REVIEW · NUSA LEMBONGAN
5 Fun Dives in Nusa Lembongan (for certified divers) – Swim with a Mola Mola
Book on Viator →Operated by Dive Concepts Bali · Bookable on Viator
Mantas and sunfish, in one plan. This two-island package is all about spotting manta rays and, when conditions line up, the ocean sunfish known as mola mola (seasonal). I like that you’re covering multiple famous underwater areas around Lembongan and Penida instead of repeating the same spot. I also like the no-stress setup: equipment, wetsuit, and a weight belt are included, so you can travel lighter. The one real catch: this is strictly for people already certified and keeping up with their recent training.
What makes it feel like good value is the structure—five separate underwater sessions tied to one small operation and limited to a maximum group size of 10. You’ll also get center facilities like Wi‑Fi, showers, toilets, and a place to change. One more consideration: digital photos and videos cost extra, so if you want that souvenir set, plan for an add-on.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Zoom In On
- Why Nusa Lembongan Keeps Winning for Manta and Mola Mola Hunts
- The Five Stop Plan: Crystal Bay to Jungut Batu Beach
- Crystal Bay: A Classic Starting Point
- Manta Point: The Big Manta Target
- Mangrove Point on Nusa Lembongan: A Change of Scenery
- Toyapakeh: Penida Access Time
- Jungut Batu Beach: The Lembongan Finish
- What You’re Paying For (and Why $256.11 Can Make Sense)
- The Instructor Factor: Calm Briefings, Pro-Level Spotting
- Gear and Comfort: Included Wetsuit, Weight Belt, and Center Setup
- Mola Mola Expectations: The Season Question You Should Ask Yourself
- Who This Package Fits Best
- Should You Book This?
- FAQ
- Do I need to be a certified scuba participant to join?
- How many underwater sessions are included?
- Where does the experience start and end?
- What’s included in the equipment?
- Is transportation included?
- How many people are in a group?
- Are photos and videos included?
- Does the center have facilities like bathrooms and showers?
- Are mola mola guaranteed?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key Things I’d Zoom In On

- Manta-first scheduling around Crystal Bay and Manta Point (with sunfish chances in season)
- Five underwater sessions you can fit within a 7-day window
- Equipment included (including wetsuit and weight belt), plus a certified instructor
- Small group cap (10 people) to keep the experience manageable
- Center comforts like Wi‑Fi, lockers, and showers between outings
- A flexible plan across Lembongan and Nusa Penida with transfer included from around Nusa Lembongan
Why Nusa Lembongan Keeps Winning for Manta and Mola Mola Hunts

If your idea of a great day in Indonesia includes giant sea creatures showing up on schedule, Nusa Lembongan and nearby Nusa Penida are built for that. The area is known for manta rays, and in the right season you can also get a shot at mola mola, the ocean sunfish. That seasonal piece matters: you’re not booking a guarantee. You’re booking a focused run at the places where the odds are best.
What I like about this package is that it’s designed around the way these animals show up—through consistency and repetition across different sites, not one random try. You do five underwater sessions, and you’re moving between key areas rather than spending every minute in the same water. For many people, that’s what turns a “could be good” trip into a “this was worth it” trip.
Also, the package is for already-certified people, which means the team can focus more time on site flow and spotting than on brand-new skills. When you’re not relearning basics on the fly, the whole day tends to feel calmer.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Nusa Lembongan.
The Five Stop Plan: Crystal Bay to Jungut Batu Beach

You’ll hit five locations over the package, with a certified instructor and all equipment handled for you. Here’s how each stop fits into the manta-and-sunfish goal—and what you should keep in mind.
Crystal Bay: A Classic Starting Point
Crystal Bay is one of the first sites you’ll visit, and it’s commonly associated with manta activity in this region. The value here is simple: you start with a high-interest location, so you’re not wasting your first day in low-expectation water.
What to consider: early sessions can feel busier because everyone is still getting organized and tuned in. If you’re prone to getting a little nervous at the start of a day, this is where a relaxed briefing and steady instructor guidance really matters.
Manta Point: The Big Manta Target
Manta Point is the other named stop that screams “mantas live here.” If mantas are on your wish list, this is the stop you’re likely to talk about afterward—especially if conditions cooperate.
What I’d plan for: manta sightings can be spread out. Even when the area is good, it may take some patience to get them close and predictable. That’s normal for the species and the current patterns, so keep your brain flexible.
Mangrove Point on Nusa Lembongan: A Change of Scenery
After the manta-focused areas, you’ll also spend time at Mangrove Point on Nusa Lembongan. This is a nice contrast in theme: instead of chasing open-water movement, you’re in a different kind of underwater environment.
Practical tip: this stop can be a good reminder that your trip isn’t only about one animal. If the manta moment is delayed, mangrove surroundings often help keep the session interesting through variety of underwater life.
Toyapakeh: Penida Access Time
Toyapakeh is one of your Nusa Penida stops. Penida is where a lot of the famous “big wildlife” underwater opportunities are found, and including Toyapakeh in a multi-site plan makes sense if your goal is more than reefs-only scenery.
What to consider: Penida days can feel more like a “route” day—more moving, more setup, more time in between getting in the water. If you hate that logistics rhythm, bring snacks and keep hydration steady.
Jungut Batu Beach: The Lembongan Finish
You’ll also cover Jungut Batu Beach as part of the run. Finishing here is handy because Jungutbatu is a familiar hub on the island, which can make the wrap-up easier.
A small thing that adds comfort: having your last stop near the island’s main area reduces the feeling that your day ends in transit chaos. After multiple underwater sessions, that matters more than you’d think.
What You’re Paying For (and Why $256.11 Can Make Sense)
The price is listed at $256.11 per person for the package. On paper, that sounds like one number. In value terms, it’s about what you get per underwater session.
Five sessions means you’re effectively paying about $51 per session before any extras. That’s the part to appreciate: you’re not just paying for water time. You’re paying for:
- a certified instructor,
- equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and more),
- wetsuit and weight belt,
- center facilities (Wi‑Fi, showers, toilets, lockers, change room),
- and transfers from around Nusa Lembongan.
Now, what you don’t get: digital souvenir photos/videos (sold separately), and you must complete the five sessions within a week. Accommodation is also not included, though dormitory and bungalow options are available at the center.
Is it “cheap”? Prices in the tropics vary wildly. But for a package that wraps gear + instruction + facilities + transfer into one fee, this often lands in the sensible range—especially if you’d otherwise be piecing together multiple rentals and multiple bookings.
The Instructor Factor: Calm Briefings, Pro-Level Spotting

This is where the reviews really start to matter. The standout theme is safety-first professionalism with a relaxed feel. You’ll be working with a certified instructor and you get guidance built for getting the most out of the area’s marine life.
I’m especially glad to see how often specific instructors are mentioned by name, because it suggests consistency in how the operation runs. People have praised instructors including Mr. Hugo, Raymond, Ratno, Kemane, Baptiste, and Mika for making the experience feel safe, structured, and fun.
What that usually translates to in real life:
- briefings that help you understand what you’re likely to see,
- steady in-water leadership so you don’t spend your whole day second-guessing your buoyancy,
- and good “spotting skills” so you don’t miss mantas hanging around a few meters away.
One review also mentions that the team can handle more than just straightforward reefs, including working around wrecks with ease. That doesn’t mean every stop on your package is a wreck. But it does suggest the guides aren’t winging it—they have real range.
Gear and Comfort: Included Wetsuit, Weight Belt, and Center Setup

A lot of scuba (and yes, the word matters) plans get expensive the moment you add up rentals and a wetsuit. This package handles that up front.
Included gear covers the essentials: mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, plus other instruments. You also get a wetsuit and a weight belt. In practice, that means fewer decisions and fewer last-minute surprises.
Between sessions, the center facilities help you reset. You’ll have access to Wi‑Fi, showers, toilets, lockers, and a change room. There’s also a restaurant on site, but it’s on you to pay for meals.
Small practical detail: the group size cap of 10 helps keep the day from turning into a production line. It’s not just about comfort—it’s about getting attention when you need it.
Mola Mola Expectations: The Season Question You Should Ask Yourself

Mola mola are the headline in the title, but the key word in the description is seasonal. That means you’re signing up for the chance, not a promise.
Here’s how I’d set your expectations so you don’t come home disappointed:
- If mola mola show up, you’ll feel like the plan worked exactly as advertised.
- If they don’t, you’re still booking a manta-focused route with five underwater sessions across known areas.
If your heart is set on photographing mola mola, I’d also treat timing as part of your homework. When it’s the season, the same itinerary can feel totally different. When it’s not, manta rays and other marine life still give you a full underwater program.
Who This Package Fits Best

This is for people who are already certified and whose last training/underwater outing is within the past year. If it’s been longer, you may need a refreshment session, and an additional fee might apply.
It’s a strong match if:
- you want multiple underwater sessions across Lembongan and Nusa Penida,
- you’d rather show up and follow a clear plan than organize everything yourself,
- you want pro guidance without a huge crowd.
It’s not ideal if:
- you’re looking for a first-time experience (this package is reserved for certified participants),
- you need total flexibility beyond the 7-day window for completing all five sessions,
- or you’re worried about weather. The activity requires good weather, and if conditions fail, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
Should You Book This?

If you’re certified and you want a manta-and-sunfish focused plan with real structure, I think this is an easy “yes” to consider. The combination of five sessions, included gear (including wetsuit and weight belt), transfers, and small group limits keeps it from feeling like you’re paying only for the underwater part. You’re paying for the whole system: setup, instruction, and time in the right areas.
Book it if mola mola are on your list and you’re traveling during the likely season window. Skip or consider other options if you’re not current on certification, you can’t fit the 7-day completion requirement, or you strongly want a guarantee of specific animals.
Bottom line: this is a focused package for people who want multiple chances to meet big marine life, guided by instructors who keep things relaxed and safe.
FAQ
Do I need to be a certified scuba participant to join?
Yes. This experience is reserved for certified divers (people who are already certified and whose last dive was within the past year). If your last outing was long ago, you may get a refreshment session, and an extra fee might apply.
How many underwater sessions are included?
The package includes five underwater sessions. You’ll need to complete all five within 7 days.
Where does the experience start and end?
It starts at Dive Concepts Lembongan in Nusa Lembongan, Jungutbatu, and ends back at the same meeting point.
What’s included in the equipment?
The package includes mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy control jacket, regulator, and other instruments, plus a wetsuit and weight belt.
Is transportation included?
Transfers from around Nusa Lembongan are included.
How many people are in a group?
The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.
Are photos and videos included?
No. Digital souvenir photos/videos are available for an additional charge.
Does the center have facilities like bathrooms and showers?
Yes. The dive center facilities include Wi‑Fi, toilet, shower, locker, and change room.
Are mola mola guaranteed?
No. Mola mola are mentioned as seasonal, so you’re booking a chance rather than a guarantee.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.










