5 Best Dive Sites in Bali
Where to Go Scuba Diving in Bali
The best dive sites in Bali are where you can explore the island’s underwater beauty at its finest. These great spots each have something special to offer and there’s something for every skill level. Most of the island’s best sites have year-round visibility that’s fair to excellent, but the best time to go diving in Bali is during the drier months (April to November).
Highlights include historic shipwrecks, artificial “biorock” reefs, and sunken gardens, complete with statues and temples overgrown with coral and teeming with tropical fish. The best dive sites in Bali also let you encounter rare species. Large manta rays, elusive oceanic sunfish (or “mola-mola”), reef sharks, sea turtles, and tiny pygmy seahorses are among them.
1. Tulamben
A historic shipwreck to explore
Good for: Adventure, Couples, History
The remote coastal village of Tulamben in East Bali makes up for its bleak overland terrain with splendid underwater beauty. The USAT Liberty shipwreck is its main attraction. You can spend hours of fun and adventure exploring this genuine war wreck that’s home to colorful corals and variety of tropical fish.
The waters around Tulamben feature a combination of muddy volcanic sea beds and natural reef walls. You’ll sometimes see migrating mantas, sunfish, sea turtles, and dolphins. Visibility is fairly clear all year round. It’s a great location for intermediate to advanced level divers, as well as those who fancy casual snorkeling. Read more
Location: Kubu, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia
Tulamben
2. Amed
A submerged temple and deep drop-offs
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
Amed Beach is a favorite dive site in eastern Bali that welcomes divers of all skill levels. A couple of hours from Kuta, it’s a convenient day trip destination. You can expect great visibility throughout the year. The most remarkable site in the area is Jemeluk Bay, where you can explore a submerged temple.
Dense gorgonian gardens and coral reef walls are found at depths of up to 26 feet. There are also 115 foot deep drop-offs, all reachable on short rides out on traditional wooden “jukung” outriggers. Sea turtles, barracuda, stingrays, and parrotfish are among the common sightings in this region. Read more
Location: Purwakerti, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia
Amed
3. Pemuteran
Sculptures and statues coated in vibrant corals
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
This calm and scenic bay on Bali’s north-western coast draws the attention of the world’s diving community for being the largest “biorock” reef site on the planet. This is thanks to a passionate project shared by local communities and businesses, overseen by the Karang Lestari Foundation.
You can dive under the calm waves of Pemuteran to enjoy good visibility throughout the year. Vivid coral reef nurseries have grown over magnificent purpose-sunk structures. Expansive underwater gardens serve as the bay’s centerpiece, complete with statues and sculptures. The whole site continues to expand as more structures are added over time. Read more
Location: Pemuteran, Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali 81155, Indonesia
Open: Daily from 8 am to 8 pm
Phone: +62 (0)852 3808 2285
Pemuteran
4. Menjangan Island
Barracudas, reef sharks, and dancing eels
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
The calm and pristine waters around Menjangan Island offer spectacular underwater beauty. Snorkelers and divers will instantly love its shallow reefs. You can access this protected nature reserve island by boat and go under the crystal-clear surface.
Deeper areas to explore include several specific dive sites like the “temple wall,” with its colorful reef teeming with tropical cardinal fish. The “anchor wreck” has barracudas and shy reef sharks around a wooden shipwreck. While, the “eel garden,” with its sandy bed, is home to colonies of grass-like garden eels dancing to the steady currents. Read more
Location: Sumber Klampok, Gerokgak, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia
Menjangan Island
5. Nusa Penida
A chance to see migrating species
Good for: Adventure, Couples
Nusa Penida is the largest in the trio of islands that lie southeast of the Bali mainland, with waters that meet the open Indian Ocean. These happen to be on the mid-year (August to October) migration route of many pelagic species. Penida is dotted with many dive sites where you can see them passing by.
Crystal Bay is one of the best sites. Experienced divers can navigate strong currents here in search of the famous sunfish. Another great site is Manta Point where, unsurprisingly, you’re likely to see manta rays. There aren’t many dive resorts on Penida itself, but there are plenty on nearby Lembongan Island. Operators also depart from the coasts of Sanur and Padang Bai on the mainland. Read more
Location: Nusa Penida, Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia
Nusa Penida
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