The Best Diving in Bali, a Historical Ship Wreck in Tulamben

Tulamben

One of home the best-known scuba diving in Bali, Tulamben originated as a small fishing village located on the north eastern coast of Bali and it is neighbour of Amed. For scuba divers, the name is synonymous with the USAT Liberty, a cargo ship that served in both World Wars before being hit by a Japanese torpedo in January 1942. The wreck is now at a maximum depth of 30m, only 25m from the shore, and the generally favourable conditions make it an ideal wreck dive for all levels of diver, as well as a popular snorkeling spot. The Liberty, which is coral-encrusted, is home to a diverse range of critters, from ghost pipefish and leaf scorpionfish to barracuda and schooling snapper. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks pass by on occasion. Although the Liberty is widely regarded as one of the best wreck dives in Indonesia – and indeed the world – there are numerous other dive sites, many of which are shared with Amed's dive centres. The most popular dive sites include Seraya, known for its black sand and some of the best muck diving in Bali, and the shallow Coral Garden, where Buddhist statues were installed as an artificial reef and have since become home to a diverse array of colorful marine life. The USAT Liberty and Tulamben are popular with day trippers from Sanur, Kuta, and the increasingly popular Nusa Islands, so staying in the area to take advantage of early morning dives before the crowds arrives is a good way to make the most of the diving and get a head start on the wreck.