Bali and its surrounding islands are renowned for breathtaking dive spots. And the good news is there's something for every taste and skill level! From wrecks for history enthusiasts to large pelagics in Nusa Penida waters, passing through rich and varied corals and artificial reefs... We've compiled our top 5 best dive spots in Bali.

1. Manta Point at Nusa Penida

Accessible from the island of Bali (specifically from Sanur) or the nearby small island of Lembongan, this dive site is one of Bali's most renowned. And it's easy to see why, as it's the stage for an exceptional underwater ballet. Here, numerous manta rays are accustomed to being pampered by cleaner fish! Keep yourself small and witness the spectacle of these large pelagics that can reach nearly 5 meters in wingspan. The good news? The dive is accessible even to beginners since the plateau sits between 10 and 25 meters deep!

2. The USAT Liberty Wreck at Tulamben

The USAT Liberty wreck is an American cargo ship torpedoed in 1952 by a Japanese submarine. With over 70 years underwater, it ranks among the world's most famous wrecks for divers! Over time, numerous sponges, corals, and gorgonians have settled here, offering exceptional marine life. Beyond the corals, the fauna ranges from microscopic organisms to pygmy seahorses, passing through barracudas, groupers, and the famous humpback parrotfish of Tulamben. The site is located near Tulamben on the east side of Bali, 25 meters from shore. The wreck is 125 meters long and lies between 6 and 30 meters deep, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced divers.

3. Crystal Bay at Nusa Penida

Renowned for its excellent visibility (sometimes reaching 50 meters), the Crystal Bay site is located 30 minutes from the island of Nusa Penida. While beginners can easily observe the diversity of fish, experienced divers will enjoy discovering drop-offs further out and venturing into waters with descending currents. With luck, they may encounter the famous ocean sunfish, the mola mola. This enormous fish, which can reach 2 to 3 meters in wingspan, lives in the depths of the oceans but has a habit of rising to the surface at this site to be cleaned by other fish. This is indeed one of the few sites in the world where such an encounter is possible. The best period to observe them is July to October.

4. Coral Garden at Menjangan

It's on the north side of Menjangan Island (also called Deer Island) that we continue our tour of the best dive spots in Bali. Part of the Bali Barat Nature Reserve, the island is inhabited only by rangers. It is visited by locals on ceremonial occasions and by many divers. The Coral Garden site is perfectly suited for beginners, with calm water and minimal current. The fauna is very rich and you can easily spot pelagic species. For experienced divers, the island also boasts numerous drop-off dive sites, rich in gorgonians and crevices.

5. Pyramid at Amed

Originally, the creation of the Pyramid dive site was an initiative by the Amed community, in the northeast of Bali, in 2005. The idea was simple: to provide habitat for fish and repopulate the reef. How? By placing around a hundred concrete pyramids on the sea floor to create an artificial reef. Years later, the success of the operation is such that, on one hand, you can no longer see the pyramids and, on the other hand, you now encounter:

• sea turtles
• reef sharks
• pygmy seahorses
• stingrays
• ghost pipefish

With minimal current, the site is accessible to all.

Florine Dergelet