Bali is one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations, and it’s easy to see why. The island’s warm waters, between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, make it perfect for diving all year round. While the peak season for scuba diving is generally from April to November, we found ourselves diving in Bali in January and still enjoyed amazing visibility and fantastic dive conditions. Bali is also a great place to start your scuba diving journey, offering some of the best locations for beginner divers.
Most of the island’s best dive spots are located along the east coast, a bit off the beaten path from Bali’s busier tourist hubs like Ubud and Canggu. On our first trip to Bali, we wanted to explore both its culture and its diving spots. We spent the first part of our trip in Ubud and visited Canggu before heading to Amed for our final week. For those planning a dedicated diving holiday, Amed is a fantastic base. This quiet coastal village offers easy access to famous dive sites, including the Japanese Shipwreck and Pyramids.
Amed is also home to several dive resorts, making diving incredibly convenient. We stayed at Puri Wirata Dive Resort, one of the best resorts, where gearing up was easy, you can simply prepare at your hotel and head straight to the dive sites. Another great place to stay is Bali Dive Resort and Spa.
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Best Places for Scuba Diving in Bali
The Liberty Wreck
The Liberty Wreck is one of the most famous dive sites in Bali and is considered one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world. The wreck lies just off the shore of Tulamben and can be reached by a simple beach entry.
The ship was a United States Army cargo ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II in 1942. The shallowest part of the ship is only 3 meters below the surface and the deepest is about 30 meters down.
The wreck is not huge and it is only 120 metres long. This makes the Liberty a fantastic wreck dive for all levels of scuba divers, even beginners since you can explore the wreck at your own pace and comfort level.
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Shark Point, Padang Bai
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, Shark Point in Padang Bai is a dive site you can't miss.
Padang Bai is a picturesque village nestled in a beautiful bay, and it also serves as the ferry port between Bali and Lombok. While it offers six different dive sites nearby, Shark Point stands out for its stunning coral gardens and the abundance of marine life.
The dive depths here can reach up to 25 meters, and you’re almost guaranteed to see whitetip reef sharks, turtles, and a plethora of vibrant fish. You can book a tour that takes you to two popular dive spots: Shark Point and Blue Lagoon.
For those interested in marine photography, Shark Point offers exceptional opportunities to capture the beauty of Bali’s underwater world.
The Drop Off at Tulamben
Just a short distance from the Liberty Wreck is The Drop Off, also known as Tulamben Wall. This dive site features a stunning vertical cliffside that plunges over 70 meters deep, formed by lava flow from the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963. The wall is covered with corals and offers plenty of opportunities to spot marine life.
The beauty of The Drop Off is that it’s adaptable for divers of all experience levels. Whether you’re looking for a shallow exploration or a deeper dive, the site’s unique features make it one of Bali’s most dramatic underwater landscapes.
The Pyramids Dive Site
Another must-visit dive site in Bali is the Pyramids, an artificial reef designed to support marine biodiversity. The pyramid-shaped structures have become home to a variety of species, making this dive site a colourful and exciting place to explore.
During our dive at Pyramids, we had the thrill of encountering a stingray and even spotted a turtle swimming gracefully through the clear waters.
The maximum depth of this dive can reach up to 40 meters, and you can expect to see a diverse range of marine life, including lionfish, barracudas, triggerfish, scorpionfish, turtles, ribbon eels, and moray eels.
The Japanese Wreck
The Japanese Wreck may not be as famous as the Liberty, but it is one of the most beautiful dive sites in Bali.
It is unclear how this wreck ended up here and honestly, it is not even clear that it is actually Japanese. Despite its small size, this wreck is incredibly vibrant, with some of the healthiest corals we’ve seen. It’s like a colourful underwater garden, teeming with life.
The wreck is not the only attraction in this dive site, you can go right or left to explore the surrounding reef, which is equally teeming with life.
Jemeluk Bay
Jemeluk Bay dive site is located just to the right of Jemeluk Beach, offering an easy entry from the shore. It’s a great spot for beginner divers, as you don’t need to go deep to see the vibrant, colourful reefs.
For those looking to dive deeper, the site features an impressive wall that plunges down to about 50 meters, decorated with huge sponge barrels and sea fans, making it suitable for divers of all levels.
The highlight of our dive here was an unforgettable encounter with a sea snake, a truly exhilarating experience!
Bunutan
Last but certainly not least is Bunutan, one of Bali’s best dive sites. The highlight of this dive was our encounter with a massive field of garden eels. These fascinating creatures rise from the sandy seabed, retreating into their burrows as you approach. It was one of the most unique sights we’ve ever seen underwater.
The dive also features an expansive coral garden, which was so stunning that we could have spent hours there if only it was possible. It’s one of the most relaxing and awe-inspiring dives Bali has to offer, and to top it all off, we surfaced right at our hotel, a perfect ending to a perfect dive.
What to Wear for Diving in Bali
The water temperature in Bali ranges from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, making it warm enough to dive comfortably without a thick wetsuit. However, with some dive sites featuring strong currents, and to avoid scrapes from corals or sun exposure between dives, it’s highly recommended to wear a light rash vest or thin wetsuit for protection.
Rash Vest/Wetsuit: A long-sleeve rash vest is perfect for shorter dives or snorkelling, but for extended dives, a 3mm wetsuit offers added warmth and protection.
Anti Fog Mask: A well-fitted, anti-fog mask ensures clear underwater vision. You can get the anti-fog Tidal Mask with a 20% discount using the code "Mansoureh".
Fins: Diving fins will help you move efficiently through Bali’s currents, making your dive smoother and more enjoyable.
Dive Boots: These provide extra protection when walking on rocky shores or boarding boats directly from the beach.
Dive Computer: A dive computer is essential for tracking your depth, dive time, and decompression limits, ensuring your safety, especially when you are doing multiple dives on your trip.
Dive Log: Don’t forget to bring a dive log to record your dives and track your underwater experiences. I’ve created custom dive log books designed specifically for travel, which you can purchase on Amazon to easily document your Bali dive adventures.
BCD (Buoyancy Control Device): A BCD is crucial for managing your buoyancy underwater. It allows you to adjust your position in the water column, helping you stay neutrally buoyant. If you don’t own one, most dive resorts in Bali will have BCDs available for rent, but it’s always a good idea to check for fit and comfort beforehand.
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