Pura Ped Dive Site – Nusa Penida

Site Overview

Pura Ped is a stunning dive site on the southern coast of Nusa Penida, named after the dramatic Hindu temple that perches on the cliffs above. The underwater landscape mirrors the dramatic scenery above, featuring a spectacular coral-covered wall and slope that descends from 5 meters to approximately 25 meters depth. The wall is adorned with a breathtaking display of soft corals in shades of purple, orange, and yellow, complemented by large gorgonian fans, barrel sponges, and crinoids that create a riot of color and texture. The nutrient-rich currents from the Indian Ocean sustain an extraordinary abundance of marine life, with schools of barracuda forming silver tornadoes above the reef, eagle rays gliding gracefully along the wall, and whitetip reef sharks patrolling the deeper sand channels. During the mola mola season from August through October, the site becomes an important cleaning station where the ocean sunfish rise from the deep to be serviced by smaller reef fish. Hawksbill turtles are regular visitors, often seen grazing on the sponge and algae growth on the wall. Pura Ped offers a more moderate alternative to the extreme conditions at nearby SD Point, providing intermediate divers with access to the spectacular southern coast marine life without the most challenging currents. The combination of vibrant soft coral scenery, abundant fish life, and the possibility of big-animal encounters makes Pura Ped one of the most rewarding dive sites in the Nusa Penida region.