Beginner Scuba Try-Dive, Mantas

Sanctum Dive Nusa Penida runs this 4-hour beginner scuba experience, no certification required. It holds a 4.7 rating from 40 reviews on the listing, with free cancellation available.

Overview

This is a try-dive built around one animal: the manta ray. Sanctum Dive Nusa Penida runs a beginners' experience for non-certified divers that pairs a swimming pool training session with two open water dives at sites where manta sightings are described in the listing as close to guaranteed. No prior certification or dive history is expected.

The day runs about four hours and starts at 08:30 at the dive centre in Nusa Penida's town centre. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to Sanctum Dive Center. After the pool session covering the basics, the group heads out for two dives, with a good chance of sharing the water with mantas. All scuba gear is provided.

Afterwards there is lunch, plus snacks, fruit, coffee or tea and nonalcoholic drinks. It suits people who want a first taste of scuba with a specific wildlife goal attached, and who are comfortable in the water with moderate fitness. The group is capped at 10 travellers. One recent reviewer described poor instruction and an unfriendly coach, so it is worth reading the current reviews on the booking page before committing.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the dive centreArrive at Sanctum Dive Center in central Nusa Penida for an 08:30 start. There is no hotel pickup.
2. Pool training sessionThe experience begins with a training session in the swimming pool to cover the basics before the dives.
3. First diveHead out for the first of two open water dives, with manta rays the main target.
4. Second diveA second dive follows, likely alongside manta rays according to the listing.
5. Lunch and drinksAfter the dive trip, lunch is served along with snacks, fruit, coffee or tea and nonalcoholic drinks.
6. Return to meeting pointThe activity ends back at Sanctum Dive Center.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, from getting there to what the water demands of you.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup is not included. The operator asks travellers to meet at Sanctum Dive Center, which sits in the middle of the town centre and is easy to find on a map. Plan transport for an 08:30 start.
• Fitness and health. The listing asks for moderate physical fitness and no heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Two dives in one morning is a real workout for a first-timer, so be honest about your health when booking.
• Group size. The trip runs with a maximum of 10 travellers. That means sharing the instructor's attention with others in the pool session and in the water.
• Food and drink. Lunch, snacks, fruit, coffee or tea and nonalcoholic drinks are all included. Breakfast is not provided, so eat before the 08:30 start.
• Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, the operator offers a different date or a full refund.
• Gear and mobility. All scuba equipment is included in the price. The listing states the activity is wheelchair accessible, which is unusual for a dive trip, but worth confirming directly for individual needs.

Common issues. There is no hotel pickup and no breakfast, both of which catch travellers out. The trip needs a minimum number of travellers to run, and if that minimum is not met the operator offers a different date or experience, or a full refund. Weather can also cancel the day. One recent reviewer described inexperienced coaches and an unfriendly attitude during a first dive, so check recent reviews on the booking page before booking.

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