Manta Rays Snorkelling Trip (Express)
An express small-group trip built around the best available chance to see manta rays without committing to a full private boat.
If meeting a manta ray is at the top of your Nusa Penida bucket list, this is the trip for you. We skip the filler stops and dedicate the full session to Manta Point — the natural cleaning station where mantas gather year-round. A short secondary stop at Manta Bay rounds out the trip when sea conditions allow.
📸 Tour Gallery
✨ Tour Highlights
📦 What's Included & Excluded
✅ What's Included
- Shared boat
- Equipment and guide
- Light breakfast
❌ Not Included
- Government fees
- Hotel transfer unless arranged
➕ Optional Add-Ons
Comfortable sharing fast boat between Sanur and Nusa Penida. Perfect if you're staying in Bali.
Your personal GoPro for the trip + a 60-second edited highlight reel sent to you the same day.
Available from Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Nusa Dua. Price depends on your hotel location — request a quote when booking.
🏝️ Snorkeling Spots & Locations
? Manta Point (Primary — Extended Time)
A natural cleaning station where manta rays gather year-round to be cleaned by small reef fish. We spend most of the trip here — float on the surface while mantas glide below, often within 3–5 meters. Best visibility April–November.
? Manta Bay (Secondary — Conditions Permitting)
A shallower, more sheltered bay. Mantas pass through here regularly but less reliably than at Manta Point. When weather is good we add a short stop on the return leg. Otherwise we extend Manta Point time.
⏱️ Trip Itinerary (4–5 hours)
- 07:00Meet at Toyapakeh Harbour — safety briefing, gear fitting, life jackets issued
- 07:20Light breakfast onboard as we depart (fresh fruit, coffee/tea)
- 07:30Boat crossing to Manta Point (approx. 40–50 min)
- 08:20Extended snorkel session at Manta Point — 60–90 min
- 09:50Optional stop at Manta Bay if conditions allow
- 10:45Return crossing to harbour
- 11:30Trip ends — fresh water and towels provided
🐠 Marine Life You May Encounter
? Manta Ray
Common (~80%)Wingspan up to 5m. Gentle filter-feeders. Year-round residents.
? Mola Mola
Seasonal (Jul–Oct)World's heaviest bony fish — up to 1,000kg.
? Sea Turtle
CommonGreen and hawksbill turtles graze on seagrass and coral.
? Reef Fish
AbundantParrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, butterflyfish and more.
📅 Marine Life Calendar
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manta Ray | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? |
| Mola Mola | – | – | – | – | ? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ? | – | – |
| Sea Turtle | ?? | ?? | ?? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ?? | ?? |
| Reef Fish | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? | ??? |
| Dolphins | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Legend: ??? strong ?? moderate ? possible – unlikely
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
| Season | Months | Sea Conditions | Visibility | Activity / Sightings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ?? Dry Season | April – November | Calm seas, light winds | 15–30 m | High (~80%) |
| ? Peak Season | July – August | Very calm, best conditions | 20–30 m | Peak — book early |
| ?? Wet Season | December – March | Rougher, possible cancellations | Reduced | Lower — weather dependent |
🎒 What to Bring
- Swimsuit (wear under your clothes)
- Towel and a change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen (zinc-based)
- Waterproof phone case or underwater camera
- Small cash for the IDR 25k + 100k harbour fees
- Motion sickness medication (if prone)
🌤️ Typical Conditions
🛟 Safety & Guest Information
Certified Guides
PADI & BNSP certified guides with first-aid training.
Life Jackets
Mandatory for all guests. Child sizes available.
Weather Monitoring
We check sea state daily. Trips cancelled if unsafe.
💡 Booking Direct & Other Options
✅ Enquire Directly
- Best price — no OTA commission
- Direct contact with the boat operator
- Flexible scheduling & rescheduling
- Custom itineraries on request
- Money goes to the local community
ℹ️ Before You Book Elsewhere
- Higher price (commission added)
- You talk to a reseller, not the operator
- Rigid schedules, harder to change
- No direct line if something changes
- Less money reaches Nusa Penida
🔄 Cancellation & Rescheduling
100% refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before departure No refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure or no-shows Full refund or free rescheduling if we cancel for unsafe sea conditions (we'll notify you the evening before) No refund is offered for missed wildlife sightings — manta rays are wild animals
📋 Terms & Conditions
Booking must be made at least 24 hours in advance Trip runs as a shared small group — maximum 8 guests per boat Optional Sanur ? Nusa Penida round-trip transfer available Suitable for ages 7 and up Life jackets mandatory for all guests Guests must follow the manta ray code of conduct at all times
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Fill in the form on this page and we'll confirm availability within 2 hours. We'll then send you payment details and a booking confirmation.
No hidden fees — but there are two mandatory government fees paid at the harbour that are not included: the Island Management Fee (IDR 25,000 per person) and the Marine Protected Area Fee (IDR 100,000 per person). Please bring small cash for these.
Yes. Life jackets are mandatory for everyone and our guides give a full safety briefing plus in-water assistance. Non-swimmers are welcome.
Maximum 8 guests per boat. Small groups mean more time in the water with the guide and less crowding around the mantas.
We run morning departures from Toyapakeh Harbour. The exact time depends on the booking slot — you'll receive confirmation when we confirm your booking.
Around 80% at Manta Point. Manta Bay (secondary stop) has roughly 40% odds. Manta rays are wild animals — we cannot guarantee sightings and do not offer refunds for missed wildlife.
No. Strict code of conduct: stay at least 3 meters away, never touch, chase, ride, or block a manta, and never enter a cleaning station.
Your safety is our priority. If conditions are unsafe, we'll notify you the evening before and offer a full refund or a free reschedule.
Yes — the tour is suitable for ages 7 and up. Children under 7 are not permitted on the boat for safety reasons.