Diving the North Coast

From the coral gardens of Amed to the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben. Why the north coast is one of Bali's great secrets for divers.

The north coast of Bali is, by any measure, one of the great diving destinations in Southeast Asia. The water is warm year-round, visibility regularly exceeds 25 metres, and the marine biodiversity rivals anywhere in the Coral Triangle. Yet compared to Raja Ampat or Komodo, the north coast remains remarkably uncrowded.

The headline site is the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, a cargo ship torpedoed during World War II and now resting in shallow water just 30 metres from shore. The wreck is encrusted with soft corals, sea fans, and sponges, and home to reef sharks, barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, and an astonishing variety of nudibranchs. Because the wreck starts at just 5 metres depth, it is accessible to snorkellers and beginners as well as experienced divers.

East of Tulamben, the coastline around Amed offers wall dives that drop from coral-covered shallows into deep blue. The Japanese Shipwreck, a small fishing vessel sitting upright at 12 metres, is a gentle dive with guaranteed encounters with sweetlips, lionfish, and batfish. The coral gardens at Jemeluk Bay are among the healthiest in Bali.

What makes the north coast special for divers is the combination of easy access and genuine wildness. There are no long boat rides to reach the sites. Many are shore dives or a five-minute jukung ride from the beach. The infrastructure is simple but the diving is world-class.

From VELA, the nearest dive sites are 15 to 40 minutes by car. We work with experienced local operators who know these waters intimately. Whether you are a first-time diver or logging your 500th dive, the north coast has something extraordinary to show you.