Bali has rapidly become one of the planet’s most sought-after tourist destinations, and recovery post-pandemic has been progressing rapidly. The bustling central areas of Kuta heading north to Canggu are increasingly popular, and the previously sleepy centre of Bali, Ubud, is also becoming a traveller hot spot.
That said, there are plenty of quiet areas to head to should you wish to relax, and some fantastic diving can be done in the rich waters surrounding the Island of the Gods.
Lush landscapes, a vibrant culture, incredibly tasty and inclusive cuisine, and some mind-blowing Scuba indicate that Bali should be on your dive vacation list. We have been diving in Bali for years. Don’t be shy to get in touch with any questions you may have.
Tulamben
One thing Bali is fantastic for is the incredible array of dive sites available. From coral reefs and walls, sandy bottoms and wrecks, pinnacles and muck, there is something for everyone. Tulamben is home to the Liberty wreck, which has to be one of the most accessible wrecks to dive around and is an upcoming macro and muck diving destination. Lembongan and Nusa Penida have amazing coral dives, and the stars of the show, who arrive in August to October, are the world’s largest bony fish, the Oceanic Sunfish, or Mola Mola.
The island of Bali is home to Indonesia’s largest Hindu population, with more than eighty per cent of its population identifying as such. The Hinduism practised in Bali is woven through with Buddhism, another minority group in Indonesia. This has resulted in a rich, engaging cultural heritage that differs vastly from the rest of Indonesia and is visceral throughout the island, in temples, music, practice, art and cuisine.
One of the stars of a Bali dive holiday is the chance to see Mola Mola. These fish are rare to spot on scuba, given their deep habitat. From August to October, cold, nutrient-laden currents well up around the Nusa Penida area, and the Oceanic Sunfish ride these up to a depth where you can encounter them. With body masses up to 1 ton and measuring up to more than three metres in length, an encounter with these odd fish is high on the bucket list of many a scuba diver.
One fantastic thing about Bali is the number of highly professional dive centres that offer an array of dive courses from entry-level to professional instructor certifications. You can have the holiday of a lifetime and learn to scuba dive or upgrade your current certification level while doing that in some world-class scuba locations. Wherever you plan on heading in Bali, we can point you toward a professionally run, inclusive dive centre to visit. Just get in touch.
Bali is an absolute mecca for inclusive, plant-based cuisine. You are certainly not going to go hungry during your dive holiday. Whether looking for plant-based offerings within local cuisines or sampling the vast number of incredible fusion dishes in vegan restaurants or plant-based-friendly eateries, your tummy will love you for this excursion. We have been eating and diving in Bali for years and can direct you to the best places.
Bali is in the South of Indonesia to the east of Java. The main international airport is in Denpasar and is easily accessible on many direct flights from all over the globe. Other options are to fly through Singapore or Jakarta.
No, you do not need to be experienced to dive in Bali. That said, Bali does offer a wide range of scuba environments, and some of these will require you to have more experience to enjoy them safely. For example, to dive for Mola Mola of Nusa Penida, you should be an an advanced diver with a number of deeper dives in current under your belt. Bali is a great place to learn how to dive and upgrade your current dive skills.
Yes, scuba diving in Bali can be outstanding. Whether you are looking for rich coral reefs, enigmatic critters in the muck, pelagics in the blue, or accessible shipwrecks, Bali has it all.
Scuba diving in Bali is not expensive when compared to, say, diving in the Americas. It is a little cheaper than in Raja Ampat and Komodo, but at the same time, it is more expensive than in Thailand. The diving, though, is an experience well worth the investment.
The best time to dive in Bali is generally from May to November, with the Mola Mola appearing from August to October. These are the absolute best months, but in reality, diving can be enjoyed in Bali pretty much all year round.
The best way to dive in Bali is from one of the many fantastic dive resorts. Whether this is an Amed, Tulamben, Lembongan or Nusa Penida, get in touch and pick our brains about the best one to suit you.
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