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The Best Diving and Snorkeling Spots in Bali

Diving in Menjangan, Bali | © Peter Vazquez / Flickr
Diving in Menjangan, Bali | © Peter Vazquez / Flickr
Photo of Edira Putri
Edira Putri
16 March 2017

Bali is loved for its stunning beaches and unending surf waves. But the deeper you descend below the clear water’s surface, the deeper you’ll know the island’s charm, falling in love with it even more. Here’s Culture Trip’s list of the best diving and snorkeling sites in Bali.

Tulamben Beach

The Tulamben Beach area hosts the USAT Liberty wreck, which sank after being torpedoed during WWII. Now the wreck sits still at 30 meters (98 feet) below the surface, a silent witness to one of the world’s greatest tragedies. 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. But not to worry, as beginner divers and snorkelers can easily explore the upper part of the ship, where marine life thrives, bearing colors to the rather stern wreckage scene.

Tulamben Beach, Tulamben, Kubu, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

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Lipah Bay

As if it has forgotten its terrible and fearful time away at war, the wreck of a Japanese patrol boat from WWII sits contently at the bottom of Lipah Bay. It’s heartwarming to see how the boat’s death begets new forms of life, as the wreckage has been sustaining the life of magnificent corals and marine creatures. The sunken boat point is easy to access from Amed Beach, which is known for its solid black sand, with the boat lying just 12 meters (40 feet) below the surface.

Lipah Bay, Balizee, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

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Pos Dua

Not your mainstream diving site, Pos Dua is a diving spot located on Menjangan Island, a small island three hours away from the Bali mainland. The marine beauty of Menjangan’s Pos Dua beams up to the surface, visible by just dipping your face slightly into the clear water. From there, you decide how far to go. The area features a magnificent abyss stretching as deep as 40 meters (131 feet), creating a majestic wall covered in corals, which only gets more and more incredible as divers go deeper and deeper.

Menjangan Island, Sumber Klampok, Gerokgak, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia

Crystal Bay

Crystal Bay is a world-famous diving and snorkeling spot loved for its surface’s tranquility that holds together a busy and vibrant underwater life as if it’s a secret. Just below the surface, hundreds of tropical fish are swimming around the stunning corals, presenting divers and snorkelers with a breathtaking sight to see. Located between the Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida islands, Crystal Bay is often protected from strong currents, making it an easily attained gem. Occasionally, turtles, sea snakes, or mantas make an appearance, which is a great bonus for your day out under the surface.

Crystal Bay, Sakti, Nusapenida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia

Gili Tepekong, Mimpang, and Biaha

The three tiny islands hold big challenges and attractions for daring divers. The nearby sea area is home to many sharks, as well as large black jacks and the bony ocean sunfish, or mola mola, as they are often called. The Gili Tepekong is the best place to spot the mola mola, while sharks are often roaming about near Gili Mimpang, and Gili Biaha features an often crowded shark cave. Because of their proximity to each other, divers can consider tackling these three sites in one visit.

Gili Tepekong, Bali, Indonesia

Blue Lagoon

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

Blue Lagoon, Padangbai, Manggis, Padangbai, Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia

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