TULAMBEN
Where: This sleepy village on the North East coast of Bali is reached in a two and a half hour road journey from Sanur. Most of the sites are then beach entry, though for some you will need to take a small local boat for a few minutes.
Highlights: The main attraction is the wreck of the USS Liberty, famous for the amazing variety of marine life found there. This is a must-dive site in Bali, and a photographers' paradise. Other sites include a great drop-off, a shallow coral graden, and a deep coral reef. Tulamben is the best place to night dive in Bali and, being on the East coast, you can take an unforgettable sunrise dive.
Conditions: No currents here, or very mild. Black volcanic sand. Usually very calm flat surface though full moon, especially after the New Year or in late summer, can bring in big waves. Temperatures generally around 27° or 28°. Suitable for all levels.
KUBU REEF
Difficulty: 1
A rich and healthy reef a few minutes by road from the other Tulamben dive sites, dived from the shore. This site features ridges heading from the shore down to around 30m. In addition to healthy hard and soft corals divers can often see Jackfish, Barracuda, Triggerfish, and Turtles on a lucky day.
USS LIBERTY WRECK
Difficulty: 1
One of the jewels of Bali, and a truly world-class dive site. Reliable counts put the number of resident reef fish at a staggering 400, with ocean dwelling visitors numbering more than a hundred. The shallowest part of this coral-encrusted wreck is at 6m, sloping down to the bow at more than 30m. Garden Eels sway gently in the surge, and Thorny Oysters & Giant Clams snap closed at the first sign of a diver's approach. The resident school of Jackfish are just the opposite; swirling around divers as if they weren't there.
DROP OFF
Difficulty: 1
A short section of steep wall, and then a more gentle coral-covered slope make this a very satisfying dive. Giant Gorgonian Fans & giant Barrel Sponges. A good place to see Octopus & Cuttlefish, adult Lionfish, Rays and a big mean-looking Barracuda. The wall carries all the way down to 70m, and if you look hard enough you can find the umbilical chord of one of our Divemaster's sons buried down there at the bottom.
BATU KELEBIT AND AROUND
Difficulty: 2
This deep coral site is is just round the corner from the Tulamben Drop Off. The coral starts from about 25m, down to past 70m. Lots of big Triggerfish, Sweetlips, Midnight Snapper and colourful Clownfish & Angelfish. Big pelagics & Sharks. Access just a few minutes by traditional boat from Tulamben itself. This long stretch of coast is all diveable so you can take multiple dives along here.
CORAL GARDEN
Difficulty: 1
A shallow reef, down to just 12m, but colourful and full of life. If you overnight at 'Paradise' bungalows then this is your house reef; step out of the restaurant and there it is. Lots of Blue Ribbon Eels, Razorfish, and the glorious Emporer Angelfish. A variety of Sweetlips and Fusiliers. Darting Moonwrasse and Damsels. Lots of macro.