Bali Snorkeling & Nusa Lembongan Island Hopping 2026: Swim with Mantas & Turtles

Ever since I got hooked on snorkeling, even though I'm not the strongest swimmer, I jump at the chance to do it whenever I'm near the ocean. This time, it was all about snorkeling in Bali!

I'm still building my experience, so I haven't been able to truly differentiate the unique characteristics of various oceans around the world, but Indonesia truly stood out. For starters, we encountered giant manta rays! Seriously!

I'd seen sea turtles before in places like Bohol in the Philippines and Nha Trang in Vietnam. But manta rays? That was a first for me, and these were absolutely massive!

In this post, I'm going to give you a comprehensive overview of this Bali island hopping activity, covering its unique features, the different snorkeling spots, and some crucial tips to keep in mind. Why? Because my travel buddy didn't get to see the manta rays, and I want to make sure you do!

First off, I booked this adventure through KKday. There are two main options: one focuses on just snorkeling, and the other, which I chose, includes a tour of Nusa Lembongan Island.

The first option, labeled 'Regular,' typically includes a mangrove forest tour, while the 'Itinerary' option (which I picked) focuses on visiting key island spots like Dream Beach, Devil's Tear, and Panorama Point.

Our adventure kicked off bright and early! After a convenient hotel pickup, we departed from the harbor around 9:00 AM.

1st Snorkel Spot: Manta Ray Point

This first stop is primarily known for manta ray sightings. And that's pretty much it. If it weren't for the subsequent two fantastic spots, I might have written a less glowing review of Indonesia's waters!

While manta rays seem to love this area, the water here can be a bit murky, and the fish aren't particularly vibrant. It's truly all about spotting those magnificent rays. But don't worry, the later spots more than make up for it with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of colorful marine life.

If you watch the video (not included here), you'd also notice a fair bit of trash, which was a bit disheartening. Since this wasn't an issue at later locations, it seems there might be a resort or facility nearby causing it, as it's not truly in the middle of the ocean but closer to the island.

2nd Snorkel Spot: Turtle Haven

The clarity of the water here is dramatically different! It's teeming with fish, and yes, you'll definitely find sea turtles too.

3rd Snorkel Spot: The Aquarium

The final spot, which our local guide affectionately called 'The Aquarium,' truly lived up to its name. It felt like there were more fish than water!

Honestly, I have so many incredible photos and videos, but I'm holding back a bit so you can experience the full magic for yourself when you visit!

Once the Bali snorkeling adventure wrapped up, our morning activities concluded, and it was time for lunch before starting the afternoon's island tour.

Lunch Break

Considering this was a local tour, not one run by a large international agency, the lunch spread was surprisingly good and tasty!

It was a buffet-style meal, enjoyed in a charming open-air setting. There were even a few spots perfect for snapping some Instagram-worthy photos!

Nusa Lembongan Island Tour

This was the option I chose for the afternoon. My reasoning? I'd already seen plenty of mangrove forests during my trip to Bohol, and honestly, we passed by quite a few during our Bali island hopping earlier that morning (though I'm sure kayaking deeper into them would be a different experience).

This island tour also featured three distinct stops, so let's quickly go through them.

The first stop was Panorama Point. That's it. You climb up high for a stunning panoramic view of the island and ocean. The vista is quite breathtaking, but that's essentially the whole experience.

Next up was Devil's Tear. This spot was truly unique, showcasing the raw power and mystery of nature. As waves continuously crash against the cliffs, there's a magical moment when the timing is just right, and a powerful spout of collected water erupts like a geyser, often creating a beautiful rainbow.

This is one of those things you really need to see in person or in a video to fully appreciate. My photo here doesn't quite capture the full force of the eruption when it truly hits its peak, but it was still incredible!

Our final stop was Dream Beach, a perfect place to simply relax and unwind. There's a charming café right on the beach where you can grab a drink and enjoy the views.

I decided to try a Bintang Radler Lemon flavored beer – it was refreshing!

And with that, our full-day tour concluded. We arrived back at the harbor around 4:30 PM, and they even provided a convenient drop-off back at our hotel.

A crucial tip: if you're prone to seasickness, definitely take motion sickness medication beforehand. My travel companion started feeling ill right at the first snorkeling spot and struggled through much of the day. I was fine initially, but even I started feeling a bit queasy later on, though I managed to power through!

One Day Snorkelling Tour in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida from Bali - Optional Mangrove Tour or Lembongan Island Tourwww.kkday.com

I booked my tour through this link, and I honestly found it to be incredibly well-organized and enjoyable. The number of spots we visited and the overall efficient flow of the day were fantastic. If you're dreaming of snorkeling in Bali with manta rays and sea turtles, this is definitely the tour to pick!