Fun Diving by Bali Diving (For Certified Diver)

The most compelling choice here is the setting: you can explore the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, look for manta rays off Nusa Penida, or choose quieter reef sites around Amed and Padang Bai. Each route gives you a different reason to get into the water, and the Nusa Penida option can include three underwater stops in one day.

I like two practical things about this trip: equipment, marine park fees, and an experienced dive leader are included, so you avoid assembling the basics yourself; and hotel transport is available from Central Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Sanur. One consideration is that Bali’s sea and road conditions can change the plan. A planned site may be replaced, and manta or other wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What to know before you book

1 / 4

2 / 4

3 / 4

4 / 4

1 / 4

• Tulamben means wreck time: The two underwater sessions visit separate sections of the USAT Liberty, a shipwreck that gives this route a distinctive focus.
• Nusa Penida adds a chance of manta rays: The usual plan includes Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and The Mangroves, but sites depend on conditions.
• Padang Bai uses a traditional Jukung boat: The outrigger takes you to bays and reefs, with the second site chosen according to the day’s conditions.
• Amed pairs two water sessions with lunch: Expect an early start, a beachfront café meal, and the chance to snorkel instead of taking one or both sessions.
• South Bali pickup is included in select areas: Hotel collection is available in Central Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Sanur. Other areas carry a stated US$27 surcharge.
• Your certification card matters: Bring it, along with swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and any camera you want to use.

👉 See our pick of the 2 Best Self-Guided Tours In Denpasar

Pick a route for the underwater day you want

This is not one fixed tour with a single set of sights. Bali Diving offers four route choices: Tulamben, Padang Bai, Amed, and Nusa Penida with Manta Point. The right pick depends on what interests you most, how you feel about boat travel, and how much time you want to spend getting to the coast.

Tulamben is the wreck route. Its main attraction is the USAT Liberty, with one session around the bow section and another around the stern. You get two different parts of the same wreck rather than a mix of unrelated sites, which makes this a good choice if the ship itself is the reason you came.

Padang Bai is the flexible reef option. You may visit Blue Lagoon or another bay, then move to a second area chosen according to conditions. It is also the route that uses a local Jukung, a traditional outrigger boat. The day is shorter than the Tulamben or Amed schedules, though visibility and currents can vary.

Amed offers a more relaxed coastal feel. The plan includes two opportunities to snorkel or take part in a scuba session, with lunch at a beachfront café in between. That flexibility may suit you if you want time in the water but prefer not to commit to two scuba sessions.

Nusa Penida and Manta Point is the biggest wildlife draw. The plan includes Manta Point and Crystal Bay, followed by The Mangroves or another site selected for conditions. Manta rays are a real possibility, but no operator can promise an encounter. A sighting of the elusive mola mola is even less certain, so book this route for the chance to see local marine life, not a guaranteed animal checklist.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The stated starting price is US$109.99, while listed package prices begin at US$99.99 for Padang Bai, US$102.79 for Amed, and US$183.35 for Nusa Penida and Manta Point. These are route-dependent prices, so check the exact date and option before you commit. Tulamben does not have a separate price shown in the details provided.

For the cost, the useful inclusions are the equipment rental, an experienced dive leader, marine park entry fees, bottled water, lunch, and tea or coffee at the center. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Central Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Sanur. A boat is included where the chosen route requires one.

The package is especially convenient if you do not want to arrange transport, equipment, and site access separately. But a few extras are on you: a dive computer, underwater camera, swimwear, and towel are not included. The center can rent a dive computer, GoPro, and towel, though you should confirm the rental cost directly before setting out. Bring your own camera if you have one.

There is also an optional DAN insurance policy designed for divers. It is not included in the package. If you want this cover, ask the operator about it before the trip.

Tulamben: two sections of the USAT Liberty

Tulamben starts early. Pickup is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. from hotels in the service area, or 7:45 a.m. in Sanur. At 8:00 a.m., you reach Bali Diving for equipment fitting and checks before heading out by bus. The group is scheduled to arrive at Tulamben around 10:00 a.m.

The first session is at the bow section of the USAT Liberty wreck, followed by lunch at a beachfront café at noon. At 1:00 p.m., you return to the water at the stern section. The schedule has you leaving Tulamben at 2:30 p.m., reaching the Sanur center around 5:00 p.m., and arriving back at your hotel at about 5:30 p.m.

That is a substantial day, with several hours of road travel around two underwater sessions. The reward is a focused look at a famous wreck, rather than a quick dip at a nearby reef. The two sections give you a reason to look carefully on both outings. If you are prone to motion sickness on roads, plan accordingly, and do not book a tight evening commitment.

Padang Bai: bays, reefs, and an outrigger

Padang Bai is on Bali’s west coast, roughly an hour’s drive from the center and near the boat crossing to Lombok. The day begins with a 7:00 a.m. hotel pickup or a 7:45 a.m. pickup in Sanur. After equipment fitting at the center, the bus is scheduled to reach Padang Bai around 9:15 a.m.

The first session is planned for 9:30 a.m. at Blue Lagoon or another bay or reef. Afterward, you have a surface interval and time to swim aboard a local Jukung. The second session, at about 11:00 a.m., takes place in another part of the Padang Bai area, selected according to conditions. The schedule returns you to the center around 2:30 p.m., with hotel drop-off around 3:00 p.m.

This is the most compact of the listed land-based routes, which can make it a sensible choice if you want two sessions without giving up the whole day. The Jukung is part of the local character of the outing, but it is a small traditional boat, not a large comfort-first vessel. Sea conditions matter here: visibility and currents may change, and the planned duration underwater can be shortened if the guide considers conditions unsuitable.

Amed: an unhurried lunch break

Amed follows much the same early rhythm as Tulamben, with pickup at 7:00 a.m. from the hotel areas and 7:45 a.m. in Sanur. After equipment checks at the center, the bus is scheduled to arrive at Amed around 10:00 a.m. You then have a choice to snorkel or take the first scuba session.

Lunch is at a beachfront café at noon. At 1:00 p.m., you can snorkel or take a second session, before leaving Amed at 2:30 p.m. The return schedule puts you at the Sanur center around 5:00 p.m. and back at your hotel at about 5:30 p.m.

The option to snorkel is useful if you want a less demanding day or need to decide after seeing the conditions. The route has drawn praise for healthy coral, fish, and sightings of turtles and a shark, though wildlife varies and cannot be guaranteed. The downside is the long round trip from South Bali. Count on most of the day being taken up by transport and time at the coast.

Nusa Penida: the longest day and the biggest sea gamble

The Nusa Penida route is the priciest listed option, starting at US$183.35. Its schedule begins with hotel pickup at 7:00 a.m. and a Sanur pickup at 7:45 a.m. It also lists coffee, registration, and equipment fitting at the center at 7:30 a.m., followed by boarding an ocean-going speedboat at Sanur Beach at 8:00 a.m. Because those times overlap, confirm your actual pickup and check-in details with the operator before the trip.

The planned order is Manta Point first, then Crystal Bay, with lunch onboard and time to swim or snorkel. A third session is scheduled at The Mangroves, or at another location if conditions call for a change. The boat is due back at Sanur around 3:00 p.m., with hotel drop-off between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m.

This route earns its higher price through the speedboat journey and the chance to visit several well-known sites in one day. Manta rays have been seen on this trip, sometimes in impressive numbers, but the sea is not a wildlife show on cue. Conditions can also make the boat ride uncomfortable. The boat has been described as small, and seasickness is a real possibility. Bring any motion-sickness remedy you normally use, and be prepared for a change in the plan.

Safety, timing, and what to pack

This activity is for certified participants aged 10 to 65, and you should bring your certification card. The operator checks certificates. Moderate physical fitness is required, and the activity is not recommended for anyone with a heart condition or another serious medical condition.

Pack swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and a camera if you want one. Bottled water is included, but bring anything else you need to feel comfortable through an early start and a long day. A dive computer is not included, and neither is an underwater camera. Ask the center about rentals ahead of time rather than assuming a particular model will be available.

Take post-session timing seriously. The operator strongly advises against mountain activities afterward and recommends waiting at least 18 hours before flying. If you are leaving Bali by air, plan the scuba day well before your departure.

Hotel pickup and drop-off cover Central Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Sanur. Be in the lobby five minutes before your selected pickup time, and provide your hotel address and contact number when booking. A US$27 surcharge applies for pickup areas outside the listed free zones, payable to the driver. If you are making your own way to the center, its address is Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 46E, Sanur Kauh, South Denpasar.

Who should book this Bali outing?

I would choose Tulamben if the wreck is your priority, Padang Bai if you want a shorter reef-focused day, and Amed if the option to snorkel appeals. Pick Nusa Penida when manta rays are high on your wish list and you are comfortable with a speedboat, a higher price, and changing sea conditions.

The package is best suited to certified scuba participants who value organized transport, included equipment, and a guide managing the day’s sites. It is less suited to anyone who needs a guaranteed wildlife encounter, dislikes long road journeys, or is sensitive to rough boat rides. Before booking, match the route to your stamina and schedule, confirm the pickup time, and leave at least 18 hours between your last session and a flight.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba certificate to join?

Yes. This is an activity for certified participants, and you should bring your certification card. The operator checks certificates.

What ages can take part?

Participants must be between 10 and 65 years old.

Which hotel areas have included pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available in Central Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, and Sanur. Pickup outside these areas has a stated US$27 surcharge, paid directly to the driver.

What should I bring?

Bring your certificate card, swimwear, towel, a change of clothes, and a camera if you want one. A dive computer and underwater camera are not included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included. Tulamben and Amed schedules specify a beachfront café, while the Nusa Penida route schedules lunch onboard.

Can the planned sites change?

Yes. Site choices depend on conditions. The Padang Bai and Nusa Penida schedules specifically allow for a different location if conditions require it.

How long should I wait before flying?

The operator recommends waiting at least 18 hours after scuba activity before taking a flight. It also strongly advises against mountain activities after the experience.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local time. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with stated exclusions for some booking types.