Project Laut

Project Laut is situated on the shores of Nusa Penida, Indonesia, serving as a dedicated diving and conservation hub. Established in 2019, the centre operates as an SSI Instructor Training Centre, bridging the gap between recreational diving and professional marine science.

The centre is deeply integrated into the local ecosystem, acting as the first REEF.org conservation partner and field research station in Asia. This scientific foundation informs their approach to diving, making it a primary destination for those looking to combine exploration with marine ecology.

The team is composed of highly qualified professionals, including SSI Instructor Trainers, Extended Range instructors, and marine biologists. This expertise ensures that whether you are completing your first certification or training for a professional career, the instruction is grounded in both technical proficiency and biological understanding.

Safety and precision are central to their operations, particularly given the challenging currents of the region. The centre maintains a strict ratio of a maximum of four divers per guide, ensuring close supervision and clear briefings for every excursion.

As an SSI Instructor Training Centre, the range of courses is extensive. Beginners can start with the Scuba Diver or Open Water Diver certifications, progressing through Advanced Open Water, Deep Diving, and Diver Stress & Rescue. The centre also offers specialised training in Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, and Night & Limited Visibility.

For those looking to advance their technical or professional skills, Project Laut provides Extended Range, Extended Range Nitrox 80%, and Extended Range Sidemount training. They also facilitate the full professional pathway, from Divemaster through to the Instructor Training Course. A strong emphasis is placed on ecology, with specific specialties available in Manta Ecology, Shark Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, and Coral Reef Restoration.

The centre provides full equipment hire for all diving activities, though divers are encouraged to bring their own BCD and regulator for courses to benefit from a discount. Please note that dive computers are not included in fun dive packages and must be provided by the diver or rented separately.

Nitrox is available on request for all diving trips. For those staying on-site, accommodation is provided at the Tala Boutique Bungalows, which features air-conditioned rooms, hot water, a swimming pool, and a yoga shala.

The waters around Nusa Penida are famous for large pelagics. You can expect to encounter manta rays, eagle rays, and marbled rays, alongside various species of sharks including bamboo sharks, leopard sharks, and hammerhead sharks. During the mola mola season from July to October, the chance of seeing these unique fish increases significantly.

The reef life is diverse and vibrant, with large schools of jacks and various reef fish patrolling the walls. Sea turtles are a regular presence across many of the sites, often seen near the reef slopes.

For macro enthusiasts, the sandy patches and jetty areas provide excellent opportunities. You will find a wealth of nudibranchs, octopus, frogfish, pufferfish, and ghost pipefish hiding among the coral and rubble.

The hard coral cover is extensive, with healthy colonies of various species providing the foundation for the ecosystem. In certain areas like Sental, you can find some of the world's largest colonies of Galaxea coral.

Conditions in the Nusa islands can be highly variable. Currents range from gentle drifts to very strong, swirling, or unpredictable flows, particularly around the channel mouths and corners like Ceningan Wall or Blue Corner. Divers should be prepared for downcurrents and changing directions dictated by the tides and lunar phases.

Swell can affect the southern routes, particularly when heading towards Manta Point or Labyrinth. While many sites offer sheltered bays, the open water sites require confident buoyancy and experience with moving water.