Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on September 8, 2023
Crystal Bay is a popular beach and snorkeling destination located on the Indonesian island of Nusa Penida. Nestled on the western coast, the bay is known for its stunning crystal-clear waters, white sandy beach, and vibrant marine life.
This particular snorkeling spot faces a very crowded beach, but this is also where the best area for viewing the hidden coral.
Marine life is somewhat limited in Crystal Bay, but snorkelers will still spot surgeons, butterfly fish and a variety of other reef fish.
Crystal Bay is a tranquil and picturesque spot, making it a favorite among tourists seeking natural beauty and underwater adventures in Nusa Penida.
Crystal Bay is a small beach located on Nusa Penida’s western coast. It is a popular stop for boat tours departing from Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembogan. You can also reach the location by road.
The beach gets very crowded because it is a regular stop for the tour operators taking tourists around the island. Thankfully, most of them will be around only for some selfies, few will venture to the sea. The tourists who do go into the sea usually don’t go further than ten yards from the shore. So although the area may be crowded, it is still a quiet spot to snorkel.
Crystal Bay has a rental place where you can get a mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket if needed.
You will enter the water from the beach free of access. It is best to have someone to watch over your belongings while you are out exploring. Watch out for potential sting rays when entering the water.
The left side of the beach has no corals and not much to see, so we recommend sticking to the right side highlighted on the map. This is where the most corals are.
As soon as you enter the water, the sand gives way and leaves room for a rocky bottom partially made of artificial blocks of concrete. These block emerge on low tide.
The bottom of the ocean here is of little interest. If you exclude the occasional tangs and some soft corals, there is not much life in this area. The corals here have obviously been stepped on by visitors at the ↕3-5ft depth.
The scenery changes when you venture further and the water gets deeper. About 21 yards away from the coast you will see the first hard corals. These corals gradually form more complex structures and a bit further out they have built a small reef (↕9-16ft). While there is no drop-off and no great variety, the contrast of the rocks covered by coral with the white sand bed is still beautiful.
The main corals that populate this area are the brain and the branched hard corals. Some butterflyfish populate the area but the marine life, on the side of the corals, remains limited.
Snorkelers should be mindful of the currents when snorkeling in this area. The currents tend to be strong and can pull you towards the channel leading to the open sea.
Crystal Bay has a few beachfront restaurants. Several accommodations are available in the area.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
