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Scuba diving in Bali: Best spots and prices
Did you know that scuba diving in Bali is very affordable? We’ll tell you the best spots to dive and their prices.
Travelling to Indonesia’s capital isn’t just about visiting temples and rice fields; you can also enjoy unique experiences and discover one of the world’s most stunning underwater environments. If you fancy scuba diving in Bali, you’ll find reefs full of colour, historic wrecks covered in coral, turtles, sharks, manta rays, stingrays, and the iconic sunfish. So, it doesn’t matter if you have no experience, as courses suit every level.
In this article, we’ll explore the centres you can find on the island, the courses they offer, and the best locations for scuba diving in Bali. We’ll also review prices for courses, equipment, or excursions, plus practical tips on safety, internet access, accommodation, and sustainability. Dive into Bali’s waters!
Dive Centres and Courses in Bali
Whether you’re trying scuba diving in Bali for the first time or already experienced and want to advance, you’ll find various certified centres offering courses for all levels and excursions across the island. You can dive in the northern waters around Amed and Tulamben, or in the south near Nusa Penida and Sanur.
We recommend choosing only PADI or SSI affiliated centres, the main international organisations ensuring safety and quality in their courses. Here are the most recognised centres on the island and the courses they provide:
- Bali Diving Academy: This centre has over 30 years of experience and is highly renowned. They offer PADI courses from beginner to professional level, plus excursions to Nusa Penida and Menjangan.
- AquaMarine Diving Bali: Located in Seminyak, this PADI centre specialises in private dives and personalised tours, including dive-and-stay packages.
- Two Fish Divers: With branches in Nusa Lembongan and Amed, you can become a certified professional diver or take your first dive. Some packages include accommodation.
- Bali Scuba: One of the island’s largest schools, PADI 5 Stars certified, offering professional training and trips to Nusa Penida or Tulamben.
- Dive Concepts: On a tighter budget? Stay at this school and take certified courses with discounts for groups or longer stays.
| Course | Level | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba Diving (try dive) | Beginners | Includes theory, pool practice, and one open water dive up to 12 metres. |
| Open Water Diver | Beginner-Intermediate | International certification (PADI or SSI) to dive up to 18 metres. |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | Intermediate-Advanced | Improve technique and depth skills with 5 themed dives. |
| Rescue Diver | Experts | Safety and emergency response course. |
| Divemaster | Professional | For becoming an instructor or professional diver; requires a minimum of 60 logged dives. |
Types of scuba courses in Bali.
Top 5 Diving Spots in Bali
If you’re living here as a digital nomad, student, or tourist, you can make the most of your stay by scuba diving in Bali. It’s one of the world’s best diving spots, forming part of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Every part of the island has dive sites suitable for beginners and those seeking challenges. Check out the top 5 locations!
1. Tulamben and the USS Liberty Wreck
On the northwest coast, about two hours from Denpasar, you’ll find Bali’s most famous dive site, especially for the USS Liberty wreck. This American ship sank during World War II and is accessible from the shore, just a few metres from land.
Today, the wreck has become an artificial reef full of hard and soft corals, home to lionfish, turtles, moray eels, nudibranchs, and giant parrotfish. This site is popular for introductory dives thanks to easy access and good visibility. History and nature lovers will enjoy exploring it.
2. Nusa Penida – Manta Point and Crystal Bay
From Sanur or Padang Bai, you can reach this famous island in about a 45-minute boat ride, one of Bali’s most spectacular diving destinations. Manta Point is teeming with oceanic manta rays, while Crystal Bay is famous for hosting sunfish from July to October.
It’s a perfect spot for certified divers and underwater photographers due to strong currents and steep drop-offs, offering encounters with large species, well-preserved reefs, and photo-worthy underwater views.
3. Amed
Another top diving spot in Bali is the coastal village of Amed, about 30 minutes from Tulamben, northwest of the city. This peaceful region has protected bays with warm, clear waters, making it ideal for introductory dives and beginner courses. You can observe colourful corals, tropical fish schools, seahorses, leaf fish, and even reef sharks. It’s also one of the most affordable areas for lessons and accommodation.
4. Menjangan Island
Located in Bali Barat National Park, this small protected island has become a natural sanctuary with exceptional biodiversity of hard and soft corals, turtles, angelfish, groupers, stingrays, and dolphins. You can reach it by boat from Pemuteran or Labuan Lalang. We recommend it for beginner divers as the waters are calm and perfect for underwater photography.
What makes this island special are the vertical walls covered in coral, descending over 40 metres, where you can dive or snorkel with visibility up to 30 metres. If you’re interested in sustainable tourism, you can contribute to the Biorock coral restoration project to regenerate damaged reefs.
5. Padang Bai – Blue Lagoon and Jepun
Finally, we end our tour of Bali’s best diving spots with Padang Bai, about 1.5 hours from Denpasar on the east coast. This area is known for its sandy seabed and shallow reefs, although it also has some more technical dive sites suitable for experienced divers. Marine life includes frogfish, octopuses, seahorses, bamboo sharks, and various nudibranch species.
If you’re a beginner or it’s your first dive, we recommend Blue Lagoon Bay, with turquoise waters and reefs around five metres deep. Jepun, on the other hand, is a deeper artificial wreck spot where intermediate or advanced divers usually go.
Connectivity While Diving in Bali
Just as having the right gear is essential for scuba diving in Bali, so is reliable internet connectivity to reach the best dive sites via GPS, share your adventures online, or contact family. How? It’s simple: if your stay is short, you can get a Holafly Bali eSIM with unlimited data only for the days you need.
If you’ll be staying more than a month, the best option is Holafly’s monthly plans. They let you surf from day one with 5G coverage, a 25 GB plan or unlimited data, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously starting from $50.50 (€46.50) per month with no contract. Plus, you can travel to over 170 destinations with the same eSIM and rates!
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
How Much Does Diving in Bali Cost?
Scuba diving in Bali is very popular not only for its high-quality dive sites but also as one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable destinations. The cost of living is relatively low compared to similar countries like Thailand or the Maldives, so you can enjoy a long stay without overspending.
This affordability extends to scuba courses in Bali, which vary by location and season, but there are options for every budget. Here’s a summary of typical prices:
| Course | Details | Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Try Dive | Includes basic theory and a guided one-day dive | From $70 (€60) |
| Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI certification) | 3–4 day course with international certification and 4 dives | From $258 (€222) |
| Advanced Open Water | 5 themed dives | From $258 (€222) |
| Excursion + Diving | Transport to Nusa Penida and 2 dives | From $140 (€120) |
| Course + Accommodation | 10 dives with 5 days of accommodation | From $300 (€260) |
| Rescue Diver | PADI certification to work as a rescue diver | From $284 (€300) |
Bali diving course rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Bali
No, you can start with an introductory scuba course for beginners in Bali. To dive independently, you will need an Open Water Diver certification (PADI or SSI).
The best season for diving is between April and November, when waters are clearer, visibility is higher, and waves are smaller.
Yes, many centres offer packages combining accommodation, dives, and airport transfers, especially in Amed, Tulamben, or Sanur.
Although schools provide special insurance for this high-risk activity, we recommend purchasing a travel insurance that covers scuba diving.
Bali’s marine life includes hard and soft corals, turtles, seahorses, reef sharks, nudibranchs, manta rays, and the famous sunfish.
