The Day We Swam with Manta Rays
- Amy
- 1 day ago
- 14 min read
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Today was incredibly exciting and so much fun, though admittedly, a little expensive too! What started as a Nusa Penida excursion with snorkeling turned into 10 hours of nonstop adventure.
We started from our resort, Giri Bhagawan Villas & Spa, at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Our driver from Golden Horizon Bali Utama, the local operator we had booked through GetYourGuide, was right on time and waiting for us in the lobby.
The previous night, we had informed the hotel that we’d need our breakfast packed since we were leaving before breakfast service began. We had also checked with the tour operator whether we could carry our own breakfast. They mentioned that our meeting point would be at their office, where we’d first complete our registration forms. The office is located at Mertasari Beach, Sanur, and is attached to a restaurant where guests could either order breakfast or bring their own food. So, carrying our packed breakfast wasn’t an issue.
It took us around 45 minutes to reach Mertasari Beach, Sanur. As we got closer, traffic slowed down considerably. The roads were packed because a 10 km marathon was taking place that morning. Hundreds of runners dressed in bright red jerseys filled the streets while spectators and event volunteers lined the route, cheering them on. It was quite a lively atmosphere for so early in the morning.
Our driver dropped us at the Golden Horizon Bali Utama Office at Mertasari Beach. Another member of the team welcomed us, handed us our registration and liability forms, and offered optional seasickness pills before giving us a short safety briefing. Sidd filled out the liability forms while I selected our lunch preferences for the stop at Orca Beach Club.
Lunch was a fixed three-course menu. For the mains, we could choose between spaghetti Bolognese, nasi goreng, mie goreng, or a chicken burger with fries. The drink options were Coke or water, and dessert was either chocolate or vanilla ice cream or a mixed fruit plate. It wasn’t an elaborate meal, but it was more than sufficient. In fact, keeping lunch light made perfect sense considering we had several hours of swimming and snorkeling ahead of us.
As everyone slowly checked in, we realized people had joined the tour from all over Bali and from different parts of the world. Our boat had quite a diverse group, lots of young women in their twenties, three or four families travelling with children, and several couples. In all, I think there were around 30 people on our tour.
At around 7:45 a.m., after the briefing, we were asked to walk down to Mertasari Beach, where small dinghies would ferry us to our premium speedboats. Since it was low tide, the boats couldn’t come all the way to shore. Our larger group was divided into two smaller groups, each assigned to a separate boat.
The beach itself, honestly, felt a little overwhelming. There were dozens of dinghies and motorboats coming and going, while crew members from different tour companies shouted out names trying to gather their guests. The beach wasn’t the cleanest either. To add to the chaos, a huge stage had been set up for the marathon celebrations, and the singer on stage was enthusiastically belting out songs at full volume. At that hour of the morning, it was a bit too much stimulation for my brain!
Anyway, we took off our shoes, carried them in our hands, and walked barefoot through the cool, shallow water until we reached our light blue dinghy. (The tour operator had advised everyone to wear shoes because there would be a rocky path later during the land tour, though we also carried our slippers, hanging conveniently from the hook on Sidd’s backpack.)
The dinghy floor was already wet, so within seconds our shorts and underwear were soaked. We didn’t really mind because we were going to change into our swimwear once we boarded the speedboat anyway.
As we approached the speedboat, we were pleasantly surprised. It looked premium, spotless, and extremely well maintained. Once onboard, we were asked to place our shoes in a large basket to keep the deck clean. The boat had a small enclosed cabin below deck with a toilet, while the upper deck had an open sun deck where only about six people were allowed at a time.
We settled into our seats downstairs, changed into our swimwear, listened to the instructors explain the snorkeling equipment and safety procedures, and soon we were cruising across the Bali Sea towards Manta Bay, the first stop on our adventure. With masks, snorkels and fins ready, we couldn’t wait to jump into the crystal-clear water in search of the majestic manta rays.
As per the itinerary, snorkeling at Manta Bay, Gamat Bay, and Mangrove Point was supposed to be around 25–35 minutes at each location. However, in reality, it hardly felt like we had 15 minutes at each point. The experience often felt like: dive, swim, take a few photos, get back onto the boat, and move on to the next location. At times, it felt slightly rushed.
Snorkeling at Manta Bay: Expectations, Challenges, and a Magical Underwater World
When we reached Manta Bay, there were already more than a dozen boats filled with tourists waiting to either jump into the sea or already swimming alongside the mantas. The first sight reminded me of my experience at the Masai Mara safari. When we spotted an elusive leopard or a lion pride, our jeep radios would immediately alert other jeeps, and soon everyone would gather around, surrounding the poor animal and leaving it very little space to move freely.
Of course, here it was different because the mantas had the entire sea to escape into. But seeing so many boats and hundreds of people chasing these magnificent creatures somehow took away from the surreal feeling I had imagined. It felt less like a quiet encounter with nature and more like a coordinated tourist spectacle.
Before getting into the sea, we checked our snorkeling gear. The masks were handed to us from a pool bucket filled with salt water, supposedly as a natural way of cleaning them. When I wore mine, the salt water stung the corners of my eyes slightly. The mouthpiece was actually quite easy to manage, and breathing through it became comfortable after a little adjustment.
The fins, however, were a different story. The moment I wore them, I could feel the rubber sock portion pulling against the skin of my feet. I immediately regretted putting them on, but everyone around me was using them, so I continued.
For anyone who wasn’t a confident swimmer, life jackets were provided. Kiu and Arya chose to wear them too. They were incredibly excited about jumping into the sea and swimming alongside sea creatures. They were hoping to see huge mantas swimming close by, and I was honestly amazed by their adventurous spirit and confidence.
Sidd, however, was probably the most disadvantaged among us. He already struggles with limited vision, and because he couldn’t wear his glasses in the sea, everything underwater would appear blurry unless something came very close to him. On top of that, he wasn’t an expert swimmer, so he wouldn’t be able to dive deeper or explore freely like stronger swimmers could.
And yet, ironically, he was the one among us who appreciated sea life the most. He was always the first one ready for any sea adventure and genuinely fascinated by everything beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, my overconfident self decided not to take a life jacket. I knew how to swim well and assumed the snorkeling gear itself would help me float whenever needed. I jumped into the sea confidently, only to immediately realize that the current was much stronger than I expected.
The waves and currents kept pulling me around, and I found myself struggling more often than I liked. The snorkeling gear also needed some adjustment, and after losing my breath a couple of times because I couldn’t stabilize myself properly or breathe comfortably in the strong current, I finally admitted defeat and asked for a life jacket.
Adi was kind enough to hand me one while I was still in the sea, holding onto the tire float. The moment I put it on, everything changed.
Suddenly, I could relax and truly experience the magic beneath the surface.
The mantas came close, almost feeling like a personal encounter rather than just a sighting. The seabed below was filled with beautiful coral reefs, and tropical fish of every imaginable color swam beneath me. It genuinely felt like I was watching a live National Geographic documentary, except I was inside it.
I found myself envying the confident swimmers who could dive deeper and explore the sea more freely. There was so much beauty hidden below, and I wished I had the ability to experience even more of it.
Looking back, I can confidently say that we spent the most time at Manta Bay compared to the other two locations. We were given enough time to admire the sea creatures and swim alongside them. By the time it was time to return to the boat, the kids and I were completely exhausted.
Exploring Gamat Bay and Mangrove Point: More Sea Encounters and Family Adventures
Once we were safely back onboard, Arya decided she didn’t want to get into the sea again at Gamat Bay. We headed toward our next snorkeling destination, which was around a 15-minute ride away.
At Gamat Bay, the three of us decided to dive in while Arya stayed behind on the boat with Adi, Aji, and a few other tourists who also preferred not to enter the water again.
The moment I jumped into the sea at Gamat Bay, I was rewarded with an incredible sight, a huge sea turtle swimming nearby. What a beautiful and unexpected moment! Further into the sea, we saw many colorful fish, but the experience felt shorter than I hoped.
I felt that Gamat Bay deserved more time because the sea was calmer here, and there was so much more to discover.
Soon, we were called back onto the boat and headed toward our final snorkeling destination, Mangrove Point.
As we sat drenched on the boat waiting for the next stop, Adi and Aji kindly brought us freshly cut watermelon and offered us juice, Coke, and water. The simple gesture felt wonderful after hours in the water. We enjoyed the fresh fruit while checking on the kids, who surprisingly still seemed excited to continue the adventure.
Before reaching Mangrove Point, my feet started hurting badly from the rubber fins, so I finally removed them and decided not to enter the sea again. Kiu was also tired by then and chose to stay on the boat.
But Sidd, the one who had the most challenges yet appreciated the experience the most, was still ready to jump in again.
At Mangrove Point, the boat stopped in an area where the tide was much calmer compared to the previous two locations. I had a feeling Sidd would come back and tell us this was his favorite spot of all three.
By then, though, we were tired but happy. We had already experienced something incredibly special, and we were grateful that we had made it this far.
Lunch Stop at Orca Beach Club: A Much-Needed Break by the Sea
After an exciting morning exploring the underwater world, it was finally time for lunch at Orca Beach Club, located on the western coast of Nusa Lembongan, near Mushroom Bay. From Mangrove Point, it was just a stone’s throw away, making it a convenient stop to relax, refresh, and recharge before continuing with the Nusa Penida land tour.
Once again, a smaller motorboat came to pick us up from the larger snorkeling boat and safely bring us to shore. The arrival itself was beautiful, turquoise blue waters, soft sandy beach, and the relaxed island atmosphere immediately made us feel like we had stepped into another world.
The Orca Beach Club had a beautiful Greek-inspired blue and white aesthetic that blended perfectly with the tropical surroundings. It was designed as the kind of place where you could easily spend an entire afternoon doing nothing but soaking in the sun. There were beach umbrellas set up on the sand, a swing perfect for Instagram-worthy photos, a deep blue swimming pool, and a large bamboo canopy that housed the open bar and restaurant where we were supposed to have lunch.
The shower rooms were clean, which was exactly what I needed after spending hours in salty seawater. I quickly headed in for a shower and changed into dry clothes, knowing we still had a long car journey ahead for the Nusa Penida viewpoint. The kids and Sidd, however, had a completely different plan. They happily jumped into the swimming pool and were perfectly content having lunch while still wet from their swim.
The lunch provided was simple but tasty. Nothing extravagant, but after a morning of swimming, snorkeling, and being exposed to the sea, it was exactly what we needed. Once we finished eating, the kids and Sidd finally showered and changed, and we prepared ourselves for the next adventure, the Nusa Penida land tour.
Choosing Between Relaxing at the Beach Club or Exploring Nusa Penida
One thing worth mentioning is that this itinerary gives you two options at this stage. You can either stay back at Orca Beach Club and spend your afternoon relaxing by the pool, swimming, and enjoying the beach, while only the interested members of the group take the one-hour drive to Nusa Penida for the viewpoints.
We chose the second option. Since we had already enjoyed a beach club experience two days earlier, we didn’t want to spend our limited time simply waiting around at the pool while others explored the island. We wanted to make the most of the opportunity and see what Nusa Penida had to offer.
That being said, I do wish we had been given a little more time at Orca Beach Club. We were given exactly 50 minutes to eat lunch, shower, change, and enjoy the pool, which once again felt slightly rushed. A little extra time here would have allowed us to properly relax and enjoy the beautiful setting before moving on.
As we were hurriedly putting on our shoes and packing our belongings, our driver Rian arrived to pick us up from Orca Beach Club.
A small detail worth mentioning, we actually didn’t need the sturdy shoes we had carried along with our rubber slippers. The boat team had collected everyone’s footwear and kept them in a basket, but somehow our shoes were left behind on the boat. We ended up with only slippers and hoped that the rocky path mentioned earlier would not be too difficult to walk on from the Nusa Penida parking area to the viewpoint.
Thankfully, Rian had a comfortable car waiting for us at the back side of the beach club.
The Scenic Drive Through Nusa Penida
The drive through Nusa Penida itself was beautiful. The winding roads, coconut trees, and lush greenery stretching along both sides created a surreal island landscape. Rian drove quietly and comfortably while the kids and I quickly fell asleep, catching up on the lost hours of sleep from our very early morning start.
After about an hour, we finally reached the famous Nusa Penida viewpoint.
Getting the sleepy and slightly grumpy kids out of the car in the scorching afternoon heat was a challenge of its own. The area was crowded with tourists, but the excitement of finally seeing the famous viewpoint pushed us forward.
Nusa Penida is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise sea views, and iconic coastal landscapes, especially the breathtaking cliffs overlooking the famous Kelingking Beach. The viewpoint is reached through a walking trail, and the entire route is lined with small shops selling beachwear, souvenirs, drinks, coffee, tea, and fresh young coconuts. There were probably restaurants around too, but honestly, I was too distracted by everything happening around me to notice.
What caught my attention the most was the number of Chinese tourists dressed in flowing gowns, hats, and even heels, all posing for photographs. I remember wondering where they had all come from because I hadn’t really noticed many Chinese tourists during our snorkeling trip or on the boats. Yet here, they seemed to be everywhere.
That was when Sidd told me about a special GetYourGuide-style tour that caters almost entirely to Instagram travelers. These visitors apparently arrive on a separate yacht experience, costing around USD 100–150 per person depending on the package, specifically for photography stops. They come to Nusa Penida mainly to capture iconic photos, spend a few hours exploring the viewpoints, and then leave again by boat.
Suddenly, the perfectly styled outfits and elaborate photoshoots made much more sense.
The funniest part was seeing people walking comfortably in platform heels and long dresses along a path that we had been warned could be rocky and challenging. Clearly, the trail wasn’t as intimidating as we had imagined.
The Famous Viewpoint: Beautiful but Crowded
Once we reached the viewpoint, I was both amazed and overwhelmed. The view itself was absolutely breathtaking, the dramatic cliffs, endless turquoise sea, and the contrast between the green landscape and deep blue waters were everything people had promised.
But the crowds were impossible to ignore.
Dozens of tourists were gathered along the railings, all trying to get the perfect photo. Thankfully, Rian helped us find a spot where we could finally appreciate the view without too much obstruction. And honestly, despite the crowds, the scenery was undeniably spectacular.
There is also a pathway that leads down toward the famous white sand beach below. When I looked down, I noticed only two tourists on the beach and immediately felt relieved. For a moment, I thought this hidden corner of Nusa Penida had escaped the crowds.
That happiness didn’t last long.
Rian pointed out a huge metal structure being built, part of a controversial elevator project that would eventually take tourists directly down to the beach. I couldn’t help but imagine hundreds of visitors arriving there daily with cameras, drones, elaborate outfits, and endless photo sessions. The thought of that untouched beach becoming another crowded attraction felt disappointing.
Of course, everyone experiences places differently, and tourism also brings opportunities for locals, but I couldn’t help feeling nostalgic for the quieter version of these natural wonders.
Not wanting to judge too much, I also explored the famous photo spots nearby. There were professional photographers offering quick photoshoots, and I would have loved to capture a proper family photograph there. Unfortunately, my kids’ patience for posed pictures was already finished for the day, so we decided to skip it.
The temple adjoining the viewpoint was unfortunately closed during our visit, but from outside it looked like a beautiful place that would have been worth exploring.
After Sidd completed his drone shots and we stood there soaking in the view one last time, we slowly made our way back to the car.
The Journey Back: A Quiet End to a Beautiful Day
The drive back was peaceful. After such an early start and such a packed day, all of us fell silent, catching up on the sleep we had missed.
When we returned to Orca Beach Club, we met the group members who had chosen to stay back. They looked relaxed, refreshed, and completely satisfied with their decision to spend the afternoon by the sea.
We waited on the beach for our boat to arrive, taking in the final moments of the island scenery. Once onboard, we once again found ourselves staring at the endless turquoise waters as we headed back.
The high-speed boat journey back was quiet and peaceful. Watermelon, drinks, and refreshments greeted us again, and we sat in the open section of the boat, feeling the strong waves crashing against us as the boat sped through the sea.
The current was strong, the ride was fast, and the day had been physically exhausting. But what stayed with me most was not the rushing between locations, the crowds, or the tiredness.
What stayed with me was the moment underwater, swimming alongside mantas, seeing coral reefs beneath me, watching colorful fish move effortlessly through the sea, and witnessing my children and Sidd embrace an experience completely outside their comfort zones.
This was truly a special adventure.
I am grateful for this experience, and grateful to Golden Horizon for creating memories that our family will carry with us for a long time.
Book Your Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure
There are two easy ways to book your snorkeling experience with Golden Horizon Bali Utama, depending on your preference.
Option 1: Book Directly with Golden Horizon
Booking direct is ideal if you have questions, need a private charter, or want to discuss your itinerary.
Golden Horizon Bali Utama
📍 Departure: Sanur, Bali
📞 WhatsApp/Phone: +62 823 4217 7776
📧 Email: goldenhorizon.experience@gmail.com
🌐 Website: https://www.goldenhorizon.id
Option 2: Book Through GetYourGuide
If you prefer a secure online booking platform with instant confirmation, verified reviews, flexible cancellation (where applicable), and multiple payment options, you can book the same experience through GetYourGuide.
Golden Horizon on GetYourGuide:
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