Page 38 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

The Nusa Islands The Nusa Islands

Crystal Bay is easily one of the most Toyapakeh Bay and Ceningan Wall are Snorkeling and Freediving Highlights
famous dive sites in the region and is best both located to the north of the channel
known for its seasonal mola sightings. which separates Nusa Penida and Nusa
The site combines a shallow sandy patch, Ceningan. These sites can be more
sloping reef and drop off. Currents here challenging as currents can be stronger Nusa Lembongan and Nusa The coral gardens on both sides of Crystal
can be unpredictable especially at the here due to the vast body of water running Penida offer a plethora of Bay also offer colorful snorkeling and a
drop off. There is also a small “bat cave” through this narrow channel. The currents opportunities for freedivers range of marine life but care should be
which can be entered from the north bring hoards of fish and these vibrant and snorkelers. Both of taken when there is heavy boat traffic
side of the rock pinnacle. On a good day slopes and walls will rarely disappoint the Manta Point sites on coming in to and out of the bay.
Crystal Bay has unbeatable visibility, is even the most seasoned of divers. the south coast of Nusa Penida offer year
bursting with color and teeming with fish. round manta ray sightings from the surface. Another popular spot for snorkeling is
Blue Corner, also known as Jurassic Point, A popular spot for free divers is just outside around the day trip pontoons positioned
The north coasts of Nusa Penida and Nusa is a site for more advanced divers. This of the fringing reef of Lembongan Bay in Lembongan Bay. Snorkelers here will
Lembongan offer kilometers of sloping site combines drop offs and mini-walls where there is an abundance of fish and see a selection of Balinese statues which
reef which is usually drift dived. Dive sites with huge boulder formations in the good conditions for using lines. have been placed underwater and are
have an abundant mix of healthy hard depths. The site is usually dived deep now encrusted in corals and attract small
and soft corals these productive reefs are and marine life sightings here can be The entire north coasts of Nusa Lembongan reef fish. Marine life highlights include a
visited by seasonal mola, barracuda, jacks, phenomenal – anything from huge flying- and Nusa Penida offer shallow water coral range of colorful anemone fish species,
schooling drummers and all manner of saucer looking marble rays through to garden and are ideal for snorkeling from a sweetlips, damsel fish, moray eels,
reef inhabitants. Current strength varies eagle rays, barracuda, schooling mola, boat which allows snorkelers to drift along parrotfish, Moorish idols, surgeonfish and
but is predictably stronger around full tuna, barracuda and turtles. with the prevailing currents. numerous butterflyfish
moon.

72 Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory Wonderful Indonesia Diving and Snorkeling Directory 73