The Best Dive Spots in Bali

The Tulamben dive site is a 2-hour drive from Sanur and is among the highest ranked diving sites in Bali. It is well-known for the Liberty Glo wreckage, which provides an interesting dive to both amateurs and professional divers. This US Army Ship sank beneath Tulamben’s surface during World War II in 1942. Mount Agung’s eruption in 1963 pushed the wreckage further into the depths of Tulamben’s waters. At a mere 9 to 30 meters beneath sea-level, the Tulamben wreckage may be the easiest wreck dive in the world.   
                          
The highly diversified marine life in Tulamben can be attributed to plankton-rich waters brought about by the Pacific and Indian Ocean currents. If you are lucky enough, you might catch a rare sighting of a Manta Ray or Whale Shark. Equally beautiful as the Liberty wreckage is the Tulamben drop-off. Its fine coral walls shelter various fish species such as the aggressive Chaetodon auriga or butterflyfish.

The Coral Garden is one of Tulamben’s highlights. Its shallow waters are ideal for snorkeling. Anemonefish, anglerfish and parrotfish are common sightings in its 5 to 20 meter-deep waters. The gentle currents are conducive to night diving as well.

Located a few kilometers east of Tulamben is Amed Reef. Amed is famous for its unconventionally charming black sand beaches offset by a deep blue sea. It provides a breath of fresh air for travelers exhausted by Kuta’s party scene and other overly commercialized beach resorts. Amed reef is about 12 to 22 kilometers deep with an abundance of gorgonian reefs and sponges, home to various species of bottom-dwelling gobies.

Going farther down Tulamben, you will find Lipah Bay, a laid-back fishing village with quiet, sandy shores. Don’t let its sleepy atmosphere fool you. There is nothing old-fashioned with the diving courses taught by its highly qualified in-house PADI instructors. Lipah Bay’s shallow snorkeling site is rich in schools of Fusilier fish, while deeper waters are teeming with seahorses and ferocious dragonfish.

Amuk Bay is a dangerous diving site, reserved for expert divers. The islands of Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha and Mimpang are all part of this dive site. Gili Tepekong gives an exciting yet dangerous diving experience with its complex reef structure coined as “The Canyon”. Sharks and large schools of pelagic fish such as herring make Amuk Bay an entertaining dive site. Mimpang Island and Biaha Island are rocky outcrops of Gili Tepekong. When visiting any of these three sites be careful of jagged boulders and strong undercurrents. Make sure to have a local guide with you.

For year-round diving and safer shores, Menjangan Island is the place to go. Situated northwest of Bali, Menjangan houses some of the most preserved dive sites in Bali such as the Labuhan Lalang harbor. The Garden Eel diving site is filled with different varieties of eel as well as turtles and white tip sharks. The Pos I site is an ideal training ground for beginners. It has gently sloping reefs with a sandy bottom.