Nusa Lembongan Chronicles

Diving Dreams

We were returning to Nusa Lembongan, with the world still grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic. Despite the challenges, we found solace and joy in reconnecting with friends on the island and indulging in our passion for diving with our favourite dive centre, Big Fish Divers. This dive centre has been our go-to since my initial visit to Nusa Lembongan many years ago, thanks to its professionalism, enjoyable atmosphere, and friendly staff. Our friend Rich, who resides on the island, eagerly joined us for the dives, seizing the opportunity as the dive centre brought itself out of mothballs specifically for our visits. With many dive centres temporarily or permanently closing during the pandemic’s peak, we felt grateful for the continuity provided by Big Fish Divers. The absence of other customers meant we had the dive boat all to ourselves, allowing us to select and explore the finest sites around Nusa Lembongan and Penida at our leisure.

Unveiling Hidden Depths: Forgotten Dive Sites of Nusa Penida

Three standout movies mark this period of newfound freedom, with one dedicated to rediscovering overlooked dive sites: “Forgotten or Rarely Dived Sites of Nusa Penida.” Exploring less frequented underwater realms, the dive sites of Elephant Rock (Batu Bolong), Nikon Drop-Off, Malibu Point, and Suana take centre stage. Elephant Rock, adorned with a worn arch, remains rarely explored due to its exposure to challenging ocean conditions, including ripping currents and high swells. Nikon Drop-Off, a forgotten gem, reveals a vibrant underwater world with diverse fish life and manageable depths for an enriching diving experience. Venturing further, Malibu Point and Suana, though rarely dived, showcase unique characteristics. Malibu Point, nestled in a bottle-opener-shaped bay, features pristine hard and soft corals and abundant marine life. At the same time, Suana, opposite a quaint fishing village, mirrors the typical Northern Sites of Nusa Penida with its long sloping reef and occasional coral outcrops.

Nusa Penida Circumnavigation: A Dive Journey Less Traveled

The second movie was a days adventure circumnavigating Nusa Penida (a journey rarely available to casual holidaymakers). The journey started with our first dive at the renowned Manta Point on the southwest coast. Despite its modest coral growth, this manta cleaning station offers a unique landscape adorned with limestone rocks and sandy bays. Witnessing the graceful movements of reef mantas (manta alfredi), one can observe these majestic creatures frequenting the site for cleaning, socializing, and feeding. The underwater haven is further enriched by encounters with the abundant blue-spotted stingrays and occasional bamboo shark, gracefully navigating the depths with a mesmerizing elegance. For the second dive, the exploration led to Malibu Point on the far east side of Nusa Penida. Exposed to the open ocean and marked by powerful currents, the dive site is renowned for untouched hard and soft corals, complemented by abundant whip corals. Dive three unfolds on the east coast, opposite the charming fishing village of Suana, where traditional small fishing boats line the picturesque beaches. The final dive at Sampalan, located on the northeastern side, mirrors the diversity of marine life encountered in SD (dive site) close to the main harbour of Nusa Penida, Toyapakeh.

Diving Freedom: Exploring Broken Beach’s Underwater Beauty

In the third movie, we seized the opportunity presented by the scarcity of dive boats and explored the archway and the bay of Broken Beach. Surfacing to the surprise of Instagrammers attempting to capture their perfect holiday shots.

If you enjoyed the thrill of underwater exploration in our movies, join us on our YouTube channel for more mesmerizing dives around Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and other captivating dive locations in Indonesia and beyond. Subscribe for a virtual dive experience and discover the wonders that await beneath the surface. 🌊🐠

https://www.youtube.com/@DivingandDogs