Crystal Bay is on the west side of Nusa Penida, facing the channel toward Nusa Ceningan. Inside the bay there is a sand flat and coral mounds. At the outer corner the slope falls into a deep valley.
The depth is about 5–40 m. The inside of the bay is calmer and is the part used when conditions are moderate. The outer corner has current and can have a downcurrent, so that route is for divers who are already comfortable in current. The water is coldest from July to October, sometimes below 20°C, when deeper water rises.
Mola come to cleaning stations around 18–30 m in the cold-water season, usually July to October. Outside that season they are rare. In the shallow bay there are turtles and surgeonfish.
- Map coordinate
- −8.71544, 115.45617
- Dive type
- Bay and wall
- Entry
- Boat
- Depth
- About 5–40 m
- Water
- Salt water. From July to October it can fall below 20°C.
Marine life
Mola
Most often looked for at the deep corner, from July to October. They come to be cleaned, and not on every dive.
Reef shark
Along the outer slope.
Turtle
Includes hawksbill turtles on the coral mounds inside the bay.
Napoleon wrasse
Often cruises the wall. Approach slowly.
Trevally
These schools are on the wall edge and on the coral.
Batfish
These schools are on the wall edge and on the coral.
Sweetlips
These schools are on the wall edge and on the coral.
Macro life
The deep corner is for the large animals. The small animals are easier on the shallow bay coral. For macro photos, use a macro lens and a focus light.
Frogfish
In the coral cracks inside the bay. Move slowly so the silt stays down.
Nudibranch
In the coral cracks inside the bay. Move slowly so the silt stays down.
An animal on this list is not guaranteed on every dive.