Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan channel
Nusa Lembongan (Nusa means island in the Balinese language) is situated 20km south east of Bali.
It is approximately one hour by boat either from Padangbai or Sanur.
Nusa Lembongan is the most popular of the 3 islands across the Badung Strait and is connected to the smaller Nusa Ceningan
by a small bridge.
This small island has several thousand locals who live from seaweed farming, fishing and tourism.
The island is only 4 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide. A walk around the island will take up to 5 hours and is quite a challenge.
There are possibilities to rent a bicycle or motorbike and take a tour around Nusa Lembongan and then cross the bridge to Nusa Ceningan.
There are great views of both Ceningan channel, Lembongan and Bali from the top of Nusa Ceningan.
The village life is very traditional and the atmosphere around the island is enchanting.
Unlike mainland Bali you will find just a few cars and motorbikes around which doubles the relaxed atmosphere.
If you are staying on Nusa Lembongan there are some very nice beaches for swimming and sunbathing in the South west (mushroom bay and dream beach)
and some good surfing just in front of the main village.
The dive sites are all located at the Northern corner of the island.
There are lots of small places to stay at the Jungutbatu beach which is favorite with surfers and divers alike.
The more luxurious places to stay are further south towards Mushroom Bay, where many of the day-trip cruise boats stop.
Maybe you like to stay on Nusa Lembongan for your diving, or just relaxing, just fill out our contact form and let us know which
kind of accommodation you prefer!
General dive conditions:
The south of Bali is known for its current swept dive sites around the islands. This area is famous for the
Mola-mola, or Oceanic Sunfish, especially from July until October you will have a 90% chance to see them at the dive-sites
Crystal Bay and Blue Corner.
Other animals like Tunas, Marble Rays, Sharks and Manta Rays can be found over here. Most dive sites have often very strong and
unpredictable currents and undertows which make this more suitable for more experienced divers. Due to up welling water from the deep the
temperature can be uncomfortably cold, 23°C or less, but it also provides good visibility!
Most dives sites are to the North around Lembongan and Nusa Penida and in the channel between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida.
Blue Corner - [1]
This site, also known as "Lighthouse" consists of a slope with plateaus on various depths, starting with the
first on 20 metres. The slope goes down to 50 metres. Depending on the tide the current varies from light to very strong this can be
quite dangerous.
When you are diving you must reach the first plateau at 20 metres this might take some effort, but it is worth it!
If there is current there are lots of Rays, schools of Snapper and Jacks.
In season the Mola-mola might be seen here. White tip reef Sharks are
seen here often.
We love this site, but with strong currents this site is for experienced divers only!
Jangka / Mangrove point - [2]
This site has a slope covered with beautiful Coral and Sponges. It is a nice drift dive for the more
experienced divers since the currents are strong.
Large variety of fish you may encounter here like Triggerfish, Angelfish, Banner fish, Eagle Rays and White tip reef Sharks.
Ceningan Channel - [3]
The standard reef profile here has a reef terrace around 12 metres, then a wall or steep slope up to 30 metres, then a fairly gentle slope to the sea bed at 600 metres! Enjoy the beautiful colours of the soft Corals.
Back to mapCeningan wall - [4]
This site is for experienced divers since it has unpredictable currents and slopes to unlimited depths.
Visibility is good and the wall has orange soft Coral and Sponges. The water temperature can be as cold as 23°C. These waters are
rich and nutritious also because of water flowing out of the mangroves.
There are schools of Oriental Sweetlips, Triggerfish, Surgeonfish and Rays to be seen.
Leopard Sharks and Mola-mola's have been spotted on this site.
Toyapakeh - [5]
One of the best drift dives in this area because of the beautiful Coral and good visibility up to 30 metres.
This site is on the Nusa Penida side of the bay, and has a depth between 3 and 37 metres or deeper.
At a depth of 24 metres you can drift
over fields of Corals, totally beautiful. An abundance of small tropical fish and on a good day you might see Mola-mola's, Manta's and
even Hammerhead Sharks (we have not seen them....yet!).
Gamat bay - [6]
This site starts beautiful with a colourful carpet of Corals where you can find Nudibranch and big Groupers.
Leaving the gentle waters of the bay the current takes you drifting along the wall of the channel.
Conditions are the same as the site
Crystal Bay so be prepared for down currents. Keep one eye to the channel for Sharks and Mola-mola's.
Crystal bay - [7]
This small lagoon has a nice white sandy beach and the visibility underwater is amazing. Water temperature
is cool.
This site starts in the bay which is nicely sheltered from the current, but the minute you leave the sheltered bay to enter
the steep slope, depths greater than 50 metres, the current picks up and might change into a down current!
This site is for the
experienced diver. The wall has beautiful Corals and here we saw our first couple of Mola-mola's.