Bali’s one of those places I just keep coming back to—five trips so far and I’m not done. As a dive instructor, I’ve explored a lot of places, but few dive destinations feel as varied and rewarding as Bali.
It’s right in the heart of the Coral Triangle, so the marine life is next-level with manta rays, mola mola, reef sharks, and the best macro I’ve seen outside of Lembeh. Whether you’re into wrecks, reefs, drift dives, or tec, the dive destinations in Bali offer something for every style and skill level.
One of the best parts? You don’t have to pick just one dive destination. The island’s small enough that you can base yourself in one place and still explore all the best places to scuba dive in Bali with day trips – something I do almost every time I’m here.
And when you’re not in the water, Bali’s beaches, food, and general chill vibe make it a great place to unwind.
In this guide, I’ll share with you:
- My go-to dive destinations in Bali and what makes each one special
- The best time to dive in different regions (including when to see manta rays and mola mola)
- What to expect in terms of marine life, currents, and travel logistics
- Firsthand tips on dive centers, transport, and safety
01 – Why Bali is a Must-Visit for Divers
- Incredible Marine Life – Bali’s part of the Coral Triangle, which means insane biodiversity. From manta rays and mola mola to reef sharks and rare macro critters, you never know what’ll show up.
- Diving for All Levels – Shallow reefs, deep walls, drift dives, wrecks, or tec training – Bali’s got everything.
- Year-Round Diving – You can dive in Bali any time of year. April to November has the best conditions, but places like Tulamben and Amed are solid even during rainy season.
- Warm Water, Easy Access – Water temperature hovers around 26–30°C, and most dive areas are just a few hours from the airport.
- Great Dive Shops – You’ll find plenty of well-run dive shops with experienced instructors and proper gear.
- Easy Access – Well-connected international airport and short travel times to dive locations.
- Affordable Dive Trips – Compared to other big-name dive destinations, Bali offers great value. It’s not as cheap as diving on Koh Tao, but it’s not far off, especially if you’re fun diving or traveling with your own gear.
- Underwater Photography Paradise – Huge wrecks, clear water, vibrant corals, mantas, and world-class macro. Whether you’re shooting wide-angle or tiny stuff, you’ll stay busy behind the lens.
02 – The 5 Best Dive Destinations in Bali
Bali has everything from easy shore dives in sleepy villages to fast-paced drift dives over steep walls. What I love most? Each destination has its own vibe—underwater and above the surface.
Here are my top 5 dive areas in Bali, and why they’re worth your time:
1. Tulamben – USAT Liberty Wreck
Tulamben is home to the USAT Liberty Wreck, and it’s hands-down my favorite dive site in Bali – maybe even in all of Southeast Asia. I’ve lost count of how many dives I’ve done here, and I still get excited every time I drop in.
This 120-meter WWII shipwreck is covered in soft coral and swarming with life. You’ll see massive schools of trevally, bumphead parrotfish, and nudibranchs in every color imaginable. And that’s just the wreck.
The surrounding area is a macro lover’s dream. Tulamben’s black sand slopes are perfect for muck diving and you can spot frogfish, nudis, harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses all on the same dive.
If you’re an advanced diver, a night dive in Tulamben is a must. The wreck completely transforms after dark and I’ve seen some of the most incredible marine life here!
Tulamben is also Bali’s go-to for technical diving. The wreck’s deeper sections and sites like Drop-Off provide great opportunities for decompression training and mixed-gas dives. Several dive centers here cater to tec divers with rental gear, gas blending, and rebreather support.
That said, Tulamben is all about diving. Outside of the water, it’s a quiet village with basic accommodation, a few warungs, and not much else. If you’re looking for bars and beach clubs, skip it. But if your idea of a perfect trip is eat, sleep, dive, repeat, Tulamben is an absolute dream.
The Essentials about Tulamben
- Best Dive Sites: USAT Liberty Wreck, Coral Garden, Drop Off
- Best Dive Sites for Macro: Batu Niti, Melasti
- Marine Life: Bumphead parrotfish, trevally, ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs
- Best Time to Dive: April to November for calm water and good visibility
- Currents: Generally mild, great for Open Water divers
- Recommended for: All levels + tec diving, macro photography
- Dive Centers I Recommend: Scuba Tribe, Matahari Tulamben
2. Amed – Macro Paradise
Amed is just a short drive from Tulamben, but it has a totally different feel. While Tulamben is all about eat-sleep-dive-repeat, Amed adds a bit more: beachfront cafes, mountain views, and a slow, peaceful vibe that makes it easy to stay a while. It’s still a quiet fishing village at heart, but it’s the kind of place where you can unwind in between dives.
It’s also one of my favorite spots for macro diving. If you love nudibranchs, shrimp, and weird critters tucked into black sand as much as I do, Amed is a goldmine. I’ve seen everything from frogfish and cuttlefish to harlequin shrimp, mimic octopus, and the occasional hairy frogfish.
Dive sites like Ghost Bay are full of critters if you move slowly and bring a torch. Most dive sites are shore-accessible, and dives here are relaxed, often with little to no current.
Beyond muck diving, sites like Pyramids and Jemeluk Wall offer colorful coral reefs, schooling fish, and artificial reef structures that attract a surprising amount of marine life. These are great for newer divers or when you just want an easy, scenic dive without focusing on the small stuff.
Amed is also a hub for technical diving, with steep drop-offs, easy logistics, and experienced dive centers offering deco training and rebreather dives. It’s a good base for tec divers who also want to log some chill reef dives in between.
And if you’re an experienced diver, you can rent tanks and dive independently from the shore. I usually grab my tanks from Divers Café, head into the water with a buddy, and spend the whole dive just hunting for nudis and tiny shrimp.
The Essentials about Amed
- Best Dive Sites: Pyramids, Jemeluk Wall, Bunutan
- Marine Life: Seahorses, frogfish, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, nudibranchs
- Best Time to Dive: April to November for good visibility and calm conditions
- Currents: Mild to moderate, mostly relaxed shore diving
- Recommended for: All levels + tec diving, macro lovers
- Dive Centers I Recommend: Bali Dive Trek, Divers Café Amed
3. Nusa Penida – Mantas, Mola Mola & Drift Diving
Nusa Penida is where things get wild – in a good way! The currents here can be intense, but they bring in some of the most exciting marine life in the region.
If you’ve dreamed of diving with manta rays, this is where it happens. Manta Point lives up to its name, on my last dive there, I had mantas circling for over 40 minutes. Pure magic.
Between July and October, you also get the rare chance to spot the mola mola (ocean sunfish) at Crystal Bay. They come up from the deep during this time of year when the water temperature drops. I saw one in early July, completely by surprise. It was massive, weird, and unforgettable.
Beyond the big stuff, Nusa Penida also has amazing coral and steep drop-offs with huge schools of fish. Visibility’s usually fantastic, and the drift dives here feel like flying. But be ready, the currents can be strong and unpredictable, so this isn’t where I bring brand-new divers. You’ll want solid buoyancy and a few drift dives under your belt first.
Most dive trips to Nusa Penida depart from Sanur or Padang Bai if you’re based on the mainland, but staying on the islands makes a big difference. Nusa Penida is quiet and rugged, with bumpy roads and remote beaches. Lembongan is easier to navigate, with beachfront cafes and faster access to the dive sites. Staying on Penida or Lembongan gives you easier access to the dive sites, shorter boat rides, and a chance to experience the islands beyond just diving.
No matter how you make your way to these dive sites, the trip is absolutely worth it. Nusa Penida offers some of the best diving in Bali.
The Essentials about Nusa Penida
- Best Dive Sites: Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Toyapakeh
- Best Dive Sites for Big Stuff: Crystal Bay (mola mola), Manta Point
- Marine Life: Manta rays, mola mola, reef sharks, turtles, schooling fish
- Best Time to Dive: July to October for mola mola; mantas year-round
- Currents: Strong and changeable — this is drift diving paradise
- Recommended for: Advanced divers, or Open Water divers with good buoyancy and experience
- Dive Centers I Recommend: World Diving Lembongan
4. Pemuteran – Easy Dives & Beautiful Reefs
Pemuteran is located on Bali’s northwest coast, far from the busy scenes down south. And that’s exactly what makes it worth the trip. It’s quiet, relaxed, and ideal if you want easy diving with healthy reefs and zero crowds.
The diving here is easy: calm water, minimal current, and good visibility most of the year. It’s a great spot for beginners or anyone who just wants to float along a coral reef without fighting conditions.
One of Pemuteran’s main highlights is the Bio-Rock project, one of the largest artificial reef restoration projects in the world. You’ll find corals growing on metal domes, swarming with reef fish and macro life. It’s shallow, photogenic, and even accessible for snorkelers. I always recommend diving it at sunrise, there’s something about the early morning light over the reef that makes it magical.
Outside the Bio-Rock zone, you’ll find natural reefs full of snapper schools, sea turtles, cuttlefish, and juvenile sweetlips. It’s also a great place to slow down and search for macro life, especially along the sandy patches and rubble zones.
Pemuteran also makes a good base for diving Menjangan, since it’s only about 30 minutes away. If you’ve got time to venture up north, I’d definitely spend a few days here. The village itself has a super relaxed vibe, with beachfront dive centers and some great spots to hang out after a dive.
If you’re after laid-back diving with vibrant reefs, a conservation angle, and a peaceful beach town feel, Pemuteran is a great pick.
The Essentials about Pemuteran
- Best Dive Sites: Bio-Rock, Temple Garden, Napoleon Reef
- Marine Life: Sea turtles, schools of snapper, reef sharks, cuttlefish, sweetlips
- Best Time to Dive: April to November for the best visibility and calm conditions
- Currents: Mild, great for Open Water divers
- Recommended for: All levels, beginner-friendly, coral lovers
- Dive Centers I Recommend: Sea Rovers, Reef Seen Divers Resort
5. Menjangan Island – Remote & Stunning Walls
Menjangan Island is easily one of the most underrated dive destinations in Bali. It takes a bit of travel to get here, this is about as far as you can get from Kuta or Seminyak, but it’s so worth the trip. Protected by West Bali National Park, the island’s reefs are some of the healthiest and most intact you’ll find in Bali.
The dive sites here are known for their dramatic walls, crystal-clear water, and an impressive range of soft corals and massive sea fans. It’s also one of the few places where I’ve reliably found pygmy seahorses, hidden in plain sight among the gorgonians if you’ve got a good guide (and patience).
Because of its national park status and limited daily visitors, dives here are peaceful and not crowded – a real contrast to the busier sites in the south. Marine life here includes turtles, reef sharks, tuna, and giant clams, plus loads of smaller critters tucked into the wall crevices. Some deeper sections can have current, but overall this is a great destination for divers of all levels.
You can’t stay on Menjangan itself, so the best bases are Pemuteran or Pejarakan—quiet coastal villages about 30 minutes away. They’re low-key spots with a few dive resorts, homestays, and beachfront restaurants. If you want to dive stunning walls and skip the crowds, this is where you go.
The Essentials about Menjangan Island
- Best Dive Sites: Eel Garden, Coral Garden, Anchor Wreck
- Marine Life: Turtles, pygmy seahorses, reef sharks, giant clams, tuna
- Best Time to Dive: April to November for dry season conditions
- Currents: Mostly mild, but some walls can have stronger flow
- Recommended for: All levels, perfect for wall diving and photography
- Dive Centers I Recommend: Blue Season Bali, Sea Rovers (based in Pemuteran)
03 – Best Time to Dive in Bali
You can dive in Bali year-round, but some seasons definitely offer better conditions than others. The dry season from April to November is generally the best time to visit, with calmer seas, good visibility, and warm, stable weather across the island. But you can spot Manta rays all year round at Nusa
Dry Season: April to November
This is Bali’s prime dive season. Visibility peaks at 20–30 meters, and water temperatures usually sit between 26–29°C (79–84°F). It’s the best time to dive Tulamben, Amed, Pemuteran, and Menjangan, especially for macro and reef dives. If you’re planning a dive trip around Bali, this is the sweet spot for conditions across most regions.
Peak Season for Mola Mola: July to October
Planning to dive Nusa Penida? This is when you’ll want to come. Water temps can drop to 20–25°C (68–77°F) at depth, which draws the mola mola up from the deep. It’s also when currents are strongest, so these months are best suited for experienced divers. A 5mm wetsuit or hooded vest helps for longer dives.
Rainy Season: December to March
While diving is still possible during the wet season, visibility tends to drop and you’ll get more rain and swell, especially in southern Bali. That said, Tulamben and Amed are often less affected thanks to their location on the northeast coast. Water temps hover around 28–30°C (82–86°F), so it’s still warm enough for a shorty or rashguard in most areas.
Bali dive Season Cheat Sheet
| Season | Months | Conditions | Where It’s Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Season | April – November | Best visibility (20–30m), calm seas, warm water (26–29°C) | Tulamben, Amed, Pemuteran, Menjangan |
| Mola Mola Season | July – October | Cooler water (20–25°C), strong currents, great pelagic sightings | Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay |
| Rainy Season | December – March | Lower viz, rougher seas, warm water (28–30°C), more rain | Tulamben and Amed usually still good |
04 – Dive Packages and Costs
Scuba diving in Bali is affordable and flexible, but prices vary depending on the location. More remote areas like the Penidas tend to be a bit pricier, while shore dives in places like Tulamben and Amed are usually more budget-friendly. Below is an overview of typical costs:
Fun Dive Prices
- 1 fun dive: IDR 590,000–800,000 (€35–€50 / $38–$52)
- 2-dive trip: IDR 1,100,000–2,100,000 (€65–€130 / $72–$138)
- Prices usually include tanks, weights, and a guide. Some dive centers charge extra for equipment.
Most places offer discounts for multiple dives or dive packages, so it’s worth asking if you’re planning to dive more than a day or two.
Dive Course Prices
- Open Water Course: IDR 6,500,000–8,650,000 (€385–€515 / $420–$560)
- Advanced Course: IDR 5,500,000–7,150,000 (€325–€430 / $355–$465)
Courses typically include training, gear, materials, and certification.
Equipment Rental vs Bringing Your Own
- Full gear rental: Around IDR 200,000/day (€12 / $13)
- Some shops offer discounts if you bring your own full kit.
Independent Diving (Tank Rentals)
In Tulamben and Amed, experienced divers can rent tanks and head out with a buddy, no guide required. It’s a more flexible (and cheaper) way to dive. I do this often when I want to move at my own pace or dive the Liberty Wreck solo before sunrise.
I usually rent tanks from:
- Matahari Tulamben (great for Liberty Wreck dives)
- Divers Café Amed (friendly and reliable)
Just make sure your certification level matches the site and conditions, especially if you’re going deep or into current.
05 – Getting Around Bali: Best Transport Options for Divers
Getting around Bali is relatively easy, but transport options vary depending on your destination, budget, and how much gear you are carrying. Here’s how I usually move between dive destinations, what works, and what to avoid.
Scooter Rentals
- Best for: Getting around locally (like Amed or Pemuteran)
- Price: IDR 70,000–120,000/day (€4–€7 / $4.50–$8)
Scooters are the cheapest way to get around and give you tons of freedom. Just be careful, Bali traffic is chaotic, and roads in places like Nusa Penida are rough. I don’t recommend scooters if you’re carrying dive gear or planning long drives between dive spots.
Tip: Always wear a helmet and carry an international driver’s license. Police checks are common, especially near tourist hubs.
Taxis, Grab & Local Drivers
- Best for: Airport pickups, short rides in cities, or longer transfers between towns
- Price: Varies a lot; IDR 300,000–850,000 (€18–€52 / $20–$55) for long-distance rides
Apps like Grab or Gojek work well in places like Sanur or Ubud, but don’t expect to find a driver in Tulamben, Amed, or Pemuteran. In remote areas, I usually ask my dive center or guesthouse to arrange a local driver, they are more reliable and not much pricier than Grab.
Shuttle Buses & Minivans
- Best for: Budget transfers between popular towns (Ubud, Canggu, Sanur, etc.)
- Price: IDR 80,000–250,000 (€5–€15 / $5–$16)
Not great for reaching dive sites directly, but can be a good option if you’re traveling without dive gear and just need to move between hubs.
Ferries & Speedboats
- Best for: Reaching Nusa Penida, Lembongan, or the Gili Islands
- Price: IDR 150,000–350,000 one-way (€9–€21 / $10–$23)
Most boats depart from Sanur, Padang Bai, or Amed. I usually book my tickets online ahead of time to avoid the port chaos. You can use 12Go Asia, they’re reliable and easy to use.
06 – Dive Safety in Bali: Insurance & Emergency Treatment
As someone who works in a hyperbaric chamber, I always check where the nearest chamber is before a dive trip. Dive accidents aren’t common, but when they happen, fast access to treatment matters. Knowing your insurance is solid and the nearest facility is reachable lets you focus on diving with peace of mind.
Dive Insurance I Recommend
These three providers have shown up again and again in the chamber, and they’ve all handled claims and evacuations properly – no delays, no drama.
- DAN (Divers Alert Network) – My personal go-to.
- Dive Assure
- Dive Assist
Before your trip, double-check that your insurance covers the type of diving you plan to do, especially if you’re into tec, wreck, or drift dives.
Hyperbaric Chambers in Bali
There are two hyperbaric facilities on the island:
- Kasih Ibu Hospital Gianyar – Located between Sanur and Tulamben. The closest chamber to popular dive areas like Padang Bai and Amed.
- Sanglah General Hospital Denpasar – The largest hospital in Bali. Located near the airport and good for emergencies in the south.
Both chambers are staffed and operational year-round, but you’ll first need to contact your insurance assistance hotline in an emergency.
FAQ: Scuba Diving in Bali
Before You Go
If this post got you excited to dive in Bali, you’re not alone – I keep coming back for a reason. From laid-back macro dives in Amed to big pelagic action off Nusa Penida, there’s a dive site here for every kind of diver.
Need help choosing where to start? I’ve written a full guide to diving in Tulamben, including my favorite wreck dive spot in the world.
And if this guide helped you plan, share it with your dive buddies, they might just book that trip with you.
