Mantas make the ride worth it. I love the small-group guiding that matches your level so you do not have to rush up, and I love that the full gear set and lunch are included. The one thing to watch: your underwater computer is not provided.
This is a tidy, half-day plan built around two classic Nusa Penida locations. You start at Pure Dive Resort in Ped at 8:00am, then hop by fast boat to see mantas at Manta Point and colorful reefs at East Penida (with other big animals possible too).
If you are the type who likes long, unhurried water time, this structure is a good fit. Just keep in mind it depends on weather and you cannot get a refund if you cancel.
In This Review
- Key things that make this trip work
- Nusa Penida’s manta focus: why Manta Point matters
- Getting there from Ped: the 5-hour flow you can plan around
- The two underwater sessions: Manta Point then East Penida
- Stop 1: Manta Point target
- Stop 2: East Penida reef time
- What you should not over-plan
- Small-group guiding and gear you can trust
- Lunch and onboard perks: you won’t spend the day starving
- Marine life odds: what you might see on either session
- Price and value: does $132 make sense?
- Who should book this, and who should consider another option
- Should you book the Nusa Penida two-session trip with Pure Dive Resort?
- FAQ
- Where does this activity start?
- What time does it start?
- How long is the trip?
- What group size should I expect?
- What diving gear is included?
- Is lunch included, and when do you eat?
- Which dive sites are planned?
- Do I need certification?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key things that make this trip work

- Level-matched guidance helps keep water time comfortable for everyone
- Manta Point as the first target gives you your best shot at manta rays
- Two locations in one outing balances big-moment sightings with reef variety
- Powerboat from Ped reduces dead time getting to the sites
- Lunch + refreshments included means you start and finish without scrambling
Nusa Penida’s manta focus: why Manta Point matters

Nusa Penida is famous for big animals, and this trip is built around one specific goal: more time and attention directed toward manta rays. You are guided as a group of similar experience, which is a big deal on a place where currents, depth, and buddy spacing can turn a fun day into a stressed one.
I also like the way this outing sets expectations. The plan targets manta rays at Manta Point, then shifts to reef life at East Penida. Even if you do not get mantas on the day, you are still going to be in the right water for high chances of turtles, eagle rays, tuna, and even mola-mola (oceanic sunfish), since those can show up on any session.
One more practical detail: the boat starts you from Ped, which matters because speed and timing on Penida trips can decide whether you spend the day on a boat or in the water. Here, the emphasis is getting you out to the sites faster.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Nusa Penida.
- ️Nusa Penida by Private Boat – Snorkeling 4 spots, Swim with Mantas + Land Tour
★ 5.0 · 6,424 reviews
Getting there from Ped: the 5-hour flow you can plan around

This is an around-5-hour trip, starting at 8:00am and ending back at the same meeting point. The meeting place is Pure Dive Resort, Nusa Penida (Jl Ped – Buyuk, Ped, Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia). If you are staying somewhere else on the island, you handle your own way to Ped and the resort.
The small-group limit is max 10 travelers, which you can feel. Fewer people means less waiting around for checks, easier gear organization, and usually fewer last-minute decisions that can slow everyone down.
You also get a mobile ticket, so you do not need to print anything. Confirmation comes when you book, unless your booking happens close to departure time—in that case you get confirmation as soon as possible, based on availability.
The trip also lists a moderate physical fitness level. Nothing here screams athletic, but Penida boat days can mean some walking on uneven surfaces and getting in and out of the water with a group, so it helps to be comfortable with that rhythm.
The two underwater sessions: Manta Point then East Penida

This outing is structured as two guided boat sessions, run for people with similar levels of certification.
Stop 1: Manta Point target
Your first session is most likely at Manta Point, the most famous location on Penida for manta rays. The benefit of putting this first is simple: your energy and focus are usually highest early in the day. You also want your best odds at the most weather-sensitive moment, and morning conditions often help keep the plan on track.
Your guides keep groups similar in level so nobody has to rush up early. That translates into more relaxed pacing for you, and fewer situations where someone feels pressured because others are finishing their time sooner.
Stop 2: East Penida reef time
Your second session is most likely East Penida, known for reef scenery and a wide mix of marine life. This is where you typically trade the big-show manta target for variety—more chances to see turtles, eagle rays, tuna, and other reef companions, depending on the day’s conditions.
I like the balance here: one location built for a headline animal, then one built for reef life. If you only do one site, you can end up leaving with only one kind of memory. Two sites usually give you more to talk about later.
What you should not over-plan
Marine sightings are never guaranteed. The trip does not promise specific animals, but it does name several that might happen on either session. Your best move is to look at this as a guided opportunity to be where the life is, with a plan that does not waste your time.
Small-group guiding and gear you can trust

The difference between a good Penida day and a rough one is often not the location—it’s the people managing it.
Here, the guiding approach matters: the group is made up of divers of similar levels. That means you are not stuck negotiating pace with someone who takes longer (or finishes sooner) than you do. It also helps you keep a comfortable schedule and reduces the chance that someone feels rushed to surface.
Gear is included: you get a full set of standard scuba gear, and that is a real value on a day trip. If you arrive without rental gear, you would be paying extra elsewhere and losing time on logistics. The trip also mentions that gear is well maintained, which is exactly what you want on a multi-hour boat day where you do not have time for gear issues.
One catch: your underwater computer is not included. If you rely on one for your planning, bring it. If you are used to your certification method for monitoring time without an instrument, you still might find it helpful to have your own device.
Lunch and onboard perks: you won’t spend the day starving

One of the nicest parts of this trip is that it is not just about being underwater. You get food and fluids covered.
On the boat, you receive drinking water and bottle refill facilities, plus tea, coffee, and light refreshments. Then lunch is served at a cafe on the beach upon arrival.
This matters more than it sounds. Penida boat days can be sun-heavy and salty. If you are trying to do two sessions and you skip lunch planning, you can end up feeling wiped out when you really want to be enjoying the second session.
Also, since the schedule is tight (about 5 hours), having lunch built in helps you avoid the awkward scramble of finding somewhere nearby that fits a dive-day timetable.
Marine life odds: what you might see on either session
This trip names several animals that can happen during either session. Here is how I would think about it, practically:
- Manta rays: your best shot is Manta Point on the first session.
- Turtles: these are possible on either site, so keep your head up even on reef time.
- Eagle rays: also listed as possible.
- Tuna: more likely to show up when visibility and current line up well.
- Mola-mola (oceanic sunfish): this is the wild-card. If it happens, it is a wow moment, but do not plan your whole day around it.
The key is you are not locked into one narrow target. Even if the manta outcome is different from what you hope, you still get a second session aimed at reef life and plenty of other species.
Price and value: does $132 make sense?
At $132 per person, this trip sits in the range where you should ask: what am I actually getting for the money?
From what is included, you are paying for:
- Two guided sessions as a certified group
- Gear included (standard scuba gear)
- Lunch plus onboard drinks and light refreshments
- All fees and taxes
- Boat transport from Ped with a fast setup designed to reach the sites quickly
- A small group capped at 10 travelers
What you are not getting:
- Underwater computer
- Anything beyond lunch/refeshments (no mention of extra meals)
When I look at value, the gear + lunch combo is often the deciding factor. Renting gear plus finding lunch separately can add up quickly on Penida. Also, being guided with level-matched groups can save you from that uncomfortable scenario where your schedule does not fit the group’s pace.
The price is also helped by the fact that the tour time is short and efficient. You are not paying for a full-day logistics headache—this is a half-day format centered on two sites.
One last value note: the experience is non-refundable and not changeable for any reason. That makes it more important to book only when you are confident your timing works.
Who should book this, and who should consider another option
This fits you if:
- You are certified with valid scuba certification from a major or internationally recognized training agency
- You want two guided sessions in a small group rather than an independent plan
- You care about a manta-focused first stop and then reef variety in the second stop
- You like having gear handled for you, and you appreciate lunch/rest breaks built in
It might not fit you if:
- You rely on a provided underwater computer (you will need to bring your own)
- You need a flexible plan you can easily reschedule (cancellations are not refundable, and weather affects operations)
Also, if you are new to current conditions or uncertain about your comfort level in deeper or open-water settings, you might want to confirm your certification level and experience aligns with similar-level group guiding.
Should you book the Nusa Penida two-session trip with Pure Dive Resort?
I would book this if your main priority is a focused attempt at manta rays at Manta Point, with a second reef session in East Penida so the day is not a one-bet plan. The included gear, lunch, and onboard refreshments make it feel like a complete outing rather than a half-service.
Two practical reasons I would feel good about booking:
- The setup is small-group and level-matched, which helps your pacing
- The boat plan from Ped aims to save time getting out to the sites
The decision hinge is risk management. Weather matters, and cancellations are non-refundable. If your schedule is tight, I’d treat this as a “book with confidence” trip, not a “maybe we’ll see” plan.
If you want one Penida day that’s efficient, guided, and designed for big sightings, this one is a strong match.
FAQ
Where does this activity start?
It starts at Pure Dive Resort, Nusa Penida, located in Ped (Jl Ped – Buyuk, Ped, Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia).
What time does it start?
The start time is 8:00am.
How long is the trip?
It runs for about 5 hours.
What group size should I expect?
The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.
What diving gear is included?
A full set of standard scuba diving gear is included. An underwater computer is not included.
Is lunch included, and when do you eat?
Yes. Lunch is provided at a cafe on the beach upon arrival. Drinking water and bottle refill facilities are also available onboard, along with tea, coffee, and light refreshments.
Which dive sites are planned?
The plan is most likely Manta Point for mantas and East Penida for reef time. Other marine life like turtles, eagle rays, tuna, and mola-mola can happen on any session.
Do I need certification?
Yes. You must have valid scuba diving certification issued by a major or internationally recognized training agency.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Good weather is required. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience itself is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.
More Tour Reviews in Nusa Penida
- ️Nusa Penida by Private Boat – Snorkeling 4 spots, Swim with Mantas + Land Tour
★ 5.0 · 6,424 reviews
















