Temple Diving by Mar Adentro

Temple Diving by Mar Adentro is situated on the coast of Nusa Penida, offering direct access to some of Indonesia's most dynamic marine environments. Their beachfront location allows for a seamless transition from the centre to the boats, with staff loading cylinders and kit directly onto the vessels to get you into the water as early as possible.

The centre is designed to cater to the specific demands of the local waters, which are known for their currents and significant pelagic activity. By planning dive schedules around the tides rather than fixed clock times, the team ensures you are positioned in the best possible conditions for your specific certification level.

As a PADI 5 Star facility, the centre maintains a high standard of professional instruction and safety. The team is composed of experienced, certified instructors and guides who combine local knowledge of the currents and seasonal migrations with structured dive planning.

To maintain a controlled environment, the centre operates with a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide. This allows for attentive guidance, especially when navigating the more challenging drift dives or deeper wall dives common in this region. They also offer PADI Adaptive Techniques for divers requiring specialised assistance.

The training programme covers the entire PADI spectrum, from the initial Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver courses through to professional-level Divemaster training. They offer specialised courses to refine your skills, including Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diving, and Sidemount Diving.

For those looking to expand their technical capabilities, the centre provides Nitrox and Oxygen Provider training. They also offer specialty packages that combine courses, such as the Master Scuba Diver Pack or combinations of Advanced Open Water with Drift or Deep specialties. Emergency First Response (EFR) is also available to ensure you have the essential first aid skills.

The centre operates two boats, providing different itineraries each day to give divers a choice between destinations such as Manta Point or other local reef systems. This allows for variety in your diving programme, whether you are seeking high-energy drift dives or more sheltered reef explorations.

Onboard, you will find water, snacks, crackers, and drinks to keep you hydrated and fuelled between dives. The boats are set up to facilitate efficient departures, helping you reach the most iconic sites while the conditions are optimal.

The centre provides a complete range of rental equipment for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes everything required for a full dive, from regulators to wetsuits. For divers requiring specific configurations, 15-litre cylinders are available for hire.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their no-decompression limits. The centre also provides dive computers for rent, ensuring you have the necessary tools for safe depth and time management on every excursion.

The waters around Nusa Penida are famous for large pelagics. You can regularly encounter Manta rays (Mobula alfredi), reef sharks (Carcharhinus), and various species of eagle rays (Aetobatus). During the months of July to October, the area becomes a key location for spotting the ocean sunfish (Mola mola).

In the shallower reef areas and bays, the biodiversity is immense. You will see plenty of turtles, including the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside schools of jacks (Carangidae), barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), and various species of tuna (Thunnus). Large trevally and dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) are also common sights.

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a wealth of smaller creatures. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of shrimp and mantis shrimp. The colourful coral formations, consisting of both hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea), provide a complex habitat for octopus, moray eels (Muraenidae), and many species of reef fish.

Diving in Nusa Penida is defined by its dynamic oceanography. The currents can range from moderate to very strong and are often unpredictable, with occasional downcurrents occurring at depth. Because of this, the centre plans all dives based on the tides to ensure safety and optimal positioning.

Conditions vary significantly between sites; some areas offer calm, sheltered reef environments, while others, like Blue Corner or Malibu Point, require advanced skills to manage the powerful surges and currents. The centre's expertise in local tidal patterns is essential for navigating these shifts safely.