| Site | Who it suits | What you see | Best period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty wreck, Tulamben | confident beginners and certified divers | 120 m wreck covered in coral, schools of fish | April to October |
| Manta Point, Nusa Penida | certified divers (current) | manta rays, sometimes sunfish | mantas almost all year, sunfish July to October |
| Amed | beginners, newly certified divers | calm reefs, drop-offs, small wreck | April to October |
| Menjangan (north-west) | all levels | coral walls, very good visibility | April to November |
Prices found in October 2026
- Tulamben, one dive with transfer and lunch: about 109 US dollars per person on an online booking offer. A guided dive without transfer is listed around 64 dollars, and a version with private transfer around 123 dollars.
- Two dives from Tulamben: about 1,800,000 rupiah at a local centre (equipment, tank, insurance and guide included).
- Nusa Penida: about 100 to 150 dollars for two dives according to one guide, or 2,800,000 rupiah for three dives at a centre.
- Menjangan: about 2,300,000 rupiah for two dives, or 4,300,000 rupiah for a two-day stay with three dives.
- Some centres' price lists date from 2024: ask for today's price and what it includes (equipment rental, park fees, transfer).
We found no reliable price for a single introductory dive or an Open Water course: ask the centre before booking.
The Liberty wreck at Tulamben
The American cargo ship USAT Liberty lies close to shore, with the top at about 3 m and the bottom around 29 m. You enter from the pebble beach (water shoes help). It is the best site for less experienced divers and a good day-trip option. See the page on the Liberty wreck in Tulamben. The drive from Ubud or the south is long (about 2.5 to 3 hours each way according to travellers): sleeping nearby or in Amed avoids a night departure.
Nusa Penida: the mantas
Manta Point is known for manta rays present almost all year, often at shallow depth. Currents can be strong: most centres ask for an advanced certification or recent experience. If you do not dive, snorkelling at Manta Point is an alternative, but the sea can be rough. See also Nusa Penida.
Amed: calm and affordable
Amed is a dive base on the east coast, with sites close to the beach and little current. It is a good place to take a first certification or get back into diving, and it combines with Tulamben, a short drive away.
Menjangan: the best visibility
Menjangan Island, in West Bali National Park, is cited for very clear water (over 50 m according to one guide, mostly October to November) and little current. It is far from Ubud: plan a night nearby or a stay in the north (Lovina, Pemuteran).
Beginner or certified: how to choose
- Never dived: a supervised introductory dive at Tulamben or Amed; check the number of divers per instructor. On some offers, uncertified divers pay a small supplement on site for stricter supervision.
- Open Water: all areas, except Nusa Penida on strong-current days.
- Advanced Open Water or higher: Nusa Penida (mantas), deep dives on the Liberty.
- Snorkelling only: the Liberty can also be seen with mask and snorkel from the beach.
Season
The dry season (roughly April to October) gives the calmest sea and best visibility at Tulamben, Amed and Menjangan. At Nusa Penida mantas are there almost all year and visibility is often best from June to November. In the rainy season some trips are cancelled: choose a cancellable offer.
Before you book
- Certification required, minimum level and date of your last dive.
- Equipment, marine park fees and transfer included or not.
- Group size and divers per instructor.
- Cancellation terms (weather, sea).
- Do not dive within 24 hours before a flight: plan your last dive at least a day before departure.
Going further
To fit diving into the rest of your trip, see the best time to visit Bali, a private driver in Bali and Nusa Penida: east or west.
FAQ
Where should beginners dive in Bali?
At Tulamben (Liberty wreck) or Amed: beach entry and usually gentle current. Nusa Penida is for experienced divers.
How much does a dive in Bali cost?
According to centres and offers checked in October 2026: about 900,000 rupiah per dive from Tulamben (1,800,000 for two) and up to 109 dollars for a trip with transfer and lunch. Confirm with the centre.
What is the best season?
Roughly April to October for calm sea and visibility; the Nusa Penida mantas can be seen almost all year.
Do I need a certification?
Not for an introductory dive; yes (Open Water at least) to dive independently with a guide. Nusa Penida usually needs more experience.
