One of the most beautiful islands in the world, Bali is Indonesia's most popular dive travel destination.
To the east of the island lies the Lombok Strait, the first deep water trench directly to the east of the Asian continental shelf. It also means regular visits from large and unusual pelagic fish like the incredible mola, or sunfish. Bali scuba diving isn't simply the holiday 'extra' that some people might imagine.
The waters of this island are surprisingly unheralded. allow yourself to be surprised for you never really know just what you might see in this ever-changing underwater kingdom. Deep drop-offs and steep banks, coral ridges and bommies, one of the most famous wrecks in the world, volcanic outcrops and seagrass beds are all part of the underwater tapestry. Indeed, one of the greatest features of Bali are the incredibly rich and varied dive sites. Experienced divers will enjoy the thrill of the currents around Nusa Penida, beginners will love the simplicity of the locations in Amed and Padang Bai, and photographers will flock to the muck diving sites of Tulamben. Many visitors find the attraction of good shore-based resort diving set against a stunning back drop of huge, magnificent volcanoes and picturesque rice paddy terraces, simply irresistible. All of this combined with the friendliness of the Balinese people, glorious weather, white sandy beaches and recent marine protection measures make Bali an increasingly sought after destination by scuba divers from across the world. The strong currents can also clean the water and create fantastic visibility. Through these channels flows the greatest volume of tidal water on earth, creating some mindblowing diving coditions.
Others enjoy the island's charms and then hop on board a liveaboard cruise departing from Bali. This Pacific Ocean can create some powerful currents and rollercoaster rides that characterise some of the dive sites.
There is something for everyone; Previously the preserve of surfers and beach vacation types, nowadays the island sees an increasing number of tourists hauling dive bags around. With its colourful and diverse marine life, there's enough here to keep you coming back for more.
Day 1: Tour starts in Denpassar (Bali)
Arrival in Bali and approximately 1 hour to clear Immigration
Transfer to Tulamben (north east Bali, 3hrs 45mins)
Overnight at Mimpi Resort Tulamben (Patio room)
Day 2: Tulamben Bay (B,L)
09:00 Check out for transfer to Amed (north east Bali, 30mins)t
2 Day Dives in Amed on the 20m Japanese Wreck
1 Day Dive on Amed Reef and after transfer to Candidasa (East Bali, 1hr)
Overnight Rama Candidasa Resort & Spa (Deluxe Garden Room)
Diving Bali
The quiet fishing village of Amed (more accurately: Jemeluk Bay) is 30mins drive south of Tulamben Bay. The beaches are sand, the water temperature can be affected by thermoclines, and visibility is usually 14-22M. Amed Reef (12-22m) offers many different kinds of sponges and gorgonians, and marinelife that includes everything from White-tip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasses, occasional big trevallys, butterflyfishes, bannerfishes, snappers, fusiliers and triggerfishes to gobies and shrimp as well as anemones with attendant clownfishes, schools of barracuda and Blue-spotted rays. Many different kinds of parrotfishes, angelfishes, surgeonfishes and moray eels. 3km south-east of Amed, the quiet little bay of Lipah is home to the wreck of a 20M steel freighter. The wreck lies at 6-12m, between a reef and the sand bottom, and is encrusted with sponges, gorgonians and coral bushes. The sloping reef is lovely, particularly in the bottom (15-20M) section, with soft corals, gorgonians and sponges. The shallowest section contains Table and Staghorn corals and is home to damsels and anthias as well as schools of many kinds of fishes.
