Manta Point Nusa Penida: Snorkelling With Manta Ray

Snorkelling with Manta Rays at Manta Point on the Island of Nusa Penida, near Bali, is a bucket list adventure and ethereal experience. I jumped into the water off the boat and looked down. Below me were 5 circling manta rays, each with a snowy-white underbelly and funny little horns. Truthfully, I couldn’t believe it, we’d been on a tour the day before and saw nothing, not even a turtle… that’s because we didn’t know which tour we should be on, and there’s the secret, you need to head to Manta Point, not Manta Bay in Nusa Penida.

As your ears submerge the water line, cutting off the tourist chatter, you’ll see the rays gliding through the water with a wingspan of up to 7m, these creatures have the ability to mesmerise you, allowing you to think about nothing apart from the vast ocean and beasts floating effortlessly below you, Manta Ray Snorkelling is truly unique. 

Now the secrets out about Manta Point, read on to find out how to book onto the correct snorkelling tour to swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida as well as our honest opinion on the Manta Bay & Manta Point snorkelling tours. 

Oh and just a heads-up we’re not underwater photographers, but all the photos we’ve shared are originals from our own trip!

Contents

Where Is Manta Point Nusa Penida?

The island of Nusa Penida is only 35 minutes from Bali, and where these friendly giants live. You can choose to do a day tour from Bali but we recommend spending some time exploring one of our favourite islands in Indonesia. 

As mentioned in the introduction, Manta Point is the best place to swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida. Although occasional sightings happen at Manta Bay Nusa Penida, we had no luck when we visited. To us, Manta Point felt more promising, while Manta Bay seemed like a tourist trap where you 'might' catch a glimpse of a ray, but of course this is our own opinion.

How To Get To Manta Point Nusa Penida?

You will need to join a tour to visit Manta Point and snorkel with Manta Rays. You can book your tour online, just make sure they include Manta Point as a stop, like this one here. We booked our tour on the island of Nusa Penida after talking to the boat captain of our first snorkelling tour that took us to Manta Bay. This was when he told us to have a good chance of swimming with the rays we need to go on a different boat, one that stops at Manta Point. He gave us a contact to book our tour. 

To contact the same tour guide that helped us book a Manta Point Snorkelling trip head over to Instagram and message dy-tour-guide. 

The other way to experience the rays at Manta Point is actually from above. You can head to Manta Point viewpoint via scooter to watch them float by in the turquoise water. We also managed to spot turtles. 

Our Experience Snorkelling At Manta Point 

The day started off early, we were actually leaving this day and booked on this tour at the last minute to give us the chance to swim with Manta Rays one more time, after our failed attempt at Manta Bay the day before. This meant in true budget backpacker style we turned up to the boat tour with our 40L backpacker after a 40-minute hike in the sun to Virgin Beach Club where our tour left from (Is anyone else as crazy as us or do you just pay for the taxi?). 

Anyway, back to the tour, we were optimistic but trying not to get our hopes up as the day before we barely saw a fish. Anyway after the chopping ride to Manta Point (a few sick bags later, luckily not us) we donned our flippers and entered the water. Kate entered first and.. WOW, 5 massive rays circled beneath her. The feeling of being the only one in the water with mammoth animals that command their habitat is like no other, a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course it didn’t last long as we were soon joined by hordes of tourists and tourist boats. 

This is where my reservations come in, because I struggle to see how it can be ethical. There was no feeding or touching but there were multiple boats with tens of tourists. Now you might think I'm a hypocrite, writing about it and sharing it without knowing the ethics, but if it resonates with you I suggest checking with local marine conservation organisations before booking. The Manta Trust and Marine Megafauna Foundation both provide guidelines for responsible manta ray tourism. 

While I cherished my experience swimming with these gentle giants, I also believe we should question our impact as travellers, both before and after the experiences. 

The rest of the tour followed with stops in the bay we’d seen the day before, we saw a few tropical fish but really the star of the show were the rays. The tour takes the whole morning but you’ll be back to grab some lunch from one of the restaurants nearby, we went to Pondok Bakar which did an incredible Indonesian Food.

Bring your own snorkel mask, it will be better than the one they provide, plus you’ll know it’s clean!

Manta Point Vs Manta Bay Snorkelling 

Perhaps I’m going on a bit here but I can't stress enough that to swim with Manta Rays in Nusa Penida you need to head to Manta Point not Manta Bay. The snorkelling tour we went on to Manta Bay had a few notable stops such as Gamat Bay, Crystal Bay and The Wall but we didn’t see much while snorkelling. 

Manta Point is an area the rays visit to feed on the plankton meaning sightings here are often and almost guaranteed.  

Manta Point Viewpoint: Spotting Rays From Above In Nusa Penida

I mentioned above about Manta Point Viewpoint or sometimes known as Manta Point Cliff View, an area of cliff that overlooks the snorkelling spot where the rays gather to feed. Although not as intense, remarkable or other-worldly as getting in the water and snorkelling with the rays, we were still amazed when we sighted two rays here. 

They look small, insignificant against the large cliff face and appear as tiny black dots in the ocean. We visited here before snorkelling and the size of these creatures is somewhat intimidating but up on the viewpoint they look miniature, that is until you spot a turtle… if your eyesight is good enough! 

If you’ve decided to head to Manta Point there is scooter parking right on the cliff making it super accessible, I can’t remember if there is a parking fee but if there is it will be small, less than 50p. 

Best Nusa Penida Snorkelling Tours & How To Book A Manta Point Snorkelling Tour 

To contact the same tour guide that helped us book a Manta Point Snorkelling trip head over to Instagram and message dy-tour-guide or check out these tours online which will be easier to book and guarantee availability.

Tour from Bali that includes Manta Point: Book Here

Tour we recommend from Nusa Penida that includes Manta Point: Book Here

5 Things You Should Know About Manta Rays 

1. They have the biggest brains of any fish. Manta rays are incredibly intelligent, with large brains that allow them to exhibit problem-solving & social interaction.

   
   

2. Each manta ray has a unique belly pattern. Just like a fingerprint, the spot pattern on the underside of a manta ray is unique to each individual.

   
   

3. They can have wingspans up to 7 meters. Giant oceanic manta rays can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) across, making them some of the largest rays in the ocean.

   
   

4. They don’t have stingers. Unlike stingrays, manta rays are completely harmless to humans. They lack a venomous stinger and feed only on plankton and small fish.

   
   

5. They love getting cleaned. Manta rays often visit "cleaning stations" on coral reefs where tiny fish pick parasites and dead skin off their bodies. It's like an underwater spa day and exactly what happens at Manta Point.

   
   

   

   
   

FAQ's About Swimming With Manta Rays in Nusa Penida

When Is The Best Time For Manta Ray Snorkelling At Manta Point?

The good news is that Manta Point is a year-round dive destination and you’ll always have a chance of spotting the Manta Rays. 

However there are some things to consider, water temperatures are warmer November to June, making snorkelling more enjoyable. Also, visibility drops during the rainy season from December to March, when rough seas can make diving more difficult. The dry season from April to November offers calmer conditions and better visibility, with the best chances of seeing manta rays from April to May and September to November, although they are present all year.

We always like to do wildlife tours in the morning. Mornings often bring calmer seas, better visibility, and a higher chance of spotting manta rays as they come to feed and get cleaned by reef fish.

How Much Does It Cost To Snorkel At Manta Point? 

What's The Difference Between Manta Point & Manta Bay In Nusa Penida?

Is It Safe To Swim With Manta Rays At Manta Point?

How do I get to Manta Point from Bali?

What Should I Bring For A Manta Point Snorkelling Tour?

Best Places To Stay In Nusa Penida 

Nusa Penida is an island that captures the raw, untamed beauty of Indonesia. While accommodation is scattered across the island, we recommend staying near the port in the north for convenience. We stayed just a short drive away at Grealeen Cottages - and we couldn’t recommend it more! The bed was the comfiest Mike has ever slept on, and each morning we were served a fresh fruit breakfast!

If Grealeen isn’t available or you’re looking for a beachfront resort we loved the look of Blue Harbor Beachfront Villas & Resto, and heard great things about La Colina Bungalow.

Tours In Nusa Penida

Tips For Travelling Nusa Penida

If you're planning a trip to Nusa Penida, here are our top travel tips:

1. Plan your transport ahead of time - Getting to Nusa Penida involves a fast boat from Bali, and tickets can sell out, especially during peak season. Book in advance and arrive early at the port for check-in.

2. Start your day early - Popular spots like Kelingking Beach, Diamond Beach, and Angel’s Billabong get crowded quickly. Arriving early not only beats the crowds but also helps avoid the midday heat.

3. Head to Manta Point - If you want to snorkel with Manta Rays book a tour to Manta Point, not Manta Bay.

4. Rent a scooter - The roads can be rough and steep in places, but a scooter gives you the freedom to explore the island’s dramatic cliffs, beaches, and viewpoints at your own pace.

Final Thoughts on Manta Point Snorkelling 

Snorkelling with manta rays at Manta Point was hands-down one of the most surreal experiences we’ve had in Southeast Asia. From gliding giants to an ocean full of life, it’s something we’ll never forget. But beyond the thrill, it’s also a reminder of how lucky we are to witness marine life like this and how important it is to protect it. If you’re in Nusa Penida, Manta Point is the place to be and trust us, it’s worth every second.

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