When you think of Bali, chances are you’re picturing rice terraces, volcanic ridges, forest trails, and sunsets… not to mention, an underwater world that’s equally picturesque.
But once you’ve arrived on this Island of the Gods, you might find yourself in a friendly dilemma: should you snorkel or dive?
At Nico Dives Cool, we believe both can be magical, but depending on who you are, one might suit you better than the other.
Let’s break it down.
The Underwater World: Surface vs. Depth
Snorkelers vs. Divers: Who Really Sees the Ocean?
Snorkeling is the more accessible gateway to marine life. You float on the surface, mask on, and peer down as fish, corals, and sometimes turtles greet you in the sunlit shallows. You don’t need much training, as snorkeling is generally accessible and easy for most people. It’s perfect for family trips, for days when you’re short on time, or when you want a relaxed introduction to Bali’s marine colours.
However, don’t be mistaken. Snorkeling isn’t always effortless. Depending on the sea conditions, waves or currents can make it physically demanding, and water may occasionally enter your snorkel. Still, it’s an activity open to everyone. Think of it as swimming above a living aquarium, watching the scene unfold below you. More experienced snorkelers often dive below the surface, holding their breath to explore coral gardens and marine life up close before returning to the surface, a style known as freediving.
Diving, on the other hand, is not just about going deeper; it’s about slowing down. Once underwater, you’re completely immersed in the ocean, at the same level as the fish around you. The only sound you hear is your own breath. It’s calm, weightless, and meditative, a feeling many divers describe as pure serenity.
With open-water diving, you can descend to 12 meters (or more, depending on your training) and explore coral walls, wrecks, and marine creatures that never venture near the surface.
In Bali, snorkeling sites are spread around Padang Bai, Tulamben, Amed and Nusa Penida, among others. But many of the dive sites that make Bali famous, like the USAT Liberty wreck or deep reef walls, are beyond what snorkelers can reach.
Manta Point, however, is a rare exception. It offers an unforgettable experience for both divers and snorkelers. Here, manta rays glide gracefully near the surface, allowing snorkelers to watch their sweeping movements from above while divers observe them from below. Whether you’re floating on the water or exploring beneath it, witnessing these gentle giants in their natural habitat is nothing short of magical.
What It Takes: Effort, Training & Safety
One of the big deciding factors is how much time, effort, and training you’re willing to commit.
Snorkeling: Minimal gear (mask, snorkel, fins), quick briefings, low training barrier. Great for spontaneous dives on your last holiday day.
Diving: A bit more commitment. You’ll go through a pool or shallow-water session, learn safety protocols, buoyancy control, and basic dive theory before heading out to open water. Nico Dives Cool keeps its course groups small (rarely more than two students per instructor), so you get focused attention and safe learning.
Also, if you choose to start scuba diving, you’ll need to repeat the basic skills in shallow water before each open-water dive
From a safety perspective, diving requires mindfulness, monitoring depth, managing air, and understanding currents, but when done right, it’s deeply relaxing and rewarding, offering views and encounters far beyond the surface.
Diving Bali: Why This Island Loves To Plunge Deeper
Bali sits inside the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine regions on earth. That means when you dive, you’re swimming in a hotspot for marine species, corals, reefs, wrecks, and macro life. Some highlights that Nico Dives Cool regularly visits include:
Sanur / Penjor Reef – gentle slope reefs dotted with nudibranchs, octopus, sea snakes, crabs and sometimes reef sharks.
Tulamben – home to the USAT Liberty wreck, an accessible wreck for divers of all levels, shrouded in coral and marine life.
Padang Bai / Amed – macro and muck dives, reef walls, and varying conditions.
Nusa Penida & Gilis – drift dives, strong currents, manta ray congregations, and potential Mola mola sightings.
Because Bali is a major tourism hub, dive infrastructure is solid, many certified dive operators like Nico Dives Cool operate across the island, and islands like Nusa Penida are just a short boat ride away.
Local expats, tourists, and Balinese become part of the dive community. For those who live in Bali or stay long-term, getting diving certified is not just a bucket-list act; it’s a way to explore a world beneath home waters and connect with marine conservation efforts locally. Nico Dives Cool offers courses for locals and expats alike.
Which One Is Right for You?
| Needs | Snorkelling | Diving |
| Quick, low-commitment underwater experience | ✅ | |
| Surface-level excursion | ✅ | |
| Deeper exploration | ✅ | |
| Minimal training & preparation time | ✅ | |
| Potential to earn a certification | ✅ | |
| Budget-friendly option | ✅ | |
| Personalised instruction & safety | ✅ | ✅ |
If your heart says, “I want the full experience,” then Bali diving is for you. If you want just a glimpse of the beauty underwater, snorkeling is perfect. And in many cases, with a dive center like Nico Dives Cool, divers and snorkelers can share the same trip and explore the same dive sites, but with different guides.
Seamless Diving with Nico Dives Cool
We’re proud of how Nico Dives Cool weaves both snorkeling and diving into your Bali experience:
Small groups & personal attention: Your student-instructor ratio is intentionally low. Safety and enjoyment come first.
Try Diving / Discover Scuba Diving: Starting from age 10, with a shallow water session and two open-water dives (max depth around 12m, depending on your comfort) or from age 8, with a shallow water session and two open-water dives (maximum depth 5 m) included.
Full certification & specialty courses: Open Water, Advanced, specialty dives (wreck, night, navigation, nitrox, perfect buoyancy, and more) for beginners to pros.
Snorkeling trips: day trip, including 2-3 hour water sessions, inclusive of gear, meals, and transport.
Day trips & multi-day safaris: Want to dive or snorkel across Bali’s hotspots? We do full-day diving and snorkeling day trips, as well as multi-day Diving Safaris.
So, if you come to Bali and claim, “I’m not sure whether to go snorkeling or diving,” we’ll help you see the options, start gently, and, if your curiosity nudges you deeper, we’ll guide you all the way.
The reefs are calling, whether it’s from just below the surface or from 12 meters down.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Bali for just a few days and want a relaxing underwater excursion, snorkeling is an ideal pick. But if you’re here for longer, or your heart is drawn to the deeper blue, diving is where Bali truly reveals its treasures.
At Nico Dives Cool, we’ll meet you where you are, whether you’re dipping your toes into underwater wonder or ready to plunge in fully.
And trust us, once you’ve tasted the silent calm, witnessed the wonder of marine life, and that weightless freedom underwater, you’ll find it hard to stay on the surface forever.
Because once you experience the silence, the slow rhythm of your breath, and the freedom of being part of the ocean, you’ll understand that snorkeling or diving isn’t just about depth, it’s also about peace.
So, ready to choose, or ready to combine both? Dive in or float above. Bali’s underwater world is waiting.
