Where and when to go scuba diving in Bali

Bali is a popular destination to try scuba diving for the first time or get a PADI (license). The underwater world is amazing to visit and see. Scuba Diving in Bali offers great places: reefs, coral gardens, many fish, turtles, manta bay, mola-mola and sometimes dolphins. Without any license, you can still scuba dive up to minus 12 meters below sea-level. This makes it great to try it out before getting a license.

Before scuba diving

The experience is exciting and should only be done in good health conditions. There is a questionnaire that needs to be filled out before diving. The Padi Questionaire is to check out if a medical examiner should check, or perhaps maybe not dive (at this moment).

Tips for anyone going to scuba dive in Bali

• If it is your first time, or haven’t dived in a long time be sure to go over the hand signals.
• Take more or less weight on your belt if you have issues maintaining depth.
• Every diving site has different views to offer in Bali. Check out where you want to dive first. (read further down)
• Always follow the instructions of your master diver.
• Respect the marine life, look but do not touch.
• Most importantly, do enjoy the experience.

Discovery Scuba Diving in Bali

There are many people that actually do not have the PADI (license). But this does not mean that you are not allowed to dive. You can do the Discovery Scuba Experience, which allows you to go up to 12 meters depth without any license. There are plenty of great places to have your Discovery Scuba Diving experience. Each place has different views and marine life to offer. Note that some places require a PADI license. Check with the Dive Center if you want to dive somewhere without a license.

Liberty Shipwreck diving at Tulamben (Amed)

This 115 meters shipwreck is only 25 meters from the coast. For snorkeling, it is also visible as the ship is at 12 meters deep. This makes it great for a Scuba Discovery Experience. The dive here takes about 50-60 minutes (also depends on the usage of oxygen). There are many companies that take you here. When I stayed in Amed (a small town next to Tulamben), I went with Ecodive Bali and I do recommend them.

You can do 2 dives for 90$ in Amed with them. They give the option to do the shipwreck twice or bring you to a reef. I have done them both, and next time I would do the shipwreck just twice because it is an amazing experience (and reefs are elsewhere).

Update 2023: due to seismic activities over the past year, penetrations and going into the wreck is not possible anymore. However it is still stunning to see. The wreck is divided in several pieces now.

• Maximum Depth: 28 m
• Type of dive: wreck diving
• Level: great for beginners and above
• Best time: all round-year
• Cost 700k IDR (~45 USD)

Menjangan Island

This is the most beautiful place for diving in Bali (but that’s my opinion). In the North-West you can find Pemuteran. From Pemuteran you take a boat to Menjangan Island. Our boat were a few divers and snorkeling people. We would dive where they snorkel. There are so many colorful corals and marine life here.

We went to the reef which the locals referred to as the Bat Cave and another reef. It was a very amazing experience diving at Menjangan Island. From depths of 5 meter, it suddenly descends to 30 meters where all kinds of marine life would show themselves to you.

• Maximum Depth: 30 m
• Type of dive: Coral reef
• Level: great for beginners and above, slight current
• Best time: all round-year
• Cost 700k IDR (~45 USD)

Padang Bai

Blue Lagoon

This is a diver’s paradise, especially for beginners and snorkelers. The dive begins on a plateau of sand at about 5 meters depth, from where you descend along a sandy slope towards a depth of 20 meters. The turquoise water reveals the charm of the dive site called Blue Lagoon. It’s also an ideal spot for macro photographers. The marine life is abundant with a diversity of crustaceans hiding in and around the crevices of the reef1. You might even spot a collection of resident Blue-spotted rays and a large Napoleon wrasse2.

The Jetty

This site is one of the most incredible dives to be done in Bali. It’s an unused cruise ship pier that was built in the large bay between Padang Bai and Candidasa. This site is best known as a critter dive as the bottom is mainly sand and rocks. Classic encounters at the site include day octopus, a plethora of frog fish, nudibranchs, schooling catfish, blue ring octopus, and the occasional Rhinopias.

Ferry Channel

This dive site offers a surprising diversity of environments and species. It’s located at our doorstep and includes a coastal reef (max 25m), slope, wall, jetty and even a wreck.

Shark Point

This dive location houses two large white tip reef sharks. The area is sprinkled with massive corals which serve as excellent hiding spots for white tipped reef sharks, blue spotted stingrays, and painted lobsters. The water conditions are calm with a slight swell. If you’re looking for an amazing dive and a chance to see these resident sharks, then Shark Point at Padang Bai is a must-visit.

Each dive site offered its own unique charm and array of marine life. From colorful corals to diverse species of fish and other sea creatures, each dive was an adventure in itself. If you’re planning to dive in Bali, Padang Bai should definitely be on your list!

The prices differ depending on season and dive center for this one. It can be 500k IDR per dive but that’s the cheapest. most likely the price is between 700-800k per dive now.

Other islands near Padang Bai

For anyone with Advanced Open Water, you can go to where the bigger fish are at depths not meant for the beginners. Mimpang, Gili Biaha and Gili Tepekong. See some manta/stingrays, the huge mola mola fish and other wonderous sea creatures.

Manta Point Diving

Manta Point is a famous dive site celebrated for its magical moments with the majestic manta rays. You would need to go to Nusa Penida (or Cenigan) for this dive and a boat goes there in the morning.

The dive itself is pretty easy. There is not much current. The temperature however drops to 22-23 degrees celsius. You might see the thermocline even!

Manta Point is suitable for both beginners and expert divers. The allure isn’t just in the dive but in the sensation of being in the presence of these majestic creatures.

• Maximum Depth: 25 m
• Type of dive: Manta dive
• Level: great for beginners and above
• Best time: all round-year
• Cost 700k IDR (~45 USD)

Night Scuba Diving in Bali

With some lights (and glowing sticks) you will venture the deep dark blue. This can sound scary to some, and others would really love the adrenaline rush. What you see are the fish that are a bit shy during the day time. They would come out. Here’s how night diving looks like at Tulamben.

Choosing a Scuba Diving Company in Bali

When choosing a diving company do talk with the different upfront. Listen to what they offer and check also online how others experienced it. I went with Ecodive Bali which I can recommend. They offer different locations and very professional master divers. Check their prices for scuba diving in Bali.

Best time to dive in Bali

The best time is during the dry season. When it’s raining the water can become less visible. Also, a current is more likely to happen during the wet seasons. So between March – September would be best, but when it’s dry it should be fine.

Diving is fun but sometimes not for everyone. Try it first if you like it. How was your scuba diving in Bali? let me know in the comments below.

Recommended read:

Best Snorkeling spots in Bali with a map

TaleTravels

Hi I am Dwi. I am a blogger, travel agent and a mom of a lovely daughter and wife to a supportive husband. I customize and plan tours in Bali and islands nearby for a living and have been doing this for more than 14 years. Get in touch via contact [at] taletravels.com