Diving in Bali costs IDR 650,000 (≈ $38) for a first try dive and IDR 3,450,000 (≈ $203) for a certified day around Nusa Penida, and these are two different days: a shore entry onto a wreck in Tulamben with a dive master beside you, or 3 boat dives in strong current, where Bali Fun Diving recommends Advanced Open Water.
Checked against the operators' own sites on 30 September 2026
- 3–30 mthe depth of the Liberty wreck, entered from the beach at Tulamben
- 7–8mantas that a regular dive at Manta Point can bring, per Bali Fun Diving
- 16–21°Cthe water around Nusa Penida from July to October, per Bali Fun Diving
The two starting points are far apart. Tulamben is a village on the north-east coast where the dives start from the beach. Bali Fun Diving's centre is on Jl. Tukad Balian in Sanur, 5 minutes from the harbour, and the speedboat takes about 50 minutes across the Badung Strait to the manta site.
What is the Liberty?#
A United States army cargo ship built in 1918. It was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Lombok Strait in 1942, towed to Bali and left on the shore at Tulamben; tremors from the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung pushed it into the sea. Let's Dive Tulamben says the 120 m hull now lies on its side 25 m off the beach, covered in corals, sponges and sea fans.
How does a first dive work?#
Your dive master briefs you on mask clearing, the BCD and regulator, hand signals and safety, and on a first dive you practise in a pool or pool-like water. Every beginner has their own dive master for the whole dive. You need to be 12, swim adequately and be in good health. The operator recommends a second dive: the first is about the gear, the second about the site. Allow 2 to 6 hours.
What level does Nusa Penida need?#
Bali Fun Diving sells the day to certified divers and recommends Advanced Open Water because of strong, sometimes unpredictable currents; some sites are for divers with 30–100+ logged dives. Manta Point faces the Indian Ocean on the south side, and whether you can get in is decided on arrival. Without a card, its Try Scuba gives 2 dives and a snorkel for IDR 3,800,000 (≈ $224).
When is the mola-mola season?#
Bali Fun Diving gives two versions: July to October, best in September and October, on its Nusa Penida page, and August to October in its Crystal Bay description. In those months the water drops to 16–21°C. Manta Point is dived all year: it is a cleaning station, and a regular dive can bring 7–8 mantas.
- Discover Scuba Diving
- PADI's try-dive program for people who have never dived or are not certified; it is not a course and gives no certificate.
- Cleaning station
- a reef site that mantas visit to be cleaned; Bali Fun Diving describes Manta Point this way.
- Advanced Open Water
- the certification level Bali Fun Diving recommends for the currents around Nusa Penida.
- Your certification card and logbook for Nusa Penida.
- The transfer from your area: Let's Dive Tulamben lists pickup within Tulamben and IDR 50,000 (≈ $3) each way from Amed; Bali Fun Diving includes Sanur, Denpasar, Legian and Seminyak and charges IDR 250,000 (≈ $15) to IDR 700,000 (≈ $41) per group per day from further away.
- If you dive alone: Bali Fun Diving's price applies from 2 divers, so ask whether a shared trip runs that day.
- Extras at Bali Fun Diving: a dive computer is IDR 250,000 (≈ $15) per day and nitrox IDR 100,000 (≈ $6) per dive.
- Cancellation: Bali Fun Diving charges 50% for cancelling 4–8 days before and 100% under 3 days; Let's Dive Tulamben does not publish terms on its beginner page.
Important
The crossing of the Badung Strait is rarely flat, and the whole Nusa Penida day is spent on the boat. Bali Fun Diving advises taking motion-sickness medication on the day, close to departure.
