Bali, often called the “Island of the Gods,” is not just a paradise for surfers and beach lovers but also a dream destination for scuba divers. With its stunning coral reefs, thrilling drift dives, abundant marine life, and legendary wrecks, Bali offers a variety of dive sites suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.

Here’s a complete guide to the best dive sites in Bali, covering everything from manta rays and mola mola encounters to incredible shipwrecks and macro diving hotspots.

1. Nusa Penida – Manta Rays & Mola Mola Encounters 🦈✨

📍 Best sites: Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Blue Corner, Toyapakeh

Nusa Penida, an island southeast of Bali, is famous for its majestic manta rays and seasonal mola mola (oceanic sunfish).

• Manta Point – One of the best places in the world to dive with graceful manta rays all year round.
• Crystal Bay – Renowned for mola mola sightings between July and October.
• Blue Corner – Thrilling deep drift dive where you can spot reef sharks, tuna, and eagle rays.
• Toyapakeh – Home to vibrant corals, schooling fish, and occasional turtles.

💡 Best for advanced divers due to strong currents!

2. Tulamben – USAT Liberty Wreck Diving 🚢🌊

📍 Best site: USAT Liberty Wreck

One of the most famous wreck dives in the world, the USAT Liberty is a WWII cargo ship resting just 5-30 meters underwater.

✔ Easily accessible from shore – perfect for all levels! ✔ Covered in soft corals, sea fans, and colorful marine life. ✔ Home to bumphead parrotfish, barracudas, and even reef sharks.

💡 A must-dive for history lovers and underwater photographers!

3. Amed – Coral Gardens & Artificial Reefs 🏝️🐠

📍 Best sites: Jemeluk Bay, Pyramid Reef

Amed is known for its relaxed diving, stunning coral reefs, and artificial reef structures.

• Jemeluk Bay – Colorful coral gardens, clownfish, turtles, and cuttlefish.
• Pyramid Reef – Artificial reef structures attracting huge schools of fish.

💡 Great for beginners and macro lovers!

4. Padang Bai – Blue Lagoon & Macro Paradise 🏝️🐙

📍 Best sites: Blue Lagoon, The Jetty

Padang Bai is a hidden gem on Bali’s east coast, offering diverse marine life and incredible macro photography opportunities.

• Blue Lagoon – Calm waters with turtles, moray eels, and reef sharks.
• The Jetty – A top muck diving site, home to frogfish, mimic octopuses, and rhinopias.

💡 Perfect for both beginner divers and macro photographers!

5. Menjangan Island – Bali’s Best Wall Diving 🏝️🌊

📍 Best site: Menjangan Wall

Located in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island offers crystal-clear waters and dramatic wall dives.

✔ Spectacular drop-offs covered in soft corals and sponges. ✔ Chance to see reef sharks, turtles, and pygmy seahorses.

💡 One of Bali’s most peaceful and pristine dive spots!

6. Candidasa – Shark Encounters & Thrilling Drifts 🦈

📍 Best sites: Gili Tepekong, Gili Mimpang (Shark Point)

Candidasa is perfect for experienced divers looking for strong currents and big pelagic fish.

• Gili Tepekong – Cave diving with white-tip reef sharks and barracudas.
• Gili Mimpang (Shark Point) – Frequent sightings of black-tip and white-tip reef sharks.

💡 Ideal for thrill-seekers and advanced divers!

7. Secret Bay – Bali’s Best Muck Diving Spot 🦀

📍 Best site: Secret Bay (Gilimanuk)

A shallow dive site (5-12m) known for rare and unusual critters.

✔ Macro paradise – seahorses, nudibranchs, dragonets, and mimic octopuses. ✔ Great for underwater photographers.

💡 Perfect for divers who love macro photography and critter spotting!

8. Nusa Lembongan – The Ultimate Drift Diving Destination 🌊

📍 Best sites: Mangrove Point, Blue Corner

• Mangrove Point – Gorgeous coral gardens with a fast drift dive.
• Blue Corner – Strong currents with reef sharks, rays, and mola mola.

💡 Best for experienced divers who enjoy adrenaline-filled drift dives!

9. Sanur Reef – A Convenient Dive Near Bali’s Mainland 🏝️

📍 Best site: Sanur Reef

A great dive spot for beginners and training dives, located just off Sanur Beach.

✔ Beautiful hard and soft corals. ✔ Home to lionfish, cuttlefish, and stingrays. ✔ Easily accessible by a short boat ride from Sanur.

💡 Perfect for those staying near Denpasar who want a quick dive!

10. Blue Hole – A Hidden Gem in Nusa Penida 🏆

📍 Best site: Blue Hole

One of Nusa Penida’s lesser-known dive sites, the Blue Hole features a dramatic underwater cave system.

✔ Unique underwater topography – tunnels, caverns, and drop-offs. ✔ Frequent sightings of reef sharks, rays, and large pelagic fish. ✔ Strong currents make it a challenging but rewarding dive.

💡 Best for advanced divers who love exploring underwater caves!

Why Bali is a Must-Visit Diving Destination?

✅ World-Class Marine Life – Manta rays, mola mola, reef sharks, turtles, and rare critters. ✅ Diverse Dive Sites – From calm coral gardens to adrenaline-pumping drift dives. ✅ Stunning Visibility – Ranges from 20 to 40 meters in most locations. ✅ Great for All Levels – Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Bali has dives for everyone!

📍 Are you ready to explore Bali’s breathtaking underwater world? Book your dive trip today and experience the magic beneath the waves! 🌊🐠🤿