Crystal Bay is located on the west side of Nusa Penida and is one of the most popular dive sites in the area due to regular sightings of a rare marine creature Mola Mola. Starting July and through November Mola Mola, also known as sunfish, ascend to swallower depths of Crystal Bay to be cleaned. Mola Mola feeds mostly on jellyfish and to maintain its great size it needs to consume large amounts of jellyfish. It is amazing watching a gigantic Mola Mola swallowing jellyfish one by one with its small mouth. Another great feature of Crystal Bay is a beautiful coral reef that starts at 5m/16ft depth and goes down to a white sandy bottom. On the north side of the bay there is a Bat Cave. Divers can enter the Bat Cave from underwater and then go up to the surface to see numerous sleeping bats overhead. There can be reef sharks inside the cave but they are not aggressive and usually leave when divers arrive.
When To Go Diving
Diving at Crystal Bay is possible all year round. However, to see the marvelous Mola Mola, the best time to come here is between July and October, when sightings of this rare creature are almost guaranteed. The water temperature throughout the year stays at its average of 26C/79F. Strong unpredictable currents at Crystal Bay make diving possible only for experienced divers.
What to see
When diving at Crystal Bay, divers can see shoals of colorful reef fish, angelfish, sweetlips, frogfish and bannerfish. There is also a good chance to spot reef sharks, eagle rays and, of course, the main attraction of this location - the incredible Mola Mola.