Nusa Penida Full Day Tour by Riki J Yacht 13 meters

The big draw here is simple: you get a 13-meter private yacht for a full day around Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, rather than squeezing onto a basic fast boat and rushing between a few stops. The plan combines manta-ray snorkeling, several coral sites, a beachside lunch, and time on the water.

I like the generous snorkeling schedule, with about an hour at each of three underwater areas. I also like the practical touches: coffee, tea, pastries, a hot shower at the Serangan office, and underwater GoPro footage included in the price. The main catch is cost. At $637.79 per person, this makes the most sense for a private group that values space and a boat of its own.

Key points at a glance

• 13-meter private yacht: Your group has the boat to itself for the day.
• Three snorkeling areas: Expect stops around Lembongan, SD Point, and Wall Bay.
• Manta-ray search: Manta Bay or Manta Point is chosen based on where rays are available.
• Lunch by a private beach: Khamara Nusa Penida includes scenic views, a white-sand beach, and daybeds.
• Underwater footage included: A GoPro is used to capture photos and videos at no added charge.
• Extra costs to plan for: Private hotel transfers and a Nusa Penida car tour are not included.

Starting with coffee at Serangan Harbor

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Boat Tours and Rental Bali-Nusa Penida office on Jl. Tukad Punggawa in Serangan, south of Denpasar. The office sits across from the port, and you receive a welcome drink before departure.

This is a better start than being dropped straight onto a boat. You can get your bearings, have coffee from % Arabica, choose from teas and other drinks, and pick up a pastry before the yacht leaves. The small breakfast service matters because the first proper meal comes later, after the morning snorkeling.

The crossing to Nusa Penida takes about 30 minutes by boat. That is relatively short for a day at sea, but the total experience still runs about eight to ten hours. Your day includes travel, several water stops, lunch, and the return trip, so plan on a full outing rather than a quick excursion.

The activity is private, meaning only your own group participates. That gives you more room on the yacht and avoids joining a large mixed party. It does not automatically mean every stop or timing can be changed, though. The listed program is full, and weather and manta-ray conditions affect the order of the day.

Calm water at the Bali Hai Lagoon near Lembongan

The first water stop is described as a quiet Bali Hai Lagoon near Nusa Lembongan. You snorkel in clear, calm water around coral gardens for about an hour.

This is a sensible opening stop. After the crossing, calm water gives you time to get comfortable with the equipment and settle into the rhythm of the day. It should also suit less confident swimmers better than a site with a strong current, though conditions can change.

The word secret is used for this lagoon, but do not expect a completely private patch of sea. The useful point is that it is chosen for calm water and coral viewing. You will likely spend much of this hour looking below the surface at reef life, not touring the island itself.

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, landing fees, and facility fees are included. You should still bring sun protection and a dry change of clothes, since most of the morning is spent in or near the water.

SD Point and the current-led snorkeling

The second stop is SD Point, described as a site farther east along Nusa Penida. This area is known for current drift snorkeling, coral gardens, turtles, and schools of fish.

This stop may be the most active part of the morning. Current drift snorkeling can let the water carry you along the reef instead of requiring constant swimming, but it also demands attention to the guide and conditions. If you are not comfortable in moving water, tell the crew early and ask how the current is running that day.

The schedule allows about an hour here. That is enough time to see the site without turning the morning into one long swim. Turtles are specifically mentioned as a possibility, not a promise. Marine life is never guaranteed, and the same applies to visibility.

I like the variety between the calm lagoon and SD Point. One gives you an easy introduction; the other adds movement and a different view of the reef. You are not simply stopping at three versions of the same snorkeling site.

Wall Bay beside the mangroves

The third snorkeling stop is Wall Bay Point. Here, you can snorkel near mangroves and see coral reefs and marine life for about an hour.

The mangrove setting gives this stop a different feel from the open-water sites. It is less about speed and more about looking closely at the waterline and reef area. The description highlights coral and marine life, but it does not promise a particular species at Wall Bay.

Three one-hour water stops can be excellent value for people who came mainly to snorkel. It also means the day is not ideal if you want a long shore visit on Nusa Penida. This is primarily a boat and sea excursion, with land time kept short.

You should also note that swimming conditions may differ at every stop. Clear water and calm conditions are mentioned for the first lagoon, while SD Point involves a current. Ask the crew for instructions before entering the water, and do not treat the three sites as interchangeable.

Lunch at Khamara Nusa Penida

After the morning snorkeling, the yacht takes you to Khamara Nusa Penida for about an hour and a half. Lunch is included, and the setting features broad views, a private white-sand beach, and a daybed beside the shore.

This is one of the day’s best pauses. After several hours in the water, you get time to dry off, eat, and sit somewhere comfortable instead of having lunch on a moving boat. Beach access also gives you a chance to enjoy Nusa Penida without committing to a long land excursion.

The meal itself is included, but the supplied details do not specify the menu. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before departure rather than assuming the lunch can be changed. Bottled water is included as well.

The 90-minute stop is long enough to make lunch feel like a real break. It also takes up a sizeable part of the day. If your priority is maximizing time with manta rays or snorkeling, you may see this as time away from the water. I see it as necessary breathing room in a packed program.

Looking for giant manta rays at Manta Bay

The final major water stop is Manta Bay or Manta Point, selected according to manta-ray availability. The aim is to swim with giant oceanic manta rays for about an hour.

This is the headline experience, but it is important to read the promise correctly. The crew takes you to an area where manta rays may be found. No sea tour can guarantee that the rays will appear, stay near the boat, or provide ideal visibility.

The manta stop comes after the other snorkeling areas and lunch. That timing may work well if the crew has better information about conditions later in the day. It can also mean you reach the most anticipated activity when you are already tired. Keep some energy in reserve during the morning.

For many people, this is worth the trip even if the manta encounter does not work out. You still have three reef stops, a yacht crossing, lunch, and the scenery around Nusa Penida and Lembongan. The experience is strongest when you see the manta search as one part of the day, not the only reason to book.

Underwater photos and videos captured with a GoPro are included. That is a useful extra, especially if you do not want to risk your own phone in salt water. Ask how and when the footage will be delivered, since the supplied information confirms the footage is included but does not explain the delivery method.

What happens with Kelingking Cliff and the land tour

The overall tour description includes a Kelingking Cliff car tour and lagoon cruising. The detailed stop schedule, however, focuses on the three snorkeling areas, lunch, Manta Bay or Manta Point, and the boat return. A private Nusa Penida land tour is also listed as an extra at 800,000 IDR per car for up to five people.

That distinction matters. If Kelingking Cliff is a must-see for you, confirm before booking exactly how the car tour fits into your day and whether it is included in your selected package. The extra land tour may be the way to add it, but the supplied details do not state that the cliff visit is part of the base price.

A car tour can also change the character of the day. You would trade some time on the water for a land stop, and roads around Nusa Penida can make island touring slower than the map suggests. For a first visit, that may be worthwhile. For a group focused on reefs and manta rays, the boat-only plan may be the better match.

What the $637.79 price really buys

At $637.79 per person, this is not a budget snorkeling trip. The value comes from privacy, the size of the yacht, the full-day schedule, lunch, equipment, water, facility fees, and underwater footage.

The private format is the key factor. If several people share the cost, a 13-meter yacht can make sense for a birthday, family outing, or close group that wants its own space. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, the per-person price is much harder to justify unless comfort and privacy matter more than saving money.

The package also removes several small expenses that can add up. You do not pay separately for snorkeling equipment, lunch, bottled water, landing fees, or GoPro footage. Still, two notable items remain outside the price:

• Private transfer to or from your accommodation costs 300,000 IDR one way for up to five people.
• A private Nusa Penida land tour costs 800,000 IDR per car for up to five people.

Transfers are available to Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur, Kerobokan, Canggu, Ubud, Denpasar, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and other listed areas. Since the meeting point is in Serangan, confirm the transfer cost and pickup arrangement before the day of the trip.

Comfort, timing, and practical limits

The boat returns to the Serangan office at the end of the activity, although you can instead be dropped at Toya Pakeh Harbor on Nusa Penida if that suits your plans. A hot shower is available at the Serangan office, a welcome luxury after a day in salt water.

The 8:30 a.m. start keeps the day moving without requiring a pre-dawn departure. You should still allow time to reach Serangan, especially if you are coming from Seminyak or farther away. A private transfer can remove some stress, but it costs extra.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify the exact public transport route. If you have limited swimming ability, mobility concerns, or a medical issue, ask the operator for current conditions and boarding details before paying.

Weather is a real factor. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Who should book this yacht day

I would choose this for a group that wants a private boat, lots of water time, and a polished start and finish. It suits confident swimmers, snorkelers who want more than one reef stop, and families or friends willing to split a high price.

I would hesitate if your main goal is Kelingking Cliff, island villages, or a long land tour. The day is built around the sea. I would also think twice if you dislike variable conditions, since visibility, currents, and manta sightings cannot be controlled.

The most praised elements of the experience are its friendly hosting, generous time on the boat, ample snorkeling, and pleasant lunch stop. Those are exactly the features that make the day work: you are not rushed from one brief photo stop to another.

Should you book the Riki J Yacht tour?

Book it if you want a private yacht day centered on snorkeling, with three reef areas, a manta-ray search, lunch by a beach, and GoPro footage included. The Serangan office services and hot shower add comfort, and the return options make the day easier to plan.

Skip it if $637.79 per person feels steep or if your priority is a full Nusa Penida road tour. Before booking, confirm the Kelingking Cliff arrangements, check the private transfer cost from your hotel, and ask how the underwater footage will be delivered.

For the right group, this is a comfortable and well-filled day on the water. Just remember that the price buys privacy and convenience, not guaranteed manta rays or guaranteed weather.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Boat Tours and Rental Bali-Nusa Penida office, Jl. Tukad Punggawa No. 238, Serangan, Denpasar Selatan, Bali.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to ten hours, including the boat crossing, snorkeling stops, lunch, and return.

How long is the boat ride to Nusa Penida?

The crossing from Serangan to Nusa Penida takes about 30 minutes by boat.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, and the tour uses a private 13-meter yacht.

Are snorkeling equipment and lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, landing and facility fees, and underwater GoPro footage are included.

Is a hotel transfer included?

No. Private transfers cost 300,000 IDR one way for up to five people. Transfers are available to areas including Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur, Canggu, Ubud, Denpasar, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.