Bali has a large amount of excellent and diverse dive sites that offer fun and adventure for all levels of divers. Photographers from all over the world come to Bali to make photos of the rare species found here. Diving and snorkeling around Bali offers exceptional experience for everyone and there is far more to see than just the famous Tulamben ship wreck.
1. Alam Batu
To Alam Batu we go by our sailing boat CONDOR. After boarding CONDOR we sail for about 1 ½ - 2 hours north- west and enjoy the beautiful view of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano.
At Alam Batu dive site we find a cave at a depth of about 15 meters and should not forget to bring a torch to venture into that cave.
Beside the cave we dive along quite steep canyons making this dive a real adventure. All kinds of reef fish, hard coral and sponge can be seen. Barracudas show up quite often; there is a good chance to see reef sharks here.
2. Kubu
To Kubu we go by our sailing boat CONDOR. After boarding CONDOR we sail for about 1 ½ hours north- west and enjoy the beautiful view of Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano. Kubu is a beautiful reef that stretches into the see.
We can dive up to a depth of 45 meters and explore this excellent dive spot. On a depth of 20 m there is a beautiful, large Gorgonian fan and it is most likely to see Barracudas, Napoleon fish, Bump-head Parrot fish, Theira batfish and large table corals.
The safety stop is highly enjoyable since the reef is in excellent condition with plenty of reef fish even in shallow water. Kubu is therefore also a very attractive snorkel site.
3. Tulamben Ship Wreck
Tulamben is a 20 minutes drive from Amed and offers Bali’s most famous dive site the Tulamben Ship Wreck. Right in front of the beach rests the 120m long shipwreck of a U
S Liberty with the deck facing the seaside.
Anchored off the coast of Lombok, the ship was hit by a Javanese torpedo during World War II. As far as we know, nobody got hurt, but the ship was damaged badly. The American Navy's plan to tow the ship to Singaraja harbor (northern Bali) failed as the harbor was completely occupied, so the ship was intentionally stranded on the rocky beach of Tulamben, where it was unloaded.
In 1963 Mt. Agung (Bali’s highest volcano) erupted and the magma flow pressed the ship back into the sea where it presently rests at a depth of 3 to 29 meters. Since then, coral has covered the wreckage completely and turned it into a home for many species of fish and the most famous dive site in Bali. From time to time, a Napoleon fish or a huge barracuda drops by. You may dive or snorkel this wreck comfortably, accessing it directly from the beach. A night dive is a highly recommendable option as well. This most famous dive site is a must for every diver and is therefore highly frequented.
4. Tulamben Wall
Tulamben Wall divides into three excellent dive sites - the drop off, the coral garden and shark point. All three dive sites are easily accessible directly from the beach.
The drop off starts at a depth of only 1m and drops straight down to70 m. This reef features an amazing coral growth in a magnificent landscape sculpted by many overhanging rocks. The reef is highly populated with a fine selection of beautiful reef fish.
A variety of angelfish, emperor angelfish, blue-banded angelfish and yellow-faced angelfish as well as the duke fish are at home here. Pretty often, huge schools of jack fish invite the diver to join the club. This dive site is suitable for snorkeling. The coral garden starts at a depth of 2-15m and is wonderfully grown, featuring stone- and soft coral alike. Besides numerous species of reef fish, the beautiful blue-yellow ribbon moray eel has found a home here. This dive site is also a superb snorkeling spot with none to moderate current.
Shark Point can be reached diving close to the wall. The residing sharks are commonly white-tip- and black-tip reef sharks that rest at a depth of 20 to 30m in a sandy area. When currents are present, occasionally gray reef sharks and hammerhead sharks can be seen circling around. This dive site is not suitable for snorkeling.
5. Batu Kelebit
We approach Batu Kelebit by our sailing boat CONDOR either coming from Amed or in combination with a dive in Kubu or Alam Batu. After about one hour we reach Batu Kelebit, a rock off the lava coast not far from the Emerald Hotel.
We start diving from Batu Kelebit and let us drift with the current along an amazing variety of soft corals, sea fans, coral bushes and sponges.
There is a good chance to see reef sharks and bump head parrotfish. The deeper we dive the better the marine life. A depth of 40m and more is great fun for experienced divers.
6. Emerald
We approach Emerald by our sailing boat CONDOR either coming from Amed or in combination with a dive in Kubu or Alam Batu. After about one hour we reach this dive site right in front of Hotel Emerald.
A very convenient drift dive enables us to see the two car wrecks planted here some years ago to attract coral growth. After that we drift along a wall that is nicely covered with all kinds of hard coral and inhabited by plenty corral fish.
There is a very good chance to encounter bump head parrotfish, napoleon fish, huge table coral and gorgonian fan. After a beautiful drift dive CONDOR will pick us up and provide a cup of coffee or tea and some fresh fruit.
7. Scuba Seraya
Scuba Seraya is well known to macro photographers to look for Harlequin shrimps, Tiger shrimps, Honeymoon crab, Frog fish, Spider fish, Ghost pipe fish, Spider crabs and Scorpion fish.
It is an easy dive site with dives up to around 20 meters. The dive site can be approached from the beach or by boat.
8. Batu Niti
We approach Batu Niti by our sailing boat CONDOR or with our speed boat. Deep divers may dive up to 50 meters or more.
We find here turtles, barracuda and many other species in an area that is covered with beautiful hard coral, sponge, gorgonian and sea fan.
9. Batu Dawa
We approach Batu Dawa by our sailing boat CONDOR or with our speed boat. The dive site is located next to the pearl farming area north of Amed.
We usually dive down to around 30m and have a good chance to encounter reef sharks, turtles and barracudas. The wall is covered with hard coral and large sponges.
10. Jemeluk Kayu Putih
From Amed village we go by traditional Jukung (outrigger boat), our sailing boat CONDOR or speed boat to the dive site at Jemeluk. Jemeluk Kayu Putih is a drop off, about 25m deep and just perfect for a second dive.
The highlight is a pinnacle, which erects from a depth of 25m forming a scenic swim-through at 20m. The 5 m safety stop is highly entertaining. This dive is a drift dive with a mild current. The following boat picks the divers up and makes the dive very comfortable
11. Amed Wall
From Amed village we go by traditional Jukung (outrigger boat) ), our sailing boat CONDOR or speed boat to the dive site at Jemeluk, where we start diving in a shallow area of 3 to 8m in a wonderful coral garden. You may see turtles, parrotfish and a huge variety of smaller creatures.
A moderate current will guide us in about 10 min to the drop off, which drops to a depth of 35m. It is beautifully grown with soft coral and any possible species of reef fish can be found there. White- and black-tip reef sharks pop in occasionally to patrol their feeding ground. At a depth of 27 m is a sandy field highly populated with blue-spotted stingrays. The coral garden starts right off the beach in Jemeluk and is one of Bali's best snorkelling areas.
12. Congkang Beach
Congang Beach is the extension of Amed wall and is approached by our sailing boat CONDOR or with our speed boat.
This wall drops off to a depth of 45m and we dive it in a nice and convenient drift dive. We usually see sharks, barracudas, lobster, turtles and sting rays.
13. Barracuda Point
We approach Barracuda Point by our sailing boat CONDOR or with our speed boat. We jump into the water at an extensive eel garden and dive down to a depth of about 35m. Between large sponges we drift through a remarkable spectacle of fish.
Huge barracudas outnumber and outsize the reef sharks that don’t seem to be too shy to come and have a closer look. Large moray eels and stingrays inhabit the reef and even the sunfish mola mola occasionally appears here. This dive site is just a must for all lovers of big fish!
14. Blue Moon
We approach Blue Moon by our sailing boat CONDOR. Blue Moon is one of our favorite dive spots because we drift trough a fish soup in beautiful scenery with under water canyons. Sponges in spectacular sizes are scattered around and all kinds of hard coral are found here.
Sharks, large moray eels, napoleon fish, sting rays and even occasionally bullrays appear in this area. The 5m stop is gorgeous being surrounded by thousands of little, colorful reef fish.
15. Javanese Ship Wreck
We usually approach the Javanese ship wreck by our sailing boat CONDOR but it is also possible to go there by car and dive straight from the beach. A rather small (about 10 meter long) wooden ship wreck is lying just a few meters from the beach on a depth of just a few meters in a beautiful coral garden and is therefore also a perfect spot for snorkeling.
Divers usually go around the corner and dive deeper to about 25m with a fair chance to encounter an eagle ray or two. Napoleon fish, turtles, striped catfish, sting rays, sea fan and nudibranches can bee seen at the Javanese ship wreck.
16. Kusambi
We approach Kusambi by our sailing boat CONDOR. Kusambi is special for its spectacular soft corals but has usually quite a strong current.
It is worth the effort because this dive site is special indeed. Sting rays, eagle rays and sharks inhabit this area as well as gorgonians, sponges and sea fans.
17. Gili Selang
We approach Gili Selang by our sailing boat CONDOR. Gili Selang is a huge rock right at the most eastern point of Bali.
This dive site is beautiful for its location and its soft corals but fierce currents make it quite tricky for the diver. We have to check the tide and the conditions carefully before we dive this spot. It offers reward with its huge under water rocks covered with colorful soft coral and surrounded by all kinds of fish.
Candidasa & Nusa Penida area
Excellent dive spots are waiting to be explored! Amed Dive Center approaches these dive sites usually with its traditional sailing boat CONDOR on its Sailing & Diving Safaris.
18. BLUE LAGOON
The Blue Lagoon is at Padang Bai, the harbor serving ferries traveling between Bali and Lombok. The blue lagoon is an easy dive and an excellent site for snorkeling, too.
The southern part of the reef drops vertically to 20 m and is covered by stone- and soft coral. The landscape is dominated by up to 4 m high growing soft coral where large spiny lobsters feel at home. Large schools of batfish are usually hanging around and accompany the divers. On the northern side we have the option to dive an interesting slope that drops to 30m offering the sight of plenty 'fan' worms and feather stars, or we dive the sandy area while drifting between beautiful soft coral piles.
At a short distance a large stag horn coral field stretches 8m of depth, providing a colorful home to oriental sweet lips, bassets and schools of glass fish. At the end the sandy area changes to a stone coral field. Due to an increased current at the outer reef border, white tip reef sharks are frequently observed hunting.
19. SHARK POINT AT GILI TEPEKONG
Certified divers should visit the shark point at the huge rock Gili Tepekong. At the open seaside of this rock, a slope drops to a depth of several hundred meters. The slope is covered with beautiful stone- and soft coral, which remain small but sturdy because of the permanently present current. Because of the rock's exposed position facing the open sea it offers a fair chance for big fish encounters including gray- white-and black tip reef sharks which sometimes can be observed while asleep in a cave. The rock side facing the beach slopes in 45 degrees to a depth of 60 m.
Here you may find nurse sharks and black-banded sea snakes. Your adrenaline level may quite well increase by being surrounded by 20 or more sharks of various sizes - but it is a fantastic adventure and a very memorable experience. Both dives are drift dives with an attentive boat crew following the divers. Because of its exposed position in the open sea and occasionally strong currents, Tepekong is an outstanding dive site for experienced divers only.
20. GILI BIAHA
Experienced divers should visit Gili Biaha, a large rock located about half an hour east of Candidasa. A very deep wall drops 60+ meters into the sea and offers an incredible diversity of marine life. In a depth of about 15m is a cave that is inhabited by sharks.
To explore this cave special care is required since it has an opening to the rock and the swell can be pretty strong at times. Divers usually experience rather strong currents at Gili Biaha and the water may be pretty cold!
21. NUSA PENIDA & NUSA LEMBONGAN
Around Nusa Penida & Nusa Lembongan are excellent dive sides due to their unharmed environment. Nusa Penida & Lembongan islands are located more or less in between Bali and Lombok and are populated by a few inhabitants only. The major “industry” on these islands is based on the collection of sea grass (to be exported to Japan) and a growing tourism. Still there is hardly any pollution and this fact keeps the marine life in an exceptional condition.
Therefore, this is a beautiful spot for divers but kind of expensive due to its location and the required boat trip. We make your trip to Penida & Lembongan islands a most enjoyable tour on board of our 18m traditional sailing vessel CONDOR.
The reef characteristics are the same for both islands with the exception that Penida's reef drops steeper than the Lembongan reef.
The visibility is usually excellent and reaches 20 meters or more. Thermo-clines may cause sudden drops in water temperature. Large schools of bassets circle the reef and quite often you will find the wonderful egg cowries as well as high whip coral. Big fish, like manta rays, eagle rays, sharks, giant turtles and sunfish mola mola are common visitors in this area.
Look around and enjoy the magnificent creation of Mother Nature. These islands are a must for the experienced, demanding and solvent diver. Currents may become very strong and may change direction – these dives are not suitable for beginners but a perfect spot for divers with advanced experience.
MENJANGAN ISLAND
Menjangan island is located in the north-west of Bali and about 3 hours drive from Amed.
22. NUSA MENJANGAN
Nusa Menjangan is a 1,5km long and 500m wide island in the north-western Bali national park. The island is a game reserve park for birds and the under water world around it. Only a limited amount of divers are allowed to visit the island daily. All dive sites are only a short boat trip away.
The reef surrounds the island at a depth of 1 to 10m and stretches out for about 20 meters before dropping almost vertically to a depth of 40m.
The western end features a deep lagoon with a slightly stronger current. Around Nusa Menjangan currents are usually weak to moderate. Menjangan is a perfect spot for beginners and a magnificent spot for snorkeling. Menjangan's underwater world surely deserves to be listed as one of the world's top dive sites. According to a coral count performed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, this small island alone features more coral species than the entire Caribbean! Napoleon fish, turtles, bump head parrotfish and grouper are commonly seen. In deeper water you may be able to say “hello” to white tip- and black tip reef sharks and barracudas. Lucky divers will find eagle rays, sunfish and even whale sharks. Menjangan is a bit off the main tourist routs but it is definitely a highly recommendable dive- and snorkeling site.
(http://www.ameddivecenter.com)
Bunaken National Marine Park ranks amongst the best snorkeling destinations in the world. Here you have a rare combination of marine bio-diversity
and crystal clear water with visibility up to 40 metes. Naturally, the first tourists to Bunaken were keen divers on the look out for a new destination.
Now days Snorkelers from all over the world are traveling to Bunaken to see what all the "Fuss" is about.Once here the call of the ocean becomes irresistible.
Snorkeling Areas
What else can be the best areas for Snorkeling other than the reefs!
And Bunaken Island is Surrounded by reefs that are more or less easily accessible from the beaches.
At Bunaken Cha Cha we have our own "House Reef" just meters away, in front of our private 60 meter wide beach, we also provide a snorkeling pontoon, a pontoon that floats atop of the reef so that should you get a little tired you can have a rest on it without having to come back to the beach, a good place to get a close up view of dolphins passing by, and then........time for a bit more snorkeling.
Cha Cha "House Reef" is home to 100s of different hard and soft corals and 100s of different types of reef fish not to mention all the other marine creatures such as nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, sea cucumbers etc.
Looking for bigger fish? move slightly away from the Reef Top and you come to "The Wall", a virtual drop off and here you have the opportunity to see barracudas, tunas, eagle rays, turtles, schooling spanish mackerel , white and black tip reef sharks and of course there are also some surprises
from time to time such as Dugongs.
Need a change of Snorkeling Scenery?
Why not join one of our dive boats for a 4 hour morning snorkeling trip, here you will have the opportunity of viewing the islands around the park, maybe even dolphin watching while we transfer you to two different snorkeling spots, many times giving you the possibility of experiencing snorkeling at other islands within the Park.
You want flexibility?
You can charter one of our Snorkeling boats for 4 hours with a capacity of 6 guests, our snorkeling boat allows you the flexibility to try even more snorkeling points and not have to share a boat with divers.
Don't worry about the Equipment
Bunaken Cha Cha has all the equipment required for snorkeling, thus should you not bring your own you can easily hire it from us.
Masks, snorkel, booties, fins, wet-suits and even life vests or buoyancy aids.
The unique geoligical formation of Blue Holes is truly spectacular. There are four holes on top of the reef that all drop down and join into one very large cavern. The bottom underneath the holes begins at 80 feet (24m) and is as deep as 140+ feet(40+m). The cavern is so big that there's no feeling of claustrophobia and, depending on which hole you drop into, the dive can be done as shallow as 50 feet (15m). As you swim into the reef and under the holes, you will notice that the fish swim upside down on the ceiling. The best way to view the holes is to just roll over and look up.
After viewing all of the holes, you swim to one of the exits on the wall where - at 70 feet (21m) and at 45 feet (14m). As you exit the holes you will turn left and dive down the wall towards Blue Corner. The thing that makes Blue Holes different from every other Blue Hole dive in the world is that it is right next to Blue Corner! The wall from Blue Holes blends into the wall that approaches Blue Corner. Depending on the currents and your air consumption you can enjoy two dives in one, getting the best of both worlds - a beautiful coral formation and the action of Blue Corner.
As its name suggests, Blue Corner is - a corner. It juts out from the reef, starting in shallow water and dropping off to well over 1,000 feet. The corner plateaus at 60 feet/18meters, creating a strong current as the flow of water comes across this outcropping of coral. The currents, changing with the tides, can approach the corner from either the north or the south, with the speed of the current changing based on the moon. By starting with the current, we maximize the action you see and minimize your swimming effort.
As you swim to Blue Corner you will have the wall on your side. As you get to the plateau you will cross on top of the reef. You will then pick a spot on the reef near the edge and use your reef hook (to minimize damage to the reef). You might hang there in the current for ten minutes or more just watching the action - this is as natural as you will observe sharks. The sharks will circle over and over allowing you the opportunity to photograph or just observe them up close and personal. You will mainly see two species of sharks during the dive, the gray reef shark and the white tip shark. You can occasionally see male gray reef sharks and other species.