Why Bali’s Diving is So Great?

Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Diving in Bali: Reasons Why Bali’s Diving is So Great

by Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern

Bali is a top diving destination known for its rich marine biodiversity. Located in the Coral Triangle, it’s home to over 600 species of coral and 2,000 species of fishes. Bali’s dive sites are also famous for macro diving, where you can spot rare creatures like pygmy seahorses, seadragons, and frogfish. The volcanic waters surrounding the island provide nutrients that support thriving, healthy ecosystems. Accessible sites like Tulamben and Menjangan Island make Bali a paradise for underwater enthusiasts seeking diverse marine life.

Suitable for All Levels

Bali giving options to divers from all experience levels, making it an ideal destination for beginners and seasoned divers alike.

Beginners: For novice divers, Bali offers calm and shallow dive sites, such as Padangbai and Tulamben, where vibrant coral reefs and colourful fish are easy to find. These sites provide a relaxed atmosphere to help build confidence and dive skills.

Intermediate Divers: Sites like Candidasa and Nusa Penida are perfect for those with more experience. These locations offer deeper dives, shipwrecks, and exciting night dives. The conditions here are more challenging, offering the chance to explore more advanced underwater environments.

Advanced Divers: Bali also features specialized dive sites, like muck diving and drift diving, for experienced divers. The famous USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben and thrilling night dives provide unique experiences, showcasing Bali’s rich underwater world in an entirely different light.

Easy Access to Dive Sites

Bali offers convenient access to its incredible dive sites, whether you prefer shore diving or boat diving.

Shore Diving: For a more straightforward dive experience, sites like Amed, Tulamben, and Secret Bay are ideal. Divers can simply walk into the water and immediately enjoy vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Boat Diving: For more remote dive sites, boat dives are a great option. Padangbai is just a short boat ride from multiple dive sites, while Nusa Penida offers unforgettable dives, like Manta Point, where you can swim with majestic manta rays, and Crystal Bay and Blue Corner, where the elusive Mola-Mola (Ocean Sunfish) can be spotted.

Bali’s Gentle Giants: Mantas and Molas

Bali is renowned for sightings of Manta Rays and Mola-Mola. Nusa Penida, especially between April and October, offers prime opportunities to see these graceful manta rays. Mola-Mola can be found in Blue Corner, Crystal Bay, and Vertigo Point from July to October.

Bali Diving 1 Day Trip

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Bali’s Temple Tanah Lot

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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Tanah Lot Temple: A Majestic Coastal Sanctuary

by Hafid, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern

Nestled on the southwestern coast of Bali, Tanah Lot is one of the island’s most iconic and revered sea temples. Known for its stunning beauty and cultural significance, this temple is a must-visit for both spiritual seekers and travellers looking to experience the magic of Bali’s natural landscapes. The name “Tanah Lot” translates to “Land in the Sea,” which perfectly describes the temple’s unique location—perched atop a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean.

A Spiritual Haven

Tanah Lot is dedicated to the Balinese sea gods and serves as a spiritual centre for locals who come to pray and offer sacrifices to the gods for safe voyages and bountiful harvests. According to Balinese mythology, the temple was built in the 15th century by the priest Nirartha, who sought a place to meditate while travelling along the island’s coast. Enchanted by the stunning view, he is said to have built the temple on the rock as a tribute to the gods.

The temple itself is a serene place of worship. Though visitors are not permitted to enter the temple grounds, they can admire the intricate carvings and architecture from a distance. For those interested in the temple’s spiritual significance, Tanah Lot offers a glimpse into the deep connection the Balinese people have with nature and the sea.

A Scenic Wonder

What makes Tanah Lot truly remarkable is its picturesque setting. The temple is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, and the backdrop of the crashing waves adds to its mystique. The best time to visit is during sunset when the sky turns into a palette of oranges, pinks, and purples, casting a magical glow over the temple. It is one of the most photographed sites in Bali, and the view from the temple is nothing short of breathtaking.

Visitors can also explore the surrounding area, where small stalls and shops sell traditional Balinese crafts and souvenirs. Local fishermen often work nearby, adding a touch of authenticity to the area. The tides can make the temple either accessible or isolated, depending on the time of day. At low tide, visitors can walk up to the temple, while at high tide, it becomes a dramatic silhouette against the waves.

Cultural and Environmental Preservation

The Balinese people continue to preserve Tanah Lot not only as a sacred site but also as a symbol of their rich cultural heritage. The temple is part of a larger effort to protect Bali’s religious traditions, while its surrounding environment is maintained to ensure the temple’s stunning views remain unspoiled.

In conclusion, Tanah Lot stands as a symbol of Bali’s natural beauty, spiritual depth, and cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn by its religious significance or simply its scenic beauty, a visit to Tanah Lot is an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Bali’s mystical charm.

Bali Topside Activities

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Dive Site: 120m USAT Liberty Shipwreck

Posted on March 7, 2025March 10, 2025 by Annabel Thomas

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USAT Liberty Shipwreck: Possibly the World’s Easiest Wreck Dive

The Liberty was torpedoed by the Japanese off the coast of Lombok. Although attempts were made to tow the ship to north Bali, it was taking on too much water and therefore was semi-beached at Tulamben. During the last eruption of Mt Agung, Bali’s highest and most sacred mountain, the earth tremors roched the boat down the beach and into the sea.

The USAT Liberty Shipwreck lies a mere 30m offshore, and almost parallel to the beach, making it suitable for all levels of certification and experience. The shallowest part of the wreck where it touches the sand slope is at 5-10m while average depth along the middle is 16-20m. The lower edge of the wreck, the furthest down the slope, is 20-28m at high tide.

The wreck is pretty broken up, no penetration possible. But you can still see the guns, toilets, boilers, anchor chain, etc. A truly lovely dive site!

USAT Liberty Shipwreck for Underwater Photographers

The USAT Liberty Shipwreck is very popular with underwater photographers/videographers as it is totally encrusted in anemones, gorgonian fans, hard and soft corals.

In addition the black sand provides an excellent colour contrast for the incredible variety of marine life, which includes a school of 100s of Big-eyed trevallys (length 30cm/12in) and over 400 other species of fish.

Diving on, in and around the Liberty Shipwreck, you are quite likely to see a high percentage of the marine life shown in any Indo-Pacific Reef Guide book. That is what keeps divers coming back time and time again.

Each area of the Liberty Shipwreck offers something different to see!

Night and Early Morning Wreck Dives

Night diving on the Wreck is always great but particularly so during the full moon. You may see Spanish dancers and the school of huge Bumphead parrotfish in their sleeping cocoons. Also Flashlight fish, Bobtail squid, even phosphorescence, and the basket stars! – where else in the world could you make such an easy and varied Night Dive?

If you dive early enough, 06-07:00, you may see the school of Bumphead parrotfish heading out for breakfast. This is also the most likely time of day to see Mola-Mola, Manta rays, turtles and any Whalesharks passing through. In our opinion, it’s the best time of day to dive the wreck.