How to Discover Bali's Underwater World: Diving in Bali - Guide to Diving in Bali to Uncover its Submerged Landscapes

Ranked among Asia's top diving hotspots, Bali is the perfect destination to explore the depths of the ocean and its enchanting creatures. Although most tourists head to Bali to discover its stunning beaches, iconic temples and staggering waterfalls, what lies beneath the surface on this Indonesian island is just as compelling as what's visible above. From the perfect time to embark on underwater adventures to the best dive spots to explore, here's everything visitors need to know about scuba diving in Bali.

Best Time to Go Diving in Bali

 Scuba diving Bali Nusa Lembongan | Image via flickr

Although Bali is a pleasant diving location for most of the year, those who wish to experience the best of what the island has to offer should time their visit to coincide with what is known as the " Mola-Mola season", which is known to last from July to September. The visibility and the marine creatures accessible during this time of year make it the perfect time to dive to great depths. The peak tourist season from July to August is also a great time to tour Bali for its diving possibilities although the period from October to April should be avoided at all costs as this is the wet season on the island.

Stay at a Strategic Resort

Tourists heading to Bali solely to spend time in its underwater landscapes should also stay at a base that offers easy access to the best dive sites according to travel resources such as The Adventure Travel and other sites. Although Bali is home to some of the most luxurious beach resorts in Asia, water adventure activities such as scuba diving are not accessible nor within close range of every resort. This is why avid divers must choose a resort that's near Bali's top dive sites.

Enlist the Help of a Diving Centre

As it's difficult to explore the island's top diving locations on one's own, it's crucial to enlist the services of a diving centre based in Bali. As there are literally dozens of water sports centres offering diving packages, it may be prudent to do research online prior to arriving in Bali and reserve the services of a reliable outfit. Some resorts will also organise diving tours for their guests so it may also prove useful to stay in such an establishment. Some of the most popular diving centres in Bali are unsurprisingly located near key diving areas including Nusa Lembongan, Sanur, Padang Bai, Amed, Tulamben, Nusa Penida and Pemuteran.

Hit the Hotspots

Menjangan is perhaps one of the best dive sites to get a sense of the coral life in Bali and its suitability for beginner divers means that even first-time divers can enjoy the venue. Lined with coral walls, Menjangan is also suitable for snorkelling expeditions while Gilimanuk is where Bali's pipefish, Banzai cardinal fish, leaf scorpion fish and nudibranchs are found. Secret Bay, which is part of Gilimanuk, is a shallow bay where certified divers can enjoy a full day of diving. Those with a passion for pelagics, however, can drop by the tiny Gili islands while Sanur is a diver's heartland where beginners and seasoned experts alike can spend hours enjoying the submerged coral gardens around the coast.

Amed and Padang Bai

Wreck divers on the lookout for exciting shipwrecks to swim through will find Amed's Lipah Bay a dream come true. This Japanese shipwreck can be a great place for first-time divers to get their fins wet whereas Padang Bai with its iconic Blue Lagoon is another mesmerising site for certified divers.

Tulamben and Nusa Penida

Wreck divers should also venture down to Tulamben's world-renowned USAT Liberty wreck as it is one of the few dive sites that are accessible to non-certified divers. Nusa Penida's Penida reef,on the other hand, is where Mola-Mola are found in great numbers.