Diving in Bali : The Ultimate Guide (Part II)

Padang Bai

Padang Bai is suitable for beginners (sometimes this site is used for open water courses and popular with snorkelers), experienced divers and photographers are also able to enjoy this site. Visibility ranges around 15 - 30m making it one of the greatest in Bali. The water is occasionally a little cold due to the up swelling current, so it is best to dive with at least a 3 mm wetsuit. When you do the night dives you are able to see odd crabs, shrimp, and lobsters, and the Spanish dancer practically every night in the Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon dive spot is only 5 minutes away from Padang Bai beach by traditional boat or called Jukung. Snorkelers and divers love the underwater environment as it has the bluest waters of Bali. You can see massive coral bommies beginning at about 5 m of depth. The marine life is numerous and beautiful here, and we can expect to see sharks and dolphins on a regular basis. Because of the small depth and high quality of the marine life, this top dive spot is particularly popular with photographers. During night dives, there are various marine creatures that you will see. Night diving in Blue Lagoon is an excellent option because a different range of exotic marine life awakens at night!

Tanjung Jepun

Tanjung Jepun dive location is the place to see blue-spotted stingrays in Bali. At about 17 m you are able to see the fishing boat sinking here and artificial reefs. The wreck is about 10 minutes from Padang Bai beach by Jukung or Traditional boat. It is also a great place for underwater macro photography as it is home to many macro creatures, particularly frogfish, as well as many other bizarre and unusual species. It's also a great place for night dives.

Bias Tugel

Bias Tugel dive site can reach depths of 30 m - 40 m, although currents might be challenging. Beautiful corals can be found here. The slope is covered in large rock formations, making it a fantastic dive site with spectacular underwater scenery and colourful marine life. The shallow area is flat and sandy, with several coral patches. Large schools of red-toothed triggerfish and squirrel-fish can be found at this dive spot.

Candidasa

Candidasa is famous for its amazing coral wall with a lot of marine creatures and also a big chance to see sharks including many species: Whitetip and Blacktip reef Shark, the rare wobbegong Shark, the very rare Cat Shark (if you are lucky). The weather here is a little bit chilly - a 3mm wetsuit is recommended to keep you warm. Be carefull, if you dive with us - Bali Fun Diving recommends at least Advanced divers with a minimum 40 log to dive on this site.

Gili Biaha

Gili Biaha can be reached in 25 minutes by traditional boat to the east from Padang Bai. The water temperature in Gili Biaha is quite colder than any other sites in Candidasa, with occasional surges and strong currents so be careful, this site is only recommended for at least Advanced divers. The highlights in Gili Biaha are Shark Cave and Biaha Slope. At 12 m, the cave is home for the whitetip reef sharks, along with lobsters and lionfishes. Entering the cave can be done only under approval and under supervision of the divemaster.

Gili Mimpang

Gili Mimpang is also called Batu Tiga (Three rocks in English), from Padang Bai it is only 10 minutes by traditional boat or Jukung. In Gili Mimpang you are able to see whitetip reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, the very rare cat shark, and mola-mola (oceanic sunfish - during Mola - Mola Season). The site is a combination of slopes and walls, Advanced diver is required if you want to dive here. The current in Gili Mimpang is quite strong, sometimes categorised as a spot for drift dive.

Gili Tepekong

Gili Tepekong is located 15 minutes by traditional boat to the northeast from Padang Bai. The highlight of this dive site is magnificent rock pinnacles, breathtaking walls with sea fans, and colourful fishes. This dive site is starting from 6 - 30 m depth and the visibility around 10 - 25 m. The south west end of Tepekong there is a magnificent canyon,the canyon is shaped like an amphitheatre. This site is suitable for advanced divers as the current is unpredictable and sometimes it could be challenging.

(to be continued)