Sental, Nusa Penida: Insane Reef and Drift Dive

Austin Tuwiner
PADI Divemaster · 500+ dives · 20 countries & states
November 6, 2026
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I dove Sental Point in July 2026 with Scuba Center Asia Lembongan, by boat out of Lembongan. I did this as a drift dive.

Dive Log · Nusa Penida, Indonesia · July 2026

Sental Point

Dive Score4.6 / 5
Dive Data from my Garmin Descent MK3i
Max Depth
61ft / 18.6m
Avg Depth
38ft / 11.6m
Dive Time
48min
Water Temp
82.4°F / 28°C
Visibility
100ft / 30.5m
Entry
Boat
Recommended Certification
Advanced Open Water
Why it scored 4.6Tied #1 of 13 I've dived in Indonesia
My take: A wall drift off Nusa Penida's north shore with 100 ft (30 m) of visibility. The current is tide-driven, so it can switch mid-dive.
My satisfaction5/5
Marine life5/5
Reef or wreck5/5
Conditions5/5
Crowds4/5
Getting there3/5
My 6 ratings above, plus visibility, water temp, cost, season and ease from the dive data. 5 = calm, uncrowded and easy to reach. How the Dive Score works
Drift Bali Coordinates: 📍 -8.675738, 115.518048

The Dive

Austin at the surface in his mask with the shoreline and resorts behind him, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

The boat drops you off, and you'll start drifting the moment you hit the water.

Diver holding a camera close to the reef top, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

From there it's a straight ride, the current pushes you along the reef edge, and you spend most of the dive scanning the coral walls, and occasionally out to the blue.

Coral bommie rising off the reef with fish scattered above, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

The boat crew tracks the group the whole way and picks up divers at the surface.

Sental has a reputation as one of Nusa Penida's better shots at big pelagics, Mola Mola, whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles are all known to pass through here.

Dive Log · Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Sental Point

Dive Data from my Garmin Descent MK3i
Max Depth
61ft / 18.6m
Avg Depth
38ft / 11.6m
Dive Time
48min
Water Temp
82.4°F / 28°C
Visibility
100ft / 30.5m
Entry
Boat
Recommended Certification
Advanced Open Water
Drift Bali -8.675738, 115.518048

What Marine Life I Saw

Nudibranch on the reef surrounded by pale coral and algae, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Bright green anemones and feather stars covering the reef, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Mixed green and brown anemones and soft coral packed across the reef, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Turtle resting on a coral head with plate corals around it, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

‍

Turtle wedged into the reef beside brain and whip corals, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Anemonefish hidden among the tentacles of a large pale anemone, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
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Conditions & Logistics

Logistics

Group walking down the beach with dive gear toward the waiting boats at sunrise, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

Booked through Scuba Center Asia Lembongan, picked up by boat from Lembongan. This is a drift dive with no fixed exit point, so a surface marker buoy (SMB) and a dive computer are needed.

This dive site is typically done on the same day as Sekolah Desar.

Conditions

I wore a 3mm shorty and it was completely fine in 82.4°F (28°C) water. If you run warm, you could comfortably go thinner
I wore a 3mm shorty and it was completely fine in 82.4°F (28°C) water. If you run warm, you could comfortably go thinner.

Visibility on my dive was 100 ft (30m), water temp 82.4°F (28°C).

Diver working along the reef top holding a camera, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia

Current at Sental is tide-dependent rather than constant, it can run one direction, reverse, or even switch mid-dive depending on the tide,.

Coral head covered in soft growth with fish scattered above it, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Bright green feather star on a colourful patch of reef, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Diver ascending toward the surface with another diver filming behind, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Green feather star and soft corals covering the top of a bommie, Sental, Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Austin Tuwiner

Hey I'm Austin, a PADI Divemaster based in South Florida .

I initially got certified at 16 at a scuba camp in Kona, Hawaii, did my Advanced Open Water on Koh Tao, my deep and nitrox on Gili Trawangan, and my Rescue and Divemaster in Miami.

Since then I've logged 500+ dives across 20 countries and states. I write about the gear I dive with, the sites I've dived, and the trips I've taken.

Hear Austin's Story

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