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Crystal Bay Dive Site Nusa Penida Bali

There is a genuine reason for naming this popular and famous dive site 'Crystal Bay'. Hence the crystal-clear sea is a major attraction for scuba divers.

This section explains how to get to the Crystal Bay dive site near Nusa Penida Island, when is the best time to see Mola Mola here, and what other marine life is typical in the area.

Best Month for Diving at Crystal Bay in Bali

Most of the divers that come here want to swim with one of the biggest of all bony fishes.

In fact, the Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) adults can amass a body weight of up to 2,000 kilograms.

So, when can you see them?

The optimum months for swimming with giant molas at the Crystal Bay dive site in Bali are July through to October.

They swim up to the shallow water cleaning stations from deep water.

Pro Tip: The water currents that flow through the Lombok Strait are fast and dangerous. Thus, most dive schools will want to see some evidence of a drift diving certification before the dive.

Underwater Topography

After a twenty minute boat trip, the dive usually begins from a coral plateau. This large, elevated plain surrounds an emblematic rock that breaks the surface at this shallow sandy bay.

The underwater contours gently slope down from around four (4) metres until they mingle with a white sandbar. If you continue diving deeper you can actually reach depths of forty (40) metres with very little effort.

You should see several ravines and canyons that blend into the rocky outcrops. These nooks and crannies provide good habitats for a variety of aquatic species.

Marine Life at Crystal Bay

As the reef drops to thirty (30) metres and below, you can expect to see some marine animals unique to this area, including:

Despite the popularity of this location, it's best suited for divers with some previous experience of diving in strong currents and fast-moving water.

The prevailing currents at Crystal Bay can be chilling and treacherous. The likelihood of sudden, abrupt upwelling and downwelling water movements around the deep open spaces should not be underestimated.

Furthermore, the water temperature can drop sharply as you dive deeper over the reef. Therefore, it's best to wear some appropriate thermal protection.

Related Information and Help Guides

Pro Tip: The short video [1:01 seconds] presented by 'Rems Production' contains some amazing footage of the different sea life plants and animals found at Crystal Bay dive site in Bali, Indonesia.

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