Explore Bali
Bali, often referred to as the Island of the Gods, is a diver's paradise nestled in the Indonesian archipelago. With its prime location at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali offers an unparalleled underwater experience. Divers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, dramatic drop-offs, and even a few fascinating wreck dives such as the famous Liberty Wreck in Tulamben. Whether you're a novice or an experienced diver, the island caters to all with its diverse range of dive sites, from the calm waters of Sanur for beginners to the exhilarating drift dives around Nusa Penida. Marine life in Bali is both abundant and diverse, making it a hotspot for underwater enthusiasts. The region is renowned for encounters with majestic manta rays, elusive mola mola (oceanic sunfish), and even the occasional whale shark. The waters around Bali are home to a plethora of macro critters, perfect for underwater photographers eager to capture the unique beauty of pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish. The island's location near the equator ensures warm tropical waters year-round, while the dry season from May to September offers optimal diving conditions with excellent visibility ranging from 30 to 40 meters (98 to 131 feet). Bali is not only a place of natural beauty above water with its lush paddy fields and towering volcanoes but also a sanctuary beneath the waves. Whether opting for shore dives or embarking on liveaboards departing from Bali, divers are treated to a world of wonder and excitement. With so much to explore, Bali remains a top destination for divers seeking adventure and the thrill of discovering one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet.
Places to Explore
Sanur
Stretching along the South East of Bali is Sanur, a location with ideal conditions for dive courses as well as being the perfect base to some of Bali’s most famous diving spots. For beginner divers who want to experience diving close to the tourist hub of Kuta, the calm waters found while scuba diving in Sanur is everything you’ll need. With the dive sites, only a few minutes from the beach, those short for time can do two dives and be finished by lunchtime.
Padang Bai
On Bali’s east coast lies the small fishing village of Padang Bai, home to idyllic beaches with alluring underwater worlds. Most visitors come here to take a ferry to Lombok, Gili's or Nusa Islands and leave without exploring the beautiful reefs and wonderful marine life found while scuba diving in Padang Bai. Famous for easy dive sites, Padang Bai diving is perfect for dive courses and those passionate about underwater photography. Yet, there are also a few challenging dive sites with current and the opportunity to spot reef-sharks and perhaps even the incredible oceanic sunfish!
Nusa Lembongan
About thirty minutes from the south-east of Bali lie the Nusa Islands. Nusa Lembongan, the second largest of the three sister islands, is famous for its chilled out atmosphere, stunning vistas and white sand beaches. While scuba diving in Nusa Lembongan, you’ll find vibrant, healthy reefs with abundant marine life ranging from the incredible oceanic sunfish and manta ray to the unassuming frogfish.
Nusa Dua
On the south of Bali, lies Nusa Dua, with idyllic white-sand beaches and easy access to Bali’s barrier reef. The reef provides great protection for novice divers and those who want to brush up on their technique, making it the perfect location for dive courses. Still, within the buzz of the tourist centre, you can have all your needs catered for while staying in dive resorts facing the pristine beachfront or arrange a dive trip to the Nusa Islands from dive centres in the area.
Lovina
Lovina is a coastal town in the north of Bali consisting of seven villages. Kalibukbuk village is Lovina’s central tourist hub which is famous for its stunning black sand beach and dolphins that are frequently spotted of its shores. Lovina diving is possible from Kalibukbuk beach in the sheltered coral reefs, but often Lovina acts as a base for muck diving at Gilimanuk, nearby at Pemuteran or at the jaw-dropping walls of Menjangan Island.
Kuta
Kuta, where Bali’s international airport is located, is often tourists first stop on their arrival into Bali. Visitors come to enjoy the long stretches of beach and the ample opportunities for shopping and partying. Yet, for divers who want to distance themselves from Kuta’s busy streets, there are a few dive centres in the area that will take you away from the hustle and bustle and into the calm of Bali’s beautiful underwater world.
Candi Dasa
Candi Dasa, a small village located on the eastern coastline of Bali, offers adrenaline-pumping dives in the Lombok Strait. The best dive sites in the area are found around the four tiny rocky islands of Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha, Gili Mimpang, and Gili Selang. Accessed by a short boat ride from Candi Dasa, the islands offer stunning deep walls, swim-throughs, and caves for those who want to experience the true force of the ocean. Worth the risk, the cool waters have seen reef sharks, wobbegong sharks, cat sharks and hammerhead sharks all gliding in the current. In the right season, there is even the chance to see the incredible ocean sunfish.
Pemuteran
Relaxed, bohemian and bathed in glorious nature, the island of Lombok and the three Gili Islands are all bleached white beaches and aquamarine waters.
Menjangan
Many of the dive sites located around Menjangan have shallow reef flats filled with corals, small fish and turtles.
Nusa Penida
In Bali’s south-east, there is a cluster of three islands, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan,
Tulamben and Amed
Set on the east coast of Bali, Tulamben and Amed, these two beach towns are great for divers.
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Diving in Bali
With so many dive locations on the mainland and surrounding archilpelagos, while scuba diving in Bali you are spoilt for choice. Nusa Dua, Padang Bai and Pemuteran offer beginner divers the chance to enrol in dive courses while there are a number of locations for more adventurous divers.
At the four rocky islands of Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha, Gili Mimpang and Gili Selang, reached from Candi Dasa, fierce currents will test your buoyancy as you dirft around unusual rock formations. For those who love to drift dive, you will find yourself pushed by the force of the ocean at almost every dive site in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. Dive dramatic deep walls at The Drop Off in Tulamben after diving the famous USAT Liberty Wreck or head to Menjangan Island to investigate the long-lost cargo of the Anker Wreck.
Excellent macro sites can be found at Blue Lagoon in Padang Bai, Seraya Secrets at Tulamben or the Secret Bay at Menjangan Island while thriving corals can be found everywhere while scuba diving in Bali. To showcase Bali diving at its best, liveaboards stop at the fantastic dive sites in every region of the Island of the Gods.
The best Months to dive in Bali
Scuba diving in Bali is best during the transition period between the wet and dry seasons. Through April to July and October through to November, the winds are generally weaker, seas calmer and visibility at its peak. At most diving locations diving is possible all year-round but for sites like Candi Dasa, where currents are strong and conditions already rough, it’s best to head out when the sea is calm.
When the water is cooler, from July through to October, there is the peak number of mola mola, hammerhead sharks, manta ray and whale shark. With the wet season from October to April, you can miss the rain while seeing your favourite megafauna.
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Centers Map
Dive Concepts Lembongan
Tropical Homestay, 80771 Klungkung, BA - IDN
BONDALEM ECO DIVE
Jalan Arcana, Banjar Dinas Kelod Kangin Desa Bondalem, 81173 Singaraja, BA - IDN
Bali Dive Trek
Amed Br dinas Biaslantang, desa purwakerti, kelod, Amed - Abang - Karangasem 80852, 80852 Amed, BA - IDN
Kuda Laut Bungalows & Diving
Jl. Singaraja Gilimanuk, 81155 Pemuteran, BA - IDN
LIVINGSEAS
Jl. Silayukti, Padangbai, Kec. Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80871, 80871 Padangbai, BA - IDN
Indo Ocean Project
Jl. Raya Toyapakeh, 87011 Klungkung, BA - IDN
Matahari Tulamben Resort, Dive & Spa
Jl. Raya Abang - Kubu., 80853 Karangasem., BA - IDN
RELAX BALI
Jl. Pantai Kubu, Kubu, 80853 Karangasem, BA - IDN
URVIL DIVE SCHOOL
Jalan Jepun Kuning No.9H, 80237 Denpasar Timur, BA - IDN
Project Laut
Jl. Raya Toyapakeh , Ped, Nusa Penida, 80771 Klungkung, BA - IDN
Nusa Penida Dive Center
PED Nusa Penida, 80771 Nusa Penida, BA - IDN
Pura Vida Diving Nusa Penida
Jl. Raya Toyapakeh Ped 14, 80771 Klungkung, BA - IDN
Extra Divers Naya Gawana-Bali
West Bali National Park, 81155 Banyuwedang, Buleleng, North B, BA - IDN
Dive Lah Bali
Jlk. Tukad Yeh Aya IX B No.2 , Renon, 80366 Denpasar, BA - IDN
Tulamben Dive
Br. Dinas Batudawa Kelod, Desa Tulamben , Kubu, 80853 Amlapura - Karangasem, BA - IDN
VILLA MARKISA DIVE RESORT
Banjar Dinas Batudawa Kelod, 80853 Karangasem - Bali, BA - IDN
Dive Resort Ocean Sun
Jl. Raya Kubu, 80853 Karangasem, BA - IDN
ORCA DIVECLUB BALI
Jl. Puri Bagus, 808001 Candidasa, Bali, BA - IDN
EVOLUTION DIVER AMED
JL. RAYA AMED, 80852 AMED, BA - IDN
PURE DIVE RESORT
Jalan Ped-Buyuk, Desa Ped , Nusa Penida, 80771 Klungkung, BA - IDN