Big Fish Diving

Big Fish Diving is an established presence in Nusa Lembongan, having spent nearly a decade exploring the waters surrounding Nusa Penida and Ceningan. As one of the first dive centres to offer integrated accommodation on the island, they provide a seamless transition from the classroom to the boat.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, the team is deeply integrated into the local diving community and is an active member of the Lembongan Marine Association. They also serve as the base for the Marine Megalife Foundation (MMF), contributing to essential megafauna research in the Bali and Penida regions.

The instructors are highly experienced specialists in the local area, specifically trained to navigate the currents and locate the large pelagics that visit these waters. For those looking to professionalise their skills, the centre provides a structured path through the Divemaster programme.

The centre offers a complete range of PADI courses, beginning with Discover Scuba Diving for those new to the water. They provide all core certifications, including Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and the PADI Deep Diver Specialty.

For divers looking to improve their safety and response skills, the centre runs Emergency First Response (EFR) and Rescue Diver courses. They also support professional progression through the Divemaster programme and offer the Nitrox course to enhance dive planning capabilities.

The Agi is a custom-built boat specifically designed for local conditions, powered by two Suzuki 150HP four-stroke engines to ensure reliable transit to the dive sites. The vessel is well-equipped for safety, carrying a marine radio, emergency oxygen, and first aid kits.

During your trips, which include morning two-dive safaris and afternoon outings during the high season, you will be provided with hot and cold drinks as well as traditional Balinese Nasi Campur. The boat is also prepared for night dives, allowing you to explore the reefs after sunset.

The shore-based facilities include a dedicated training pool with both a shallow section and a 2.5m deep area, making it an ideal spot for skills practice or beginner training. For air quality, the centre utilises a Bauer Poseidon 200 compressor fitted with a P2/P61 filter to ensure clean breathing gas.

Full equipment hire is available, featuring well-maintained kit from Aqualung and Scubapro. The rental selection includes 3mm full suits, 3mm shorties, hooded vests, booties, and adjustable fins. Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom times.

The area is renowned for its large pelagics. You can expect to see manta rays (Mobula alfredi), eagle rays (Aetobatus), and various sharks, including reef sharks (Carcharhinus), bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium), and nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum). During the season from July to November, the ocean sunfish (bump-head sunfish) are a primary attraction.

The reef architecture is built from diverse hard corals (Scleractinia), including large table corals and coral bommies. You will find a variety of colourful fish such as jacks (Carangidae), fusiliers (Caesio), butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and red-toothed triggerfishes. Large schools of trevallies and tuna (Thunnus) often pass through the deeper sections.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), frogfish (Antennarius), and scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). Keep a close watch on the seabed and coral formations for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), moray eels (Muraenidae), and various species of stingrays, including the blue spotted stingrays.

Diving in this region requires an understanding of varying water movements. While some sites like Manta Point are relatively calm, others such as Blue Corner, Ceningan Wall, and the Mangroves are known for strong currents that require confident buoyancy and experience.

Manta Point can also be subject to swell, so choosing the right day for a boat trip is essential for a comfortable experience.