Crystal Bay Dive Site, Nusa Penida Island

Crystal Bay Dive Site map

Dive Site Location:

Crystal Bay is a small bay at the west side of the island of Nusa Penida at the end of Ceningan Channel which starts in the north at Toyapakeh. This dive site carries the name "Crystal Bay" because of the generally crystal clear water and good underwater visability. The bay has a white sandy beach with palm trees. Travelling to Crystal Bay will take around 45 minutes by boat after departure from the beach of Sanur.

Diving Conditions:

Diving conditions can vary in different ways at this location during the seasons and the change of tides during the day. During the months between july and november underwater temperatures can get down to a chilling 18°C or 20 °C. The water temperature can be a comfortable 27°C at the surface and drop to 18°C when you swim through or into a thermocline or upwelling. We at BIDP generally advise to wear at least a 5 mm full wetsuit during this time of the year. Although 18°C is not very pleasant during a 60 minute dive, this condition provides the best chance to see the wonderful Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) yourself.

Depending on the conditions this dive site can offer an easy dive for everyone or exhilarating currents that sweep through the bay and are only suited for advanced divers who have experience with currents. When conditions are recognised as unappropriate by our dive guides and/or captain, the dive plan has to be changed to an other location around Penida. BIDP always plans dives around Nusa Penida according tide tables and we will do our best to hit slack tide.

Geology:

The Rock

The north-west side of the bay consists of a large rock that sticks above the water surface and protects the bay from the currents running through the channel between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. The water between the rock and the tongue formed mainland of Nusa Penida in the north-east of the bay is shallow, but can be a tricky place for scuba diving as the currents can be strong here and possibly can bring you out into Ceningan channel.

The bay itself has a sandy bottom in the middle that gradually slopes down from the beach untill it meets the channel at a depth around 50+ meters. The best place for an encounter with the Ocean Sunfish is at steep slope just south of the rock (see the map). The best and most colorful corals can be found at the south-east side of Crystal Bay when crossing the sandy bottom from the rock.

Bat Cave

Depending on the tides and the conditions, which BIDP's crew know well and always take in account at the dive sites around Nusa Penida, one can enter the Bat Cave in the mainland of Penida which is indicated on the map. This batcave has it's entrance underwater and a short underwater cave with sandy bottom leading to great main hall which has an opening above the water at it's east side. This cave, as it's name suggests, is home to many bats which hang from it's ceiling. When the conditions are right (moderate current and swell), it is possible to leave the cave and dive to the right into the channel. After a short drift getting around the corner at the west side of the rock and enter the protected area of Crystal Bay again.

Mola Mola:

Crystal Bay dive site is best known for sightings of the mysterious Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) in the season starting around end of june untill november every year. Although this large pelagic bony fish is found all around the world, Crystal Bay is one of the few places where divers can meet this impressive marine creature in it's natural invironment. Many people choice Bali as a destination for their diving holidays to see this impressive fish.

Video of Crystal Bay - Bat Cave and Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

BALI INTERNATIONAL DIVING PROFESSIONALS
JL. Danau Poso No. 26 Sanur 80228, Bali
Tel : +62 (0) 361 270 759 / Fax : +62 (0) 361 270 760 / Email: bidp@scubadivebali.com
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