Are you planning your next diving holiday and searching for “Scuba Diving Bali”? Bali is one of the world’s premier destinations for scuba diving, boasting crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life that make it a paradise for divers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Bali offers diverse underwater landscapes and vibrant marine ecosystems that cater to every level of expertise. Here’s a guide to some of the best diving spots in Bali that you must add to your itinerary.
Also read: Bali Travel Guide: Complete Tips for Tourists
Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida
Located in the Ceningan Channel between Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is a must-visit for divers aiming to spot the elusive mola-mola, or oceanic sunfish. The best time to see these incredible creatures is between July and September, when the visibility can reach up to 40 meters. With its cooler waters and thriving coral reefs, Crystal Bay offers a unique diving experience for advanced divers.
- Type of Dive: Coral reef, mola-mola encounter
- Maximum Depth: 40 meters
- Recommended Level: Advanced divers
- Best Season: July-September
Also read: Bali’s 10 Best Snorkeling Spots for Underwater Enthusiasts
Tulamben’s USAT Liberty Shipwreck
The USAT Liberty Shipwreck, located off the northeastern coast of Bali at Tulamben Bay, is one of Bali’s most famous dive sites. This sunken WWII cargo ship is accessible for divers of all levels, with depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. The wreck is home to vibrant corals, sponges, and a variety of marine life, including giant trevally and bumphead parrotfish. The site is perfect for a morning dive, followed by a visit with the friendly locals of Tulamben village who can share stories about the wreck’s history.
- Type of Dive: Wreck diving, macro
- Maximum Depth: 28 meters
- Recommended Level: Beginners and advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: 10 Best Surf Spots in Bali for Every Level of Surfer
Menjangan Island
Part of the Bali Barat National Park, Menjangan Island offers some of Bali’s most pristine diving conditions. The island’s clear turquoise waters are teeming with marine life, including dolphins, turtles, and the occasional hammerhead shark. The island is ideal for divers of all skill levels, featuring shallow coral reefs, deep wall dives, and drift dives.
- Type of Dive: Wall diving, coral reef
- Maximum Depth: 30 meters
- Recommended Level: Beginners and advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Amed
Located on Bali’s east coast, the village of Amed is a hidden gem for divers looking to explore without the crowds. Amed offers a mix of deep and shallow dives, coral gardens, wrecks, and night dives, providing a diverse underwater experience. A short ride on a traditional jukung boat will take you to some of the most stunning dive sites around the area.
- Type of Dive: Reef diving, wreck diving, night diving
- Maximum Depth: 30 meters
- Recommended Level: All levels
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: 25 Things to Do in Bali: Best Activities for Tourists
Seraya Secrets
If muck diving is your thing, Seraya Secrets is a must-visit spot. Located near Tulamben, this dive site is known for its unique marine life and is a hotspot for underwater photographers. Dive among coral gardens and discover creatures like seahorses, cuttlefish, and ghost pipefish. It’s also a great location for night dives, when many nocturnal creatures come out to play.
- Type of Dive: Muck diving
- Maximum Depth: 30 meters
- Recommended Level: Advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Nusa Penida Bat Cave
For a thrilling dive adventure, head to the Bat Cave on Nusa Penida. This intermediate dive, reaching depths of 30 meters, is not for the faint-hearted. Inside the cave, divers can witness hundreds of bats in their natural habitat and spot marine life such as whitetip and blacktip sharks. This dive site is a unique challenge and offers an unforgettable experience.
- Type of Dive: Cave diving
- Maximum Depth: 30 meters
- Recommended Level: Intermediate to advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: Where to Stay in Bali: 14 Best Places for Tourists
Shark Point, Padang Bai
Shark Point in Padang Bai is famous for its rich marine life, including various shark species, manta rays, and turtles. With excellent visibility and depths up to 25 meters, this site is perfect for underwater photographers. Keep an eye out for whale sharks and other majestic creatures that occasionally visit this area.
- Type of Dive: Reef diving, shark encounter
- Maximum Depth: 25 meters
- Recommended Level: All levels
- Best Season: All year-round
Drop-off at Tulamben
Adjacent to the USAT Liberty Shipwreck, the Drop-off at Tulamben offers a combination of deep and shallow dives, perfect for advanced divers. With depths reaching 40 meters, this site features coral gardens, steep drop-offs, and strong currents, ideal for drift diving.
- Type of Dive: Wall diving, drift diving
- Maximum Depth: 40 meters
- Recommended Level: Advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: 25 Best Beaches in Bali: Guide for Tourists
Gilimanuk’s Secret Bay
Another excellent spot for muck diving is Gilimanuk’s Secret Bay, located on the western side of Bali. The bay’s dark waters and black sand are perfect for spotting unique macro critters like nudibranchs, frogfish, and flatworms. The site is great for both beginners and experienced muck divers, with depths around 9 meters.
- Type of Dive: Muck diving
- Maximum Depth: 9 meters
- Recommended Level: All levels
- Best Season: All year-round
Mangrove, Nusa Lembongan
For a captivating dive experience, explore the mangroves of Nusa Lembongan. This drift dive takes you through beautiful coral trees and swaying mangroves, where you can spot colorful fish, moray eels, and even seahorses. The current can be strong, making it a thrilling dive for those who love drift diving.
- Type of Dive: Drift diving
- Maximum Depth: Varies
- Recommended Level: All levels
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: 15 Things to Do in Bali at Night: Reveal the Nocturnal Charm
Blue Corner, Nusa Lembongan
Blue Corner is one of Bali’s most exciting dive sites, known for its strong currents and large marine life. With depths reaching up to 40 meters, it’s an ideal spot for advanced divers looking to spot sharks, rays, and turtles. The strong currents provide excellent visibility and a chance to see some of the ocean’s larger inhabitants.
- Type of Dive: Drift diving, deep diving
- Maximum Depth: 40 meters
- Recommended Level: Advanced divers
- Best Season: All year-round
Jetty, Padang Bai
The Jetty at Padang Bai offers a unique diving experience with a mix of muck and reef diving. This area has a vibrant marine life, with colorful corals and schools of fish. The site is ideal for both beginner and experienced divers, although some parts may be closed due to construction, so it’s best to check with local dive centers.
- Type of Dive: Muck diving, reef diving
- Maximum Depth: Varies
- Recommended Level: All levels
- Best Season: All year-round
Also read: How Far is Bali? Exploring Bali’s Distance from Various Locations
While planning your diving adventure in Bali, remember that all visitors must comply with Indonesian immigration regulations.
Most tourists will need a Visa on Arrival, valid for 30 days. For longer stays, you can extend the Bali visa on arrival or apply for a Bali tourist visa.
For a simpler visa application, you can rely on InvestinAsia’s Bali Visa service. Our professional team is ready to help you through the process to the end.
Contact us today for a FREE Consultation!
Make sure to check the latest travel and visa regulations before your trip to ensure a smooth diving adventure in Bali!
Also check our complete guide for Bali Entry Requirements.
