Top Snorkelling Trips To Book in Nusa Penida For Solo Travellers
Nusa Penida has incredible coral reefs you canโt possibly miss out on. This calls for a great snorkelling trip! Iโve done it before and I can guarantee itโs 100% worth it! In this blog post, I will go through the best snorkelling trips to book in Nusa Penida for solo travellers and a few tips to make sure you bring the right gear.
Are you ready? Letโs go!
Why Snorkelling in Nusa Penida
Snorkeling in Nusa Penida offers a truly unique and unforgettable underwater experience. This island, located off the southeast coast of Bali, is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life. Visitors have the opportunity to swim alongside majestic manta rays at Manta Point, explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful fish, and discover hidden underwater treasures at locations like Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay. The diverse marine ecosystem, coupled with the breathtaking underwater visibility, makes Nusa Penida a top snorkelling destination. If you are not used to snorkelling and are afraid of exploring the sea, donโt worry because they provide life jackets. You are free to use these if you need some reassurance. The guides are also very experienced so donโt worry, none will lose sight of you!
What to Look For Before Booking
Before booking a snorkelling trip to Nusa Penida, there are several key factors to consider to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. This is even if you don’t go for my suggested experiences below. First, check the credentials and reviews of the tour operator to ensure they are reputable and provide quality services. Verify what is included in the package, such as transportation, snorkelling equipment, meals, and the presence of a professional guide. It’s crucial to confirm whether the tour includes pick-up and drop-off services from your hotel, as this can significantly enhance convenience. Additionally, consider the duration of the trip to ensure it fits your schedule and expectations. Ensure that the tour operator adheres to safety standards, including providing life jackets and briefing participants on safety protocols. Lastly, review the itinerary and the snorkelling spots included in the tour to ensure they align with your interests and skill level (not a problem if underskilled anyway), and check the group size, as smaller groups often offer a more personalised and less crowded experience.
Best Snorkelling Experiences to Book for Nusa Penida
Right, letโs dive in now! Iโve listed 5 different snorkelling experiences. Some would also include a visit to Nusa Penida, while others focus on different snorkelling points. Feel free to pick based on what interests you the most. If youโve never been to Nusa Penida before, I would recommend the tour including the visit to the island. Itโs very touristy but itโs nice to check it out.
#1 Nusa Penida Snorkeling in 4 Spots (Manta Rays Land Tour)
This experience includes snorkelling in four different spots around Nusa Penida, with a focus on encountering manta rays. It typically involves visits to popular snorkelling locations. This experience is great because in case you canโt see any mantas (it happens) you can still get to see the coral reef in other spots.
๐ Experience duration: Full day
๐ฐ Price: Approximately $60-$80 per person price also includes the entry ticket.
#2 Bali to Nusa Penida Full-Day Trip with Snorkeling Tour
This full-day trip from Bali to Nusa Penida includes snorkelling as part of the tour package. It covers various attractions and snorkelling spots around Nusa Penida. This is a lovely experience as it includes visiting Nusa Penida island. Be aware that there will be monkeys, so donโt bring anything of value with you just in case.ย
๐ Experience duration: Full day
๐ฐ Price: Approximately $70-$90 per person
#3 From Lembongan: Snorkeling at Manta Bay, Gamat, and Crystal
This experience starts from Lembongan Island and includes snorkelling at Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh, and Gamat Bay, renowned for their marine life and crystal-clear waters. I would recommend this experience if you are already visiting Nusa Lembongan (which is stunning!) and want to go on a snorkelling trip from there. This trip includes different stops, which is nice, Iโve been on one from Nusa Lembongan and we managed to swim with turtles as well. It was amazing.
๐ Experience duration: Half day
๐ฐ Price: $20 per person
#4 Nusa Penida Island Highlights Tour with Snorkel Stops
This tour covers the highlights of Nusa Penida, including a snorkelling stop by Manta Bay. It’s designed to showcase the natural beauty and attractions of the island. This is a cheaper alternative to experience #2 as there will be fewer stops.
๐ Experience duration: Full day
๐ฐ Price: Approximately $30 per person
#5 Private Full Day In Nusa Penida With Secret Snorkelling Spots!
You guys, this trip is amazing! This is your opportunity to go on a private snorkelling tour with a local guide that literally takes you to the coolest spots – both popular and unknown by tourists. If you are travelling alone, ask around if anyone wants to join your tour – the max number of people who can join is 13.
๐ Experience duration: Full day
๐ฐ Price: Approximately $60-$80 per person
โบ Thinking of staying in Nusa Penida? Check out this blog post on unique places to stay on the island! They look amazing and they are perfect for snorkelling trips!
What to Bring to the Snorkelling Trip
Packing the right items for your snorkelling trip to Nusa Penida can greatly enhance your comfort and enjoyment. Here’s a list of essential items to ensure you’re well-prepared for the adventure:
- Swimsuit: Comfortable and appropriate for swimming.
- Long-sleeved shirt: This is super useful to protect you in case you are prone to getting sunburned or just at the beginning of your trip to Bali when your skin is not ready to get so much sun yet.
- Towel: To dry off after snorkelling.
- Change of Clothes: Fresh clothes to change into after the trip.
- Reef-safe Sunscreen: High-SPF to protect your skin and marine life.
- Hat and Sunglasses: Extra sun protection during the boat ride.
- Snorkeling Gear: Mask, snorkel, and fins if you prefer to use your own equipment. Donโt worry if not, they provide it normally.
- Waterproof Bag: To keep your belongings dry. This is very important because the boat will have water all over the place!
- Underwater Camera: To capture the stunning marine life. Most of the time the guide would have it and share the pictures later.
- Cash: For additional expenses or tips for the guides. It never happened to me but you never know!
๐ก Pro tip: Get your travel insurance when planning your trip to Bali. I would recommend Safety Wing. I’ve been using it for a long time, it’s very affordable and easy to use!
Tips for Motion Sickness
Iโm not going to lie if you get seasick easily, the Manta Bay stop is no joke. That is because the waves around there are big and strong. I suffered heavily there, but Iโm like a puppy, I get motion-sick everywhere I go! So just a heads up, if you choose an experience with Manta Bay, make sure you are prepared.
A few preventative measures can help ensure you have an enjoyable snorkelling trip in Nusa Penida. Consider the following tips to minimize discomfort:
- Motion Sickness Medication: Take over-the-counter medication like Dramamine or Bonine before the trip.
- Light Meal: Eat a light meal before the trip; avoid greasy or heavy foods. No omelettes for breakfast you guys!
- Stay Hydrated: Drink water but avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine.
- Sit on the back of the Boat: Position yourself towards the end of the boat where motion is less intense.
- Focus on the Horizon: Keep your gaze fixed on the horizon to help maintain balance.
- Fresh Air: Find a spot with good airflow to breathe in fresh air.
- Lie Down: If you start feeling unwell, lie down and close your eyes to alleviate symptoms.
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Conclusion
This is a wrap! I hope you get to book your snorkelling trip! An alternative to Nusa Penida would be Amed. If you go to Jemeluk Beach, you donโt even need a boat, you can swim to the place with your fins! Read more about Amed here.
Ciao for now,
Silvia x
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โ๏ธ Bali Travel Planning Guide ๐ด
Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:
๐ฑ Do I need an eSIM for Bali?
โ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. ๐ Get your Indonesia plan now
๐ Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?
โ 100% YES! โ My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!
๐งCan you drink the water in Bali?
๐ฑ No โ Itโs recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).
๐ฉ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali accommodations?
My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets โค๏ธ
๐ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali activities?
Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!
๐ Will I find tampons in Bali?
Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!
๐ How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?
I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.
๐๐ฝ Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?
Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.
โ๏ธ What’s the best site to book my flight?
Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!
๐ซ Do I need a visa for Bali?
๐ Yes โ US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)
๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select โnoโ when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!
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