Manta Bay, off the north coast of Nusa Penida, is the most reliable spot near Nusa Lembongan to swim with reef manta rays. Our guests see them on about 75% of trips. They are wild animals, so we never promise it, but the odds are good.
Manta Bay sits a short boat ride from Nusa Lembongan. The boat drops anchor, you slip in with a guide, and the mantas swim along the cleaning station below.
What you will see
Reef mantas glide over the cleaning station on the sand. They are large, calm and curious. Keep your distance, stay horizontal in the water, and never touch them.
On a good day you also see schools of fish and the occasional sea turtle on the way to Crystal Bay.
When to plan the trip
Mantas visit Manta Bay year-round. Rough sea can push the boat to a different bay on the day, so the route is decided in the morning. There is no bad month for mantas. Visibility is usually best in the dry season, from about April to October, and the sea is usually calmer in the morning.
We leave at 8.00 am from your hotel on Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan. Earlier water is usually calmer.
Which trip to book
The sharing snorkeling trip visits Manta Bay, Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay. It is the easiest way to see mantas and still fit the other two reefs in one morning.
Great team, keen on providing tailored experience & customer friendly service. We have seen several manta rays during our ride … Highly recommend
Anna Butolina · Google review
Good to know
- Mantas are wild — sightings are likely but never guaranteed.
- Rough sea can change the route on the day; the guide decides in the morning.
- Do not touch the mantas or the coral.
- Hotel transfer, boat, snorkeling gear, in-water guide, GoPro footage and water are included.
Ready to swim with mantas?
Send us your date and how many of you are coming on WhatsApp. We will plan the rest.
