Purple Dive Penida

Purple Dive Penida is situated in Sental, on the island of Nusa Penida, accessible via a 45-minute boat ride from Bali. Established in 2019, the centre has quickly become a key hub for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional careers in the industry.

As a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre and Eco Centre, the facility is geared towards high-standard instruction and environmental responsibility. The centre is a member of 1% for the Planet and holds Green Fins certification, maintaining eco-friendly facilities including bamboo showers and a water refill policy.

The team is composed of experienced PADI instructors who manage everything from beginner Discover Scuba Diving programmes to advanced professional training. For those looking to enter the industry, Course Directors Yvonne and Hélène oversee the professional development paths.

Instruction is multilingual, with staff capable of conducting courses and guiding dives in English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Chinese, and Spanish. To ensure safety and personalised attention, the centre maintains a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide.

Beyond recreational diving, the centre is heavily involved in conservation, organising regular beach clean-ups and promoting non-contact diving practices. They also cater to younger divers with specific programmes including Bubblemaker, Scuba Diver, and Junior Open Water.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the entire PADI spectrum. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, with subsequent levels including Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For professional aspirants, the centre is a dedicated Career Development Centre offering Divemaster, Instructor Development Courses (IDC), and Staff Instructor training. They also provide specialized training such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Drift Diver, Sidemount, and Self-Reliant diving.

Specialty training is also available in areas such as Underwater Navigation, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Photography, alongside environmental specialties like Shark Conservation, Coral Reef Conservation, and Dive Against Debris.

The centre provides full equipment hire for divers, though you will need to provide your own dive computer for fun dives. If you do not have one, computers are available for hire.

For those looking to capture their dives, GoPro cameras are available to rent. The centre also offers 15-litre cylinders for those requiring extra gas capacity during their dives.

The waters around Nusa Penida are famous for large pelagics. Between June and October, the Mola-mola (ocean sunfish) is the star attraction, often found near Crystal Bay and SD Point. You can also encounter Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) at Manta Point, as well as various sharks including Reef shark (Carcharhinus), Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), and Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus).

On the reef walls and slopes, you will find a high density of colourful marine life. Expect to see large schools of fish including Jack (Carangidae), Tuna (Thunnus), and various species of Triggerfish (Balistidae). Turtles, including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), are regularly sighted across many of the local sites.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host an array of smaller creatures. You can find Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of shrimp and crabs, including the orangutan crab. Look closely among the sponges and corals for Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), octopus, and Seahorse.

The seascape itself is built from diverse structures, including Hard coral (Scleractinia), Soft coral (Alcyonacea), and various Sponge (Porifera) formations that provide habitat for the local inhabitants.

Diving in this region is heavily influenced by tides and seasonal shifts. Many of the best sites, such as Crystal Bay, Batu Mulapan, and SD Point, are drift dives where currents can range from moderate to very strong.

Swell and wind can impact accessibility at certain sites, particularly Manta Point and Crystal Bay. It is important to note that the centre selects dive sites daily based on the specific prevailing weather and tidal conditions to ensure safety.