Underwater Paradise
Underwater Paradise

Diving in Bali Diving

From the legendary USS Liberty shipwreck to close encounters with oceanic manta rays, Bali offers some of the most diverse diving in the Coral Triangle.

Plan My Dive Trip
Last updated: April 2026

Bali sits in the Coral Triangle and offers world-class diving from the USS Liberty wreck in Tulamben to manta ray encounters at Nusa Penida. Bali Malayali partners with PADI 5-Star centres to plan safe, unforgettable dive trips tailored to your certification level.

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Bali's Underwater World

Bali sits within the Coral Triangle, the global epicentre of marine biodiversity, giving divers access to an astonishing variety of marine life. Over 500 species of reef-building coral and more than 3,000 species of fish have been recorded in Indonesian waters, and Bali's dive sites showcase this diversity across dramatically different underwater landscapes.

Tulamben on the northeast coast is home to the USS Liberty, an American cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and later moved to its current resting place by the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung. The wreck sits just 30 metres from shore at depths of 5 to 30 metres, making it accessible to divers of all certification levels. The hull is encrusted with soft corals, gorgonians, and sponges, sheltering resident bumphead parrotfish, barracuda, and garden eels.

Nusa Penida, a rugged island southeast of Bali, is the place to dive with oceanic manta rays. Manta Point sees these graceful giants year-round, with peak encounters from July to November. Crystal Bay on Nusa Penida is also the only reliable spot in Bali to see the elusive oceanic sunfish (mola mola) during the cold-water season from July to October.

For those new to diving, Bali is an excellent place to earn your PADI Open Water certification. Courses take three to four days and cost $350 to $450, including all equipment, pool sessions, and four open water dives. Advanced Open Water courses run $280 to $350 and can be completed in two days.

Top Dive Sites in Bali

Three world-class dive regions within easy reach

Tulamben & Amed

  • USS Liberty Wreck: World-famous shore dive, accessible from 5m depth, incredible macro life
  • Coral Garden Tulamben: Shallow reef teeming with nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and ribbon eels
  • Amed Wall: Dramatic drop-off with black sand slope, home to ghost pipefish and frogfish
  • Japanese Wreck Amed: Small patrol boat at 6-12m, excellent for beginners and photographers

Nusa Penida & Lembongan

  • Manta Point: Year-round manta ray cleaning station, encounters in 8-15m of water
  • Crystal Bay: Mola mola sightings from July to October, strong currents require experience
  • Blue Corner: Drift dive with large pelagics including reef sharks and eagle rays
  • Mangrove Point: Gentle drift through coral bommies, suitable for Open Water divers

Menjangan & Northwest Bali

  • Menjangan Island: Part of West Bali National Park, pristine wall diving with sea fans
  • Pos 2: Sheer wall dive starting at 3m, covered in soft corals and large gorgonian fans
  • Secret Bay: World-renowned muck diving site in Gilimanuk with rare critters
  • Puri Jati: Black sand muck dive famous for mimic octopus and wonderpus sightings

Diving Costs in Bali

Certification courses and guided dive pricing

Category
Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury
PADI Open Water Course
$350 – $400
$400 – $450
$500 – $600
PADI Advanced Open Water
$280 – $320
$320 – $380
$400 – $500
Fun Dives (2 dives)
$60 – $80
$80 – $120
$130 – $180
Nusa Penida Day Trip (2 dives)
$100 – $130
$130 – $170
$180 – $250
Full Equipment Rental (per day)
$15 – $20
$20 – $30
Included
Total / Day
$60 – $600+

Prices include equipment for courses. Fun dive prices vary based on site distance and boat requirements.

Why Dive With Bali Malayali

Safety, expertise, and unforgettable underwater experiences

Certified Dive Partners

We work exclusively with PADI 5-Star dive centres and SSI-certified operators with impeccable safety records.

Expert Site Selection

Our local knowledge ensures you visit the right dive sites based on conditions, currents, and your certification level.

Photography Packages

Underwater photography add-ons available with GoPro or professional camera rental and editing included.

Small Group Sizes

Maximum 4 divers per guide ensures personalised attention, better safety, and more marine life encounters.

What Travellers Say

Real reviews from adventurers

“Randomly took package from them, but got the best experience. Well organised team , we can trust if you are planning a trip to bali. Customized packag...”

Arjun.k. Ashok

5 months ago

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“We had an amazing experience with this Bali Malayali tour operator. The entire tour package was very well organized, comfortable, and hassle-free. We...”

Donall Emmanuel

9 months ago

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“We had an amazing experience in Bali, all thanks to Bali Malayali for coordinating our trip so perfectly. From airport pickup to sightseeing, everyth...”

Athira Chathananickal Sajeevan

8 months ago

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How It Works

Three steps to your Bali adventure

1

Share Your Vision

Tell us about your dream Bali trip — dates, budget, interests, and group size. We listen before we plan.

2

We Design Your Trip

Our Bali-based team crafts a fully personalised itinerary with hand-picked stays, activities, and transfers.

3

You Enjoy, We Execute

From airport pickup to the last sunset dinner, we handle every detail so you can simply enjoy Bali.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions.

No. You can do a Discover Scuba Diving experience (introductory dive) with no prior certification. For independent diving, a PADI Open Water or equivalent certification is required, which takes 3-4 days to complete in Bali.

Ready to Plan Your Bali Trip?

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Written by

Adhil P Bhaskaran

Founder & Bali Travel Architect

Based in Bali500+ trips planned58 five-star Google reviews