Bali is Indonesia’s most enchanting underwater destination. The island, which features a rich and colorful marine life, offers varied diving locations suitable for beginners and advanced divers. Most tourist areas in Bali are located in the south while majority of the dive sites are found near the northern borders of the island. Most of the best dive spots in Bali are three to four bus hours away from Kuta, the major tourist area found in the south.
Liberty Wreck, Tulamben
Inarguably one of the world’s easiest wreck dives is Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, just 30 meters off the northeastern coast of Bali. The 120-meter long wreck is completely covered with healthy coral growth and houses practically all of the fishes mentioned in any Indo-Pacific guidebook. Although divers are not allowed to enter the wreck, the clear water allows you to see the ship’s guns, boilers and anchor chains. The shallowest parts, which are perfect for learning divers, are at five to 10 meters while the lower part of the wreck slopes down to 28 meters at high tide.
Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida
In the Nusa Penuda islands in southwestern Bali lies the shallow and protected Crystal Bay. Because of the deep-water surges from the southern seas, the water here is colder than the tropical dive spots in the north. Still, Crystal Bay makes it as one of the best dive sites in Bali because it offers unmatched sightings of the otherwise shy mola-mola and other large fishes such as the manta ray and chevron barracuda. It also features an underwater cave that is home to hard corals, lobsters, two reef sharks and bats. A small crevice opens above the water’s surface, allowing sunlight to pass through.
Menjangan (Deer Island)
Right in the middle of Barat National Park is Menjangan, one of Bali’s best spots for wall diving, which can be reached via boat from the small island of Labuhan Lalang. The walls can drop anywhere from 30 to 60 meters and house a colorful plethora of corals and gorgonians. Marine life at Menjangan is a multi-colored variety. On the way down, divers can spot rose-colored seahorses, black-spotted moral eels and golden-striped fuseliers. There are also lots of cuttlefish, roundface batfish and a number of the terribly territorial titan triggerfish. On the north side is Anker Wreck, a 19th-century wooden ship which was used to transport copper and ceramics. The ship, which is encrusted in corals, is 25 meters long and reaches down to 50 meters, where a school of white-tip reef sharks live.
John is a travel agent for one of Australia’s leading travel companies and recommends that you look to book your scuba diving trip as part of your Bali holiday packages as it’s a great way to save and can help you get the most from your holiday while saving time once you get there!
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