What to expect
Bali has a reputation as being one of the most desirable travel destinations due to its beautiful beaches, rich culture and enchanting waters. The island is home to many world-class diving locations and is the habitat to a diverse species of marine life.
Located on the equator, the weather is tropical all year round with temperatures ranging from 30 to 32 Celsius and lows in the 24 to 26 Celsius. There are two distinct seasons in Bali, the dry season that runs from May to September brings dry southeast winds from the neighboring Australian continent and the wet season that runs from November to March that bring in moist air.
In this article, we’ll give you some insight for the best times to dive in Bali as well as our recommendations.
Bali has two distinct seasons one being the wet and the other being the dry season. In general, the best time to go diving are during the transition months as the season changes. This would mean around April or October, when the seas are relatively calm and the winds are gentle. In addition, the local Balinese have a lunar calendar known as the Saka. According to their lunar calendar, the best times to go underwater are during Sasih Kapat which is September through October, and the worst time being Sasih Kesanga during the early months of the year on February through March.
MANTA POINT
Although Manta rays can be seen year-round along most of Nusa Penida’s south west coast, there are two main ‘Manta Points’: Manta Point I and Manta Point II.
This area of coastline has dramatic limestone cliffs that descend straight into the ocean.In addition, although we do not encounter currents here, the swell can make entry impossible. There’s a sandy bottom at 12-18m, however the Cleaning Station (a large rock) which is the focus of most dives here, is only 5m below the surface.
Both Mnata Point I and Manta Point II sites you may also see other pelagics such as Nurse sharks, big tuna and Tiger mackerel. In sheltered areas you can see lionfish, octopus and cuttlefish; some big triggerfish including Clown triggerfish, and pufferfish.
CYRSTAL BAY
Crystal Bay aka Penida Bay is the best known dive site in Bali for seeing Mola-Mola (Ocean sunfish) during the July to mid-November season.
This doesn’t mean it’s the only place to see them – which is good because, in high season, there can be quite a number of boats/divers here with everyone hoping for a glimpse of the elusive Mola-Mola.
Following the north side of the bay around, we come to a Bat Cave: Enter from underwater, surface inside the cave (which is open to the sky) where bats sleep overhead – big waves may crash in through the top. Sometimes small reef sharks are in the cave, but they generally leave when divers arrive.
Continuing along the (very deep) wall from the Bat Cave at 20-24m, the hard corals provide homes for a number of lobsters.
TULAMBEN DIVE SITE
Tulamben has become Bali’s most famous diving area and therefore where you are most likely to meet internationally recognised underwater photographers and writers.
Tulamben Bay, like the rest of Bali, is situated in the world’s richest marine biogeographic zone: The Indo-Pacific. Being on the north east coast, the bay receives very plankton-rich waters from the major ocean current that moves from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. This, coupled with the fact that the three main dive sites provide totally different physical environments, means that Tulamben contains a stunningly diverse underwater ecosystem.
These include the USAT Liberty Wreck, the Coral Garden or house reef, and the Drop-Off/Wall dive.