Snorkelling with manta rays in Bali is an amazing experience that you can enjoy at the island of Nusa Penida. Manta rays are truly majestic creatures, and it’s a rare opportunity to get up close to them in the wild. Swimming with wild manta rays is easily one of the best things to do in Nusa Penida, as they are regularly spotted in the appropriately named Manta Point. This guide covers everything you need to know about snorkelling with manta rays in Nusa Penida, Bali.
Hoping to see more wildlife in Bali? Check out our guide to the best places to see monkeys in Bali!
Where to see manta rays in Bali?
The best place to see manta rays in Bali is at Manta Point, on the southern side of Nusa Penida Island. Manta Point is only accessible by boat, so if you want to swim with the manta rays you will need to arrange a snorkelling tour or diving trip.
Snorkelling tours are easy to arrange on the island, as swimming with the manta rays is one of the most popular things to do in Nusa Penida. It’s also possible to arrange trips to Manta Point from the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, as well as from mainland Bali.
An alternative option is to take a taxi or drive yourself to the cliffs above Manta Point, but you will not be able to access the water to swim with the manta rays. It is sometimes possible to see the manta rays from the cliffs, but personally we recommend taking a snorkelling trip so that you can see them up close!
Snorkelling with Manta Rays is the perfect addition to your 2 week itinerary in Bali!
When can you swim with manta rays in Bali?
Manta Point in Nusa Penida is a wonderful snorkelling and diving spot, where manta rays can be seen all year round.
The best time to swim with manta rays in Nusa Penida is during dry season – between May and October – as during this period the sea tends to be more calm and the visibility is better. Snorkelling tours to see manta run all year round, and can be booked from both Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, as well as mainland Bali.
Manta Ray Snorkelling Tour From Bali
For those staying on mainland Bali there is a convenient option to take a day trip to snorkel with the manta rays in Nusa Penida. The trip includes three snorkelling spots, such as Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay, and Manta Point.
In cases of bad weather it may not be possible to visit Manta Bay, but most of the time this won’t be an issue. As well as three snorkelling stops, the tour also includes a beachside lunch and a mangrove kayaking tour.
These snorkelling tours from Bali start from just 977,000 IDR per person, or 1,050,000 IDR per person including pick up and drop off to hotels in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur, Canggu, and Ubud. It’s easy to book your trip in advance through Get Your Guide, so book ahead to avoid missing out!
Click here to book an unforgettable snorkelling trip from Bali on the Get Your Guide website!
Manta Ray Snorkelling Tour from Nusa Lembongan
It’s also possible to arrange a manta ray snorkelling tour from Nusa Lembongan, one of the two islands nearby to Nusa Penida. These tours involve three snorkelling stops from a range of options, including Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh, and Gamat Bay.
Snorkelling tours from Nusa Lembongan start from just 350,000 IDR per person if you just want to snorkel, or there is an option to include lunch and a mangrove tour for 550,000 IDR per person.
Click here to book a snorkelling tour from Nusa Lembongan on the Get Your Guide website!
Manta Ray Snorkelling Tour from Nusa Penida
While many people opt to take a tour from Bali or Nusa Lembongan, it’s also possible to arrange a manta ray snorkelling tour from Nusa Penida itself. Tours include three snorkelling stops, including a visit to Manta Point where you will hopefully see majestic manta rays!
On top of the snorkelling, tours also include a buffet lunch at Paradise Beach and a mangrove tour by kayak, paddleboard, or gondola. These tours cost just 650,000 IDR per person, and can be booked online in advance via Get Your Guide.
Click here to book this amazing snorkelling tour through Get Your Guide!
Nusa Penida Marine Retribution Fee
As of July 2023 there is a marine retribution fee of 100,000 IDR per person to snorkel, dive, or swim in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area. This fee is normally not included in the price of tours, so it’s important to be aware of this extra cost.
If you are going to snorkel or dive multiple times in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area then there is the option of paying a fee that covers up to 6 months at a time. These options are as follows:
- Up to one month: 200,000 IDR
- Up to three months: 500,000 IDR
- Up to six months: 800,000 IDR
It’s possible to pay your marine retribution fee online via the Bali Marine Park government website. The website isn’t fully in English so can be a little confusing to navigate, but if you follow the below instructions it should work:
- Click here to visit the government website!
- Hover over the ‘Entrance Ticket’ heading in the top right and then click ‘E-ticketing Bali Tourism’ from the drop down menu.
- Search Nusa Penida in the search box that appears.
- Select KKP Nusa Penida and then select Cari Tiket
- You should now be able to select the appropriate ticket type and pay the relevant fee.
Tips for swimming with manta rays in Nusa Penida, Bali
Keep a respectful distance – When snorkelling with the manta rays in Nusa Penida it’s important to keep a respectful distance from them. They are wild animals in their natural habitat, so
Don’t touch the manta rays – Following on from the point above, never try to touch or feed the manta rays. Doing so can be harmful to both the manta rays and yourself, so make sure to only admire them with your eyes.
Rough seas – We were surprised at how rough and choppy the sea was when we were swimming with the manta rays in Nusa Penida. The waves and current were very strong, and some people on the tour opted to stay on the boat as they didn’t feel confident swimming in those conditions.
As long as you’re a fairly strong swimmer you should be fine, but just be prepared for the potential of strong currents.
Help preserve the environment – Unfortunately on our visit there was a lot of plastic floating in the sea at Manta Point. Plastic can be extremely harmful to manta rays and other marine life, so please take extra care to ensure you don’t contribute to the problem – either intentionally or accidentally.
We also recommend using reef-friendly sun cream in order to do everything you can to help protect the environment.
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