Tulamben Bali
There are few Bali dive sites in Tulamben area the three most visited by us are the USAT Liberty Wreck, Coral Garden and Drop-Off. All of the dives are off shore and start basically strait on the beach of Tulamben. The USAT Liberty ship wreck is 120m long and it used to be an American supply ship. Anchored off the coast of Lombok, the ship was hit by a Japanese torpedo during World War II. Miraculously nobody got hurt, but the damage turned the ship into a non-functioning and useless hull. The American Navy’s plan to tow the ship to Singaraja harbour (north Bali) failed as the harbour was completely occupied, so the ship was intentionally stranded on the rocky beach of Tulamben, where it was unloaded.
In 1963 Mount Agung (the volcano which towers over Tulamben in Bali) erupted and the magma flow pressed the ship back into the sea where it presently rests at a depth of 3 to 29 metres. Since then, coral has coated the wreckage turning it into a new home for an extraordinary number of fish, coral and invertebrates. Bump-head parrotfish, napoleon wrasse and barracuda are regularly spotted around the wreck. The wreck is easily accessible from the beach and is also an excellent Bali snorkeling site.
Tulamben the snorkeling spot
The Coral Garden dive site starts at a depth of 2-15 m and is wonderfully grown featuring hard and soft coral. Numerous species of reef fish, macro creatures and other beautiful underwater life has found a home here. This Bali dive site is also a superb snorkeling spot for any snorkeler with none to moderate current. You can expect to see all the characteristics and marine life of a healthy reef. Squid, cuttlefish are just a few of the thousands of animals found here. Small black tip reef sharks can often be found in the shallows.
Drop Off Tulamben dive site can be dived on various levels depending on experience of divers and makes an excellent multi-level dive. Besides amazing coral garden, this reef features an unbelievable landscape sculpted by many overhanging rocks.
Eat Sleep Dive Repeat
Eat Sleep Dive Repeat
Learn more about diving in Tulamben
- The USAT Liberty Ship is regularly featured in various “best dive sites of the world” lists
- Most of the wrecks are deeper than 18 meters so Liberty is one of very few wrecks for Open Water Divers, too!
- Possible to dive here any time of the year
- If you are already experienced diver, you can explore the deeper part of the wreck at 35 meters
- Great for underwater photography
- Black volcanic sand is making the here interesting atmosphere and unusual contrast with the colorful coral and fishes
- Fun swim-throughs
- Mostly nice weather in Bali
- Calm conditions
- Full of special macro, even possible to see a pygmy seahorse
- So interesting that one dive is not enough!
- A bus ride with beautiful views on rice fields and Agung Volcano
- Perfect place to do your wreck specialty
- How to plan and organize wreck dives
- Procedures, techniques, problems, and hazards of wreck diving
- Safety considerations for navigating and exploring wrecks
- Surveying and mapping
- Using penetration lines and reels to guide exploration
- Techniques to avoid kicking up silt or disturbing the wreck and its inhabitants
- You will sharpen your skills of using a compass
- How to research and learn the background of your favorite wrecks
- Equipment considerations for wreck diving
- Considerations and techniques for entering intact wrecks