OUR DIVES SITES

USAT Liberty wreck

If you talk about diving in Bali with any seasoned diver, the first thing they’ll always mention is the USAT Liberty shipwreck. Indeed, this dive site in Bali is one of the most famous there is in the whole of Indonesia. Divers come from all around the world to explore this incredible dive site in Tulamben. Located half an hour away from our Dive Center in Amed, we take divers every day to explore this beautiful wreck. And let us tell you that no one has ever gotten disappointed after diving on the USAT Liberty wreck!

History of the USAT Liberty

The USAT Liberty was a 120 meter long United States Army cargo ship that left the coast of Australia in January 1942 to transport railways parts and rubber to the Philippines. As it was passing in between the islands of Lombok and Bali, it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on January 11th. The hull was leaking but there was an attempt to tow her to Singaraja, the Balinese capital at the time, in order to get her repaired. However, the USAT Liberty was sinking rapidly and had to be beached halfway through, in the small fishing village of Tulamben. The cargo was emptied and left to be dismantled by the local population.

For the next 20 years, she was left there, being slowly eaten away by the inhabitants as the raw material it was made of was quite precious to build houses and other things. But in 1963, the nearby volcano, Mount Agung, erupted. The tremors associated with the eruption caused the USAT Liberty to slide into the water. It now lies on the black sandy bottom of the Tanjung Muntik bay of Tulamben, at a depth between 7 and 35 meters, and became an extremely popular dive site.

Informations
Types of dives
Shipwreck
Level
Beginners and certified divers
Depth
Between 3M and 35M
Underwater wildlife
  • Sweetlips
  • Riflemen
  • Vivangaux
  • Groupers
  • Angel fish
  • Heterocongres
  • Barrel sponges
  • ...

Not enough wreck diving for you? Then have a look at our Dive Packages! We offer seasoned divers the opportunity to dive 3 shipwrecks in one day in the Amed-Tulamben area. You’ll start off with the Boga shipwreck, before heading to the USAT Liberty and you’ll finish with the Japanese wreck off the beach of Banyuning. A great way to explore the shipwreck landscape of the Amed-Tulamben area.

Tulamben’s Drop-off

One of the sites that is particularly cherished by divers coming around this part of Bali is the Tulamben Drop-off. Indeed, this dive site of Tulamben has made quite a name for itself due to its extreme depth (75-80m) and the variety of its underwater ecosystem. You’ll start your dive from the beach, also quite scenic, like most beaches around here, before heading to the cliffs on your right where most of your dive will take place.

Informations
Types of dives
Wall
Level
Certified divers
Underwater wildlife
  • Butterfly fish
  • Snappers
  • Puffer fish
  • Scorpion fish
  • Nudibranchs...
  • Giant sea fans
  • ...

Jemeluk Bay

Located only a few minutes away from Abyss Dive Center Bali, Jemeluk bay is one of the most popular dive sites in Amed. Overlooked by the majestic Mount Agung, Jemeluk beach is sprinkled with the jukungs of local fishermen. Its clear waters and absence of currents make it the perfect place for a peaceful dive. It is also a famous snorkeling site, due to the shallowness of its drop-off reef. Holiday-makers can find locals renting snorkeling gear on the beach at any time. Finally, the cliff overlooking Jemeluk bay is the best place in Amed from which to admire the sunset. Don’t miss this amazing show after diving in Jemeluk Bay.

An unusual dive site in Amed, Bali

Over the last 10 years, local diving associations have been sinking statues in order to brighten up the seabed of this bay. Those statues are the perfect base for corals to grow and thrive, as well as the ecosystem that goes with them. It is also well-known around here for its underwater mailbox. You can actually take with you a waterproof postcard and post it there, it will make its way to its recipient. Can’t do this in every dive, can you?

Informations
Types of dives
Natural & artificial reef
Level
Children, beginners and certified divers
Underwater wildlife
  • Silver moon
  • Batfish
  • Leaf fish
  • Stonefish
  • ...

Jemeluk wall

This dive site is mainly accessible to experienced divers. It is reachable from the beach but can also be done as a drift dive, using a traditional Balinese fishing boat called jukung. The break of The Wall starts at 15 meters and ends between a 40 and 50-meter depth.

Informations
Types of dives
Wall
Level
Certified divers
Underwater wildlife
  • Octopus
  • White tip reef shark
  • Fusilier
  • Sea fans
  • ...

Pyramids

Formerly known as the Congkang Reef, the Pyramid dive site is one of the most popular dive sites of Amed, Bali. Located very close to Abyss Dive Center Bali, this site is composed of a natural coral reef enhanced by artificial pyramids made of concrete blocks, sank by Balinese diving associations in 1995. This dive site in Amed can be accessed easily from the beach, which explains why it is also a very popular snorkeling site for tourists and locals. Indeed, some of the pyramids can be seen at a depth of 4-5 meters. So if you ever want to check it out before putting on your diving gear, just rent some snorkeling equipment on the beach and give it a go!

An iconic dive site in Amed

When going diving on the Pyramids dive site of Amed, you can expect to find around 30 hollow pyramids that have been colonised by the local wildlife over the last 20 years. There are two ways to access Pyramids. You can either start from the beach and progress towards the deeper end of the site, or you can board a jukung, a traditional Balinese fishing boat, and entry the site from there. If you do this dive from a boat, which is our favourite way, expect an amazing drift dive coming your way!

Informations
Types of dives
Natural and artificial reef
Level
Certified divers
Underwater wildlife

Japanese Wreck

The Japanese wreck Amed is one of the 3 wreck dives Abyss Dive Center Bali offers to its divers. Located 7 kilometers away from our office, in Banyuning, divers will find this cornerstone of Amed’s diving at a depth of 10 meters. Considering the fact that it is that shallow, the Japanese wreck of Amed is a popular snorkeling site. Driving around Amed, you’ll see many signs pointing you in its direction. The bay in which this ship once sunk also has a beautiful beach made of black coarse volcanic sand full of traditional Balinese fishing boats, the jukungs.

History of the Japanese Wreck

An aura of mystery surrounds this dive site of Amed. There are several theories explaining the presence and the name of the Japanese shipwreck in the bay of Banyuning. The first one is that « Japanese » is actually a deformation of the word « Javanese”, designating the island where this ship might actually be from, Java. It is said to be a fishing boat that wandered on this side of Bali while looking for some good catch. Considering how much closer from Bali this island is, it would indeed make a lot of sense. Another theory is that it is the wreck of a Japanese patrol ship sunk during the Second World War. Given the presence of victims of this war in the area, like the USAT Liberty, it is also a strong possibility. But some theories are more harebrained. Some people will tell you that the origin of the ship is unknown but that its name comes from the presence of Japanese style toilets aboard. So feel free to take your pick on this matter!

Informations
Types of dives
Shipwreck and natural reef
Level
Certified divers
Depth
To be defined according to your level (up to 40m)
Underwater wildlife
  • Clown fish
  • Nudibranchs
  • Puffer fish
  • Groupers
  • Hard corals
  • Soft coral garden
  • ...

Any certified diver is welcome to come diving on the Japanese wreck with Abyss Dive Center Bali. The Japanese wreck is the perfect place for a fun dive and we often take our guests to admire this major dive site of Amed. Moreover, it is part of our Shipwrecks Package. In one day, Abyss Dive Center Bali takes you to explore the 3 iconic shipwrecks of the Northeastern part of Bali, the Boga shipwreck, in Kubu, the USAT Liberty wreck, in Tulamben, and, finally, the Japanese wreck of Amed. Check out our Dive Packages offers to find out more!

However, due to the presence of currents, we won’t be able to take non-certified divers to the Japanese wreck of Amed for a Discover Scuba Dive in Amed.

Tulamben’s Coral Garden

Located 300 meters away from the USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben’s Coral Garden is the perfect place to get introduced to the wonders of diving in Bali. Indeed, it is one of Abyss Dive Center Bali’s privileged dive site in Tulamben for Discover Scuba Dives, before heading to the USAT Liberty wreck for the main show. Coral Garden is the perfect site for a peaceful dive, with perfect visibility at all times and a shallowness that allows seeing vibrant underwater wildlife .

What kind of dive to expect on Tulamben’s Coral Garden?

Coral Garden is the perfect place for light fun diving. The site is covered with statues and metallic structures that were sunk by local Balinese diving associations, such as pyramids and a plane made of wire. These human-made structures are perfect to create an artificial reef, which attracts corals, seaweed, and various species of fish that like to nest and hide in such formations. Also, thanks to great visibility, this dive site of Tulamben is perfect for underwater photography, so don’t forget your camera!

Informations
Types of dives
Natural and artificial reef
Level
Beginner sand certified divers
Underwater wildlife
  • Ribbon eel
  • Multicolored shell
  • Turtles
  • Octopuses
  • Coral nursery
  • ...

Other dive sites

épave du Boga

Boga Shipwreck

This wreck is the most recent in the area. Located in Kubu, this weather station boat was sunk in 2011 to create a new dive site. This dive is best for experienced divers as the bottom of the wreck reaches a 40m depth. This wreck is also often exposed to strong currents, which often allows visibility going up to 30m.

Bunutan Dive bali

Bunutan

Only level 2/Advanced divers can access this drift dive. The dive site starts on a 5m depth sandy bottom covered with garden eels. We then drift along a gentle slope down to 40 m to meet barracuda schools. The reef is colorful and covered with sea fans, so let yourself drift away and enjoy the show.

Sidem Amed Bali

Sidem

This dive site is renowned for muck dives. Get your camera ready! Rhinopias, pipefish, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, crabs, shrimps … be prepared to get your mind blown. This dive site is made of small rocks and seaweed, which makes it a perfect site for macro photography. 

Muck dive Batu Belah

Batu Belah

This site is close to Sidem, between Amed and Tulamben. Its specific location, at a distance from the main road, allows for great dives, protected from the wind and the swell. This dive site is hardly crowded, and scuba divers will particularly enjoy the quietness and beauty of this small bay, away from more solicited dive sites.

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