A recap of my experience learning to scuba dive in Nusa Lembongan, a quiet and charming little island just off the coast of Bali, Indonesia. 

I recently crossed an experience off my bucket list: scuba diving!

Not only did I try scuba diving for the first time, I completed an Open Water Course and am now a certified diver. 

I had the most amazing experience and I want to recap all the details for my readers. Staying on Nusa Lembongan, learning the skills and theory for diving, and exploring the underwater world of Indonesia was a highlight of my life. 

For anyone wanting to try scuba diving in Nusa Lembongan, dive for the first time anywhere, or do an Open Water Course, I hope this article helps inspire and prepare others. 

Learning To Scuba Dive In Nusa Lembongan

Here is my experience doing an Open Water Course in Nusa Lembongan near Bali. I’ll cover the dive school I went with, what it was like, the reef sites we visited, and all the logistics of the course.

I’ll also explain why Nusa Lembongan is the perfect place to do your course! 

Check out my list of the 17 Best Things To Do On Nusa Lembongan for fun things to do on the island.

Choosing a dive school in Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is one of the most popular places for scuba diving courses in Indonesia. Located just a 30-minute boat ride from mainland Bali, this gorgeous, peaceful little island has countless reputable dive schools. 

The island is also surrounded by reefs and marine life, as are the neighboring islands of Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. 

Because there are so many dive schools, I would recommend doing some of your own research to compare prices, locations, and reviews. 

Pick a dive school that’s close to your accommodation on the island for convenience. Or just pick your accommodation to suit your dive school.

Most dive schools and accommodations are around the main beach on the island’s northwest. 

Dive Concepts Lembongan

The dive school I chose for my Open Water Course was Dive Concepts Lembongan. 

I chose this school because a friend in Sydney recommended it! She had done their Open Water Course recently and absolutely loved it. 

So I followed in her footsteps and booked the 3 day Open Water Course. Dive Concepts is a reputable dive school in Indonesia, with dive schools all around Bali and the surrounding islands. 

They also have great reviews, so I felt comfortable booking with them. Before choosing your dive school in Bali, I would check to make sure the company has positive reviews. Having a first hand recommendation from someone is helpful as well!

Where to stay on Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is small, with most dive schools and accommodations on the northwestern beach. 

It’s a good idea to pick accommodation that is walking distance from your dive school, unless you want to rent a scooter to get around. 

I chose Nyah Gading Homestay from Hostelworld, which had amazing reviews, cheap prices, and was only a 2-minute walk to Dive Concepts. 

Dive Concepts have nearby accommodations that they partner with, but I found this hostel to be much cheaper. It was also so cozy and right next to the dive center, so it was a great choice. 

How much is an Open Water Course on Nusa Lembongan?

A 3-day Open Water Course at Dive Concepts Lembongan costs 5,000,000 IDR. This converts to around 450 AUD, 300 USD, or 280 Euros.

This is so affordable compared to other countries! In Australia, a 3-day Open Water Course can be anywhere from 700 AUD to 1,000 AUD depending on where you go.

The fee includes all training, gear, 4 guided dives, and tea/coffee/snacks/lunch aboard the dive boat. It also includes access to the SSI online courses.

The only extra I had to pay was the 300,000 IDR fee to visit Manta Point, and I paid extra to do a 5th dive on our second day at sea.

Save money during your travels with these 50 Budget Travel Tips!

Should I do a dive course in Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida?

Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida both have amazing dive sites, but I personally am really happy I chose to stay on Nusa Lembongan. 

Even if you do a scuba diving course in Nusa Lembongan, you’ll still get to scuba dive at the reef sites around Nusa Penida. The islands are so close, so it’s a short boat ride from Lembongan to popular Nusa Penida sites like Manta Point. 

Out of the 5 dives we did, 4 of them were at reef sites on Nusa Penida.

But Nusa Lembongan is such a nice place to stay. It’s really small so everything is within walking distance and there is a really relaxing vibe here. 

I only explored Nusa Penida on a day trip, so I don’t know what it’s like to stay here for a few days. But the island is much larger than Nusa Lembongan, and many recommend having a motorbike to get around. 

Most dive schools in Nusa Penida are on the north shore of the island. 

My experience learning to scuba dive on Nusa Lembongan

So I had chosen my dive school, booked my open water course, and organized my accommodation on Nusa Lembongan. 

After two weeks of exploring Uluwatu and Ubud on mainland Bali, I took a fast boat from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan. I checked into the adorable Nyah Gading Homestay and started my dive course the next day.

A 3 day Open Water Course consists of pool training, a written exam, 4 guided dives, and a series of skills that you have to complete.

Prepare for your trip to Bali with these important travel tips.

Open Water Course Day 1: Theory and Pool Training

My dive course started with the basics. I met the other students in my dive group, one German guy and one Canadian girl. We met our instructors, Kass from Quebec and Silvère from France. 

The five of us settled around a table next to the pool, and Kass started summarizing the theory that we were assigned to read before the start of the course. 

Theory

When you sign up for a dive course through SSI or PADI, you usually have to complete some online lessons in advance. Don’t skip this or rush through it at the last minute! Take your time to read the material and actually try to understand the theory of diving. 

There is a lot of information to remember, including exact numbers and measurements.

Kass started our dive course by just talking through the theory and testing what we could remember from the online lessons. 

Honestly, we didn’t remember much. But Kass went over everything in detail and the information is easier to absorb when someone is explaining it to you in person. And having read the theory at least once before did help me remember the important facts the second time around. 

You have to pass a written test to get your dive certification. And many of the facts are vital for scuba diving safely. So learning the theory is essential! 

Kass constantly tested us on the important facts throughout the entire dive course to prepare us for the test. The repetition was really useful and helped me pass the exam the following day. 

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Learning about the dive gear

After about an hour of learning theory, we had an introduction to the dive gear. We learned about each piece of equipment, how to assemble it, and how to put it on. 

Scuba diving is a hardcore sport! I was already feeling overwhelmed trying to remember everything about the theory and the gear, and we hadn’t even gotten in the water yet. 

But the #1 piece of advice for scuba diving? Relax. That’s all anyone ever told me about scuba diving before I tried it. And it’s what I kept telling myself throughout the entire process. 

Feeling awkward and uncoordinated in all your dive gear for the first time? Relax and just go with it. You’ll be in the water soon!

Feeling like you’ve already forgotten all the important theory your instructor just told you? Relax, it will come back to you eventually. 

And once you get underwater, relaxing becomes even more vital. So practice staying calm even when you’re on land because the habit will help you underwater.

Pool practice

Once we suited up in our wetsuits, booties, fins, masks, BCD vests, weight belts, and tanks, we entered the swimming pool for our first trial underwater. 

We started slow, focusing on just breathing under the surface and adjusting to the feeling. It is super weird at first, but you get used to it surprisingly quickly. Once the instructors start teaching you different skills and maneuvers, it’s easy to forget that you’re breathing underwater. 

We learned the different skills needed to pass the practical exam for the certification. These include removing your regulator (the breathing apparatus) and putting it back in place, and removing your mask and putting it back in place. 

We also learned how to share air with other divers, how to ascend safely, and how to control buoyancy. 

Our instructors were so great and they made everything feel safe and easy. Every skill was explained and demonstrated and the class went at a nice pace. 

Practicing buoyancy and movement in the pool was difficult because it was a small space. But our instructors assured us that everything is easier and more fun in the ocean.

When class was over and we packed up all our gear, I was buzzing all evening with anticipation for my first scuba dive in the ocean the next day!

Open Water Course Day 2: Ocean Scuba Dives, Underwater Skills, and Written Test

On the morning of day 2, I walked over to Dive Concepts, met the team, and prepared for the day. We gathered our gear, walked down to the beach, and boarded the dive boat. 

Dive boats depart Dive Concepts Lembongan every day, carrying multiple dive groups. So our group of 5 stuck together, and there were a few other groups of certified divers with their own Dive Masters onboard. 

All the boat staff were super nice and had tea, coffee, water, and biscuits for everyone all day. 

The sun was shining, the water was a vibrant blue, and we set off towards our first dive site of the day!

Diving at Manta Point, Nusa Penida

It was a stunning boat ride along the rugged, wild cliffs of southern Nusa Penida. After about an hour we stopped at Manta Point, one of Indonesia’s most famous dive sites. 

Manta Point is famous because of the many manta rays that swim through its waters. Apparently they like to clean themselves on the rocks here. 

It’s also a popular spot for snorkel tours, though I’ve heard the experience is much more tranquil and less chaotic if you’re diving down deep rather than snorkeling on the surface. 

I soon realized this is true – the surface at Manta Point was hectic! The water was rough and choppy and there were LOTS of boats and divers everywhere. The crowds and current made the conditions pretty rough for my first ever dive. 

But I was pumped to be there, feeling calm and confident, and ready to see some manta rays! 

My first ever scuba dive

Our dive group jumped in the water and began to practice our first descent into the open ocean. 

It took longer than expected because the Canadian girl in our group was really nervous. She was getting panicky, which is the #1 thing to avoid while scuba diving. 

Our instructors wanted everyone to stay together, so we all waited for the girl to relax and descend with us. From the surface, we could already see manta rays swimming below us!

Eventually we were all able to descend, and we went down to 12 meters. There wasn’t much coral, just the sandy ocean floor right beneath us. But there were so many manta rays!

Finding the right buoyancy was challenging, and I was constantly trying to remember how to use the equipment correctly. While my brain was doing somersaults, giant manta rays were swimming right next to me and over me the whole time. 

It was magical, wild, intimidating, and overwhelming. It was also such a blur and it went by so fast. I honestly don’t know how I managed to stay calm despite my heart racing while trying to fix my buoyancy, avoid mistakes, and admire the manta rays. 

At one point, four manta rays emerged from the darkness underwater, swimming in a line heading right towards me. I felt slightly terrified but also absolutely amazed. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have had this as my first scuba dive!

Diving at Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida

Our second dive site for the day was Crystal Bay off the west coast of Nusa Penida. We jumped in the water and headed straight for the ocean floor. 

After completely deflating our BCD vests, we kneeled on the sand at 12 meters below sea level. It was time to complete our skills so we could get our certifications.

Completing the underwater skills

One by one, we each completed 3 skills with the regulator, 3 skills with the mask, and air-sharing practices while the instructor watched. I did them all with no mistakes, which was a great feeling. 

However, removing my mask on the ocean floor and then putting it back on was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.

Most of the skills were easy, but this one was challenging even in the pool. When you’re scuba diving, you have to maintain consistent breathing patterns. You should never hold your breath!

But when you remove your mask underwater, your first instinct is to either hold your breath or breathe in through your nose. Both can be dangerous, so you have to fight the urge to do either.

So I slammed my eyes shut and removed the mask. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t see a thing. All I wanted to do was paddle to the surface to find light and air, but I knew I couldn’t. I had to pause for a few moments in the darkness to just focus on breathing through my mouth calmly. 

Finally, I put the mask back on, tilted my head to the sky, exhaled through my nose, and replaced the mask. The salt water burned my eyes and I was still feeling a bit stressed, but my instructor gave me a high five and I knew the hardest part was over.

So we left our spot on the sandy floor and spent the rest of the time exploring some stunning coral reefs!

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Completing the written test

After the dive at Crystal Bay, we had some lunch on the boat. Lunch consisted of yellow rice and noodles in a brown paper bag. It definitely wasn’t gourmet, but it hit the spot. 

We arrived back at Dive Concepts Lembongan sunburned, exhausted, and happy. 

Next, we sat down to take our written exam. Everyone passed! But our instructors went over all the questions that we got wrong afterwards. Kass was determined for everyone to address their mistakes and understand the correct answers.

Open Water Course Day 3: The 3 Final Scuba Dives 

The final day of the scuba diving in Nusa Lembongan felt like a breeze. 

Scuba diving really does get easier, which surprised me considering how overwhelmed I felt at the start. 

We needed 2 more dives today to complete our open water course. The only skill left that we needed to pass was sharing air on the ascent. This was a piece of cake, especially compared to the dreaded underwater mask removal. 

Diving at Mas Gading and Sental, Nusa Penida

The next two dives were at Pura Mas Gading and Sental, both on the north coast of Nusa Penida. 

For both dives, we descended to 18 meters. For the US folk, that’s almost 60 feet. But when you’re adjusted to the calmness underwater, it doesn’t feel hard at all to go that deep. 

By this point the dives weren’t stressful. They were so much fun! 

We saw turtles, octopuses, eels, parrotfish, angelfish, clownfish, pufferfish, trumpetfish, wrasse, and so much more. 

The coral reefs were incredible, with unique shapes and colors surrounding us in all directions. It was amazing to explore deeper in the ocean than I had ever gone before!

Diving at Mangrove Point, Nusa Lembongan

The third dive on day 3 was optional since we had already passed our open water course. But I decided to go for it since I was having a blast and was already all suited up. 

We dove at Mangrove Point off the north coast of Nusa Lembongan. 

This reef site had a massive current, so the boat dropped us off and picked us up at the other end of the reef. 

We just drifted along the edge of the coral walls, admiring the marine life and letting the current carry us. It was actually quite hard to maneuver with the strong current, especially because you’re trying to slow down to avoid finishing the dive too quickly. 

At one point we all grabbed onto a rope attached to a rock and turned around to face the current. The water whipped our faces as we gripped the rope and tried not to go flying backwards. 

Overall thoughts on learning to scuba dive in Nusa Lembongan

By the fifth dive, I was feeling so accomplished and comfortable underwater. Scuba diving is really peaceful once you get the hang of it. 

The only sound was the hiss of my own inhale and the bubbles from my exhale. Colorful marine life just thrived before my eyes, unbothered by my presence. 

Buoyancy became much easier to control with each dive as well. So overall, I loved scuba diving and I had a blast learning something new and challenging. 

It’s been a while since I’ve started something as a complete beginner. I literally knew nothing about scuba diving and it was a humbling experience. 

But my instructors were amazing and I never felt unsafe. It was really difficult at first, and watching the girl in my group panic and not pass her certification was unsettling. 

But I’m proud of myself for staying calm, learning the skills, and successfully learning to scuba dive in Nusa Lembongan! 

Why scuba dive in Nusa Lembongan?

After experiencing the dive course and laid-back energy of the island, I think Nusa Lembongan is the perfect place to learn how to scuba dive.

The island is charming and small, yet has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Nusa Lembongan isn’t super modern or commercialized, but the dive schools are very high-quality and reputable.

Scuba diving is one of the main reasons why people come to Nusa Lembongan. The reef sites in the area are world-class, and dive courses are affordable here.

And I just loved how chill the island was. Some people may prefer the craziness of Bali, but I think the calm atmosphere on Nusa Lembongan perfectly aligns with the calm headspace you need for diving.

So I highly recommend learning to scuba dive in Nusa Lembongan!

Check out my other articles about Indonesia:

6 Best Uluwatu Beaches, Bali

Bali Travel Tips: Important Things To Know Before You Go

How To Visit Ubud On A Budget

The Perfect Ubud Waterfall Itinerary: Self Drive Tour

5 Beautiful Ubud Walks In Bali, Indonesia