Nusa Penida 3 Fun Dives Boat Trip (For Certified Divers)

Nusa Penida is one of Bali’s best places for a full day beneath the surface, and this trip gives you three separate underwater sessions rather than a rushed single outing. Site choices change with currents and weather, so the day might bring mantas, turtles, reef sharks, rays, or thick schools of fish, but no exact location is promised.

I like the small maximum group of four and the practical all-in setup: boat, tanks, standard scuba gear, lunch, snacks, and drinks are covered. I also like that Purple Dive’s team puts safety and marine life first, with instructors and Divemasters such as Bas, Ardi, Arafat, Sammy, Daniel, and Komak praised for calm guidance and good organization.

The main catch is flexibility. You cannot request a guaranteed site, and conditions may rule out famous spots such as Manta Point. You also need to reach the center yourself, bring or rent a dive computer, and accept a fairly early start.

Key points to know before booking

• Three tank sessions around Nusa Penida: You get two sessions before lunch and one afterward, for a total day of about six to seven hours.
• Open Water certification required: This is not for beginners or uncertified participants.
• Maximum four people: You stay with a PADI instructor or Divemaster in a compact group.
• Sites depend on conditions: The crew chooses from more than 20 local sites based on weather and currents.
• Mantas are possible, not guaranteed: Turtles, reef sharks, tuna, rays, and colorful reef fish may also appear.
• Computer rental costs extra: Standard scuba equipment is included, but a computer can be rented for €10 per day if available.

Three chances to see Nusa Penida underwater

The appeal of this outing is simple: you spend most of the day in the water. Two sessions take place before lunch, then the boat returns to shore to collect the meal before heading back out for the third.

That structure gives you a better chance of seeing different habitats and marine life than a short morning trip. Nusa Penida has more than 20 possible sites, so the crew can adjust the plan instead of forcing one route in poor conditions.

I would think of this as a flexible day rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule. You may hope for manta rays, but the actual plan depends on wind, visibility, and current strength. That is a sensible approach in a place where conditions can change quickly, even if it means you cannot lock in a particular site when booking.

The listed duration is about seven hours, with the full outing often running six to seven hours depending on the locations selected. For a certified participant, that is a useful amount of time for the price, especially because equipment, food, and boat travel are included.

Starting early at Purple Dive Penida

The meeting point is Purple Dive Penida on Jalan Raya in Ped, Nusa Penida. The stated start time is 7:00 a.m., while paperwork and equipment fitting are usually arranged for around 7:30 a.m., with the final time confirmed the day before.

Because the information gives both times, I would wait for the center’s confirmation and plan to arrive ready for an early morning. You handle your own transport to the center, so allow extra time if you are staying elsewhere on the island.

At the center, you complete the required paperwork, check your equipment, and get fitted before boarding. This preparation matters. Good-fitting fins, mask, and buoyancy equipment can make a long day far more comfortable, especially when you have three sessions planned.

The center has also been described as a friendly place to spend time, with a pool overlooking the ocean. That is useful if you arrive early or want a calm place to settle in before departure. The team has been praised for making newer certified participants feel safe, but this particular outing still requires prior certification.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is four people, with a certified Divemaster or PADI instructor leading the group. That is one of the strongest practical features here.

A small group makes it easier to stay together, ask questions, and get direct help with equipment or underwater positioning. It can also reduce the stop-and-start feeling that sometimes comes with large boat groups. If one person needs a little more time, the guide has fewer people to monitor.

Purple Dive’s staff includes instructors and guides named in customer feedback, including Bas, Ardi, Arafat, Sammy, Daniel, and Komak. You should not assume one specific person will lead your outing, but the center has a broad training operation and offers both recreational trips and certification programs.

Safety is a repeated theme in the supplied feedback. Participants describe instructors as patient, professional, and reassuring, and the boat crew as helpful with newer certified people. That is particularly relevant around Nusa Penida, where current conditions can make site choice and group control important.

Still, your certification level matters. The minimum is Open Water or an equivalent qualification. This is not a refresher course or an introductory lesson, and the guide cannot replace the skills you are expected to bring.

Choosing sites by weather and current

The crew does not promise a fixed route. It selects from more than 20 sites according to weather and currents on the day.

That policy can feel frustrating if your main goal is a particular landmark, but it is also the right way to run a responsible outing. A famous site is not worth visiting if conditions make it unsafe or unpleasant. A lesser-known location may offer calmer water, better visibility, or healthier coral on the day you go.

Possible sightings include sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, tuna, marble rays, scorpionfish, lionfish, clownfish, and other reef species. Healthy coral is part of the attraction, with accounts of colorful reefs and large numbers of fish.

Manta rays are a major draw. Purple Dive has taken participants to Manta Point and other areas where mantas were seen, including trips when the sea was rough. That should not be read as a promise that you will see them. Marine life is wild, and the crew can only choose a suitable site and give you the best available chance.

I also appreciate the center’s stated respect for ocean life. The supplied feedback describes careful behavior around marine animals and specifically praises the crew’s attitude toward conservation. That matters at manta sites, where crowding and poor positioning can spoil the encounter for both animals and people.

Two sessions, lunch, then one more

After the first two sessions, the boat returns to shore to pick up lunch. You then head back out for the third session.

This break gives you time to eat and reset instead of spending the whole day on the boat. Lunch and snacks are included, along with water, tea, and coffee on board. For a six to seven-hour outing, that makes the package easier to manage and reduces the need to organize food separately.

The return to shore also adds time to the schedule. If sites are farther away or conditions slow the boat, the day may run toward the longer end of the estimate. I would avoid booking a tight afternoon commitment after this trip.

The three-session format suits people who want a full day in the water. It may be too much for someone who is newly certified, out of practice, or unsure about currents. You can ask the center about the planned sites and conditions before departure, but the final route remains flexible.

Equipment, computers, and what you should bring

The package includes use of scuba equipment. A dive computer is the clear exception, costing €10 per day if one is available for rental.

I would treat the computer issue as something to settle before the morning of the trip. Availability is not guaranteed, and a computer is an important personal safety tool for monitoring depth and time. If you own one, bring it. If not, ask Purple Dive to reserve a rental if possible.

The included equipment is a good value point. You do not need to arrange tanks, regulators, buoyancy gear, or the main kit separately. The center has received positive comments about equipment quality and organization, though you should still check the fit during the morning setup.

You need to arrange your own transport to Jalan Raya, Ped. The experience ends back at the same meeting point, so you can plan your return from there. Bring the usual personal items for a long day near the sea, but the supplied details do not specify a separate gear list.

Is $170.23 a fair price?

At $170.23 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Nusa Penida, but it includes three tank sessions, boat transport during the outing, standard scuba equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks.

The value improves if you would otherwise rent equipment or pay separately for food. A small group also gives the package more appeal than a large boat operation, especially if you care about direct support from the guide.

The price is less attractive if you only want one short session, are mainly interested in sightseeing above the water, or already have transport and equipment arranged elsewhere. This is designed for certified people who want a serious underwater day, not a casual introduction.

The computer rental is a modest extra cost, but it should be included in your calculation. Transportation to the center is also your responsibility.

What the strong feedback tells me

The best signs are consistent. The staff are praised for being friendly, professional, and reassuring. Instructors such as Bas, Sammy, Ardi, and Arafat are described as patient teachers, while Daniel and Komak are noted for relaxed guidance and finding good locations.

The boat crew also receives specific praise. That matters more than it may sound. Getting in and out, handling equipment, and moving between sites can shape the whole day, particularly when the water is choppy.

The center’s training work is another useful clue. It runs Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, specialty, and instructor-level programs. That does not guarantee a perfect match for every recreational group, but it suggests a center used to working with different skill levels.

The most important positive point for me is the balance of friendliness and safety. The team appears to keep the mood relaxed without treating the water casually. That is exactly what I want around Nusa Penida.

Drawbacks worth taking seriously

You cannot choose a guaranteed site. If your entire reason for booking is one famous location, this may disappoint you.

Manta sightings are possible but never certain. The trip description lists many species, but nature decides what appears. You should book for the overall reef experience, not a guaranteed animal encounter.

Conditions may also make the boat ride or underwater work demanding. The center can cancel for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. If the trip operates, the selected route may still change because of wind or current.

The cancellation policy is strict for personal changes. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended after booking, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel. Check your schedule carefully before paying.

Finally, the early start and three-session format require energy. This is a full day, not a quick add-on between other plans.

Who should book this Nusa Penida trip?

I would choose this for a certified Open Water participant who wants three sessions, prefers a small group, and is happy to let local conditions guide the route.

It is especially suitable if you want a chance at mantas while keeping other possibilities open, including turtles, rays, sharks, tuna, and reef fish. It also suits people who value equipment, lunch, and a professional support team being arranged in one package.

I would think twice if you are out of practice, uncomfortable with changing currents, or only want a guaranteed Manta Point visit. Ask about current conditions and the planned route before boarding, and be honest about your experience level.

The 100 percent recommendation rate and five-star score across 38 ratings point to a very strong record, particularly for organization, staff care, equipment, and marine-life encounters. I would still keep expectations realistic: no operator can promise a specific animal or site.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a compact, well-supported day with three sessions and a maximum of four people. The included equipment, food, drinks, and small group make $170.23 reasonable for a full Nusa Penida outing.

Skip it if you need a fixed itinerary, guaranteed mantas, or a flexible cancellation policy. For the right certified participant, though, Purple Dive Penida offers a practical way to spend the day exploring the island’s reefs while letting the conditions determine the safest and most rewarding route.

FAQ

Is this trip suitable for beginners?

No. You must be a certified scuba participant with at least an Open Water qualification or an equivalent certification.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Three tank sessions are included. Two take place before lunch, followed by a third after lunch.

How long does the activity last?

The full outing takes about six to seven hours, depending on the selected sites and conditions.

Where does the trip start and finish?

It starts and ends at Purple Dive Penida on Jalan Raya, Ped, Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia.

What time does the trip start?

The stated start time is 7:00 a.m. Paperwork and equipment fitting are usually arranged for around 7:30 a.m., with the final time confirmed the day before.

Is transportation to the scuba center included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to the meeting point.

Is a dive computer included?

No. A computer can be rented for €10 per day if one is available.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather. Personal cancellations or amendments are non-refundable.