Dive site · access from Nusa Penida
Manta Bay
A shallow bay used as a manta feeding ground rather than a cleaning station.
- Depth
- 3–12m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Surface-feeding reef mantas — foraging in 79% of sightings, with immature males dominating
- Sheltered on the west coast, so it runs when Manta Point is closed by swell
- Shared with heavy snorkel-boat traffic; the shallow depth puts everyone in the same few metres
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Conditions can change. Confirm depth, current and access with a local operator.
Access and timing
Plan this through Nusa Penida
Best overall months: Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Nusa Penida
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Manta Bay.
Giant sunfish (bump-head mola)
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | occasional |
| August | peak season |
| September | peak season |
| October | peak season |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Reef manta ray
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | peak season |
| May | peak season |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Pelagic thresher shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Bumphead parrotfish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Hawksbill turtle
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked August 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- Contrasting Habitat Use and Population Dynamics of Reef Manta Rays Within the Nusa Penida MPA, Frontiers in Marine Science
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.