TULAMBEN DIVING
Bali is one of the top world diving destinations in the world and one of the best places to dive in the so called Island of the Gods is Tulamben, a little fishing village with several stunning dive sites brimming with marine life.
Becoming a scuba diving instructors in Bali was one of the highlights in my life and I had the chance to dive Tulamben and its breathtaking dive sites during my training and also for pleasure.
This guide is aiming to help you preparing your scuba diving trip to this lovely village in Bali and make the best out of your visit.
I am sharing here my experience, knowledge and some of the underwater photos I took during my dives in this beautiful area.
ABOUT TULAMBEN
Tulamben is a quaint coastal village in Bali well known for its serene atmosphere and natural beauty. The village is surrounded by lush green hills that overlook the Balinese sea. The place is a retreat away from the most touristic areas in the island.
The village is famous for its dive sites that attract thousands of divers every year but it has much more to offer such as its traditional Balinese architecture, homes and temples adorned with intricate carvings.
The local people in the village are well known for its hospitality and welcoming attitude to visitors and a visit to the village will provide you with a glimpse to the real Balinese way of life. There are small eateries spread around serving traditional dishes and local markets where you can get some handmade souvenirs.
Tulamben is a also the perfect point to start a visit to the other places in the area such as Mount Agung, Bali highest volcano and the Sidemen rice terraces.
MY EXPERIENCE SCUBA DIVING IN TULAMBEN
I did my first coupe of dives in Tulamben during my first visit to Bali when I was still a beginner diver and then I visited the dive sites many more times during my Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor training.
I find the dive sites so impressive and the marine life in them so diverse. Diving in Tulamben and some other dive sites in Bali made me fall in love with the marine life and pursue further scuba diving training.
WHERE IS TULAMBEN LOCATED
Tulamben is located in the North-East coast of Bali. Find here a pin with Tulamben location in the Bali map.
HOW TO GET TO TULAMBEN
Most people go to Tulamben on a day tour from some of the most popular Bali locations but if you would like to get there on your own find here below the best options to reach this picturesque fishing village.
- From Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar Airport):
- The most convenient option is to hire a private car or taxi directly from the airport. It’s about a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from the airport to Tulamben, depending on traffic.
- You can also arrange for a shuttle service or use a ride-hailing app like Grab or Gojek.
- From Ubud:
- If you’re staying in Ubud, you can also arrange for a private car or join a tour that includes transportation to Tulamben.
- Alternatively, you can take a public bus or shuttle service to Denpasar or Amlapura, then transfer to a local minibus (bemo) or taxi to Tulamben.
- From other areas in Bali:
- If you’re staying in other popular tourist areas like Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu, you can hire a private car, use a ride-hailing app, or join a tour to Tulamben.
- Public transportation options may include taking a bus to Denpasar or Amlapura and then transferring to a local minibus or taxi.
Once you’re in Tulamben, you’ll find various accommodations ranging from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. Enjoy your diving adventures in one of Bali’s most famous dive sites!
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN TULAMBEN
There some pretty affordable and mid range accommodation where you can stay if you decide to base yourself there during your scuba diving experience.
Find here my recommendations of the best places to stay in Tulamben.
Bali Reef Divers: This is a very nice hotel with an outdoor pool and a very good price. The hotel is located just around 350 meters from the Liberty Shipwreck and it offers room with fridge and a minibar. Perfect place if you are traveling Bali on a budget but you would still like to experience some comfort.
Scuba Seraya Resort: This is a mid range resort located a bit more than 1Km from Tulamben beach. This resort features an outdoor swimming pool with a garden and a shared lounge. All rooms have air conditioning and private bathroom and some of them a balcony with a sea view. A lovely place with some luxury if you are willing to spend a bit in your accommodation.
Matahari Tulamben Resort and Spa: This is a lovely beachfront property at very affordable price and with a lovely outdoor pool. You can relax at the hammocks and sun beds located in the garden and terrace. You can request for a massage or beauty treatment available at the span. This is one of my top recommendation in this area.
Paradise Palm Beach Bungalows and Diver center: This is a perfect beachfront property with lush greenery and diving school on site. The place is very located to the Liberty wreck and offers Wifi and a restaurant.
BEST TULAMBEN SCUBA DIVING TOURS
BALI TULAMBEN DIVING THE LIVERTY WRECK WITH TRANSFER
Duration: 9 hours
Rating: New activity
You will be picked up at your location in other places of the island Gods and brought into this fantastic location for some diving.
BALI TULAMBEN BEGINNER DIVE EXPERIENCE
Duration: 9 hours
Rating: 4.9 / 5
Due to its great visibility and mild diving conditions Tulamben is the perfect place to have an introduction to scuba diving and you do not need to stay in Tulam as the tour includes pick-up in several areas in South Bali.
BALI 3 DAY OPEN WATER COURSE
Duration: 3 Days
Rating: 4.9 / 5
Bali is the perfect location to get your Open Water Scuba Diving certification and this course will get your certified in three days and will include dives in some of the Tulamben dive sites.
BALI 2 DAY ADVANCED OPEN WATER COURSE
Duration: 2 days
Rating: 5/5
Take your advance diving specialty while diving one of the most beautiful dives sites in Bali. This tour includes pick up at several locations in Bali
BEST DIVE SITES IN TULAMBEN
- USAT Liberty Shipwreck:
The USAT Liberty Shoipwreck is the most famous dive site in Tulamben and one of the most iconic dive sites in Bali. The wreck is a World War II cargo ship that was sank by a a Japanese submarine torpedo in 1942.
The Wreck is very close to the shore. It starts at 5 meters depth and extends to approximately 30 meters. The wreck is covered in colorful coral and is home to a wide variety of marine life.
The wreck structures are safe and wide enough for divers to for divers to swim through while having some pretty impressive marine encounters, such as turtles, barracudas and reef sharks.
- Coral Garden:
The Coral Garden is just located a short distance from the Liberty wreck and it is known for its breathtaking coral formations and rich biodiversity.
You can observe reef fish, macro critters, some bumphead, parrotfish and reef sharks.
- Drop-Off:
The drop- off consists of a steep wall that ultimately descends into the depths of the Bali sea and it is idea for spectacular visibility and presents opportunities for some deep dives.
There is a diversity of marine life along the wall, such as colorful corals, sponges, sea fans and reef fish. You could even be lucky and have a Mola Mola encounter.
- Suci Place:
This is the less known dive site in Tulamben and it is located a bit further away from the other dive sites in the area. There are several interesting coral formations as well as nudibranchs, shrimps, moray eels and octopuses.
- Tulamben Wall:
This is a vertical wall located to the west of the USAT Liberty wreck and features a vertical wall covered in colorful corals and sponges.
The dive consists of descend along the wall and its beautiful formations and swim-throughs while encountering angel fish, groupers and schools of snappers.
BEST TIME FOR SCUBA DIVING IN TULAMBEN
The best time to scuba dive in Tulamben is during the Bali dry season, from April to November. During this period the weather is usually better with clear skies and not much rainfall and underwater visibility is usually at its best.
The sea temperature is warm and comfortable for water activities and scuba diving, between 27°C to 30°C (80°F to 86°F). Marine life is always abundant in all dive sites in Tulamben but during the dry months there is a chance of spotting manta rays and whale sharks.
However, diving conditions can still be enjoyable in the wet season, with occasional rain showers and slightly reduced visibility. I have dived myself Tulamben some times during the wet season and it was still pretty good diving.
HOW MUCH DIVING IN TULAMBEN COSTS?
The cost of diving in Tulamben can vary depending on several factors such as the dive operator, the number of dives, equipment rental, point of departure and any additional services provided. Generally, a single dive in Tulamben can range from $30 to $50 USD, while multiple dives or dive packages may offer discounts. Equipment rental, if needed, can add an extra $10 to $20 USD per day. Some dive operators may also offer guided dives or specialty courses at additional costs. The dive sites in Tulamben are pretty popular so I recommend you to book your diving trip in advance if you are visiting during rainy season.
TULAMBEN DIVING FAQs
IS TULAMBEN GOOD FOR DIVING?
Yes, Tulamben is a top diving destination and one of the best places where I have ever dived. If you are coming to Bali I recommend you to spared at least a couple of days to dive some of the best dive sites in this amazing fishing village.
HOW DEEP CAN YOU DIVE IN TULAMBEN?
You can dive at all depths in Tulamben up to 70 meters if you are a trained technical diver, the drop -off. Always remember to stick to the depth that your certification and experience allows.
WHAT PART OF BALI HAS THE BEST DIVING
Nusa Penida is the top diving destination in Bali, drawing enthusiasts eager to encounter manta rays and and the sunfish, mola mola. Additionally, the Northeast coast of Bali is celebrated for its diverse macro sites and the iconic USAT Liberty shipwreck, offering exceptional reef diving experiences as well.
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