Swimming with Giant Manta Rays on Nusa Penida Island

On Wednesday, we wake up early to catch a 7 a.m. speedboat for snorkeling and a trip to Nusa Penida Island. Right at the beginning, we’re told that some people didn’t show up—apparently their party the night before got a bit too wild. We’re told this is quite common in Bali.

So our small group heads out, which besides us and the tour operators includes two women from the U.S. and two girls from Australia who have just graduated from high school. In Australia, it’s apparently common for parents to treat their kids to an exciting trip after graduation, where they can practice independence. At times, the waves are pretty intense, so you really have to hold on tight to avoid being thrown from your seat.

Eventually, we reach our first snorkeling spot and are sent into the water with our gear. We’re lucky—before long, we see giant manta rays swimming beneath our feet, with wingspans that can reach up to seven meters. They pass by every so often. Our instructors photograph and film them with GoPros. There are also divers underwater, and several other snorkeling groups around. At one point, I lose sight of our group as they move along following the rays, but by asking for our boat’s name, I manage to find them again. Once we’ve had our fill of manta rays, we return to the boat.

We then continue on and make additional stops, where we’re able to see both sea turtles and dolphins swimming by. We’re told that we’re truly lucky to have spotted everything so easily.

After that, we have lunch on Nusa Penida Island. Since it’s extremely hot, I don’t miss the opportunity to jump into the pool for a quick swim. Then we’re taken to Kelingking, which offers the island’s most famous view of the cliff and its paradise beach. We also run into some old friends there—macaques—and even feed them.

Next, we return to the speedboat and make one final snorkeling stop. After that, we’re all pretty exhausted as we’re taken back to Bali. I chat with one of our instructors. He says we saw so many things because we seem like good people. Quite often, he says, people come snorkeling hungover or even drunk. If someone is very drunk, they’re not allowed into the water. They run tours daily, but fortunately, there have never been any serious accidents. He has also worked in tourism on land, but he finds working at sea much more exciting.

When we get back to shore, we all head to the beach for our big final meal together, since I have to go to the airport that same evening to start my journey back to Estonia. I tell my friends that the trip has been truly wonderful and that we’ve shared countless laughs.

After dinner, we take a short walk along Sanur Beach and then head together to Kuta Beach, where their next accommodation is located. Kuta is Bali’s main party area for tourists. The streets are filled with loud music from bars and nightclubs, and women offering massage services right on the street. I don’t get a massage on the street, but I do treat myself to a proper half-hour back massage at a reputable massage salon, which feels very well deserved after snorkeling.

After that, I say goodbye to my friends and head to the airport. I first fly to Doha, then to Helsinki, and after staying there overnight due to a snowstorm, I finally make it back home to Estonia.