Bali has some wonderful diving sites to suit all levels of experience. You can find some specific, well-known dive regions around the island and each of these regions will often have 3 or 4 dives site that warrant a visit. There are a couple of factors which determine whether a site is for beginners or advanced divers. The first and most important factor is the strength of the ocean current at the site. Some of Bali's dive sites are known for having a strong current and are unsuitable for new divers. Another important factor is the complexity and depth of the dive. Below are some sites categorised by level!
The Wall is a dive site found at Amed in north-eastern Bali that is accessible by a short boat ride and offers divers a huge range of marine life and some lovely coral colonies. Ghost Bay is another highly-rated dive site in Amed that is perfect for those with an interest in photography. Ghost Bay is a manmade reef that is home to some of Bali's rarest ocean creatures, although they can be a challenge to spot. Padang Bai is on the east coast of Bali and has several sites that are ideal for beginner divers. Blue Lagoon is an easy, fun dive and you can experience the large range of tropical fish and other charming sea life.
Tulamben sits on the north-eastern coast of Bali and is home to at least 4 notable dive sites. USAT Liberty is one of the best-known dive sites in Bali and is considered a must-see for diving enthusiasts. The wreck is 125-metres long and sits in 9 to 40-metres of water. It has a fantastic range of marine life habituating the wreck and most of the wreck can be experienced by beginners safely. More advanced divers can venture into the wreck and deeper parts of the dive. The Drop Off is another fantastic Tulamben dive site which, as the name suggests, drops away from 3-metres to around 80-metres. It has an abundance of ocean life and is a great spot for photography. There is a good mix of opportunities for both new divers and advanced divers.
Nusa Penida is an island off the south-eastern Bali coast and is home to Manta Point, an excellent dive site that is famous for the giant manta rays regularly spotted there. The rays come to the bay to have their skin cleaned by the cleaner fish that reside on the coral reef and often gently interact with humans while they do so. Another great Nusa Penida dive spot is Crystal Bay, which is a highly regarded site and home to some very beautiful coral colonies and large range of marine life. This is the best site if you are interested in spotting the famous Mola Mola or Ocean Sunfish, which is regularly found here during the August to October period. The current can be quite strong so it is suitable for experienced divers only. On the far western coast of Bali is the port city of Gilimanuk, where you will find Secret Bay which is a shallow, black and volcanic sand bay and is regarded as the best site for muck diving in Bali. The bay is home to some really interesting sea animals, including sea horses and sea snakes. The water is usually only 3 to 5-metres deep and is a popular spot for photographers.
Many of these sites are accessible and beautiful all year round, but the unofficial dive season in Bali is from May to November. Most of this period is the dry season, which typically produces more favourable diving conditions than the wet season. This period also encompasses many of the peak times for finding or experiencing different types of marine life. It really doesn't matter when you are visiting Bali, you will find a time and place to experience the magic of diving in this incredible place.