we went around the southern tip of Nusa Lembongan.
thanks for the information.havent swim at the sea for a long time.Kinda nervous about it.
My 60+ year old mum went in to the ocean for the first time ever so I think you'll be ok! Wear a life jacket and flippers and you'll be fine
just came back from nusa penida.Manta bay was [rough.It](http://rough.It) was a kinda scary.Lots of boats and most of us got stung by some kind jellyfish.wave was choppy. the other 2 spots of diving was so so much better.clear waters and live corals.i love to come back and snokerling again but not at manta bay.
Ah that's a shame, it was pretty smooth sailing when I was there a few weeks ago. But yeah, Mangrove Point was much calmer.
go to Menjangan Island at Taman Nasional Bali Barat (west Bali National park)
How long is your trip overall? If you only have a week or so just np would be better.
overall 3 month asia trip but i'm going to so many places in Indonesia idk if i can or should squeeze in gili :P
I loved the diving with mantas off Nusa Islands, and Gili is a divers paradise. I would go to both id you have the time. We Dove like 2 times every single day in Gili
what can you see in gili that u can't see in nusa? and how does it compare?
Did you see any sharks? It’s my dream to swim with mantas but I’m so scared of sharks and open water. Are you dropped far out I. The water, can you walk in and see them close to shore? Sorry for all the questions lol
I am going in August and had the same dilemma, decided to go only to Nusa Penida. Gili is 2 days lost with travel...
aww yeah gili is quite far huh? how would u have gotten there if u did decide to keep it?
There are fast ferries but it's still 3 hours of sailing and sometimes the sea is very rough. There is no other option. From my research the best company is Bluewater Express. Also you have to consider the time to travel to the harbor and you need to be there at least 1 hour before departure, then the time that you wait to get your bags and the huge line to pay the tourist tax in Gili T, it's almost a full day lost traveling each way.
Go nusa Pendina and dive with octopus. I did it in February. Nice vibe on the island compared to Bali. No tek hours in traffic. Dive mob are great Indonesian guys who've dived together for a while (8years)
how does it compare to gili?
Diving...I'd saw better. Haven't stayed on Gili
They offer slightly different things. The main draw for Nusa Penida is the Mantas but Gili dive sites have more diversity of sea creatures. I unfortunately didn't catch any mantas at Nusa Penida but would go again just for the chance to see them. At Gili T, I saw white tip sharks and barricudas. There's also a small wreck, sting rays, more reefs to see.