Diving is like entering a different world. A colorful environment, full of life, where we are just visitors observing a place we do not belong. Diving is amazing, but diving into the seas of Bali, where clear waters are populated by unique creatures and the bottom is covered by colorful corals, is a unique experience!
Bali is an unmissable paradise for diving lovers. Bali is located in the Indonesian archipelago, which consists of more than 17,000 islands. The archipelago is part of what is known as the coral triangle, which is the region that is home to the greatest variety of marine species in the world. The marine biodiversity of the coral triangle is compared to the surface biodiversity of the Amazon. 75% of the planet’s corals and more than 3000 species of fish are concentrated in this region.
Bali is home to beautiful coral reefs, turtles, shipwrecks, and stingrays, making it one of the best diving places in the world. All levels, from beginners to advanced divers are welcome to dive in Bali. Also, getting a diving certification in Bali is cheap, the water temperature is always above 18ºC and the visibility ranges from 10 to 30 meters (highest in the dry season, lowest in the wet), making Bali a fantastic diving destination.
In this post, you will find the best diving spots in Bali. Check them out!
- Nusa Islands
Just over half an hour by boat from the south of Bali you can find Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, which are islands where you will find several dive sites with corals in very good condition, abundant marine fauna, and the jewel in the crown, swimming with giant manta rays.
Although the manta rays can be seen in other places, Manta Point is the spot you will most likely find them. In a single dive, you can see dozens of mantas, which can reach up to 5 meters in length. The only drawback may be the strong waves, so you will have to be an experienced diver to deal with conditions that are not always suitable for diving. Also, the water temperature is usually below 20ºC.
Other diving spots in the Nusa islands include Crystal Bay and its famous sunfish or mola mola that can reach 3 meters, Manta Bay which is another place to see the manta rays, and the experts only Blue Corner site and its beautiful corals and different fish species.
- Candidasa
This laid-back town in eastern Bali is ideal for relaxing and exploring the calm ocean. Its best diving spots, Gili Biaha, and Gili Tepekong, are far from the coast, so you have to reach them by boat and they are only for experienced divers.
These two islets off the coast of Candidasa offer large walls full of coral that descend to 60 meters, as well as caves and reefs where whitetip sharks rest or breed. The strong currents in this water are a great attraction for large species, such as mola mola, mantas, tuna, and even whale sharks.
- Padang Bay
Padang Bay is where people take boats to the Gili Islands but it is also home of the Blue Lagoon, a perfect dive site for beginners. Here you will find turtles, lobsters, squid, octopus, stingrays, and sharks, just to name a few of the species that inhabit this lagoon.
The dive begins in an area of white sand and soft corals to descend 20 meters deep, in a calm lagoon with crystal clear waters. An exceptional experience is the night tour, during which you can observe the “Spanish dancer”, a strange glowing red slug.
- Pemuteran
The northwestern part of Bali is the least visited area of the island. This means that the diving spots are not as saturated as in other areas. Although being a bit far, you will find wild nature and amazing diving spots in the Pemuteran area.
One of the best spots in this area is Menjangan Island. This island is just a few kilometers off the northwestern tip of Bali and has been declared a preserved National Park, so its sealife is very well preserved and healthy. Here you will also find species that are not as frequent in other parts of Bali, such as groupers, trumpet fish, yellow seahorses, or turtles.
You can also find in this area The Anker shipwreck, a ship from the end of the 19th century, and spectacular reef and cliff walls. Its calm and shallow waters are also ideal for snorkeling or divers of all levels.
- Amed/Tulamben
What could be more exciting than diving at a real shipwreck site? The seabed near the village of Tulamben is the site of the famous shipwreck Liberty, a US Navy transport ship, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The ship, nearly 120 meters long, broke into three pieces and sank after the eruption of the Agung volcano in 1963. The wreck was then completely covered by corals and inhabited by marine life such as sharks, barracudas and much more.
This dive is a real treasure, making it very popular. Also, being so close to shore and not too deep, it is a wreck dive suitable for any level. Moreover, the dive does not depend on boat trips (it is accessed from the beach), so the cost of diving is the cheapest in all of Bali. Therefore, expect to find many divers there.
There are other diving spots in the region: Jemeluk beach in Amed and its hundreds of corals, tropical fishes, mollusks, and submerged temple; the 30 Pyramids of Amed which is an artificial coral reef; Drop Off wall with amazing corals and fishes including sharks and several other diving spots with a wide variety of marine life.
- Gili Islands
The three Gilis (Gili T, Gili Air, and Gili Meno) are located close to the island of Lombok and a short distance from the island of Bali – about 1h by boat. This is a great area for turtle lovers as it is known as “Turtle Heaven”. It is possible to see big groups of these friendly marine animals. There is a high chance you will see them as they are always swimming in these waters. The area also has coral walls where you can even see some small sharks.
In addition to being a reference place for diving and snorkeling as the current is practically non-existent and the visibility is excellent, this is the definition of a tropical paradise: palm trees falling to the side, white sand, and a mesmerizing blue ocean.
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