Where to Dive in Bali & Nusa Islands
Some people come to Bali to find themselves. I came, dove with manta rays, and realized the ocean is cheaper than therapy.
If you're planning a dive trip and asking yourself things like "Where should I dive in Bali or Nusa Lembongan?" or "Should I do a day trip or stay nearby?", I’ve got you. I’ve dove all over the island, sometimes well-rested and these are the places I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
This is my unfiltered, totally biased, slightly salty take on where to dive, stay, and who to trust with your tank and life underwater.
Day Trips vs. Staying Overnight: The Reality of Dive Logistics in Bali
Yes, Bali looks small on the map. No, that doesn’t mean you can wake up in Canggu and casually go diving in Tulamben without sacrificing your sanity (and your lower back).
Day trips are okay if:
You’re based in Sanur or Padang Bai
You only want to squeeze in one or two dives between smoothie bowls
You actually enjoy speedboat sunburns and 5 a.m. wake-up calls
But honestly, staying near the dive sites is chef's kiss:
You can do sunrise dives without selling your soul to traffic
You’ll get more dives for your buck
Post-dive naps hit different when you're 10 steps from your bed
My Favorite Dive Spots in Bali and Nusa Lembongan (Plus Where I Actually Stay)
Tulamben
What’s here:
The legendary USS Liberty shipwreck, a coral-covered WWII wreck right off the beach. Great visibility, no boat needed, and bumphead parrotfish that look like bouncers patrolling the reef at sunrise.
My very first dives in Bali were in Tulamben on a spontaneous trip with friends. We stayed at Puri Madha Bungalows, which is literally right in front of the wreck. Zero commute. Just wake up, grab your mask, and walk into the water.
Where I stay:
Ask for Wayan Tambir, the owner (📞 +62 817 4712 161). Super chill guy. Can arrange your dives too.
Stay or day trip?
Stay. 100%. It’s peaceful, affordable, and you’ll get more out of the wreck dives if you do them early.
Amed
What’s here:
Black sand muck diving heaven. Frogfish, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and even the elusive mimic octopus. Also, incredible views of Mount Agung from shore.
I did my Advanced Open Water certification with Bali Reef Divers in Amed. Chill instructors, not too many people, and lots of time to really enjoy the sites. Plus, the vibe in Amed is the exact opposite of Canggu chaos.
Where I dive:
Bali Reef Divers – super helpful crew and good gear. They also run their own accommodation if you want to keep things easy.
Stay or day trip?
Stay. Amed deserves at least a couple of days.
Padang Bai
What’s here:
Shark Point, Blue Lagoon, and a bunch of solid drift sites. You get a fun mix of coral gardens, turtles, reef sharks, and the occasional ribbon eel pretending it’s more dangerous than it is.
I once told the crew at Geko Dive that I loved nudibranchs and macro stuff in general. Next thing I know, I’m on a shallow 80-minute dive under the jetty, surrounded by weird, wonderful critters. It was heaven for macro lovers: tiny shrimp, leaf scorpionfish, and nudis on nudis on nudis. Pure joy.
Dive center I like:
Geko Dive Bali – professional, friendly, and totally happy to tailor dives based on what you’re into (even if you’re a macro nerd like me).
Stay or day trip?
Day trip works well if you're coming from Sanur, but you can also stay overnight if you want more than three dives.
Nusa Penida
What’s here:
Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and a whole lot of current. Penida is where the big fish party: mantas, molas, and giant trevallies. When conditions are right, the dives are unforgettable.
If you dive with Blue Corner Dive Penida, you might meet Chuckles, their resident dog who sometimes comes along for the boat ride. Honestly, who doesn’t want a dog on their dive day?
Dive center I trust:
Blue Corner Dive Penida – great safety, fun crew, and potential for canine companionship.
Stay or day trip?
Stay. It’s worth it to dive Penida without the mad early-morning mainland scramble.
Nusa Lembongan
What’s here:
Easy access to all the Penida dive sites plus gems like Toyapakeh, SD, and Mangrove. You get drifts, coral gardens, and the occasional manta cruising by.
I may or may not have had a full-blown addiction to diving here between 2017–2018. I was diving almost every weekend—and I always went with the same shops: Dive Concepts Lembongan and Blue Corner Dive Lembongan. What can I say? When you find your dive tribe, you stick with them. So sue me.
Dive centers I love:
Both have great teams, solid gear, and that laid-back Lembongan charm.
Stay or day trip?
Stay. For a few nights. Or a year. I won’t judge.
Menjangan
What’s here:
Stunning wall dives, crystal-clear water, vibrant coral, and hardly any other divers. If you want a peaceful dive trip far from the Insta-hordes, this is it.
I went with Dive Concepts Pemuteran, and the best part? Their guesthouse is right above the dive center, so mornings are blissfully easy. Roll out of bed, grab a banana pancake, and dive.
Where I stay & dive:
Dive Concepts Pemuteran – budget-friendly, no-frills, all-focus-on-diving kind of place.
Stay or day trip?
Stay. Please. It’s too far for a same-day thing unless you’re into masochism.
What to Pack for Your Dive Trip (So You Don’t Suffer)
Your own mask/snorkel – rental ones never quite feel right
3mm wetsuit or rash guard – Bali isn’t freezing, but Nusa Penida currents can bite
Reef-safe sunscreen – love the ocean like it loves you
Dry bag – saves phones, wallets, and dignity
What Not to Do
Don’t touch the coral. It’s not a souvenir.
Don’t skip dive insurance. DAN or DiveAssure. No excuses.
Don’t chase the mantas. They know you’re desperate.
Diving in Bali and Nusa Lembongan has become my not-so-secret escape hatch. Whether I’m diving wrecks in Tulamben, geeking out over nudis under a jetty in Padang Bai, chasing mantas in Penida, or just floating along the reefs of Lembongan, I leave the water feeling a little more human every time.
So, if you're planning your trip:
Go slow. Stay near the sites. Dive with people you like. And if Chuckles the boat dog joins your trip? Consider it a blessing from the sea gods.
Have questions?
Want help planning your dive days?
Slide into my DMs at @happilyroaming, I’m always down to chat diving, share nudibranch photos, or recommend where to eat after your second dive.