Divers in Indonesia can observe a greater concentration of different tropical marine species than anywhere else in the world. New species are found regularly. The reason for such diversity is that the Indonesian archipelago is strategically sited in the exact center of the oceanic area encompassing the Indian and Pacific oceans. This area is home to the same species as those found in Hawaii and the Red Sea. While it would be rare to find species from the Red Sea in Hawaiian waters and vice versa, in Indonesia all types of species are flourishing together. An excellent reason to come diving here

Bali has some impressive dive sites. With pleasant temperatures of average 27°C year round and good visibility. the best time of year for diving is the dry season from April to October. The wet season from November to March can be quite torrential.

A lot of the diving and snorkeling areas are very close to the shore with lots of colorful hard and soft corals and an amazing range of tropical fish. For the moment the reefs are mostly unspoiled and a wide variety of marine life such as dolphins, rays, turtles, Sperm and Blue whales, sea snakes and moray eels can be found here.

The main diving and snorkeling areas in Bali on the east coast are at Padang Bai and Candi Dasa and further north at Tulamben and Amed. Following the coastal road in the north of the island is Lavina. Slightly further along is Pemuteran and in the western tip of Bali is Labuan Lalang, the kick off point to Menjangan Island, an uninhabited island with some of the best diving tin Bali. Nearly 7000 hectares of coral reef and coastal waters are protected as part of the Bali Barat National Park including Menjangan Island.

In southern Bali, there’s a reef in Sanur and the island of Nusa Lembangon, Nusa Penida and the Gili islands off Lombok are all popular diving destinations.

Bali has an abundance of dive operators.Many based in Southern Bali who will transport you to the main dive areas or you can also stay at most of the locations to save on traveling time. You can get certification if required. Certifications available are PADI, SSI, CMAS and the local POSSI certification.

Sanur and Nusa Dua
Often used as a location for teaching diving because of it’s close proximity to the tourist areas, there are some interesting coral formations, sponges and plentiful colorful fish on the reef at Sanur.

Candi Dasa
Batu Tiga (three rocks) is accessed by boat from Candi Dasa or Padang Bai. With an average depth of 20m the site is excellent for diving or snorkeling. The reef is steep and sloping with many corals. Some fish seen here include Red Snapper, Clown Triggerfish, Blue Spotted Stingrays, Trevally, Morays and White tip Reef sharks.

Pulau Tepekong, on the east and north sides of the island this is a wall dive with many caves. There are large bommies and many fish such as different Triggerfish, Angelfish, Snappers, Butterfly fish, Parrotfish, Moorish Idols and Emperor.

Amed
Has excellent snorkeling just off the black sand beach and further out in the bay there’s a coral wall with an abundance of sponges and hard and soft corals. Fish varieties include Black Snapper, Trigger fish, Surgeon fish, Unicorn fish, Parrot fish, Damsel fish, Cardinal fish, White tip Reef Sharks and many larger varieties such as Dogtooth Tuna and Blue Finned Trevally

Tulamben
One of Bali’s most popular diving sites is the wreck of the US Liberty warship. It was torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II in the Lombok Strait. She was beached on Tulamben when rescue attempts failed. After the eruption of Mt. Agung in 1963 she broke in half and was left in her present position close to the shore of Tulamben. The hull is encrusted with coral and the fish have become quite tame because of the large numbers of divers here.

Lovina
A popular beach resort area, Lovina refers to a collection of small villages on the coast. In the past coral in the bay was used to make lime. Fortunately the coral is now protected and some diving and snorkeling is possible with very clear water. Lovina also is a good place to stay if you want to go to Menjangan.

Pemuteran
This area has suffered a bit from dynamite fishing but great efforts have been made to stop further destruction. There is much coral available such as Elkhorn and Staghorn. There are a lot of tropical reef fish and a profusion of Moorish Idol. There is also a turtle sanctuary located at Pemuteran with regular releases of turtles into the sea which have been bred at the Sanctuary. There’s also good snorkeling available right off the beach.

Pulau Menjangan (Deer Island)
There are a few dives sites to choose from at Menjangan with good conditions and excellent visibility. The snorkeling is excellent too. Menjangan also has a wreck, known as the “Anker” because of it’s heavily encrusted anchor at the top of the reef. Fixed moorings have been built to prevent damage and the island is reached by a 30 minute boat ride from Labuan Lalang.

Nusa Penida
About one and a half hours from Bali by motor boat, Nusa Penida offers some truly spectacular and unspoiled diving and snorkeling. As there is not much development here the reefs are very pristine. An abundance of hard and soft corals make a home for large amounts of tropical fish such as Angel fish and Clown fish. Moray eels live in the crevices and White tip Reef Sharks search for food at night and sleep by day under table corals.

Nusa Lembongan
The smaller island of Nusa Lembongan is a popular destination for day trippers. At the northern end of the island, Mangrove Point, Crystal Bay and the Blue Corner Trip are all good diving sites. Some of the areas are for experienced divers only and look for Manta Point to the east where schools of Mantas come to the cleaning stations and to mate.