What Is the SD Point Dive Site in Nusa Penida?

SD Point is a drift dive on the north coast of Nusa Penida. The reef begins as a shallow coral plateau at about 5 m and slopes down to 40 m, and the current carries divers along it. The site takes its name from the primary school on the shore: SD stands for Sekolah Dasar, the Indonesian for primary school.

It is rated from beginner to expert, and its shallow coral also suits snorkelers. On our own pages, we use both names, SD and SD Point.

What Are the Key Facts About SD Point?

Item	Detail
Location	North coast of Nusa Penida
Name	SD stands for Sekolah Dasar, the primary school on the shore
Type of dive	Drift dive along a reef plateau and slope
Depth	5 to 40 m
Current	None to strong
Water temperature	20 to 29°C, 25°C on average
Visibility	Excellent to mild
Level	Beginner to expert
Marine life	Dense schools of reef fish, turtles, giant trevally, barracuda and tuna. Mola mola on the deeper slope in season
Also good for	Snorkeling over the shallow coral

The depth, temperature, visibility, current and level are from our site card for SD. The other details are from our dive sites and diving trips pages. The meaning of the name comes from other dive centres on the island.

Where Is SD Point?

SD Point lies on the north coast of Nusa Penida, the same coast as our dive centre at Ped. We sit just in front of the island's drift dive sites, a few minutes away by boat.

SD is one of four neighbouring sites along this coast. We group it with Buyuk, Sental and Ped as our North Penida dive sites, all of them drift dives along the same kind of reef.

How Deep Is SD Point, and What Does the Reef Look Like?

The reef has two parts.

• The plateau: The coral starts shallow, at about 5 m. This is the part that suits snorkelers and new divers.
• The slope: Beyond the plateau the reef slopes into deeper water, down to 40 m. This is where larger fish pass.

The north coast reefs are vibrant, with sponges and colourful fish. You choose your depth on the slope by your certification: 18 m for Open Water divers and 30 m for Advanced Open Water divers.

How Strong Is the Current at SD Point?

The site card gives the range as none to strong. The north coast sites are dived as drifts.

1. The boat drops the group at one point on the reef.
2. The group drifts along the slope with the current.
3. The dive team sends up a surface marker buoy.
4. The boat collects the group where it surfaces.

Drift diving here is less effort than it sounds, because you are carried instead of swimming. The rules are short. Do not fight the current. Stay close to the reef, where the water is slower. Stay with your guide, and check your air and depth often.

What Marine Life Can You See at SD Point?

We compare SD Point to life in an aquarium, because of the number of fish.

• Schooling fish. Drummer fish, giant trevally, barracuda and tuna.
• Turtles. Hawksbill and green turtles are common at most sites around the island.
• Reef life. Sponges and colourful reef fish along the whole slope. Other dive centres add triggerfish, clownfish, lionfish and mantis shrimps to the list.
• Mola mola. Sometimes seen where the reef slopes into deeper water, from June to October. The main season runs from mid-July to mid-October.

Who Should Dive SD Point?

You are	SD Point is
A snorkeler	Suitable over the shallow coral. Ask whether your trip includes it
A new Open Water Diver	A good first drift dive on a mild day, with a guide
An Advanced Open Water Diver	Worth it for the deeper slope, and for a chance of a mola in season
An underwater photographer	Good for fish schools and turtles. Drifting makes it harder to stop for small subjects

On a day of strong current the site becomes a fast drift, and your guide decides whether it fits the group.

When Is the Best Time to Dive SD Point?

SD Point is dived all year.

• April to October is the dry season, with cooler water and the chance of a mola on the deeper slope.
• November to March is the rainy season, with warmer water. The first rains, in December and January, can change the visibility from day to day.

The site card gives 20 to 29°C, with an average of 25°C. That makes this site warmer than Crystal Bay or Manta Point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SD stand for in SD Point?

Sekolah Dasar, which means primary school in Indonesian. The site is named after the school on the shore.

Is SD Point good for beginners?

Yes, for certified beginners on a mild day. The reef starts shallow, the site card rates it from beginner to expert, and a guide leads the drift.

Can you snorkel at SD Point?

The shallow coral suits snorkelers. Our published snorkeling routes list other sites, so ask us if you want SD included.

Can you see mola mola at SD Point?

Sometimes, in season. Mola mola are spotted on the deeper slopes of the north coast from June to October.

How far is SD Point from our dive centre?

A few minutes by boat. Our dive centre is on the same north coast, in front of the drift sites.

Is SD Point the same site as Ped or Sental?

No. They are neighbouring sites along the same coast, with the same kind of sloping reef and the same drift.

Conclusion

SD Point is a north coast drift dive over a reef that starts at 5 m and slopes to 40 m. It is close to our dive centre, full of fish and open to every level on the right day.

It is a good place to learn what drift diving feels like before you take on the island's stronger sites.