dive site flag
place
Marine Life
When did you dive? Add dive site

Crystal Bay

Dive site in
Improve

Crystal Bay is a renowned dive site for being one of the only places in the world to observe the giant Sun fish (Mola mola). These massive pelagic fish, measuring about 3 metres in height, swim up from the deep to be cleaned by banner fishes (species of butterfly fish). Our chances of seeing this amazing fish are greatest between June and October. 

Crystal Bay is named for its crystal-clear waters and therefore typically delivers an incredible visibility. Protected from large waves, and accompanied by a beautiful white sand beach dotted with coconut trees, this turquoise colored bay is a slice of paradise. In the middle of the bay is a tiny island with a staircase carved into the rock leading up to a sacred temple. The dives are made around this island, beginning on a sandy slope that guides you down to the edge of a coral plateau, between 6-10 metres deep, before it drops off into a wall that plummets down to 50 metres. You can also find little plateaus, which ends abruptly and drops off again, this time into the depths of the channel that separate Penida Island from Ceningan Island. In front of you is the blue of the ocean and it’s here that you have the opportunity to cross paths with the mighty (and harmless) Mola Mola.

This dive site is exposed to very strong and unpredictable currents that can carry divers into the blue and far from the dive site, or to unmanageable depths (down current). To safely dive there, divers must follow some basic rules while diving with responsible dive centers. 

DIVING INFORMATION :

  • Type of dive:  Wall, photography, marine biology, diver training, PADI course, technical diving, deep
  • Depth: 10-14 metres
  • Certification level required: Experienced certified diver
  • Visibility: 20-40 metres
  • Current: Moderate to very strong, unpredictable, down current
  • Access: Speedboat
  • Temperature: 18 - 28⁰ C
  • Flora and fauna: Mola Mola, sharks, ribbon tail ray, banner fish, banded sea snake, moray eel, nudibranch
  • Best time of year: All year (and between June and October for best chance of Mola Mola)
Dive site info provided by Dune Atlantis Bali on Sep 7, 2018
Improve Description
Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by Ron on Mar 14, 2024 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by MKE on Jan 23, 2018 Picture taken at Crystal Bay. Uploaded by MKE on Jan 23, 2018

Marine Life

Species Encountered By Divers
1 Logged Encounters
2 Logged Encounters
2 Logged Encounters
1 Logged Encounters
1 Logged Encounters
1 Logged Encounters
2 Logged Encounters
Marine Life
1 Logged Encounters
Marine Life
1 Logged Encounters

Latest Dives

Comments, photos and species
avatar

Paul

Jun 19, 2022
Marine Life 3 image
Too many divers and boats in the area. Almost half of the coral reef is destroyed, notably on the left side of the sandy bottom. However, we spotted some nice fish and sceneries thanks to the half that remains.
Вася Куролесов's Avatar
Marine Life 2 image
Вася Куролесов's Avatar
Marine Life 3 image
avatar

Robert

Dec 1, 2019
Marine Life image
Arky Che's Avatar

Arky Che

Oct 9, 2018
Marine Life image
avatar
Marine Life image
avatar

David Smyth

Jul 11, 2018
Marine Life image
Rodrigo's Avatar

Rodrigo

Sep 18, 2016
Marine Life image
Crystal Bay em Nusa Penida é um point de mergulho com uma vida subaquática surpreendentemente rica, principalmente devido ao fato de estar localizado entre dois grandes oceanos, o oceano Índico e o Pacífico. Como resu... Crystal Bay em Nusa Penida é um point de mergulho com uma vida subaquática surpreendentemente rica, principalmente devido ao fato de estar localizado entre dois grandes oceanos, o oceano Índico e o Pacífico. Como resultado desta posição ideal, um enorme fluxo de água passa entre Bali e Nusa Penida depositando larvas de plâncton que atraem uma grande diversidade de peixes. Nusa Penida é uma ilha situada a 28 km a leste de Sanur, localizado junto às ilhas irmãs menores Nusa Lembongan e Nusa Ceningan. Do outro lado de Nusa Penida, no Oceano Índico, fica a linha Wallace, uma trincheira de 1,3 km de profundidade que separa a Indonésia Ocidental da Austronésia. Em Nusa Penida, que forma uma barreira, as correntes oceânicas que entram no Norte causam fortes afloramentos de água fria, que traz consigo peixes muito grandes, como tubarões, mantas e o Sunfish Oceânico, ou Mola Mola. Crystal Bay tem condições para mergulho relativamente calma. A água é cristalina, e assim excelente para o snorkel. Em Crystal Bay, você verá cardumes de anthias e tangs. Crystal Bay é um dos poucos lugares do mundo onde se pode ver o impressionante Mola Mola. E com certeza, mergulhar com o Mola Mola é uma experiência que você nunca esquecerá. O Mola Mola pode atingir um comprimento de 3 metros e um peso superior a 2.000 kg. Eles geralmente são encontrados em águas oceânicas profundas e frias, mas, ocasionalmente, eles chegam à costa, em Nusa Penida, entre julho e setembro.
Federico Spinabella's Avatar
Marine Life image
Nina Sari 's Avatar

Nina Sari

Jun 16, 2016
Marine Life image