Meeting the manta rays of Nusa Penida with Mario

What if you met the manta rays of Nusa Penida away from the bustle of the busiest hours?

Mario is a local fisherman and knows the waters around Nusa Penida like the back of his hand. Passionate about marine life, he has a particular fondness for the manta rays he has been watching for many years.

The departure is deliberately set for 6.30am, when the sites are usually quieter and many boats have not yet arrived. The aim is a more peaceful encounter, without surrounding the manta rays or disturbing them in their natural environment.

You will board a boat entirely private to your group before setting off to discover Manta Bay, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay. Mario may change the order of the stops depending on the weather, visibility, currents and where the animals are.

The waters around Nusa Penida can carry some current. It is therefore important to be comfortable enough in the water and to always follow Mario's instructions before each entry.

While watching the rays, the following rules must be respected:

• never touch the manta rays;

• do not chase them;

• do not block their path;

• keep a reasonable distance;

• avoid sudden movements and unnecessary splashing;

• follow the instructions given by Mario and his team.

Manta rays have a natural protective layer on their skin. Touching them can weaken that protection and leave them more vulnerable. The best way to enjoy the encounter is to watch them calmly and let them move freely.

🚐 Pick-up at your hotel

Mario or his team collects you directly from where you are staying on Nusa Penida. The exact time will be confirmed based on your location.

🚤 6.30am · Departure by private boat

An early start, to reach the spots before the busiest hours. This keeps the number of boats around the animals down and makes for a more peaceful experience.

Mario talks you through how the trip will go and the rules to follow so that marine life is not disturbed.

🐋 Snorkelling at Manta Bay

First entry into the water, in one of the areas manta rays frequent.

Mario chooses the most suitable zone for the day's conditions. If manta rays are present, you must keep a reasonable distance, not block their path and never try to touch them.

Watching them calmly, without chasing, respects their wellbeing and their natural behaviour.

Manta Point option: when booking, you can choose Manta Point instead of Manta Bay. This spot gives you around 20% more chance of seeing manta rays. The trip then continues straight to Gamat Bay.

💎 Snorkelling at Crystal Bay

On to Crystal Bay for its clear waters, tropical fish and seabed.

There can sometimes be current. Whether you enter the water will always depend on conditions and on Mario's judgement.

🐠 Snorkelling at Gamat Bay

A final snorkelling session at Gamat Bay, known for its corals and colourful marine life.

Mario will adapt how long you swim and the area explored to the currents, visibility and the level of the group.

🚤 9.00–9.30am · Return

Back to the starting point between roughly 9.00 and 9.30am, depending on the state of the sea, the currents and the time spent at each spot.

🚐 Back to your hotel

After the trip, you are taken directly back to your accommodation on Nusa Penida.