# Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali

> Manta Point is a reef off Nusa Penida's south coast, below sheer cliffs, where reef manta rays visit a natural cleaning station. Rays several metres across are seen almost year-round, though sightings aren't guaranteed. It's reachable only by boat, on a snorkeling or dive trip from Sanur, Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida. The water is cooler and choppier than at Bali's beaches.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/manta-point

- City: [Bali](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali), Indonesia
- YesGo score: 19/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 3 h
- Entry: Tour only
- Opening hours: Mornings — boats leave early while the sea is calmer
- 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, 115.52949
- Facts checked: 10.11.2026

## Key facts

- **Cleaning station** — mantas visit the reef for small fish to pick off parasites (source: Nusa Penida dive centres)
- **Year-round** — mantas are seen in almost any season (source: Nusa Penida dive centres)
- **Reef mantas** — Mobula alfredi — wingspan usually 3–4 metres (source: marine wildlife references)
- **Protected area** — the waters around Nusa Penida are a marine protected area (source: travel guides)
- **South coast** — the reef sits below limestone cliffs, with no way down from land (source: OpenStreetMap)

## 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.

> **Swimming with mantas: etiquette** Don't touch the rays or swim across their path — keep a few metres away and don't block them. If a manta moves off, let it go. No flash photography, and don't stand on the coral. Use reef-safe sunscreen only.

## 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

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.

- [Saraswati Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pura-taman-saraswati) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000
- [Ayung River Rafting](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ayung-rafting) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ IDR 400,000–500,000
- [Tegenungan Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegenungan-waterfall) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 20,000–30,000
- [Kanto Lampo Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kanto-lampo-waterfall) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 25,000
- [Devil's Tear](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/devils-tear) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Jimbaran Fish Market](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/jimbaran-fish-market) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
- [Tanah Lot Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tanah-lot) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · IDR 75,000
- [Taman Ayun Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ayun) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000
- [Legian Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/legian-beach) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free
- [Nusa Dua Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/nusa-dua-beach) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free
- [Kuta Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kuta-beach) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free
- [Jimbaran Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/jimbaran-bay) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free
- [Seminyak Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/seminyak-beach) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free
- [Tirta Empul Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-empul) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000
- [Tukad Cepung Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tukad-cepung-waterfall) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 25,000
- [Tanjung Benoa](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tanjung-benoa) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · beach free; banana ≈ IDR 80,000
- [Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/broken-beach) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Small fee
- [Nusa Ceningan](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/nusa-ceningan) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free
- [Tirta Gangga Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tirta-gangga) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Ulun Danu Beratan Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ulun-danu-bratan) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · IDR 100,000
- [Taman Ujung Water Palace](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ujung) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000
- [Lake Batur](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/lake-batur) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free; hot springs ≈ IDR 200,000
- [Kelingking Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kelingking-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Diamond Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/diamond-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Atuh Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/atuh-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee
- [Padang Padang Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/padang-padang-beach) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ IDR 15,000
- [Crystal Bay](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/crystal-bay) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Small fee
- [Amed](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/amed) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free
- [Pemuteran](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pemuteran) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free
- [Sekumpul Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/sekumpul-waterfall) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 20,000–250,000
- [Melasti Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/melasti-beach) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 10,000
- [Pandawa Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pandawa-beach) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 25,000
- [Dreamland Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/dreamland-beach) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free, paid parking
- [Geger Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/geger-beach) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000
- [Manta Point](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/manta-point) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Tour only
- [Tulamben](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tulamben) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Small fee
- [West Bali National Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/west-bali-national-park) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · ≈ IDR 200,000 + guide
- [Menjangan Island](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/menjangan) — YesGo score 15/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · trip ≈ IDR 500,000

## 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 Point](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/manta-point) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Tour only
2. [Crystal Bay](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/crystal-bay) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Small fee
3. [Kelingking Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kelingking-beach) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Small fee

## Tips

- 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](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/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.

## How we checked

The 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.

## Sources

- 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

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