Where to dive in Bali: Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida and the Gilis
Tulamben, Amed, Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands: what each Bali dive area offers, how you get there from the south, how you enter the water and when conditions are best.
Short answer: Bali has four main dive areas. Tulamben has the USAT Liberty wreck as a shore dive, and nearby Amed has calm bays for courses. Nusa Penida is about 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur, with manta rays all year and sunfish mainly from July to September. The Gili Islands belong to Lombok, about 1.5 hours from Padang Bai. April to October is the best time.
First-time visitors usually underestimate the distances. Bali is a large island, roads are slow, and each area has its own conditions. A good dive week starts with two questions: where you will sleep, and what you want to see underwater.
Tulamben: a wreck you reach from the beach
Tulamben is known for the wreck of the USAT Liberty, a US Army transport ship. A Japanese submarine torpedoed it in January 1942, and it was beached at Tulamben after it took on too much water under tow. Tremors from the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963 pushed it off the beach into the sea.
Today the wreck lies on a sandy slope between about 3 and 29 metres, according to a local dive centre. You walk in from a beach of stones and pebbles, so sturdy booties help. The shallow reef in front of the village works well for a first check dive.
From the airport, plan 2.5 to 4 hours by car to the north-east, depending on traffic around Denpasar. Plan several nights there so the long drive is worth it.
Amed: sheltered bays for courses and easy dives
Amed sits on the same north-east coast as Tulamben, a short drive away. Many dives start from the shore, others from small boats. Jemeluk is the best-known site, with a drop-off that suits beginners and an artificial reef used for courses.
In Lipah Bay a small wreck, often called the Japanese Wreck, lies between about 6 and 12 metres and is reached from the shore. Because Amed and Tulamben are close, you can stay in one village and drive to the other for single dives. Bali Holiday Secrets gives 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the drive from the airport to Amed.
Nusa Penida: mantas, sunfish and current
Nusa Penida lies south-east of Bali. Fast boats from Sanur take about 45 minutes, with the first departures from 6:30 in the morning. Manta rays visit cleaning stations here all year, best known at Manta Point on the south coast, at around 10 to 12 metres.
Oceanic sunfish (mola mola) appear mainly from July to September, sometimes into October. Crystal Bay is the classic site, and the sunfish are often seen below 25 metres. Currents around Penida and the channel to Ceningan can be strong and change fast, so dive centres plan around the tides. This area suits divers who are already comfortable in current.
The Gili Islands: a side trip to Lombok
Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air lie off the north-west coast of Lombok, in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Fast boats from Padang Bai take about 1.5 hours to Gili Trawangan, and from Serangan about 2.5 hours. Diving on the Gilis is from boats.
Cars and motorbikes are not allowed on the islands. You get around by bicycle, on foot or by cidomo, a small horse-drawn cart. Plan at least three nights so the crossing pays off.
The four areas side by side
Area
Entry
Typical dives
Getting there from south Bali
Tulamben
Shore
Liberty wreck, shallow reef
2.5 to 4 hours by car from the airport
Amed
Shore or small boat
Sheltered bays, courses
2.5 to 3.5 hours by car from the airport
Nusa Penida
Boat
Mantas, sunfish July to September, current
about 45 minutes by fast boat from Sanur
Gilis (Lombok)
Boat
Island life without cars
about 1.5 hours from Padang Bai, 2.5 hours from Serangan
On timing: the dry season from April to October brings the calmest seas and the best visibility, with July to September the driest months. The wet season runs from November to March, and January is usually the wettest month. Diving continues all year if you keep a spare day for boat trips.
Planning the dives: divefever, a dive-site atlas series by an SSI divemaster, covers the sites in all four areas in German. It shows entry points and which wind suits each site (German-language edition).
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best diving in Bali?
For a wreck and relaxed shore dives, Tulamben and Amed are the usual choice. For big animals such as mantas and sunfish, Nusa Penida is the main area, but you should be comfortable with current.
Can you shore dive in Bali?
Yes. In Tulamben and Amed many dives start from the beach, including the Liberty wreck. On Nusa Penida and the Gilis you dive from a boat.
When is the best time to dive in Bali?
April to October has the calmest seas and best visibility. If sunfish are your goal, aim for July to September.
Are the Gili Islands part of Bali?
No, they belong to Lombok. From Bali you reach them by fast boat from Padang Bai or Serangan.
Plan Bali above water too
For the time on land, the Bali Travel Guide by Tabiara covers arrival, where to stay and day routes. All Bali topics from the collaboration with divefever are collected on Bali: diving and travel.
Last checked: 29 October 2026. Drive times, boat schedules and site conditions change, so check them with your dive centre and official sources before you travel.
