Early in 2020, I learned to dive in Indonesia, and I set out to visit as many of the top diving locations in the archipelago as I could. And fortunately, there are lots close to my Bali house. With dive locations suitable for every skill level and an abundance of marine life to match, Bali offers some of the best scuba diving experiences on the planet. A dive in Indonesia is always thrilling since it takes place in the Coral Triangle, an oceanic region that is home to the world’s largest diversity of coral species. Discover the top dive spots in Bali, including vivid coral reefs, elusive mola mola, many turtles, and swarms of colorful fish.
1. Pemuteran
For a dive at Pemuteran, a serene seaside community located at the summit of the island, you’ll need to travel up to the northwest. This location is making a great effort to enhance the underwater environment because of the Pemuteran Bay Reef Restoration Project, an amazing project that has restored damaged reefs into flourishing underwater gardens.
Admire the schools of tropical fish that have started to make the project’s gorgeous artificial reef structures home as you dive around them. With time, these bio-rock formations will undoubtedly continue to flourish and offer refuge for marine species. When visiting Bali, you should make sure to visit and explore the well-known West Bali National Park, which is accessible from Pemuteran.
2. Sanur
Sanur is a popular starting point for day journeys to the adjacent Nusa islands and provides the ideal base for scuba diving excursions of all kinds. However, the nearby dive spots are equally well-known and worth adding to the list. The dive sites in Sanur offer a colorful underwater tapestry that is ready to be explored, and they are conveniently accessible and appropriate for divers of all skill levels. In a hurry?
This section of Bali is ideal for diving exploration, even though the dive sites here may not be as spectacular as some of the island’s more isolated offerings.
3. Gili Trawangan, Meno & Air
Scuba diving at Gili Trawangan, Meno & Air may be a separate article! Despite being in Lombok, these excellent scuba diving destinations are easy to reach from mainland Bali and worth the trip. Tropical paradises Gili Trawangan, Meno, and Air have stunning marine life.
There are several diving opportunities around the islands, from quiet reefs to thrilling drift dives over high walls. At Turtle Heaven on Gili T, turtles are guaranteed. Beautiful underwater statues are on nearby Meno. The more advanced diving sites on Air include Simon’s Reef, my favorite.
4. Gili Selang
Ready to level up? One of Bali’s most challenging diving locations, Gili Selang is excellent for thrill-seekers. At Bali’s easternmost edge, Gili Selang has magnificent underwater vistas, powerful currents, deep walls, and brilliant coral formations to drift dive.
While strong, the currents provide nutrient-rich waters that maintain a healthy marine ecology. Fusiliers, snappers, and surgeonfish are common in these currents. Gili Selang’s complexity keeps it peaceful despite Bali’s best dive locations being overcrowded with people.
5. Candidasa
Every tourist should visit Candidasa, whether they dive or not. For undersea lovers, Candidasa is a stunning place to explore. The brightly colored hard and soft corals, sea fans, and gorgonian fans of Candidasa make diving there a highlight.
Discover sharks, beautiful sea turtles, schools of colorful tropical fish, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, and the intriguing mimic octopus by diving deeper. The calm, shallow reefs of Gili Mimpang and Gili Tepekong are ideal for beginners.
6. Padang Bai
Padang Bai is where most tourists take speed boats to the Gili Islands. For superb scuba diving, stay an extra night or two in this section of Bali. Padang Bai, a picturesque eastern Bali beach village, is a perfect place to visit the Blue Lagoon. Beginner divers like this secluded bay’s sandy bottom and good visibility.
Padang Bai has many dive opportunities for expert divers with diverse interests. Shark Point has reef sharks, turtles, and reef fish, while Bias Tugel and Jepun have exquisite coral gardens.
7. Tulamben
The quiet village of Tulamben is another popular Bali diving site with many options for all preferences. Tulamben’s varied marine habitat makes for a breathtaking diving experience. Nudibranchs, shrimps, octopuses, angelfish, and parrot fish live here.
Tulamben offers the right mix of macro and wide-angle photography for those seeking the perfect snap. Divers of all abilities love its quiet, clear waters and simple beach entrance points to dive spots.
8. Amed
Scuba divers love Amed on Bali’s east coast, where they spend most of their time underwater. While the environment is peaceful, the dive locations are different. This location has a rich marine habitat with colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Most divers visit to see the USAT Liberty shipwreck, a WWII cargo ship covered in corals. Swim through its crevices, see its coral-encrusted remains, and greet the wreck’s fish schools.
9. Secret Bay
Secret Bay at Menjangan Island is famous for muck diving. This Gilimanuk Bay dive spot gives ambitious divers a private and unspoiled experience. Secret Bay’s richness and chance to see tiny seahorses, colorful nudibranchs, elusive frogfish, and uncommon octopuses make it stand out.
Secret Bay should be on all scuba divers’ bucket lists for macro photography and amazing underwater experiences. Night dives reveal a new world beneath the surface. Expect a different world to unfold during sunset dives.
10. Menjangan Island
Scuba diving was introduced to Indonesia by Menjangan Island, which hosted the first diving meet-ups before Bali became a tourist destination. Menjangan Island, off Bali’s northwest coast, is a hidden gem for divers and snorkelers. It takes more work to get here.
However, those who make the voyage will encounter breathtaking walls, drop-offs, and underwater cliffs with magnificent Gorgonian fans, barrel sponges, and colorful hard and soft corals.
FAQ’s
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