Tulamben
World War II Shipwreck
USAT Liberty Shipwreck (1942)
Colourful and diverse marine life
Tulamben diving is awesome site for Beginners to Expert
What to see in Tulamben?
Beautiful historic shipwreck from World War II. At this world-renowned dive site our team will find you an abundance of all things to attract divers from the globe. Barracuda, turtles, hard corals, soft corals, pygmy seahorse, Bumphead parrot fish, Titan triggerfish, damsel fish, trumpet fish, blue spotted stingrays, garden eels, nudibranch, leaf scorpion fish, ghost pipefish, angel fish, octopus, cuttlefish… The list is endless.
Tulamben is also host to an array of other epic dive sites – but the USAT Liberty is the main draw-card in this beautiful coastal village.
Tulamben diving:
- Diver experience level: All level (also excellent for snorkeling)
- Start time: 7am to 6pm – A scenic two-hour drive from our Dive Centre in Sanur
- Dive site access: Shore
- Marine conditions: wreck, photography, macro, deep, shallow – something for ALL
- Current: no current to moderate
- Depth: 6m- 40m
- Temperature: 26-30 degrees
About the day :
- We collect you from your hotel around 7:00am-7:30am
- Depart Bali Scuba around 8:00am
- Arrive in Tulamben around 10:00am
- 1st dive (morning)
- Lunch at a beachfront restaurant
- 2nd dive (afternoon)
- Return to Bali Scuba around 5:00-6:00pm
Price & inclusions
Price for 2 dives – IDR 1,700,000
Inclusions:
Hotel transfers (Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak & Nusa Dua)
lunch, snacks, hot & cold beverages
tanks, weights & PADI Professional
Free Nitrox 32%, if certified
Equipment rental:
IDR 400,000 / person for a full set: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins/boots, mask/snorkel & dive computer
Tulamben diving highlight
The USAT Liberty Shipwreck in Tulamben is an unforgettable diving experience. It’s Bali’s most popular dive site and home to an amazing amount of marine life. The chance to explore a World War II shipwreck makes it an unmissable part of your Bali scuba vacation. The wreck isn’t the only scuba diving site here. Don’t miss the drop-off, a shallow coral garden and other less known local dive sites in the area. We can tailor packages that cover dives at the shipwreck and some of this hidden treasures. Just ask us!
The Liberty shipwreck is the best place to explore the underwater world at night in Bali and if you stay overnight you can take a magical sunrise dive. View the magic of Liberty’s established marine life – home to the massive Bumphead parrotfish, moray eels, mature and adolescent turtles, pygmy seahorse and a vast array of other underwater life.
Tulamben history
The USAT Liberty was built in 1918 as a cargo ship and saw service in WWI transporting horses and general cargo. At the start of WWII it was fitted with guns and used for military transport as the USAT Liberty. The wreck starts from just 5 metres making it suitable for all levels of divers and the remains of the stern gun are still clearly visible. In 1942 the Liberty was hit by a Japanese torpedo as it passed by the nearby island of Lombok. There were no casualties but the ship was badly damaged.
An attempt was made to tow the Liberty to North Bali for repairs but it was unable to continue the journey and so was beached at Tulamben. The Liberty stayed on the beach for the next 21 years, mostly unnoticed in this remote rural area of Bali. In 1963 an eruption of the nearby Agung volcano pushed the ship into the sea where it remains to this day. This strange story explains why the shipwreck is known as one of the world’s most convenient shipwreck dives. It lies on a sandy slope just 30 metres (100 ft) from the beach. If you want to read more about the colorful history of this infamous wreck check our blog.
Tulamben dive sites
USAT Liberty Wreck
The wreck is 125 metres (411 ft) long and 17 metres (55 ft) wide. It’s still mostly intact and you can swim through the Liberty’s huge cargo hold. The hold is teeming with marine life because so many species shelter there from the waves and current.
The Tulamben wreck is home to an amazing 400 species of reef fish and is visited by 100 species of pelagic (silver ocean-dwelling fish). Almost every surface is covered in healthy colourful corals. Your Bali Scuba guide is best-equipped to spot you Jack fish, Damselfish, Gorgonian, Surgeon Fish, Feather Star, Fire Coral, Great Barracuda, Sea Squirt, Table Coral, Barrel Sponge, Green Back Bullseye, Glass Fish, Parrot Fish, Trumpet Fish, Moorish Idol and Grouper. Serious underwater photographers often spend weeks here because there is such rich and varied marine life in one easily accessible location. If you love macro diving then you are at the right place!!! Let us know when you book with us.
Tulamben usually has warm water, around 28C (82F). It has a rocky beach with black sand underwater. Tulamben is a quiet fishing village and a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of Bali. Non-diving family or friends can relax at one of the beachside restaurants, take a stroll around the local village or grab a traditional massage.
Tulamben Code of conduct
At Bali Scuba we support and adhere to the Green fins Code of Conduct, guidelines that promote a sustainable way of diving. Established by experts, scientific researchers and dive guides. This standard has been designed to provide divers and dive centres with the most eco-friendly experience for marine life in Bali.
Dive Packages
2 Days - 4 Dives
IDR 3,200,000
Tulamben x 2
Padang Bai x 2
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3 Days - 7 Dives
IDR 5,500,000
Tulamben x 2
Padang Bai x 2
Nusa Penida x 3
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4 Days - 10 Dives
IDR 7,200,000
Tulamben x 2
Padang Bai x 2
Nusa Penida x 6
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5 Days - 13 Dives
IDR 8,200,000
Tulamben x 2
Padang Bai x 2
Nusa Penida x 6
Tepekong x 3