Sampalan

Sampalan is an advanced dive site on the east coast of Nusa Penida, where strong currents and cold upwellings from the Lombok Strait create productive conditions for encountering large pelagic species. The site features a rocky reef slope descending to about 25 meters, covered in barrel sponges, gorgonian fans, and healthy hard coral formations. During the cool season from July to October, mola mola (ocean sunfish) visit the site's cleaning stations, making Sampalan one of several Nusa Penida locations known for these enigmatic encounters. White-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schools of trevally are present year-round, while the reef supports abundant populations of surgeonfish, sweetlips, and fusiliers. Thermoclines can be severe, and currents demanding, requiring advanced skills and proper thermal protection. Sampalan offers authentic Nusa Penida diving with less diver traffic than the more famous east coast sites.