Giant Manta Fish In Manta Bay Nusa Penida - Is It Dangerous?
Is it dangerous to swim with the Giant Manta fish in Manta Bay Nusa Penida?
We need to know that manta rays can grow up to a maximum of 7 meters or the equivalent of 23 feet. This creature can reach a weight of about 3000 kg, big isn't it? With body size and weight like that, surely we are afraid to approach it. Hemm, but don't worry, even though the size is very large, this manta ray is completely harmless. A large creature that is very friendly to humans.
There are 2 types of Manta that live in the world, namely Manta Karang and Oceanic. For manta rays in Bali's Manta Bay Nusa Penida, this is a type of Manta Coral (Manta alfredi). This type of manta is the second largest type of manta rays after the Oceanic Manta. Which has an average body size of 3 meters to 3.5 meters.
This beautiful creature is a filter feeder which means it eats plankton, crustaceans and smaller fish. The shape of the teeth that are not sharp and small, they use to chew their food.
Even though it has a long tail it is not poisonous, so swimming with manta rays is very safe. Apart from having a long tail, this manta ray has the largest brain when compared to other bony fish.
They really like to interact with humans, therefore the Manta Bay Nusa Penida Snorkeling is the best choice for snorkelers and divers to capture the best experience with these Mantas.
Manta Bay Nusa Penida Snorkeling Locations and Prices
Snorkeling at Manta bay Nusa Penida is one of the most popular tourist activities in Bali for tourists. A unique and amazing experience with close encounters with the beautiful sea animals and the huge Manta creatures is a fun thing.
So if you are interested in this experience, now I will share all the information you need to know. About this friendly giant creature. As well as where you can play and swim with them while on vacation in Nusa Penida.
Best time to do Snorkeling at Manta Bay Nusa Penida
If you are interested in snorkeling in the manta bay Nusa Penida, you can do it at any time. Because there is no season for manta to appear in the waters of the manta bay, Nusa Penida. Manta rays appear all year round. This is because the waters in Bali and Nusa Penida are very good with a large volume of water flowing from the Indonesian part of Timor to Bali.
The water currents in Nusa Penida Bali originate from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. It can be said to be the largest movement of water with nutrient-rich currents at all times.
It is for this reason that Bali's manta bay snorkeling, Nusa Penida, has beautiful marine life with a living marine nature. And also the reason for the manta rays appear all year round in Nusa Penida's manta bay.
But this is not a guarantee you will see this giant creature when doing snorkeling or diving in Manta Bay Nusa Penida. Everyone knows and realizes that they are wild animals. Who always move around freely wherever they like.
However, the Manta Bay Nusa Penida Snorkeling service providers always do their best to find them for you. According to the snorkeling or diving guides, the recommended time to see the manta rays is in the morning. Because the morning is a day for them to be more active. But sometimes in the afternoon they can also appear.
Where to see manta rays in Nusa Penida?
Many think and talk about Manta snorkeling on Nusa Lembongan, but that's wrong. Because Snorkeling to see manta rays is in Manta Bay Nusa Penida. Although sometimes you can see manta rays on Lembongan, it's very rare.
The following are the best places to see manta rays in Nusa Penida including Manta Bay and Manta Point. Both of these places are very popular for snorkelers and divers with an early start past the beach of Crystal Bay.
1. Manta Bay Nusa Penida
Usually Manta fish tend to swim to shallower areas to find food through sea currents which have lots of plankton carried by water currents. Manta Bay is the place where the Manta Bay Nusa Penida snorkeling activity is a place that will bring this experience to life.
This manta bay consists of several which makes it possible to find manta rays and swim with them. This location has a success rate of almost 90% according to the experience of the snorkeling guides in Nusa Penida.
In general, the best time to do snorkeling at Manta Bay Nusa Penida is in the morning. This was also said by a local guide who worked as a guide. Even though it might be possible to do it in the afternoon, if you find it in a small amount. If you are lucky.
2. Manta Point Nusa Penida
This place to see manta is the best diving spot in the south of the island of Nusa Penida. The location is surrounded by high cliffs with a water depth of approximately 15 meters from the water surface. This great location is Manta Point.
Here it is not suitable for swimming to relax because the water currents are swift and choppy with big waves. But this is a paradise for divers.
Many divers choose this place because it is the center of the manta rays resting while eating the small fish around them. This area has a depth level of 4 meters to 6 meters which is equivalent to 13-20 feet.
3. View Point Mantas Nusa Penida
If you don't want to snorkel in Nusa Penida's manta bay, Manta View Point is a great place to look down with a panoramic view of the sea with free-swimming Manta Rays. To reach this manta View point, you must make the climb until you find it
vantage point that can see mantas appear in the sea! This Manta Viewpoint is to the left of the tourist spot Broken Beach which is better known for its cliffs above Manta Bay. Generally from this view point it is on the southern coastline.
Manta Bay Nusa Penida Snorkeling Prices
If you are interested in snorkeling, they usually charge IDR 300K / person for a domestic price of at least 6 participants. This includes all snorkeling equipment, snorkeling guides and traditional boat rental fees.
We need a traditional boat to reach this best dive point. Departure from Crystal Bay beach in West Nusa Penida.
