NUSA PENIDA DIVING TRIPS

OTHER RESIDENTS

Besides the big two, there are plenty of other highlights when scuba diving Nusa Penida. Silvertip and Grey reef sharks often roam the waters in search of prey (don’t worry, you are not their prey!). Big Marble rays call these waters home and are often seen around 25-30m. It’s likely that you’ll also run into some Hawksbill or Green turtles floating along in the current or chomping down on some coral.

Reef fish of all sorts are abundant in Nusa Penida, swimming about the island’s colourful coral reef. Many compare diving here to being inside an aquarium, particularly in sites such as Mangrove and Toyapakeh. Huge schools of giant trevally fish are abundant, as are the famous Clownfish. You’ll see them hanging around their anemone homes!

THINGS TO LOOKOUT FOR

Be careful where you put your hands around these parts. Moray eels are often looming about, hiding inside holes and crevices. Additionally, Scorpionfish and Stonefish disguise themselves very well and can look like another piece of the environment. They have highly venomous spines so make sure you look closely when scuba diving Nusa Penida. You may even run into macro critters like nudibranchs that way.

Besides, a briefing will contain information that may be interesting to you, such as the history of the dive site and what marine species you may see. Rather than just following your guide, better to listen well and be an independent diver.

REMEMBER THE FUNDAMENTAL

Whether you got your Open Water yesterday or 10 years ago, the basics don’t become any less important. Always check your dive computer regularly to stay within your no-deco limits. Watch your gas consumption so that you have around 50 bars at the end of your dive. In case of emergency, you’re going to be glad you have some extra air saved- that buffer is there for a reason!

Don’t lose your buddy. Currents, when you dive Nusa Penida, can be wildly unpredictable so stay close if possible. If either of you gets lost, look around for 1 minute. Ascend slowly and wait for your buddy there- this should have been discussed in the briefing. In addition, make sure you look up overhead in case of any boats passing by. If you have an SMB, deployed during your ascend.

PREPARATION

Make sure your set up is streamlined to prevent the risk of entanglement. Be familiar with your equipment so that you’re not scrambling around in the current trying to look for something. This is particularly important when it comes to safety equipment like your Surface Marker Buoy. Make sure it’s securely clipped or stored somewhere that is easily accessible- you don’t want it floating away in the current! Moreover, have your buddy familiarize themselves with your set up and vice versa. Have a clear understanding of each other’s dive plan- communication is key to a safe dive!

DON’T FIGHT THE CURRENT

No matter how strong you are, the current is always stronger! Swimming against it unnecessarily will just waste the air in your tank. Staying close to the reef will reduce the effect of current but watch your buoyancy! We wouldn’t want to be crashing into corals, now would we?

Think of yourself as riding the current- have fun as you soar across the water! Make small nuanced adjustments in the water to avoid hazards. Use your fins to your advantage.

END OF THE DIVE

You’re guaranteed to be picked up by a boat when scuba diving in Nusa Penida. That means there’s always the hazard of boat traffic overhead. That’s why a Surface Marker Buoy is a necessity on every dive. It will alert your presence to your surroundings and keep you safe.

Maintain your buoyancy during the safety stop and stay at the same depth as your guide. As always, stay close to your group to reduce the risk of getting swept away. When you do surface, keep your mask and regulator on until you are safely on the boat. It’s easy for strong waves to knock off your equipment so best to be safe than sorry.

WHEN WORST COMES TO WORST

In the event of an emergency, the worst thing you can do is panic. Stop, think, and then act. Remember the separation procedure your divemaster went over during the briefing. Slowly ascend according to your dive computer and deploy your SMB. Once you resurface, you can wave it around and use your whistle to get the attention of the boat.

DOWN CURRENTS

Down current can be a stressful thing to experience – having a better understanding of how it works can help you better deal with it. When strong current hits areas with a steep drop off, such as a wall, the water either moves up or down depending on the topographical characteristics. It can also happen when two horizontal currents meet, with the resulting collision going either down or up.

In the event of a down current, first, recognize what is happening and stay calm. Looking at the direction of the bubbles from your regulator, you can confirm if it is a down current. Though down current can be strong, they are usually not wide. Swim horizontally rather than trying to fight it by going upwards – this will just exhaust your air supply. Adding air to your BCD will help slow your descent but be ready to dump it all out when you get out of it!

CURRENT

Up current occurs for similar reasons as down current. Follow the same advice but empty your BCD instead to slow your ascent. Remember not to hold your breath to prevent the risk of lung overexpansion injury. Do not try to swim straight down, move horizontally to get out of the current. Scuba diving in Nusa Penida doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re mentally prepared with the right information!