Dive Sites and Scuba Locations of Bali

(Click the links on the map for Bali's mayor dive locations)

Bali's dive sites and locations are varied and provide the opportunity finding Macro to Pelagic marine species and critters. Since some years, moorings for boats are put to prevent the use of anckors at the dive sites of Bali and the surrounding islands that are reached by boat.

Sanur Dive Sites

While Sanur is the place to depart by boat for Scuba diving destinations at the islands of Nusa Penida and Lembongan, there are two divesites in the Sanur area, and it is well worth it to explore these places. The beach of Sanur has some nice spots for snorkeling too. You can find a diversity of creatures here and juveniles of boxfish and many other species can be found between the seaweed. Even the famous Anemone Clown Fish can be found here on small patches of anemone while snorkeling. The dive sites at the outside of the Sanur reef are known with sightings of white tip sharks.

Nusa Penida south

Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Penida island has a pretty extreme character, the south part consists of steep chalky cliffs with almost no coral growth because of the currents there. The north parts geology is pretty flat with beautiful coral reefs stretching a lenght of many kilometers.

Make exhilarating drift dives at the north of Nusa Penida and meet Mola Mola (ocean sunfish) or Manta Rays (manta birostris) in the south part of the island. Mola Mola come to these islands mainly during particular seasons for cleaning (mainly between july and december). But with some luck it is possible to encounter them during other months aswell.

Because of the upwellings from the deep ocean bassin south of Bali the water can be chilling cold around the islands, water temperature can be dropping below 20 degrees celsius. Usage of a 5mm full wetsuit is advised.

Central Coast Dive Sites

The dive sites of Bali's Central Coast are mainly reached from Padang Bai and Candidasa. This location has a diversity of dive sites with some easy around Tanjung Sari like the "Blue Lagoon" dive site. Bali's most challenging dive sites can also be found here, located in Amuk Bay, Gili Tepekong, Gili Mimpang and Gili Biaha offer Scuba diving for the experienced divers.

Gili Tepekong can be a site with unpredictable currents and surge which can change directions during dives. The visibility is usually perfect with more then 20m of crystal clear water. This site is a good place to encounter large pelagics like rays and Ocean Sunfish.

Gili Mimpang's location is a bit more to the coast then Tepekong and has the same geological character. Mimpang is known for the high possibility of seeing white tip sharks and large pelagics.

A bit more to the north, in front of the coast at Candidasa, Gili Biaha can be found. This site is known for it's shark cave and has a more developed reef then the two other Gili's. Beside the white tip sharks here, you can see tuna, barracuda's and large pelagic fish.

Amed Dive Sites

Amed is the town that lies some kilometers east of Tulamben at Jemeluk Bay. There are some drop-off's which provide drift dives in a mild current. A beautiful coral garden starts at the beach of Jemeluk, perfect to make shallow dives and for snorkeling.

Tulamben Dive Sites

Tulamben is mainly know for the shipwreck of WWII transportship "USAT Liberty" which forms a great and easy wreckdive. There are some very good divesites in this area. Night diving and snorkeling is among the possibilities here.

North-West Coast Dive Sites

The Dive Sites in the North-West of Bali are mainly situated around the island of Nusa Menjangan (Deer Island) which is part of the Bali Barat National Park. There are two great sites for mud diving lovers called Secret Bay (near Gilimanuk) and Puri Jati. At these sites you can find many strange and sometimes unindentified marine creatures.

Pemutaran have some interesting sites for diving, although not as pristine as those at Menjangan island and most diving takes place at the takas (coral mound or bank) called Taka Lebar, Taka Jaran and Taka Menaum. Pemutaran's dive sites offer night diving because the sites are close to the shore here.

BALI INTERNATIONAL DIVING PROFESSIONALS
JL. Danau Poso No. 26 Sanur 80228, Bali
Tel : +62 (0) 361 270 759 / Fax : +62 (0) 361 270 760 / Email: bidp@scubadivebali.com
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