Try Diving in Nusa Lembongan – Penida. For beginners (with 2 ocean dives)

Manta rays, turtles, coral gardens, and the chance to breathe underwater make this beginner scuba course one of Nusa Lembongan’s most appealing half-day adventures. You start slowly in a pool, then move to two guided ocean sessions with an instructor close by. The company also cites a 100-percent safety record, which matters when you are learning a new skill in open water.

I like the small maximum group of eight, since an instructor can give you more attention than on a crowded boat. I also like the practical all-in price: equipment, pool instruction, boat time, lunch, water, tea, and coffee are included. The main caution is that comfort levels vary. One customer found the instructor impatient during the first few minutes underwater, so you should speak up if you need more time to settle.

Key points to know before booking

• Two ocean sessions follow a pool lesson, making this a real introduction to scuba rather than a quick dip from a boat.
• Manta rays may appear all year, while Mola Mola sightings are most associated with July through October. Wildlife is never guaranteed.
• The group is limited to eight people, allowing for closer supervision and a calmer learning pace.
• Lunch, water, tea, coffee, and equipment are included, so you can arrive without a suitcase full of gear.
• The day runs from 8:00 am to roughly 3:00 or 3:30 pm, leaving little room for another major activity afterward.
• The course costs $125 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

Why Nusa Lembongan is a strong place to learn scuba

Nusa Lembongan and nearby Nusa Penida are known for clear water, coral reefs, and a dozen established underwater sites. That gives this course more interest than a simple training session in a featureless bay. You may be learning basic skills, but the setting can include coral, fish, turtles, manta rays, and other marine life.

The area is especially famous for Mola Mola, also called ocean sunfish, from July through October. Manta rays can be seen at any time of year, but conditions, location, and the animals themselves decide what appears on a given day. It is best to treat wildlife as a bonus, not a promise.

Possible sites include Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay, Toya Pakeh, and Sental. The exact locations depend on the weather and daily conditions, so you are not booking a fixed sightseeing route. That flexibility is sensible around exposed island waters, though it means you cannot plan on one particular site.

For a first scuba experience, the variety is useful. You learn the basics in a controlled setting, then get to use those skills where the underwater scenery gives the lesson a purpose. At the same time, clear water does not remove every challenge. Ocean movement, visibility, and nerves can make the first session feel demanding.

The 8:00 am start at Bali Diving Academy

Your morning begins at Bali Diving Academy Lembongan Island in Jungut Batu. The meeting address is in Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali, and the activity finishes at the same meeting point.

The early start serves a practical purpose. You have paperwork, equipment preparation, and a pool session before heading out to sea. Arriving on time matters because the day is organized around boat departure and two underwater sessions, not a flexible drop-in lesson.

The paperwork should also be the moment to mention anything that could affect your comfort. The course calls for a moderate fitness level. The information provided does not give a maximum age, medical screening list, or detailed accessibility policy, so you should ask the operator about any personal health concern before booking.

All required scuba equipment is provided. That is a meaningful convenience for beginners, since you do not need to rent or understand the equipment separately. You should still bring the normal personal items for a day on the water, but the key kit is covered by the price.

Pool training before the open water

The pool session is the most important part of the morning. Here, your instructor introduces basic scuba skills before asking you to deal with waves, depth, or a moving boat. You learn how to breathe through the regulator and work toward neutral buoyancy, the balanced feeling that lets you move without constantly sinking or floating upward.

For a beginner, the pool is where confidence is built. You can focus on breathing, equipment, and simple underwater movement without the extra distractions of an ocean site. If you feel nervous, this is the time to say so. A good instructor should know when you need another explanation or a slower pace.

One customer had a poor experience because the instructor seemed impatient after only three or four minutes of trying underwater. That is a useful warning, not a reason to reject the whole course. New scuba students do not all adjust at the same speed, and you should make your expectations clear before leaving the pool.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than eight people, the instructor has a better chance of seeing who is comfortable and who needs help. It is not a private lesson, so personal attention is not unlimited, but the group size is more reassuring than a large commercial outing.

The first ocean session around Lembongan or Penida

The schedule lists the first ocean session at about 10:00 am. By then, you have completed the initial training and received the basic equipment. Your instructor guides you underwater and remains close while you practice the skills from the pool in a real marine setting.

The first outing is likely to feel more exciting and more demanding than the pool. You have natural light, coral, fish, and changing conditions to notice, while still concentrating on breathing and staying balanced. That combination is exactly why a guided beginner course is preferable to trying to learn from a casual snorkel boat.

The possible sites around the islands offer different reasons to look forward to the experience. Manta Bay is associated with manta encounters, while Crystal Bay is one of the named locations linked with the area’s seasonal Mola Mola reputation. Gamat Bay, Toya Pakeh, and Sental add further options, but the operator does not promise a specific site.

The wildlife is worth discussing honestly. Manta rays are possible year-round, and turtles have been seen on this experience, but no animal sighting is guaranteed. Mola Mola are most closely associated with July through October. Weather and daily sea conditions can change the plan, so book this for the chance to see marine life, not as a wildlife guarantee.

The surface break, lunch, and hot drinks

After the first ocean session, you have about an hour on the surface. Tea, coffee, water, and a choice of lunch box are provided on the boat. A local lunch is also described as part of the day, giving you food without requiring a return to shore.

This pause is more than a meal stop. Beginner scuba takes concentration, and the surface interval gives you time to rest, drink, eat, and discuss how the first session went. Staying hydrated is particularly useful during a long morning on the water.

The lunch arrangement is simple rather than luxurious. You receive a lunch box and hot drinks, not a restaurant meal or a broad menu. For a boat-based activity priced at $125, that practical provision adds value and saves you from arranging food separately.

The hour also lets your body and mind reset before the second session. If the first outing felt unfamiliar, the break gives you a chance to ask questions and prepare for another attempt. If you already feel comfortable, the second session should give you more time to look around instead of focusing only on the mechanics.

The second ocean session and the ride back

The second ocean session follows the surface interval. You continue with an experienced instructor and have another chance to practice breathing, movement, and neutral buoyancy among the reefs around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.

Two ocean sessions are a strong feature for a first-time course. A single brief outing can end just as you begin to relax. The second gives you a chance to correct mistakes, feel more natural in the water, and spend more time observing the reef.

Still, you should not confuse this course with a certification program. The description presents it as a beginner experience with two guided ocean sessions, not as a full scuba qualification. If you want a formal certificate, ask Bali Diving Academy about the next training step. One French-speaking customer had such a good experience with the instructor that they planned to return for certification, but the name of that instructor is not provided.

You return to the meeting point around 3:00 to 3:30 pm. The total day lasts about eight hours, so I would not pair it with another major excursion. The schedule is full, and the return time can be affected by weather and sea conditions.

What the $125 price really includes

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Nusa Lembongan. It is also more than a short introductory pool lesson. The price includes instruction, all scuba equipment, pool training, two ocean sessions, boat time, lunch, water, tea, and coffee.

That bundle makes the cost easier to justify. You are paying for a structured first experience, not just access to the water. The instructor’s presence is central to the value, especially because the course is designed for people with no prior scuba skill.

The group discount may reduce the per-person cost if you are booking with others, though the amount of the discount is not specified. The maximum group size is eight, so even a discounted booking is not necessarily private.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 20 reviews and is recommended by 95 percent of customers. Those numbers suggest strong overall satisfaction, while the less positive account is important because it points to the one thing you cannot judge from the inclusions: teaching style. I would book with the understanding that the equipment and schedule are clear, but your comfort depends heavily on the instructor assigned that day.

Safety, instruction, and the one real concern

Bali Diving Academy describes itself as having a 100-percent safety record. That is a reassuring claim, though you should still listen carefully to the briefing and follow instructions. Scuba is not a sport where you should hide discomfort to keep the group moving.

The strongest praise centers on the instructors’ attitude toward marine life. One customer specifically appreciated passionate teaching and care for creatures and coral after seeing manta rays and turtles. That environmental focus matters in a place where healthy reefs are part of the attraction.

The small group is another safety advantage. An instructor managing eight people can generally keep a closer watch than someone leading a much larger group. The available information does not promise a particular instructor-to-student ratio, so do not assume that eight people means one instructor for every few participants.

Your own preparation matters too. You should arrive rested, honest about your swimming and fitness level, and ready to spend most of the day on the water. If you are anxious, ask for patient coaching at the start. The mixed feedback suggests that speaking up early is better than hoping a problem will fix itself underwater.

Who will get the most from this experience

This course suits you if you have never tried scuba and want a guided introduction without committing immediately to a certification course. The pool lesson lowers the pressure, while two ocean sessions let you find out how you actually feel in the sea.

It also suits people who want a full day around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida rather than a short activity squeezed between beach plans. The included lunch and drinks make the schedule easy, and the equipment provision keeps packing simple.

You may want another option if you dislike fixed schedules, have only a few free hours, or are uncomfortable with the possibility of changing sites. You should also check directly with the operator if you have a medical condition, mobility concern, or uncertainty about the moderate fitness requirement.

This is not the best choice if your only goal is to see manta rays or Mola Mola. Sightings depend on the site, season, and weather. Choose it for the complete learning experience, with wildlife as a welcome possibility.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

The activity is commonly booked about 20 days ahead, so planning early is sensible, especially during the July through October period associated with Mola Mola. Confirmation is normally immediate, but bookings made within nine days of the date may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not accepted for a refund. Since the meeting point is in Jungut Batu and the day begins early, confirm how you will reach the shop before the morning of the activity.

Should you book this beginner scuba course?

I would book this if you want a properly structured first scuba experience and like the idea of learning in a pool before visiting real reef sites. The two ocean sessions, small group cap, included equipment, and simple boat lunch give the $125 price solid value.

I would be more cautious if you need very gentle, highly personalized coaching. The overall rating is excellent, but one account describes an instructor who did not show enough patience during the first few minutes underwater. Ask about the teaching approach when you arrive, and do not continue if you feel unsafe or rushed.

For a first look at the underwater world around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, this is a well-equipped, full-day introduction. Book it for the training, reef scenery, and possibility of manta rays. Let the Mola Mola and turtle sightings be the happy extra.

FAQ

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The activity is designed for absolute beginners and includes a pool session covering basic scuba skills before the two guided ocean sessions.

How many ocean sessions are included?

Two guided ocean sessions are included after the pool training.

What time does the activity begin?

You meet at Bali Diving Academy in Jungut Batu at 8:00 am.

When does the activity finish?

The schedule says you return to the meeting point around 3:00 to 3:30 pm. The total duration is approximately eight hours.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. The scuba equipment needed for the activity is provided.

Is food included?

Yes. You receive a lunch box, water, tea, coffee, and a local lunch on the boat.

Can I see manta rays or Mola Mola?

Manta rays may be seen all year, while Mola Mola are associated especially with July through October. Sightings are not guaranteed and depend on the site and daily weather conditions.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is eight people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also result in a different date or a full refund.