Manta Point lies off the limestone cliffs of Nusa Penida’s south-west coast, a 30–45-minute boat ride from Lembongan. Beneath the surface is a cleaning station, where reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) circle slowly while small wrasse pick parasites from their skin. Mantas with wingspans of three metres or more are seen here most days of the year, which makes it one of the most reliable manta encounters in the world.
A second site, Manta Bay, a little further along the coast, is often calmer and is used by many snorkel boats. The whole area is part of the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, and conditions can be challenging: the south coast takes the full force of the Indian Ocean swell, with surge and strong currents.
Top things to do at Manta Point
Snorkel with the mantas
Mantas often feed and cruise near the surface, so snorkellers get excellent encounters. The Lembongan manta snorkel trip is the island’s most popular tour.
Dive the cleaning station
Divers kneel quietly at the edge of the cleaning station at around 10–15 m while the mantas glide overhead. Dive centres on Lembongan run daily trips; conditions suit divers with some experience.
Combine with Penida’s west coast
Several tours pair the morning manta snorkel with an afternoon at Kelingking and Broken Beach.
How to get to Manta Point
- From Nusa Lembongan: 30–45 minutes by speedboat; most snorkel trips include hotel pickup.
- From Nusa Penida: shorter boat rides from Toyapakeh, Crystal Bay or the south-west coast.
- From Bali: full-day tours from Sanur include the crossing and usually a land tour of Penida.
Insider tips
- Never touch or chase the mantas; stay above and to the side, and do not block their path. Flash photography is discouraged.
- Choose an operator with life jackets, a briefing and a guide in the water — the swell can be big.
- If you get seasick, take something before the boat ride; the crossing can be rough.
- Mornings usually offer the calmest water and the best visibility.
Best tours & tickets for Manta Point
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Manta Point:
Snorkelling from €20 From Lembongan: Nusa Penida Snorkeling Day Trip
The most-booked boat trip on the island. A speedboat runs across the strait to Nusa Penida’s south-west coast, where reef mantas visit cleaning stations almost every day, then stops at two calmer reefs such as Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay or Wall Point. Back on Lembongan by lunchtime.
- Snorkel with reef manta rays at Manta Point or Manta Bay
- Three snorkel stops, gear and boat included
- Optional lunch; pickup from Lembongan hotels
Sea & land from €64 From Lembongan: Manta Point Snorkeling & West Penida Tour
The “do everything” day: a morning snorkel with the mantas, then a driver takes you round Nusa Penida’s famous west-coast viewpoints. Long and busy, but it saves arranging boats and drivers yourself.
- Snorkel with manta rays off Nusa Penida
- See Kelingking, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong
- Boat, driver and snorkel gear in one booking
Private tour from €89 Bali: Nusa Penida Private Snorkeling, Manta Rays & Land Tour
One of the best-reviewed Nusa Penida days on GetYourGuide. Your own boat from Sanur means you can linger with the mantas, and the afternoon covers Penida’s headline viewpoint without the big-group scrum.
- Private boat to Manta Point and two more snorkel spots
- Lunch, then Kelingking Beach by private car
- Nearly 3,000 reviews averaging 4.9
Scuba diving from €217 Bali/Nusa Penida: 3 Fun Dives to Manta Point, Mola & Reef
For certified divers: the best of the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area in one day, with Manta Point, a mola-mola site and a current-swept coral wall. Water can be cold and currents strong — best for divers with some experience.
- Three guided dives: Manta Point, Crystal Bay and a drift reef
- Mola mola (ocean sunfish) season roughly July to October
- Boat, equipment, lunch and hotel pickup included
