As one of the world's top spots to dive, Bali draws the beginner as well as the expert and, too, everyone else who loves the ocean. The diving in Bali is one of the best on our planet, with beautiful clear waters, stunningly colorful coral reefs, and plentiful sea creatures. The diving range in Bali is astonishing, from relaxed snorkeling to professional dive instruction and from relaxing to thrilling drift dives.
In this complete guide, you can find out everything you will need to know about the various places to dive and snorkel in Bali and how to get your PADI certification (such as your Bali diving course) as well as advanced certifications (such as a Bali Divemaster).
Why Choose Bali for Diving?
Bali is a premier, world-renowned diving destination because the diving sites are mostly accessible (close to land with minimal current), offer diverse types of diving, and can be enjoyed year-round due to their consistent water temperature. The temperature ranges from 27°C to 29°C year-round, and you can typically see 10 - 20 meters when diving in Bali, making it the perfect location for beginner and experienced divers alike.
Additionally, another reason Bali is unique is because of the diversity of dive sites that can be found within a relatively short distance from each other. In Bali, we have access to coral gardens, walls, wrecks, and drift dives.
Some of the highlights of diving in Bali are the following:
- Tropical warm waters
- A rich diversity of marine life, including Manta rays and Mola Mola
- Diving opportunities for all levels of experience
- Highly trained and certified instructors at numerous professional dive shops
Top Bali Diving Locations
1. Tulamben – The Wreck Diving Paradise
The USAT Liberty shipwreck is why Tulamben is a world-famous dive and one of the most easily accessible wreck dives in the world. The easy shore access and the incredible marine life and coral reefs, combined with the types of dive sites, make it great for beginners and experienced divers alike.
2. Nusa Penida – Manta Rays & Mola Mola
Nusa Penida is a great dive location for experienced divers only due to the strong currents and depth of some of the dives. At Nusa Penida, you can experience manta rays, and when you are REALLY fortunate, you may even encounter the rare mola mola (sunfish).
Most dive charters to Nusa Penida will provide a boat ride and a guide. All of the dive guides are certified.
3. Diving Nusa Lembongan – Calm Yet Exciting
Anyone who prefers a mix of excitement and relaxation can dive here, lending itself well to both novice and experienced divers alike; close proximity to Nusa Penida makes it an easy day trip for divers from other islands or resorts near Bali. Here you will find:
- Beautiful coral reefs
- Drift dives with moderate currents
- Opportunities to see turtles and reef sharks
It’s also a great place for combining diving and snorkeling activities.
4. Amed – Beginner-Friendly Diving
Those just learning to dive will find Amed to be the perfect choice. The calm waters combined with abundant varieties of fish make this area a great location for both learning how to dive and taking photographs and video underwater.
5. Menjangan Island – Pristine Reefs
Menjangan is one of the best places in all of Bali to dive. Located on the west coast, Menjangan features wall dives and has pristine coral reefs. If you want some variety, the combination of swimming with both divers and snorkelers is an added benefit.
Snorkeling in Bali
The beauty of Bali's underwater world can be enjoyed by anyone without the need for scuba diving! It is also usually open to all ages and skill levels.
Popular snorkeling spots:
- Nusa Dua
- Amed
- Menjangan Island
- Nusa Penida
There are usually packages available that generally include equipment, an instructor, and sometimes photos and/or video to make this adventure as easy as possible.
Snorkeling is especially ideal for:
- People who don’t know how to swim or haven’t snorkeled before.
- Families or groups.
- People traveling for a short holiday.
Bali Diving Course: Start Your Underwater Journey
If you have never dived before, then enrolling in a Bali diving course is the best way to start. The most popular certification is the PADI Open Water Diver, less popular than the Open Water Divers course.
What to Expect:
- Classroom or eLearning sessions
- Pool training for basic skills
- Diving in the ocean under real-life conditions with experienced instructors
Most courses are 3-4 days long, with many training dives.
What’s Included:
- All diving equipment
- Possibility of using a qualified instructor certified by PADI
- Instructional books and certificates
- All transportation to the dive sites
Most dive centers on Bali provide small class sizes so they can give their clientele one-on-one attention and keep the participant safe.
Divemaster Bali: Go Pro
If you truly wish to pursue your passion for diving, your next step is to become a divemaster in Bali.
What You’ll Learn:
- Leadership & dive planning
- How to assist instructors
- Basic rescue & safety techniques
- Dive skills at a professional level.
Becoming your first step toward becoming an instructor, the Divemaster course also provides you with knowledge for working in dive centers around the world.
Finally, if you want to concentrate on completing this course, a divemaster in Bali is one of the many destinations to consider, with its diverse types of dive environments and instructors with extensive experience in training.
What Does Bali Diving Cost?
Bali is significantly less expensive than many other popular places for scuba diving worldwide.
Average Costs:
- Fun dives: IDR 2,000,000 – 3,000,000
- Snorkeling trips: IDR 750,000 – 1,900,000
- Costs for taking the PADI Open Water Course vary according to the course.
Most packages include:
- Equipment rental
- Transport
- Lunch and refreshments
- Professional guide or instructor
Best Time for Bali Diving
The best conditions for visibility are between April and November, and the ocean will be calmest between July and October for Mola mola.
- April to November: Best visibility and calm seas
- July to October: Best time to see mola mola
- Year-round: Great snorkeling and reef diving
Morning dives usually offer the best visibility and calm conditions.
Tips for First-Time Divers
If you’re new to Bali diving, keep these tips in mind:
- Use an established dive center that employs certified instructors.
- Start diving at locations appropriate for beginners, such as Amed.
- Always adhere to safety rules.
- Do not fly within 18-24 hours of diving.
- Drink plenty of water or other fluids and get enough rest.
Why Bali Diving is a Must-Try Experience
Bali is home to a multitude of excellent diving opportunities from vibrant coral reefs to incredible encounters with large marine life; Bali offers what can only be described as one of the best places in the world to dive. From snorkeling at shallow reefs to taking your first diving course or moving on to your advanced open water diver or diving master certification in Bali, every single dive has something new to offer.
With great places to dive in Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, combined with the number of professional and low-cost diving facilities, there is no doubt that Bali is a diver's paradise!
Start Your Bali Diving Adventure
Are you interested in diving in Bali? You can find the best places to dive in Bali, as well as professional diving courses for all levels of experience. In addition to diving, you will create amazing memories with Dive Concepts.
No matter your skill level, Bali diving will provide you with fun and new experiences.
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