Ceningan wall, Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia - Lombok & Gili Islands

Gem Cave. If you’re at Poor Knights, you’re probably going to visit. And you should. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a cave, lit up by bioluminescence, especially when you bring a torch. We always suggest diving it during high tide; the entrance feels more substantial, less like you’re threading a needle. The two entrances merge deeper inside, creating this surprisingly spacious chamber where the light really plays tricks on you. The magic happens when you hit the walls with your torch. What looks like dull rock transforms into a canvas of reds, oranges, and purples from sponges and anemones. We’ve spent ages just hovering, watching the shadows dance, looking for shy nudibranchs and shrimp tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for green wrasse darting between the rocks and, if you’re lucky, a sleepy spotted stargazer half-buried in the sand. Visibility here averages around 8m, which for a cave dive, feels perfectly adequate. It’s not a deep dive, maxing out at 9m, so it’s a great spot for newer divers to experience a cave without feeling overwhelmed. Just remember that torch – it truly makes the difference here.

Location: Lombok & Gili Islands, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: -8.687300, 115.467400
Type: cave

Marine Protected Area: KK Nusa Penida

Best Time to Dive in Lombok & Gili Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Lombok & Gili Islands occur in December, averaging 30.1°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 28.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 29.6°C
February: 29.3°C
March: 29.6°C
April: 30.1°C
May: 29.9°C
June: 29.2°C
July: 28.5°C
August: 28.3°C
September: 28.6°C
October: 29.3°C
November: 30.1°C
December: 30.1°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Ceningan wall, Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

3Wdive
7 Seas International
Absolute Scuba
Abyss Dive Center - FFESSM, ANMP, CMAS, CEDIP, SSI
Abyss Ocean World - ["PADI"]
Adventure Divers

Marine Life in Lombok & Gili Islands

Home to 258 recorded species including 153 reef fish, 44 sharks & rays, 37 hard corals, 10 seagrass & algae, 4 other, 3 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

sorrah shark (Carcharhinus sorrah) - Sharks & Rays
Brown Spinecheek Gudgeon (Eleotris fusca) - Reef Fish
Fluted clam (Tridacna squamosa) - Clams & Mussels
Gendarme Fish (Acanthurus olivaceus) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
Spine-cheek Gudgeon (Eleotris acanthopomus) - Reef Fish
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Hp (Halodule pinifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
Bigmouth Goby (Redigobius bikolanus) - Reef Fish
Sleepy Goby (Psammogobius biocellatus) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora cerealis) - Hard Corals

Recommended Packing List for Ceningan wall, Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 23 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories