There are many great dive sites in Bali and sometimes it’s hard to decide where to go for a great scuba diving holiday. Here are 6 good reasons to choose Nusa Penida to enjoy above and under water magic moments.
1. Great Scuba diving
The first thing you want out of a scuba diving holiday is, well, obviously, great diving! Nusa Penida has a great variety of sites with a plethora of species, an abundance of fantastic reefs full of hard and soft coral and of course, lest we forget, Manta rays year around and Mola molas in season. The currents can be strong but with a professionally run dive operation even the newest of divers can enjoy these incredible dives in a safe environment. We might be slightly biaised but we do think it offers some of the best diving in Bali!
2. Easy access to dive sites
The diving is so great in Nusa Penida that people come from wide and far to dive here. Dive operators from Sanur, Padang Bai, Nusa Lembongan, and other parts of Bali all come here to dive. A lot of them turn up at the same time because they depend on boat operators and tides to get there. This means they all dive at the same time, so the site is crowded, and they charge way more since they use more petrol to get there. If you go from Nusa Penida, you are often alone or only with one or two other boats, diving prices are much lower and you’re back in a jiffy after the dives with time to enjoy all the other great things to do on the island.
3. Not just diving
Nusa Penida is a stunning island. There are incredible natural features to see, you only have to look up Nusa Penida on Instagram to know it. You only dive for half the day (unless you want more) so you have time to explore the incredible coast line, caves, secret beaches and beautiful scenery after the diving. If one of you doesn’t dive, they won’t be bored whilst you’re underwater, they can go off exploring the magnificent and mostly still wild island.
4. Easy to get to
There are boats every couple of hours to Nusa Penida and the Harbour is less than 30mn from the airport. The boat ride takes 40mn to leave crowded built-up south Bali for Nusa Penida’s natural wonderland. You can enjoy the trendy Seminyak and Canggu night life then get up the next day at a leisurely hour and still be in Penida by lunch time.
5. Still off the beaten track but already has everything
Even though it has got a lot of hype over the last year, Nusa Penida is still a new destination in Bali. The hotel options over the last two years have grown to meet international standards and expectations so you can stay in full comfort; the tree houses and simple places are still around too though, if you fancy a bit more of a grass roots feel. A lot of the cool spots on the island are still little known and apart from a couple of famous points, you can drive for quite a while without seeing another tourist. Locals are still keen to meet and interact with foreigners so you can share authentic special moments with them. Nevertheless, the North coast now has a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars since the Bali trend setters have already moved in and opened fun and interesting places.
6. Eco touch
A lot of the people wanting to open businesses in Nusa Penida love nature that’s why they want to live in this incredible natural haven. Thus, many businesses are very eco conscious, organising clean ups, going plastic free, zero/reduced waste, building ecological constructions, sourcing locally. If you care about your impact as a visitor, research where you’re going to dive, sleep, eat, play. There are many good eco friendly options in Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida has become a must see in Bali, don’t miss out on its incredible beauty underwater and above. Have fun and happy bubbles.
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