Bali, the heart of Indonesia

Diving sites

CRYSTAL BAY

CRYSTAL BAY, MOLA MOLA SUN FISH

Crystal Bay is a renowned dive site for being one of the only places in the world to observe the giant Sun fish (Mola mola).  These massive pelagic fish, measuring about 3 metres in height, swim up from the deep to be cleaned by banner fishes (species of butterfly fish).  Our chances of seeing this amazing fish are greatest between June and October. 

Crystal Bay is named for its crystal-clear waters and therefore typically delivers an incredible visibility.  Protected from large waves, and accompanied by a beautiful white sand beach dotted with coconut trees, this turquoise colored bay is a slice of paradise.  In the middle of the bay is a tiny island with a staircase carved into the rock leading up to a sacred temple.  The dives are made around this island, beginning on a sandy slope that guides us down to the edge of a coral plateau, between 6-10 metres deep, before it drops off into a wall that plummets down to 50 metres. You can also find little plateaus, which ends abruptly and drops off again, this time into the depths of the channel that separate Penida Island from Ceningan Island.  In front of you is the blue of the ocean and it’s here that we have the opportunity to cross paths with the mighty (and harmless) Mola Mola.

This dive site is exposed to very strong and unpredictable currents that can carry divers into the blue and far from the dive site, or to unmanageable depths (down current).  To safely dive there, divers must follow some basic rules while diving with responsible dive centers. 

• Listen carefully and pay attention to the briefing given by your Atlantis dive guide or instructor, and respect the instructions established
• This dive site is to be dived accompanied by an experienced PADI-certified Divemaster or Instructor, and diving without a guide (even if accompanied by a buddy) is prohibited by Indonesian legislation.
• The dives made here must remain “no-decompression” dives.  If you are unsure what this means, please notify your dive guide so they can explain this to you.
• Maximum of 4 divers per dive guide; and for less experienced divers, a ratio of 2 divers per dive guide. 
• The dive sites and maximum depths are determined by the certification level of the divers, and are at the discretion of the divemaster/instructor, in function of the experience level of the diver, PADI standards, and the conditions of the ocean.
• PADI courses are carried out by PADI-certified, and insured, Instructors.
 
• The Atlantis International speedboats are fully equipped with First Aid kit, emergency oxygen, and communication system in case of emergency. 

Accessibility

A 20min walk where you will enjoy the landscapes of the channel between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan.

Fauna

It is one of the only places in the world where you can see giant moon fish (Mola Mola) from July to November. These marine animals raise funds during this season where banner fish wait between 25 and 50 meters to clean them. Outside the Mola Mola season, the dive is excellent because the site is very rich in coral reefs and you will see many fish such as: Jacks over 40 kg, rays eagles, tuna, angelfish, sea snakes, turtles, clown fish and scorpion fish ...

Flora

Crystal Bay is rich in hard and soft corals of all kinds and colors. You will see coral potatoes, and even gardens if you stay in the bay.

Depth

This site plunges from 4m to 40m, for divers enjoying the deep specialty. Anyway, the most beautiful site is between 5m and 18m.

Dive type

The slow exploration dive is to be preferred on this spot

Remarks

Crystal Bay is a diving site for beginner and experienced divers. We take courses and baptisms, as divers with certifications ranging from the first level of recreational diving to the professional diver.

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