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Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali

Reef manta ray with a white belly and wide fins gliding over coral in blue water
Photo: Tilo Kauerhoff (Tilonaut), CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Tour only
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
Mornings — boats leave early while the sea is calmer
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
3 h
With kids
Better without small kids
Access
Boat only, on a snorkeling or dive trip
What you'll see
Reef manta rays, almost year-round
Depth
Mantas often near the surface; diving is for the experienced
Sea
Often choppy, with cool water
Trips from
Sanur, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida
Coordinates
-8.79848, 115.52949YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Cleaning stationmantas visit the reef for small fish to pick off parasites
SourceNusa Penida dive centres
Year-roundmantas are seen in almost any season
SourceNusa Penida dive centres
Reef mantasMobula alfredi — wingspan usually 3–4 metres
Sourcemarine wildlife references
Protected areathe waters around Nusa Penida are a marine protected area
Sourcetravel guides
South coastthe reef sits below limestone cliffs, with no way down from land
SourceOpenStreetMap

Manta Point snorkeling

Mantas often cruise near the surface or a few metres down, so you can see them with just a mask. The boat usually stops over the reef, the guide points out the rays and the group swims over.

This isn't a calm lagoon, though: the south coast is often choppy with currents, the water is noticeably cooler and the boat rolls. You need to be a confident swimmer; tours usually provide a life vest — wear it.

Diving at Manta Point

For divers, Manta Point is one of the region's headline sites: you can watch the rays circling the cleaning station for a long time without chasing them. Dives are usually shallow, but swell, currents and cold water mean it's recommended for experienced divers.

Dive centres in Sanur, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida run trips here, often combined with Crystal Bay, where mola mola sunfish appear from July to October.

About Manta Point

Manta Point is a stretch of reef off Nusa Penida's south coast, below sheer limestone cliffs. It works as a natural cleaning station: reef mantas swim up to the rocks, where small cleaner fish pick parasites off their skin. That's why the rays circle in one spot for long periods — making them easy to watch.

It's often searched as 'Manta Point Bali', but it lies off the neighbouring island, and it's reachable only by boat: there's no way down from the cliffs.

How to get to Manta Point

The easiest way is a snorkeling tour: from Sanur the boat heads to Nusa Penida and usually stops at three or four spots, Manta Point among them. Hotel transfers, masks and lunch are often included.

If you're staying on Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, trips start right there and the boat ride is shorter. Divers book through a dive centre.

How to get to Manta Point by boat

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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destinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. Snorkeling tour from Sanur — hotel transfer, boat and masks included.
  2. From Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida — a short boat ride with a local operator.
  3. Diving — through a dive centre, with a guide.
  4. Combine it with Crystal Bay and the west-coast beaches.

Manta season and best time to go

Mantas are here almost year-round. Go in the morning, when the sea is calmer and visibility better. The dry season, April to October, usually brings better boating weather, though the water off the south coast is colder then.

Trips can be cancelled or moved in rough seas — keep a spare day in your plans.

Who it suits

  • Confident swimmers — swell and currents take effort.
  • Experienced divers — cold water and currents.
  • People who don't get seasick — the boat rolls; take a tablet beforehand.
  • Not suitable for small children or weak swimmers.

Is Manta Point worth it?

Yes: swimming beside a manta several metres across is one of Bali's most memorable experiences, and the odds of an encounter here are very good.

YesGo's take: it's not a gentle dip — swell, cool water and the boat's roll are tiring, and sightings aren't guaranteed. Choose a small-group tour with a good guide and leave small children at home.

Bali beaches and snorkeling compared

Beaches, coves and snorkeling spots on Bali and Nusa Penida rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Saraswati Temple4530 minfree; dance ≈ IDR 100,00043.9 km
Ayung River Rafting293 h≈ IDR 400,000–500,00047.4 km
Tegenungan Waterfall291 h≈ IDR 20,000–30,00036.1 km
Kanto Lampo Waterfall2945 min≈ IDR 25,00036.6 km
Devil's Tear2945 minFree16.3 km
Jimbaran Fish Market2945 minFree40.0 km
Tanah Lot Temple261 h 30 minIDR 75,00052.5 km
Taman Ayun Temple261 h≈ IDR 30,000–50,00048.5 km
Legian Beach262 hFree41.4 km
Nusa Dua Beach263 hFree32.9 km
Kuta Beach252 h 30 minFree40.5 km
Jimbaran Beach252 h 30 minFree40.2 km
Seminyak Beach252 h 30 minFree42.4 km
Tirta Empul Temple241 h 15 min≈ IDR 50,000–75,00048.6 km
Tukad Cepung Waterfall241 h≈ IDR 25,00042.6 km
Tanjung Benoa243 hbeach free; banana ≈ IDR 80,00034.4 km
Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong241 hSmall fee11.3 km
Nusa Ceningan243 hFree13.9 km
Tirta Gangga Water Palace241 h≈ IDR 50,00043.4 km
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple231 h 15 minIDR 100,00071.0 km
Taman Ujung Water Palace231 h 15 min≈ IDR 50,00038.9 km
Lake Batur221 h 30 minfree; hot springs ≈ IDR 200,00061.7 km
Kelingking Beach221 h 30 minSmall fee8.1 km
Diamond Beach221 h 30 minSmall fee10.1 km
Atuh Beach221 h 30 minSmall fee10.5 km
Padang Padang Beach212 h≈ IDR 15,00047.1 km
Crystal Bay212 hSmall fee12.2 km
Amed214 hFree53.0 km
Pemuteran214 hFree120.6 km
Sekumpul Waterfall202 h 30 min≈ IDR 20,000–250,00078.9 km
Melasti Beach202 h 30 min≈ IDR 10,00041.2 km
Pandawa Beach202 h 30 min≈ IDR 25,00038.1 km
Dreamland Beach202 h 30 minFree45.2 km
Geger Beach202 h 30 minfree or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,00033.6 km
Manta Pointyou are here193 hTour only—
Tulamben193 hSmall fee58.3 km
West Bali National Park164 h≈ IDR 200,000 + guide134.2 km
Menjangan Island155 htrip ≈ IDR 500,000136.2 km

Nusa Penida from sea and land

Snorkel at Manta Point in the morning, Crystal Bay at midday, then the Kelingking viewpoint. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.

  1. Manta Pointyou are here3 h · Tour only
  2. 211 min walk from the previous stopCrystal Bay2 h · Small fee
  3. 75 min walk from the previous stopKelingking Beach1 h 30 min · Small fee

3 places · about 11 h 16 min with walks · 286 min on foot in total

Go · my route

How to do it right

  • Go in the morning — the sea is calmer.
  • Don't touch the mantas or cut across their path.
  • Take a seasickness tablet before boarding.
  • Keep a spare day in case of rough seas.
  • Nearby: Crystal Bay.

Questions

Where is Manta Point?

Off the south coast of Nusa Penida, southeast of Bali; it's reachable only by boat.

How do I get to Manta Point?

On a snorkeling or dive trip from Sanur, Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida.

Can you see mantas while snorkeling?

Yes, they often swim near the surface, but swell and currents call for confident swimming.

When is manta season?

Mantas are seen almost year-round; go in the morning when the sea is calmer.

Are manta sightings guaranteed?

No, they're wild animals, but the odds here are high.

Is Manta Point suitable for kids?

Not for small children: swell, currents and cool water.

Can you touch the mantas?

No — keep a few metres away and don't cut across their path.

Is the water cold at Manta Point?

Cooler than at Bali's beaches, especially in the dry season.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan dive centres — cleaning station, seasons, dive conditions
  • Marine wildlife references — reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi), size
  • Travel guides — snorkeling tours from Sanur, Nusa Penida marine protected area
  • OpenStreetMap — site coordinates
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 10.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThe cleaning station, seasons and water conditions come from local dive centres; the species and size from marine wildlife references. Tour prices vary by operator and season, so we don't quote them. The etiquette is standard dive-centre guidance. The map point is from OpenStreetMap and marks the reef offshore, not a harbour.

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