Let’s talk about the number one reason so many people fall in love with Nusa Lembongan: the incredible underwater world.
Our island is world-famous for its crystal-clear, turquoise water. We have some of the best snorkeling spots Nusa Lembongan has to offer, right on our doorstep. This is a magical place where you can float over vibrant coral gardens, swim with schools of rainbow-colored fish, and spot a peaceful sea turtle nibbling on algae.
And of course, there are the gentle giants.
People travel from all over the world for a snorkeling with Manta Rays Lembongan guide tour. To see one of these massive, graceful creatures glide silently past you is a moment that will stay with you for your entire life.
But here is the most important part: when we put on our masks and fins, we are visitors in their home. The coral reefs, the fish, the Mantas, and the turtles—they live here. We are just dropping in to say hello.
This beautiful underwater world is very strong, but it is also very fragile. It is our job, as visitors, to protect it. The great news is that being a responsible snorkeler is very, very easy.
These simple rules cost you nothing, but they mean everything for the future of our reefs. This is how we all practice sustainable tourism Lembongan and make sure this paradise stays just as beautiful for our children and grandchildren.
1. DO NOT Touch or Stand on the Coral (This is the #1 Rule!)
This is the biggest and most important rule. Ever.
That beautiful, colorful “rock” or “plant” you see? It’s not a rock or a plant. It is a living animal. In fact, it’s a colony of thousands of tiny animals called polyps. And they are extremely fragile.
A simple touch from your hand, your fin, or your knee can kill it. The oils on our skin can make them sick, and a careless kick with a fin can destroy decades of slow-growing coral in a single second.
When you see snorkelers standing on the reef to adjust their masks, they are accidentally killing the very thing they came to see.
How to fix it: Always float. Keep your fins and feet on the surface. If you absolutely must stand up, look down first. Find a clear, white, sandy patch. Never, ever stand on anything with color. This is the most important lesson for family snorkeling Lembongan: teach your kids to “float like a starfish” and never stand on the coral.
2. Wear “Reef-Safe” Sunscreen (or a Rash Vest!)
Did you know your sunscreen could be harming the coral? It sounds hard to believe, but it’s true.
Most common, chemical-based sunscreens contain ingredients like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. When these chemicals wash off your skin and into the water (and they do, thousands of gallons a day!), they act like a poison to the coral. They cause “coral bleaching,” which is when the coral gets sick, turns white, and often dies.
How to fix it:
- Read the Label: Look for sunscreens that are “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly.” The best ones are “mineral-based” and use Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.
- Wear Your Sunscreen: The best option? Wear a long-sleeved rash vest or a UV-blocking t-shirt when you swim. It gives you 100% protection from the sun, and you don’t have to put any sunscreen on your back or shoulders at all. Less chemicals, less cost, less sunburn!
3. Do Not Chase or Crowd the Marine Life
You’re at Manta Point, and you see one! That first “Manta!” shout from the boat is so exciting. In that excitement, everyone jumps in and a “chase” begins.
This is very stressful for the animals. Remember, Manta rays come to these “cleaning stations” to have little fish clean them. It’s like their spa. Sea turtles come up to breathe. If a pack of 20 snorkelers is chasing them, they get scared, stop feeding or cleaning, and leave the area.
How to fix it: Stay calm. Float. Swim parallel to the animal, not at it. Give them at least 10 feet (3 meters) of space. Be quiet. The magic moment is when you stay still, and the Manta ray or turtle decides to curiously swim past you. Let them be in charge.
4. Never, Ever Feed the Fish
It seems so fun. You bring a banana or some bread from the hotel, and suddenly you’re surrounded by hundreds of beautiful fish. But you are actually doing a lot of harm.
Fish are not designed to eat bread or bananas. It’s junk food that makes them sick and can damage their internal organs. It also makes them aggressive and dependent on humans, so they stop doing their real “job”—like eating algae, which keeps the reef clean and healthy.
How to fix it: Just watch them. Enjoy them in their natural state.
5. Choose a Good Boat Captain
A good boat captain is a key part of your Nusa Lembongan boat trip itinerary. When you arrive at a snorkel spot, look at what your captain does.
A bad captain will throw a heavy anchor overboard, which can smash and kill a 100-year-old coral head in an instant.
How to fix it: A responsible captain will never drop an anchor on the reef. They will look for a sandy bottom or use a “mooring buoy”—those floating balls in the water that are a permanent, safe place to tie the boat.
Your Adventure, Done the Right Way
Gecko Tip: We love the ocean, and we want you to have the most amazing and safe time snorkeling. When you’re ready to book your boat trip, just ask our friendly team at Gecko Bungalows.
We don’t just find you a random boat. We work with trusted, local boat captains who we know personally. We know they follow these rules. They respect the ocean, they never drop anchors on the reef, and they know how to find the Mantas in a safe, responsible way. We can help you book one of the most fun water activities Nusa Lembongan has, all while protecting the home we love.