Diving in Bali : The Ultimate Guide (Part I)

If you're thinking about going scuba diving in Bali, you've certainly heard that it has some of the top dive sites in the world. Bali dive sites are both ideal for beginners and experienced divers. Bali has a range of world-class dive sites, whether you prefer to do macrophotography while muck diving, swimming with big pelagic creatures like manta rays and mola - mola, or exploring famous wrecks.

Dive Condition in Bali

Diving in Bali has no season as it is enjoyable all year. water temperature in Bali commonly ranges between 26-28 degree celsius, a 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving in Bali. Diving around Nusa Penida Island where thermocline temperatures can drop to 21 - 19C (as they are exposed to deep ocean currents). The visibility ranges between 10 and 20m.

The dry season lasts from May to September, when southeast winds bring dry air from the Australian continent. The wet or rainy season lasts from November to March, when northwest winds bring in moist air. But don't be discouraged if you can't visit Bali during the dry season. You may dive safely all year round with patience, an experienced & qualified guide, and careful tide analysis.

Top Bali Diving Sites - South Coast Dive Sites

Nusa Penida Island - Nusa Lembongan Island

Nusa Penida diving is among the greatest in Indonesia and should be your first stop when visiting Bali. Dive with spectacular drift, incredibly healthy corals, and you are able to see sharks, mantas, and mola molas. The diving sites surrounding Nusa Penida are excellent all year long, with visibility range between 20 to 30 m. The water temperature is about 25-26 degrees celsius, but it can drop to the low 19-17 degrees celsius. These cooler waters that happen during July - October attract a greater number of Mola Mola. To reach Nusa Penida dive site you can take a speedboat from Sanur to do a day diving trip with us, Bali Fun Diving.

Manta Point

Manta Point is a great place to see Manta Rays because it's a shallow dive with the manta cleaning station around 8 - 10m so it is appropriate for beginner divers. Manta Point is located in a couple of bays encircled by Nusa Penida's spectacular cliffs. Many manta rays can be seen swimming below the cliffs. Manta Rays can be seen all year round with the encounter rate 80%. Surface conditions at Manta Point may be quite rough, with big swells and choppy waves, particularly during the high season July - October known as windy season. So we recommend you to bring anti seasick pills to avoid seasickness.

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay which is named for the crystal clear water, situated in the waterway between the islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. Crystal Bay is the greatest site to witness Bali's famous Mola Mola. The odd-looking fish with the flattened body is incredibly enormous and diving with them is an unforgettable experience. Mola - Mola season starting from end of July - October, to see Mola Mola, you must be an advanced certified diver because as Mola - Mola is usually spotted below 18m. Divers here also encountered reef sharks, tunas, turtles, garden eels, and a variety of beautiful nudibranchs.

Toya Pakeh

Come dive with us in Toyapakeh, a favourite dive site of many divers because of the richness of the corals and marine life, as well as the excellent visibility. The dive site is protected from the strong currents that flow through the deep canal that connects Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan, with a gradual drift to the north. The current here frequently flows north-east, making for a simple and enjoyable drift dive. The currents, however, can change rapidly and in shallow and deep water the currents occasionally flow in opposite directions, the direction of your dive may vary as you adjust your depth, so stick close to our expert local dive leaders for a fun and safe dive. Larger pelagics, like Mola-Mola, may be seen deeper on the slope. The current here frequently flows north-east, making for a simple and enjoyable drift dive.

- East Coast Dive Sites

Tulamben

Tulamben is well-known for its famous shipwrecks, which is regarded by most scuba divers as the best shore entrance wreck dive in the world. Diving in Tulamben is not restricted to the USAT Liberty Wreck, there are numerous other sites, each with its own distinct character and a plethora of marine life. Drop Off, Coral Garden, and Seraya are just a few of the dive sites in Tulamben.

USAT Liberty Shipwreck

This is Bali's most well-known dive spot. The Liberty wreck is one of the world's most accessible wrecks. It is accessible to all levels and types of divers: introductory (1st time) divers, novices, experienced, free divers, and snorkelers may all enjoy this magnificent wreck, the shipwreck is 120 m long and it is only 25 m from shore and rests between 5 and 30 m deep. The Japanese sunk the USAT Liberty, a US military supply ship, while it was stationed off the coast of Lombok in 1942. The ship was damaged and dragged towards Bali, aiming to reach the northern province of Singaraja, but the ship began to break apart and was beached on the shore of Tulamben. The earthquakes triggered by Mount Agung's volcanic eruption pushed the ship into the water in 1963. Now, it is covered with coral and surrounded by a profusion of fish life. It features a few beautiful swim throughs, and for macro enthusiasts, there are Nudibranchs, Ghost fish, Frog Fish, and occasionally Pygmy Seahorses.

Drop Off

Tulamben's enormous wall, called Drop Off, is one of Bali's most popular diving destinations. The reef drops from 3 m to 70 m deep; the vertical cliff was formed by lava flow from Mount Agung's eruption in 1963. A plethora of corals, gorgonians, and sponges cover this wall. The site's geology is spectacular, with towering underwater cliffs where you may find "cleaning stations" as well as a plethora of large, vibrantly colored sponges and gorgonians. The dive continues to an undulating coral plateau where morays, mantis shrimp, and other pipefish hide in the crevices.You also might see a Black Tip Reef Shark, Barracuda, Lionfish, or Frogfish, Octopus, or Stonefish if you have good eyesight.

Coral Garden

Coral Garden is a macro photographer's dream. The coral garden begins at a depth of 2-15 m and is well grown with both stone and soft coral. Aside from several reef fish species, the magnificent blue-yellow ribbon moray eel has made its home here. The majority of this dive site is shallow, with the best and brightest corals and macro activity at roughly 5 m, giving you plenty of time to explore and take photos.

Seraya

Seraya is an excellent location for muck diving.It's also a haven for macro-life. Black sand, little coral patches, and small sea creatures. Therefore it's best suited to photographers and divers who love the smallest of organisms. Strange and rare species such as the famed harlequin shrimp, phantom pipefish, mimic octopus, nudibranch, frogfish, dragonets, and a plethora of cleaning stations where morays and a broad array of colourful fish can be found here.

(To be continued)