:: Bali - The Island of Gods Travel Guides ::
BALI DIVE SITES
Bali is by far
Indonesia's most popular dive destination. It offers
plenty of shore based diving opportunities set against a
stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks, rice paddys and
breath taking beaches. The diving is varied with drop
offs, coral gardens and bommies, wrecks and a huge
variety of marine life. The Lombok strait lies to the
east of Bali and through it flows the greatest volume of
tidal water on earth. It is not surprising then that the
waters around Bali are often visited by some big
pelagics including the elusive sunfish.
With everything
on offer from muck diving at
Secret bay to adrenaline drift diving at
Nusa Penida to walls and drop offs of
Tulamben and even a world class wreck, the
Liberty. Bali has something for every divers taste.
Many of the sites have very strong currents and are
recommended for experienced divers only however there
are also calmer shallower spots like those at
Amed for beginners.
TULAMBEN DIVE SITES:
Tulamben has become Bali's
most famous diving area. Tulamben Bay, like the rest of
Bali, is situated in the richest marine biogeographic
zone in the world. Being on the northeast coast, the bay
receives plankton rich waters from the major ocean
currents that move from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean.
This, coupled with the fact that the three main dive
sites provide totally different physical environments,
means that Tulamben contains a stunningly diverse
underwater ecosystem.
The black sand of Tulamban does not provide the
reflective properties of white limestone sand and,
combined with the amount of plankton in the water,
accounts for the relatively low visibility. It does
however provide a dramatic contrast, which brings out
the colours of the corals, gorgonians, fish and other
marinelife.
Liberty Wreck
The USAT Liberty is Bali's most famous dive site.
Built circa WWI this cargo ship was
equipped
with guns for WWII and was torpedoed by the Japanese off
Lombok on the 11th of January, 1942. Two US destroyers
hitched up to the ship and tried to tow it to the port
of Singaraja. The damage was immense, she was taking too
much water and her crew ran the vessel up onto the beach
of Tulamben 70km away from the nearest safe harbor. Over
the years anything reusable was removed by locals. In
1963 the Liberty was pushed to her present location by
the fatal eruption of the volcano Gunung Agung. During
this process the hull broke into two pieces. Now she is
laying only 30 meters from the Tulamben beach on a sandy
slope 90° on her side parallel to the shore.
The Liberty wreck dive is suitable
for
all levels of qualification and experience. It is the
only Bali dive site that can actually become crowded as
day trippers from the south brave the three hour drive
for their two dives. She lies in depths from 9 to 30
meters; the shallowest part of the wreck, where it
touches the sand slope, is at 5 to 10 meters. Depth
along the middle of the wreck is 16 to 20 meters. The
lower edge of the wreck, ie: furthest down the slope, is
20 to 28 meters (at high tide). The wreck is 120 meters
long, it's pretty broken up so no penetration is
possible but you can still see the guns, toilets,
boilers, anchor chain, etc. It is a lovely dive site and
possibly the world's easiest wreck dive.
The wreck is now completely covered in healthy coral
growth, and the numerous structural holes provide
endless opportunities for exploration. Soft corals
dominate here, with crinoids, featherstars and hydroids.
Fish life here is simply awesome with marine biologists
estimating that about 400 different species of reef fish
live on the Liberty alone. Most of the medium sized fish
have become tame and will literally swarm divers in the
shallows. Night diving the wreck especially on a full
moon is an amazing experience where Spanish dancers and
flashlight fish can be seen amongst the swirling
phosphorescence.
Tulamben Wall/Drop Off
Tulamben Wall drops off to over 60 meters and is located
around 500 meters to the east of the world famous
Liberty Wreck. Topography consists of three coral
carpeted lava spurs that plumet down to 50 meters or so
with an overhang at around 18 meters. There is a
magnificent purple gorgonian sea fan at about 28 meters
that is over 2 meters in diameter. there are big
bumphead parrotfish to be seen here and the black sand
plays home to ornate ghost pipefish and cometfish. The
area also seems to attract a lot of lionfish for some
unknown reason.
Kelebit Rocks
A 15 minute boat ride from Tulamben bay will take you to
these two off shore rocky outcrops, topography is quite
dramatic with three steep ridges covered in hard coral.
The sand is no longer volcanic, the water is cooler and
even the fish life is different to back in the bay.
Visibility is often better here and larger predators
come in to feed including sharks and barracuda.
Hammerheads and Mantas have been spotted at this dive
site.
Paradise Reef
This area lies between the Liberty Wreck and the drop
off. It is also called Coral Garden or simply House
Reef. The shallow slopes here drop to a maximum depth of
25 meters and are home to all manner of macro delights.
Marine life is extremely diverse and you will see ribbon
eels, octopus, anemonefish, harlequin shrimp, morays,
and many juvenile species. Also a great night dive venue
where Spanish dancers alongside boxer and hairy crabs
can be found.
MENJANGAN ISLAND DIVE
SITES
Menjangan became
Bali's first internat
ionally
known dive spot in 1978. The island in the Barat
National Park is surrounded by coral reefs that drop
down as deep as 60 meters in places. This spot is most
renowned for is wall diving where huge gorgonians can be
found clinging to the coral crevices. Pygmy seahorses
and morays are often spotted in the cracks and under
overhangs along the walls here. Other marine inhabitants
include batfish, titan triggerfish and fuseliers.
Visibility is usually good here often beyond 20 meters.
Menjangan used to be famed for flat reefs however since
the popularity of island has increased more anchoring
vessels in the area have caused damage. This coupled
with a crown of thorns starfish outbreak in 1997 then El
Nino in 1998 which lead to coral bleaching. The reefs
today are recovering well and the attractions are now a
lot deeper. The island is protected from the cold
currents coming in from the open sea so sightings of
bigger fish here are rare.
Garden Eel point is one of the more popular dive sites
where coral growth is healthiest. Longnose hawkfish can
be found on the gorginians here and whitetip sharks are
often seen on the sandy bottom at around 35 meters. The
garden eel colony is on a slope in roughly 20 meters of
water.
Pos II (park service guard post), off Menjangan's most
southeasterly point, is usually done as a drift dive in
the gentle current along the wall. An explosion of
colour from the wall of soft coral can be seen here and
thermoclines are present where an upwelling of cold
waters from the deep are met. This often brings in
bigger visitors such as mantas and sharks. Just west of
Pos II are a couple of caves at around 18 meters that
are worth a look.
The Anker Wreck
This wreck is actually named for the anchor that still
lies about 6-8 meters from the surface. Follow the
anchor chain down the steep slope to the flattened
remains of the shipwreck at 35 - 50 meters, which lie
across about 60 meters of sand. The Anker isa 25 metre
long 19th century wooden ship, that carried ceramics and
copper, parts of which can still be seen across the
site.
PEMUTERAN
Pemuteran is a small collection of
resorts located on the beach around 15 minutes east of
Menjangan Island. The diving here is on 500 meter wide
coral covered banks or mounds that go from the sand
floor, at around 25 meters, up to about 6 meters from
the surface. The three reefs, Pura Tembok, Close
Encounter and Napoleon Reef are all located close to the
resorts in Pemuteran. The slopes are dominated by soft
corals, sponges and sea fans. Close by at 22 meters lies
the empty 16 meter long hull of a scuttled dive boat,
generously "donated" by one of the local Bali dive
operators.
The spot also makes a good night dive loaction.
Pemuteran house reef can reward the diver with colorful
Mandarin dragonets that can be seen in the late
afternoon. This
is the time they come out from their hiding places to
forage for food. Sometimes shortly before night falls
they rise up and do a mating dance together which is
truly spectacular.
In 1998 the House Reef at Pemuteran was devastated by El
Niño. So three years ago, this reef became the first in
Bali scuba diving to be sponsored by an artificial
re-generation project fund. Large holding domes were
sunk with live coral samples. The reef receives
electronic stimulus from shore and responds with
remarkable growth rates. The local village have buoyed
the area and guard it as a no-fishing exclusion zone, so
that fish stocks can re-group too. So far, although
still incomplete, the project has proved a well-deserved
success.
SECRET BAY
Located
just to the
east of the Bali to Java ferry terminal near the town of
Gilimanuk is Secret Bay. Teluk Gilimanuk is about two
kilometers across and very shallow, less than 10 meters
deep with an average of 4 to 5 meters. There are two
small islands inside of the bay, Pulau Kalong and Pulau
Burung, they are actually barely more than sandbars. The
bay and it's surrounding mangrove areas are a nursing
ground for fish as the water is fed by upwellings
brought by the daily tidal changes from the cool,
plankton rich Bali Strait.
Secret Bay is one of the best muck diving sites in the
world, there are no coral reefs, just a unique plateau
of black volcanic sand teeming with macro critters. The
best time to dive is on the incoming tide or around high
tide, it doesn't matter if it's early or late in the
day, as the bay will have filled with clear water from
the Bali Strait. The water temperature is slightly
cooler here at about 23-25 degress. There is a fair bit
of debris around which forms myriad hiding places for
countless creatures including dragonets, seahorses,
ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, red and white segmented sea
cucumbers, gobies, frogfish, scorpionfish, hermit crabs
and octopus. There have even been sightings of 4 meter
Bobbitt worms in the bay, these creatures live in
burrows and are armed with fangs and lightning speed
with which they dispatch their prey. This dive site
truly is a macro photographers paradise.
NUSA DUA
The dive sites around Bali's southern Nusa Dua are
popular for their ease of accessibility from Kuta and
all the big resorts. The fringing coral reefs around
Serandan island and Nusa Dua offer good marine life and
shallow warm waters, ideal for beginners, training and
refresher dives. Visibility is usually not very good due
to the proximity of Benoa harbor and its heavy boat
traffic.
PADANG BAY
Often spelt Padangbai this tiny inlet is fringed
with reef which starts as a shallow ledge at a depth of
ten meters. A slope drops down to 20 meters futher to
sea, after which a sandy bottom levels out at 40 meters.
The slope is dominated by magnificent anemones, black
and yellow featherstars and se
a
squirts. Oriental sweetlips, boxfish and yellow
trumpetfish are common on dives here. Commonly named
Blue Lagoon this dive site around the headland also has
a resident Napoleon wrasse and reef sharks are often
seen. August to September can reward lucky divers with
sightings of Australian Wobbegong sharks and the elusive
Mola Mola sunfish.
Macro fans will have fun diving around the Padang Bay
jetty where all manner of critters can be found in the
shallows. The sheltered bay is also an ideal location
for night diving. Better viz and bigger fish can be
found further out into Amuk Bay.
AMUK BAY
Amuk Bay is around 6km across with the villages of
Padang Bay to the south and Candidasa to the north. Two
islands (Tepekong and Mimpang) outside the bay, and
Biaha a little to the north, offer some of the most
breath-taking diving in Bali. However, due to strong
currents and unpredicatable water movements, these 3
sites need to be treated with care and respect, always
consult your local Divemaster. The sites here are one of
the best places to see Mola Mola sunfish, the water
temperature is also somewhat cooler.
Tepekong
This tiny island is only about 300 meters long
and not very wide with deep waters on all sides. Off the
southwestern tip of Tepekong is a well known dive site
called The Canyon. Tepekong Canyon starts at around 25
meters deep and is lined with some large black boulders
of basalt carpeted with soft and hard corals. Drifting
through the canyon in clear visibility is an awesome
experience, sharks and other big pelagics are often
spotted. Huge schools of sweetlips, fusiliers, trevally
and snapper swirl around the canyon walls in the
nutrient rich waters. East Tepekong offers a wall down
to around 40 meters and a coral reef at 24 meters again
with excellent marine life.
Mimpang
The four exposed rocks are also called Batu Tiga
which actually means 3 rocks. Mimpang's Shark Point
offers a better chance to see white tip reef sharks than
Tepekong does, and often in greater numbers. It is one
of the better locations in Bali to find sharks and even
Mola Mola sunfish between August and September. The
topography of Mimpang is diverse, with sloping reefs,
craggy rocks and walls all with hard and soft corals and
some gorgonians. Big schools of fish often congregate at
the upper parts of the reef.
Biaha
This spot has a blowhole that spouts jets of
water, it also has very strong currents and vertical
surge so is only recommended for experienced divers.
With rugged black walls and plenty of coral life this is
a great spot. The inside area of the crescent (the east
side of Biaha) has a cave with resident whitetips large
enough for several divers to enter however extreme
caution must be taken if surge is strong.
NUSA
LEMBONGAN
The island of Lembongan lies to the north of
Bali's most popular dive spots on Nusa Penida. With
speeding currents, clear visibility and big pelagic
visitors the dive sites around Lembongan can be
thrilling.
Blue Corner
This can be an extremely exciting dive but
heed must be taken to the advice you given by the
Divemaster. When you descend to about 18 - 20 meters the
current grabs you and you begin the natural
rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. The current takes you
round to the point (corner) where there is a vertical
wall to a depth of around 28 meters. Blue Corner is
usually full of fish as well as sharks, big Napoleon
wrasse, eagle rays and plenty of other marine life. Its
also one of the better spots to see the Mola Mola
sunfish when currents are kind at the right time of
year.
Mangrove
Named after the mangrove trees that line the shore this
dive site has a gentler, profile. Again good marine life
and can be done as a drift. Another gentle and shallower
dive for those that are not speed freaks can be done at
Lembongan Bay around the island. It is a good spot for
beginners and snorkellers.
Ceningan Wall
Very strong currents here and it is only diveable in
certain conditions. Coral growth is stunted due to the
speed of the passing water. Big schools of tuna,
trevally and barracuda come here to feed in the big
currents. This is a high adrenaline dive that is only
recommended for experienced divers.
NUSA PENIDA
Nusa Penida and the neighbour
ing
island of Lembongan offers some of Bali's finest diving.
It is a large island located in the southeast of Bali,
across the Badung Strait. With its adjacent deep water
trenches, the main attraction at Nusa Penida is the
common encounters with the curious and otherwise very
rare oceanic sunfish, or Mola Mola, that come close to
the reef to visit cleaner stations. Currents are often
strong as the islands lie right in the path of the
Indonesian Throughflow. The Lombok Strait separates the
Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok, it is the second
most important strait through which water is exchanged
between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. The best
times to dive are when the tides peak at slack and high,
when water movement is the least.
Toyapakeh
This popular dive site is located on the
islands northwest shore in the Ceningan Channel. It is
partially protected from the current and can offer good
visibility and healthy coral. Plenty of schooling fish
can be seen along with a couple of sea snakes on
occasion. Quicksilver has a mooring here which often
gets crowded with snorkelling daytrippers. The reef
slopes down to around 25-30 meters with bommies and
overhangs to explore.
SD and Ped
These two sites are also extremely popular
for their steep walls and prolific marine life. Drift
diving along the steep sloped coral encrusted wall with
sponges, hard and soft corals, gorgonians and myriad
reef fish is awesome. Larger pelagics such as barracuda,
tuna and jacks often put in an appearance here.
Malibu Point
The dive site is small and often tricky to
dive if currents are strong but it is one of the better
places to see sharks. Also big dogtooth tuna, rainbow
runners and mackerel to be found at this spot.
Batu Abah and Manta Point
The exposed rocks to the south of Nusa Penida
are diveable but don't offer as much reef life as other
sites. To the southwest of the island is Manta Point
which has a dramatic backdrop of limestone cliffs that
descend straight into the ocean. Swell and surge can be
huge here so caution is needed, the water is also
noticeably cooler. Not much in the way of reef but the
main attractions are the mantas that often come here to
feed.
Crystal Bay and Gamat Bay
Around the north side of Crystal Bay is a
cave that opens up to the surface and is inhabited by
bats. The sheltered lagoon has a nice sandy beach. The
reef on the outer areas offers some good coral
formations but again currents can be strong. Gamat Bay
is a little further north back towards Toyapakeh, it has
some sheltered spots which offer a relaxing alternative
to drift diving. The rich area of the slope is around 10
to 20 meters where coral bommies and all manner of reef
fish can be seen along side some macro critters.
GILI SELANG
Gili Selang is a small is
land
lying off Bali's most eastern point and like most of the
dive sites in this area it has intensely strong
currents. There is an interesting coral and sand slope
to the north of the island that has large leather and
brain corals along with a few barrel sponges. The
current will sweep you along the outer wall which drops
off into a deep channel and you will end up at the south
of the island where you can escape the torrent. Jacks,
tuna and barracuda frequent the area so look out for
them along with occasional the shark or two.
Three Fingers and Waterloo
Around 500 meters south of Gili Selang are
three rocky outcrops carpeted in coral. Current
permitting you can dive around the formations looking
out for macro life. Waterloo is a newer spot even
further south with good coral and marine life.
AMED
Situated on Bali's northeastern coast
Amed offers shallow and sheltered slopes
teeming with reef fish. However, in 1998, Amed was badly
affected by coral-bleaching as a result of El Nino that
affected the reef within the bay and down to 10 to 12
meters. Today the reef is recovering well and offers
diving conditions more suited to those uncomfortable in
the raging currents of the Strait. Ribbon eels and clown
triggerfish can be spotted amongst the coral bommies in
the sheltered bays here.
Amed also has a number of walls where gorgonians sway in
the current and bigger pelagics come to feed. The main
eastern reef off Cemeluk curves around a rock outcrop
just east of town. There is a drop off to around 50
meters just out of Cemeluk bay where marine life is
plentiful and currents are gentle. Lipah Bay lies around
3 kilometers southeast of Cemeluk. There is a small
wreck of a steel freighter at 6 to 12 meters encrusted
with gorgonians, sponges and black corals, with a lot of
glassfish sweeping around. Nice hard coral cover with
plenty of anthias and even some pygmy seahorses if you
look hard enough.
DAILY DIVES FROM KUTA/SANUR/NUSA
DUA
Tulamben Dives
: US$ 90/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Amed Dives
: US$ 90/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Padang Bay Dives : US$
90/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Menjangan Dives :
US$ 150/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Pemuteran Dives :
US$ 150/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Nusa Dua Dives
: US$ 130/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Lembongan Dives : US$
120/02 dives/person/min 02 person
Dive Packages
03 Days 02 Nights : US$
450/person/min 02 person
04 Days 03 Nights : US$
550/person/min 02 person
05 Days 04 Nights : US$
625/person/min 02 person
06 Days 05 Nights : US$
700/person/min 02 person
Above dive packages included:
All pick up and transfer, dive tags, dive guides,
equipments, hotel in dive location, boat, insurance, all
meals, drinking water
Price excluded: alcoholic and
non alcoholic drinks, air tickets, airport taxes,
additional tips, laundry and any personal expenses.
Please email us for inquiries,
reservation and information at:
info@lombokmarine.com
Come and Discover Indonesia Islands with us!
