Where to snorkel from Bali: Blue Lagoon, Nusa Penida or Gili?

The short answer

If you want a shorter day with a short boat ride, choose Blue Lagoon near Padang Bai. If you are a good swimmer and want manta rays and reefs in the open sea, go to Nusa Penida. If a long boat ride there and back doesn't bother you and you want to see the islands off Lombok, choose the Gilis. On all three trips you need to be able to swim, and the weather and sea conditions always decide the programme.

First, answer three questions

• How much time do you want to spend on a boat? The boat ride is shortest for Blue Lagoon and longest for the Gilis.
• What do you want to see? Coral and fish near the shore, manta rays in the open sea, or an island you can also walk around.
• How well do you swim and how do you cope on boats? The open sea off Nusa Penida is more demanding and the boat can be bumpy.

If you are not sure, start with the trip that keeps you on a boat for the shortest time.

Blue Lagoon and Tanjung Jepun near Padang Bai

Blue Lagoon is a small bay next to Padang Bai harbour in east Bali. Don't confuse it with the Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan, which is a different place. The coral starts close to the shore, so this is the easiest of the three trips.

On the Blue Lagoon and Tanjung Jepun snorkelling trip you are picked up at your hotel and driven to Padang Bai. After a briefing, a boat takes you to two sites, and you snorkel for about an hour at each. A shower and lunch follow. Gear, water and lunch are included.

The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with back problems or anyone prone to seasickness. The operator does not state a minimum age, so ask before booking if you are travelling with children.

Nusa Penida: snorkelling in the open sea

Nusa Penida is for people who would rather be in the water than in a car. On the Nusa Penida manta ray snorkelling trip you set off by speedboat from Sanur. The manta spot is chosen according to sea conditions, followed by more bays, lunch and the Kelingking viewpoint.

Manta rays are wild animals and nobody can guarantee a sighting. The boat can be bumpy and the trip runs rain or shine. If the operator cancels because of weather or sea conditions, you get a new date, a refund or a voucher.

The trip is from 6 years and you need to be able to swim. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart or back problems. If you are more interested in the island itself, read Nusa Penida: east, west or both?

The Gilis: islands off Lombok

The Gili Islands are not part of Bali but of Lombok, the neighbouring island east of Bali. That makes this the longest of the three days: the fast boat from Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan and back takes up a large part of it.

On the Gili Islands snorkelling day trip you snorkel at several spots from a private glass-bottom boat, then have free time on Gili Trawangan. Longer options also stop in an area where turtles are often found. Turtles are wild animals too, and nothing is guaranteed.

Lunch on the island and some harbour and island fees are paid separately, so bring cash. The trip is from 5 years and is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Departure and transport compared

• Blue Lagoon: hotel pickup is part of the trip.
• Nusa Penida: you meet in Sanur; hotel pickup depends on the option you choose.
• Gili: you are driven to Padang Bai only if you choose the option with a transfer; otherwise you meet in Padang Bai itself.

For every trip, check when booking whether transport from your accommodation is included. If you are staying in the south, the drive to Padang Bai takes longer than the drive to Sanur.

How to prepare for any of the trips

• Sunscreen: put it on before you leave, ideally a reef-safe one.
• Seasickness: if you are prone to it, take a tablet in advance.
• Coral and animals: don't touch or chase them.
• Guide's instructions: in the water, always follow what the guide or instructor tells you.

Choose your snorkelling trip

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Tags: BaliNusa PenidaGiliPadang Baisnorkelling