Beyond the post-card beaches and quirky brunch spots, a whole other Bali is waiting for you, under the sea.
What can you expect?
Some of the most vibrant, diverse, and heart-achingly beautiful dive sites in the world. With warm tropical waters, year-round diving, and marine biodiversity that rivals the best in Southeast Asia, Bali offers something for every aspiring aquanaut.
Whether you’re a curious beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned diver chasing rare encounters, the Island of the Gods is ready to take you beneath the surface and introduce you to a kind of beauty you won’t find on dry land.Here are Nico Dives Cool’s top 7 picks for the best diving in Bali in 2025:
1. Nusa Penida – Manta Rays & Mola Molas
Nusa Penida is Bali’s showstopper when it comes to big ocean life.
At Manta Point, get ready for close encounters with these graceful giants as they glide over cleaning stations. Over at Crystal Bay, deeper dives may reward you with a glimpse of the mysterious and massive Mola Mola (Sunfish), especially in the colder months.
With Nico Dives Cool, we organize diving and snorkeling day trips to Nusa Penida almost every single day.
Want to meet a Manta? Just say the word.
Best Month for Diving in Nusa Penida: July–October (for Mola Mola); April–November (for Manta Rays)
Recommended Dive Timing for Nusa Penida: Early morning, before the currents pick up or as the last dive for Manta Point, to avoid the crowd.
Price for the day trip 3 dives in Nusa Penida :
- 3,000,000 IDR per certified diver
- 3,500,000 IDR for non-certified diver with prior diving experience
- 1,800,000 IDR per snorkeler
2. Tulamben – Home of the Famous Liberty Wreck
This legendary dive site is a must-do for anyone diving in Bali.
Just a 2-hour scenic drive from Sanur, passing sprawling rice fields and close-up views of Mount Agung, Tulamben is world famous for the USAT Liberty Wreck, a 120-meter-long WWII cargo ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and later pushed ashore by a volcanic eruption. Today, it lies just 30 meters from the beach and is completely encrusted with soft coral, sponges, and home to a thriving marine ecosystem.
At Nico Dives Cool, we take our Open Water students here on Day 3 of the course.
Yes, you can get certified diving a real wreck. How cool is that?
Beginners and snorkelers are also welcome to dive on this sensational wreck.
Best Month for diving in Tulamben: May–October
Recommended Dive Timing for Tulamben: Early morning for calm surface conditions and fewer divers.
Price for the day trip 2 dives in Tulamben :
- 1,900,000 IDR per certified diver
- 2,400,000 IDR per beginner
- 1,050,000 IDR per snorkeler
3. Padang Bai – Blue Lagoon & Jepun Reef
Only 45 minutes from Sanur, Padang Bai is one of Bali’s best all-round dive destinations, perfect for beginner and intermediate divers alike, and known for its vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life.
Blue Lagoon offers gentle slopes with colorful soft corals, while Jepun Reef is great for spotting Frogfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, the occasional Cuttlefish, turtles, and Clownfish (yes, Nemo lives here). If you’re lucky, a reef shark might just cruise by!
We visit Padang Bai on Day 2 of our Open Water course, and trust us, taking a dive from a traditional jukung (balinese wooden boat) into the clear, electric blue-water is not just visually stunning, it’s a unique way to experience the local culture and natural beauty all at once.
Best Month for diving in Padang Bai: Year-round (best visibility from May–October)
Recommended Dive Timing for Padang Bai: Morning dives, when visibility is at its best
Price for the day trip 2 dives in Padang Bai :
- 2,000,000 IDR per certified diver
- 2,400,000 IDR per beginner
- 1,150,000 IDR per snorkeler
4. Amed – Relaxed Reefs & Macro Magic
Amed is a quiet coastal village just north of Tulamben, known for its black-sand beaches and laid-back vibe. The reefs here are shallow, easy to access from shore, and rich with life, making it ideal for long, relaxed dives. Macro lovers will have a field day hunting for Nudibranchs, Pygmy Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, and Ornate Shrimp.
Amed is peaceful above water, but below, it’s a treasure trove.
Best Month for diving in Amed: April–November
Recommended Dive Timing for Amed: Late morning to early afternoon, when lighting is best for macro photography.
Price for the day trip 2 dives in Amed :
- 2,100,000 IDR per certified diver
- 2,400,000 IDR per beginner
- 1,150,000 IDR per snorkeler
5. Seraya – Underwater Photography Paradise
Just south of Tulamben, Seraya Secrets is a must for serious photographers and critter hunters. This muck dive site offers dark volcanic sand and little to no current – perfect for spotting rare and tiny species like Harlequin Shrimp, Boxer Crabs, Mimic Octopuses, and Hairy Frogfish.
In the same area, other great muck dives sites less visited but not to be missed, are Sidem, Batu Niti, Batu Belah and Kuwanji.It’s a dream for macro lovers and underwater photographers looking to capture wonderful rare species and smaller marine life and diving with Nitrox is highly recommended to extend bottom time and make the most of every shot.
Best Month for diving in Seraya : May–October
Recommended Dive Timing for Seraya: Midday, when sunlight helps spot tiny creatures.
Price for the day trip in Seraya, Batu Niti or Sidem :
- 1,900,000 IDR per certified diver for 2 dives
- 2,400,000 IDR per certified diver for 3 dives
6. Gili Tepekong –Where Thrill Meets Natural Beauty
Known for its unpredictable, powerful and swirling currents, Gili Tepekong in Candidasa is a dive site that commands both skill and respect. It’s not recommended for beginners and open water divers, but for experienced divers, it’s a thrill. The site features dramatic topography, steep walls, deep caves, and overhangs where White Tip Reef Sharks, Barracuda, and even Oceanic Sunfish have been spotted. For those ready to take on the challenge, Gili Tepekong is pure excitement from start to finish.
To maximize your bottom time and safely explore the full extent of the shark cave, diving in Nitrox is recommended.Diving here safely requires precision timing and knowledge of the tides – so it’s best to go with a center that knows it inside out (like us!).
Best Month for diving in Gili Tepekong: June–October
Recommended Dive Timing for Gili Tepekong: Depends on the tides. Usually early morning before currents peak.
Price for the day trip 3 dives in Candidasa :
- 2,800,000 IDR per certified diver
7. Menjangan Island – Walls of Wonder
Located in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island offers some of the most spectacular wall diving in Bali. The walls drop down 40+ meters and are adorned with dramatic coral formations, sea fans, and schools of reef fish. The water here is incredibly clear – expect up to 30 meters of visibility on a good day. It’s ideal for divers of all levels.
It takes a bit of travel, but we can help you plan a custom multi-day dive safari to make it a stress-free and unforgettable experience.
Best Month for diving in Menjangan: May–September
Recommended Dive Timing for Menjangan: Mid-morning to early afternoon for calm conditions
Custom dive package in the area (including Pemuteran) : on request.
Why Dive with Nico Dives Cool?
At Nico Dives Cool, we keep things personalised and safe. We believe learning to dive or exploring new sites should never feel rushed or crowded. That’s why we run small group diving and snorkeling trips, with usually no more than two students per instructor, unless, of course, you’d like to learn alongside friends.
We’re proud to be ranked #1 out of 321 Tours in Sanur on TripAdvisor, with over 1,000 glowing 5-star reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook. Our divers love the warm, welcoming vibe, and we love welcoming you into the NDC family.
We exclusively use premium equipment like Apeks, Scuba Pro & Mares regulators, Suunto dive computers, and Aqualung BCDs. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities.
And beyond that? We care deeply about the ocean we dive in. As an award-winning eco dive shop, we refill our water bottles, bake our own plastic-free snacks, and segregate our waste, because protecting the planet is part of the adventure too.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
Whether you’re itching to get certified, looking for your next unforgettable dive trip, or just want to snorkel with Bali’s ocean friends, Nico Dives Cool is here to introduce you to the best diving in Bali.
Check out our dive trips, dive packages & safaris, or courses, and let’s plan your thrilling, underwater Bali adventure in 2025.
