ABOUT NUSA PENIDA MPA
The project headquarters is located on the island of Nusa Penida in the Penida Marine Park. Penida is a diver, surfer, and yogi paradise only a 30-minute boat ride from southeast Bali and ideally located only 1 hour away from the Denpasar International Airport. It is part of the Klungkung Regency district which includes the three islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.
Nusa Penida is known as “The Golden Egg of Bali” and is around 200 square kilometres with around 45,000 inhabitants. In 2010, Nusa Penida was name an MPA (Marine Protected Area) by the 41 local villages and a strong community effort, one year later it was recognized by the Indonesian government. As a part of the district of Bali, it is rich in Hindu culture with many temples to visit and ceremonies to attend throughout the year. The people are among the friendliest in the world and are very welcoming to all visitors and proud to show off their beautiful island. It is off the beaten Bali track, but it is an adventure seekers dream with world-class diving, cliff jumping, hiking, surfing, and yoga. Bali is only a 30-minute boat ride away and filled with shopping, beaches, night life, and a number adventure activities. So there is plenty to do when you are not completing your conservation divemaster or research internship position.
Diving in the Penida Marine Park
Nusa Penida has quickly become a dive destination because of its year round sightings of manta rays and the seasonal appearance of the famous Mola (Sunfish). Divers travel from around the world to dive the famous dive sites of Blue Corner, Crystal Bay, and Manta Point. Your best chance to see the Mola are from the months of July – October, while manta rays are spotted year round at their favourite cleaning and feeding stations along Nusa Penida’s cliffs. The water temperatures can range from 16 degrees to 30 degrees with cold upwellings arriving in June bringing nutrient rich waters from the depths of the Lombok straight. The majority of our dives are drift dives, where we jump off the boat and drift with the current until our dive is complete and the boat crew picks us up wherever we surface. The fast current can draw in large sharks and rays with occasional sightings of thresher sharks, scalloped hammerheads and even the rare snaggletooth shark. The ocean surrounding the three islands are a MPA (Marine Protected Area) with many research projects and conservation initiative helping to protect the land and sea park.