Dive Bali

Bali is one of the top dive destinations in the world. And it is easy to see why. This relatively small island offers over 100 dive spots and is located in the so-called Coral Triangle.

95% of the world's corals can be found in this relatively unknown area between Bali, the Philippines and the Solomon islands. The variety of marine life is unprecedented here. But with 100 dive Bali sites to choose from, which area do you pick for Dive Bali?

Different Dive Bali Sites to Fit Different Needs

The dive Bali locations across the island are all very different. The north side of the island on the one hand, offers more relaxed, easy diving with beautiful walls. The diving around the east side of the island on the other hand, can be more advanced with drift dives and pelagic fish. I will highlight all the main dive Bali locations below.

North-West Bali - Easy Diving and Impressive Wall Dives

The best known Bali dive location in the North-West of Bali is Menjangan Island. This island in the Menjangan National Marine Park, offers some of the most beautiful scenery underwater. The walls are colorful, full of marine life and boast rich corals.

You can see turtles, garden eels, barracudas and plenty of small fish here. It can be reached by boat and is also popular for snorkeling. Menjangan island has a handful of dive Bali spots. As there is hardly current, dives are very easy here.

Nusa Penida - Exhilarating Drift Dives

One of the most popular dive Bali locations is the area around Nusa Penida. An island just off the coast of Bali. There are plenty of dive spots to choose from here. Most of the dives are drift dives which can be quite exhilarating at times. Nusa Penida is the place to be for the famous mola mola (sunfish).

The mola mola only comes up to shallower waters when the water is cold enough (usually between July and October). You can also find Manta Point here, manta cleaning station. The number of mantas you will encounter will depend of course, but groups of 7-8 mantas are not uncommon here.

Bear in mind though, they're not always there. Nusa Penida can have some challenging currents, so some of the dive Bali spots are for advanced divers only. Other dive sites, such as Manta Point, are great for beginners too.

East Bali - Impressive Variety in Dive Sites

Dive Bali locations around Padang Bay, Candi Dasa and Amed are all quite different. The Padang Bay dive sites are all relatively close to the shore and are great for exploring. You can encounter reef sharks, stingrays, sea horses, frog fishes and cuttlefish here.

Dives here are usually easy, but the current can pick up at times. South East of Candi Dasa you can find some great dive spots. At Gili Biaha for example, you can look at reef sharks in the shark cave. Currents and surge can be strong in this part of the island, so these are dive sites for the advanced diver.

Diving around Amed tends to be a bit easier as the current is limited there. It used to be one the best dive locations on dive Bali. Unfortunately Amed was heavily hit by El Nino. It is slowly recovering, but is not back to its former glory yet.

Diving on the Famous USS Liberty Wreck in Tulamben

The USS Liberty Wreck in Tulamben is probably one of the most famous dive locations on the island. The USS Liberty, a cargo ship in WWII, was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942. It has been in the water at Tulamben since 1963. The wreck is covered with corals and houses a variety of marine life.

The ship is about 120 meters long and you can swim through it. The current is usually mild here and it is therefore a great dive Bali expereience for beginners and advanced divers alike.

How to Dive in Bali?

As Bali is not very large, you can easily dive on all locations if you have some time during your holiday. Many of the dive Bali centers offer day trips to each of the locations. It is however not recommended to do a day trip to the North-West of Bali when you are based in the South, as it is quite far.

The easiest way to see it all is through a dive safari. Finally, as Bali offers some very advanced dive Bali sites, make sure you select a dive center carefully.

Written by: Mirjam De Munik

Dive Bali Books

Diving Bali: The Underwater Jewel of Southeast Asia (Periplus Action Guides) List Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $11.02

For this new edition of Diving Bali, maps and images have been added, and the text has been revised throughout to incorporate new oceanographic data and changing conditions on the island's reefs. The result is an entertaining and essential resource that provides a wide-ranging exploration—oceanographic, geological, biological, historical, and even cultural—of Bali's dive sites and diving community.

	Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Bali and the Komodo Region (Pisces Diving & Snorkeling Gui) Sale Price: $42.01
	This book is part of the Pisces Diving and Snorkeling Guides series which covers the world's best dive sites. This particular guide takes you to 31 spectacular diving and snorkeling sites around Bali, including Lombok, Rinca, and the Komodo Islands...

	Diving and Snorkeling Bali and Lombok (Lonely Planet) Sale Price: $45.00
	Indonesia's Bali and Lombok islands are the epitome of a tropical getaway. Beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and reliable transportation and accommodations make this an ideal travel destination. Underwater, Bali's reefs, wrecks and walls are home to colorful and diverse marine life...

	Bali & Lombok (Regional Travel Guide) List Price: $23.99 Sale Price: $14.28
	“The mere mention of ‘Bali’ evokes thoughts of a paradise. It’s more than a place; it’s a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind.” – Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely Planet WriterOur PromiseYou can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition...

	Diving Indonesia: A Guide to the World's Greatest Diving (Periplus Action Guides) Sale Price: $152.43
	Diving Indonesia: A Guide to the WorldÕs Greatest Diving

	Backpack, Bubbles and a Bali Tattoo
	This is the story of a travel addict. One of those people that has grown up on the move and never intends to stop. It started as a simple semester abroad in Australia at the University of Adelaide. Six months became nine, and slowly nine merged into twelve...

	Family Cursemas: The Megamillionaire Murders (Volume 1) Sale Price: $12.99
	Praise for Family Cursemas:"A must Read! You won't be able to put it down! The Megamillionaire Murders will have you on the edge of your seat." - Pamela Sims, Amazon reviewer"An entertaining read with wonderful characters and a fast-moving story...