Bali, the island of the gods, is a paradise for all diving enthusiasts looking for diversity. Bali is a dream for all the senses: the bright green of the rice terraces, the sweet scent of the frangipani blossom, the radiant blue of the ocean and the imposing volcanoes in the background. Bali’s diving areas are also teeming with life and offer a wealth of variety and exoticism, with colourful coral reefs, huge shoals of fish and rays, cave diving and muck diving.
The east of Bali, characterised by the holy mountain, the volcano Gunung Agung and impressive diving spots, is particularly popular with divers. To discover this beautiful side of Bali, the villages of Candi Dasa, Padang Bai and Amed are ideal starting points, as they are well prepared for the needs of diving holidaymakers. Since the diving areas are suitable for beginners and advanced divers, every sea lover can experience the wonders of Bali’s underwater world here.
The diving oasis on Bali’s east coast: Amed
Amed is a quiet fishing village on the black sand coast in the east of Bali. It is the perfect destination for divers looking for an authentic Balinese experience while enjoying a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Most of the dive sites can be reached from the beach or after a 10-15 minute boat ride in a traditional fishing boat, a jukung.
The once small, sleepy fishing village has seen the development of numerous hotels, restaurants and diving centres along the coast, providing a good infrastructure for divers. The pleasant water temperatures and good visibility, together with the colourful reefs, ensure unforgettable diving and snorkelling experiences.
Muck diving in Seraya Secrets
Bali is home to some famous muck diving sites, where incredible creatures can be discovered on the muddy seabed. This is also the case on Bali’s east coast. A very good dive site to see colourful, unusual creatures on black volcanic sand is Seraya Secrets, which has a very rich flora and fauna. Night dives here are particularly spectacular, as even more amazing creatures can be discovered in the dark.
Snorkelling and freediving at Jemeluk Beach
The beautiful bay of Jemeluk offers clear water, colourful shoals of fish and large coral gardens just below the surface, making it the perfect place for snorkelling. The bay is also popular with freedivers, who train at their buoys in deeper waters. There is also a nearby steep face where you can see even more colourful underwater life on a dive.
Japanese Ship Wreck Point
Like most of the dive sites in Amed, this overgrown shipwreck is close to the shore and is exciting for both divers and snorkelers, as it is between 2 and 12 metres deep. The small shipwreck is now home to many sea creatures and is close to coral fields that attract even more colourful reef fish.
Pyramids: an artificial reef as a habitat
Unfortunately, these are not real pyramids, but concrete blocks that were sunk in the 1990s. They act as an artificial reef and are home to numerous schools of fish, juvenile fish, exotic creatures and large predatory fish. In Pyramids, you really do encounter a wide variety of marine life while diving.
Discover culture and nature in Candi Dasa
The town of Candi Dasa is a settlement of restaurants, losmen, hotels and shops along a road close to the sea. What the place lacks in original flair is made up for by the large Pura Candidasa temple, the good tourist infrastructure and the beautiful natural surroundings. These include the surrounding mountains and rice terraces, as well as the excellent diving sites around the offshore islets. The small islands, such as Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, lie in the passage between Bali and Lombok, which is why there is usually a strong current at the dive sites. For beginners, the conditions at the neighbouring dive sites such as Amed or Padang Bai are therefore better. However, experienced divers can expect beautiful and exciting dives around Candi Dasa, because where there is a current, there are also large fish such as reef sharks and moon fish.
Current and excitement at Gili Biaha
The dive site Gili Biaha offers a particularly exciting dive for experienced divers, because in addition to strong, changing currents, there is a small cave where you can often see reef sharks. Divers who take on the challenging conditions will be rewarded with lots of fish and an unforgettable adventure.
Relaxed, diverse diving around Padang Bai
The pleasant harbour town of Padang Bai is a starting point for trips to Lombok, the Gilis and Nusa Lembongan, as well as a quiet place to enjoy the surrounding diving areas. In addition to beautiful beaches and nearby diving spots, Padang Bai offers accommodation for every budget, restaurants and tranquillity.
The house reef of Padang Bai: the Blue Lagoon
As the reef of Blue Lagoon is very close to the coast, its diving areas are particularly suitable for beginners and divers who like a more relaxed experience. Since most spots are no deeper than 25 metres and rarely exposed to currents, you can look forward to a relaxed time underwater. Thanks to the good coral population and great biodiversity, you can see many different fish here, so you will never get bored.
Colourful diversity in Bias Tugal
The beautiful white sandy beach in the southwest of Padang Bai attracts tourists and divers alike. The sandy bottom is interspersed with beautiful coral fields and slopes gently, making this dive site in the east of Bali perfect for snorkelers and divers of all levels. At the end of the bay, the reef drops to about 30 metres. Here you can often see turtles, reef sharks and various schools of fish.
Simple but colourful: Tanjung Sari
The Tanjung Sari dive site is a little less sheltered and faces the open sea. It is a great place to observe interesting sea creatures. Here you have a good chance of seeing large pelagic fish passing by, while the shallow part, with its colourful corals and large sponges, is the habitat of numerous fish, turtles, octopuses and moray eels. It is a simple dive site that has a lot to offer.
Conclusion: Who should go diving on the east coast of Bali
The tranquil east coast of Bali offers relaxation and adventure – especially underwater. Since the infrastructure is designed with divers in mind, you can explore the surrounding reefs here in a relaxed manner. Most of the dive sites are not far from the shore and are often close to the surface, making them suitable for snorkelers, beginners and experienced divers alike. The vibrant underwater world, with colourful corals and large fish, ensures unforgettable diving experiences, while the typical Balinese life on land offers culture and relaxation.
