The Best Diving And Snorkelling Spots In Bali Indonesia

Bali is loved for its stunning beaches and never-ending waves, yet the farther you descend below the surface, the deeper you’ll come to learn the charm of the island. Here’s our list of the best diving and snorkelling sites in Bali.

You can enjoy an unforgettable snorkelling trip around the Gili Islands with Culture Trip as part of our specially curated 12-day Bali adventure.

1. Tulamben Beach

Natural Feature

Scuba divers prepare for a shore dive in Tulamben, Bali.

The waters of Tulamben Beach are home to the USAT Liberty, which sank after being torpedoed during World War II. Now the shipwreck sits 30m (98ft) below the surface. And while the remains of the big ship appeal to many tourists and adventurers, only experienced divers have the privilege to explore it fully down to the bottom. Not to worry though, as beginner divers and snorkellers can easily explore the upper part of the ship – where marine life thrives, bringing colour to the rather stern wreckage scene.

2. Lipah Bay

Natural Feature

Indonesia, Bali, East Bali, Amed, Lipah Village and Beach

Almost as though it’s forgotten the terrible war, a Japanese patrol boat from WWII sits serenely at the bottom of Lipah Bay. The destruction of the boat has brought new forms of life – the wreckage sustaining magnificent corals and marine creatures. The dive site is easy to access from the black-sand Amed Beach, with the wreckage just 12m (40ft) below the surface.

4. Crystal Bay

Natural Feature

Scuba diver with Ocean Sunfish, Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, Bali Island, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

At Crystal Bay, hundreds of tropical fish swim around stunning corals, presenting divers and snorkellers with a breathtaking sight. It sits between the Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida islands and is often protected from strong currents – making it an easily attained gem. Occasionally, turtles, sea snakes or manta rays make an appearance – a great bonus for your day under the surface.

5. Gili Tepekong, Mimpang and Biaha

Natural Feature

Powder-blue Surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternon, Acanthuridae family), Gili Tepekong dive site, Candidasa, Bali, Indonesia.

These three tiny islands hold big challenges and attractions for daring divers. The nearby sea is home to many sharks, as well as large blackjacks and the bony ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Gili Tepekong is the best place to spot them, while sharks are often seen near Gili Mimpang. Meanwhile, Gili Biaha has an often-crowded shark cave. The three islands are close together, so you can tackle the trio in one visit.

6. Blue Lagoon

Natural Feature

Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus, Hexabranchidae family), night dive, Baung Penyu (Coral Wall) dive site, near Blue Lagoon. Image shot 04/2019. Exact date unknown.

Even if you are a newbie diver or snorkeller, you don’t have to miss out on the rich marine life of Bali. The Blue Lagoon – technically a shallow coral reef – is a perfect site for beginners, as it has calm, shallow waters and stunning corals. Even so, the dive point – a mere five minutes from Padang Bai – also has something for adventure seekers. The spot is perfect for night dives when rare marine species roam, including the Spanish dancer and leopard shark.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.