Manta Point on Nusa Penida's southwest coast is the most reliable place in Bali's waters to encounter manta rays. A natural cleaning station on the reef draws the animals year-round, though numbers are highest between April and October. On a good day, five or six mantas — some with wingspans of over three metres — circle slowly above the cleaning station while divers hover at depth watching from below.
The site is dive-only — the currents are too strong for snorkelling. It is typically reached by boat from Crystal Bay in about thirty minutes. The dive itself is straightforward: descend to the reef, find the cleaning station, and wait. The challenge is the current, which can be significant; beginners are advised to go with an experienced local guide.