Group dive plans for experienced divers · Nusa Penida · Candidasa · Lombok
Explore Beyond
Custom dive trips beyond the famous sites
Much More Than the Famous Dive Sites
Most divers come to Nusa Penida for the manta rays and, in season, the elusive mola mola. It’s easy to understand why. These encounters have made the island one of the most celebrated dive destinations in the world.
But there is much more to Nusa Penida than its most famous residents, and a growing number of divers are beginning to explore further.
For many visiting divers, a trip to Penida revolves around Manta Point and, in season, Crystal Bay. These iconic sites have earned their reputation and remain among the island’s greatest attractions. Yet a growing number of divers are beginning to explore beyond them.
Hidden Reefs in Northern and Eastern Nusa Penida
Along the island’s northern and eastern shores lies one of Indonesia’s most remarkable reef systems, home to thriving coral communities and an extraordinary diversity of marine life. Sites such as SD Point, Sental, Karang Sari, Batumulapan, Mangrove and Toyapakeh reveal a different side of Penida, where healthy reefs, schooling fish and exceptional coral growth often become the stars of the dive.
- SD Point
- Sental
- Karang Sari
- Batumulapan
- Mangrove
- Toyapakeh
Among the highlights is a giant colony of Galaxea astreata, believed to be one of the largest known single-species coral colonies in the world, a reminder that Penida’s reefs are remarkable not only for what visits them, but also for what grows here permanently.
Advanced Dive Sites in Nusa Penida
And then there is another Nusa Penida. A side of the island that few visiting divers ever experience.
Some dive sites can only be explored when conditions, tides and experience levels align. Others require advanced certifications, solid buoyancy skills and a group of divers comfortable in more demanding environments.
This is where names such as Malibu, Blue Corner, Gamat Bay, Ceningan Wall, Rabbit Hole and Batu Bolong take on almost mythical status among experienced divers. These are dives that reward preparation, awareness and experience with some of the most exhilarating underwater experiences around the island.
The Bali Crossing: Diving Off Candidasa
Some of Bali’s most rewarding dives lie just across the Badung Strait.
The islands of Gili Tepekong, Gili Mimpang and Gili Biaha, off Candidasa in East Bali, offer steep underwater topography, deep water, strong currents and encounters with pelagic species. For experienced divers, they complement Nusa Penida perfectly, adding caves, pinnacles, walls and a very different underwater character to the itinerary.
Together, Nusa Penida and East Bali create an exceptional menu of advanced dive sites that can be combined according to sea conditions, tides and the experience level of the group.
Our Explore Beyond program is designed for groups of at least six experienced divers who want access to this wider range of diving opportunities. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, we build each program around the conditions and goals of the group, selecting the sites that offer the best diving at that particular time.
Contact us to start the dive plan.
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The Lombok Prowler.
Southwest Lombok remains surprisingly overlooked considering the quality and diversity of diving it offers. The pinnacles of Belongas Bay (The Magnet, Cathedral, Gili Sarang) and Gili Gede (Gili Gede Wall, Batu Putih, Shark House) add a very different experience to the itinerary.
A two-day expedition departing from Nusa Penida, including overnight accommodation in Lombok and up to six dives. Available for groups of twelve experienced divers or more.
Ask Us About the Lombok ProwlerExplore Beyond FAQ
What is Explore Beyond?
Explore Beyond is Temple Diving’s program of custom group dive plans for experienced divers who want to go further than the famous dive sites of Nusa Penida. It covers hidden reefs and advanced sites around Nusa Penida, the East Bali sites across the Badung Strait near Candidasa and, soon, the Lombok Prowler expedition.
How many divers do we need for an Explore Beyond trip?
Explore Beyond is designed for groups of at least six experienced divers. The Lombok Prowler expedition is available for groups of twelve experienced divers or more.
Is there a fixed itinerary?
No. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, we build each program around the conditions and goals of the group, selecting the sites that offer the best diving at that particular time.
Which dive sites can we visit?
Around Nusa Penida: SD Point, Sental, Karang Sari, Batumulapan, Mangrove and Toyapakeh, plus advanced sites such as Malibu, Blue Corner, Gamat Bay, Ceningan Wall, Rabbit Hole and Batu Bolong. In East Bali, off Candidasa: Gili Tepekong, Gili Mimpang and Gili Biaha. The selection depends on sea conditions, tides and the experience level of the group.
Do I need advanced certifications?
Some dive sites can only be explored when conditions, tides and experience levels align. Others require advanced certifications, solid buoyancy skills and a group of divers comfortable in more demanding environments.
What is the Lombok Prowler?
The Lombok Prowler is a two-day expedition departing from Nusa Penida, including overnight accommodation in Lombok and up to six dives around the pinnacles of Belongas Bay and Gili Gede. It is coming soon and is available for groups of twelve experienced divers or more.
How do we start planning a trip?
Contact Temple Diving on WhatsApp at +62 823-4065-5494 to start the dive plan.