Learn to dive in Bali

It's no secret that Bali in Indonesia is home to some of the best diving on the planet. But, what you might not know is that it's also a great destination to learn to dive. Fortunately, our in-house dive travel experts - many of whom have lived in Bali for a number of years - know the island well, and we’ve distilled all of their most helpful knowledge into this article. 

Read on to discover the best places to learn to dive in Bali.

At a glance…

• Plenty of accessible dive sites with lots to see beneath the waves
• An abundance of reputable resorts and dive operators to choose from
• Much-loved holiday destination with tons of culture and activities
• Colourful coral, sea turtles, manta rays, mola mola, and more

While the island is home to plenty of advanced and adventurous dive sites, there’s plenty of diving for beginners in Bali, too. Many of the dive sites offer walk-in access from the shore and super calm conditions. If you're diving with a mixed group of skill levels, don't worry. Plenty of the region's most exciting areas have a bit of something for divers of all skill levels.

If your plans include earning your scuba diving certification and learning to dive in Bali, you'll likely start with easy sites, known for their mild currents and shore access. But, that doesn't mean you'll miss out on all the action. Stick around for a few days of leisure diving after your certification, and you'll soon be taking the plunge into more challenging waters – home to the region's famous residents like sea turtles, mola mola, and manta rays. 

You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to resorts and dive centres in Bali. And, unlike other parts of the world, you won't find too many "dive factories" here. Most shops offer a low student to instructor ratio with a maximum of four trainees per group. Plus, hospitality is a big part of Balinese culture. You can expect world-class customer service from most operators, both above and below water.

Also known as "the Island of the Gods," Bali is a beautiful vacation destination, representative of a real tropical paradise. As a result, this island is great for mixed groups of divers and non-divers, or for travellers looking to enjoy a quick, one-day experience such as Discover Scuba Diving. What’s more, there’s plenty to see and do around Bali when you aren't blowing bubbles, including hiking and trekking, wildlife watching, and an endless variety of cultural experiences.

Whether you're brand new to the sport or hoping to continue your education, you'll find a wide variety of diving courses in Bali. 

Because it's easy to jump around the island, this one-day experience is easily conducted from pretty much anywhere in Bali. Plus, many of the dive sites here are so calm that you'll get a chance to experience the ocean on your very first day in the water! 

This three to four-day course typically combines pool and ocean sessions to help you master all the basics. Some of the island's best sites like Pemuteran have easy access from shore, calm waters, and a sandy bottom that's ideal for beginners learning to control their buoyancy. Best of all, you'll still have a chance to spot some of Bali's coolest underwater wildlife at these "beginner" dive sites.

If you're looking to expand on your scuba skills, this course is your next step. Choose five specialties to focus on, and learn to dive in a variety of conditions. Popular options include night and wreck diving, underwater photography, and Nitrox.

No matter what level of dive education you're hoping to complete, this destination won't disappoint. Scuba diving course prices in Bali are nearly as low as neighbouring countries like Thailand, and there is just as much to see underwater! 

Want to learn more about the different dive courses for beginners? Download our free Learning to Scuba Dive Guide for more information.

Most of the best places to learn to dive in Bali are along the island's northern coast. You can expect calm conditions, plus short boat rides or easy access from the shore. 

This area is ideal because you'll have access to some of the island's best dive centres, plus a wide variety of sites right at your doorstep. But, if you'd rather stay in a different part of Bali, don't worry. Most operators conduct their beginner courses in this region, no matter where they are located on the island. 

• Type of dive: Reef, wreck, and muck
• Conditions: Easy currents, ok visibility
• Highlights: Shore diving, macro critters, the USAT Liberty shipwreck

Tulamben has a wide variety of dive sites including fringing coral reefs, sand and gravel slopes, and Indonesia’s most famous shipwreck, the USAT Liberty. Calm conditions make this a great place to learn, but there’s plenty to see for experienced divers, too!

This diving area is found in Bali’s northeast, about three to four hours from the airport in the south. While that might seem a bit far, your trip to Tulamben combines perfectly with some of Bali’s best above-water attractions like the Besakih Temple and water gardens of Taman Tirtagangga.

• Type of dive: Reef, Wall, and Muck
• Conditions: Easy currents, varying visibility
• Highlights: Thriving coral reefs, short boat rides, muck and macro

Pemuteran is home to some of Bali’s best dive sites for beginners, with short boat rides and direct access from the shore. And, much of the reef is shallow enough for mixed groups of divers and snorkellers. So, it’s a great destination for nervous newbies or anyone booking a first experience like Discover Scuba Diving in Bali.

Found deep in the heart of West Bali National Park, Menjangan island is home to some of the region's most impressive coral reefs. Divers and snorkelers alike can enjoy the island's shallow sites, comfortable conditions, and outstanding visibility. But, this area doesn't just cater to beginners. This island's steep walls and deeper sites are favourites among experienced divers and underwater photographers. 

This region feels a bit more off the beaten path than other parts of Bali, and it takes about five hours to arrive by bus or van. Pemuteran and Menjangan are ideal for divers looking to spend the majority of their time in the water or around the dive centre. 

• Type of dive: Reef, wreck
• Conditions: Easy currents, ok visibility
• Highlights: Shore diving, thriving coral reef, yoga and freediving

Amed refers to a series of small bays and villages along Bali’s northeastern coastline. This diving area is sheltered from the strong currents of the Lombok Strait, making it an ideal destination for new divers. And, it’s home to some of the island’s prettiest coral reefs and an easy-to-explore shipwreck.

This gateway to the north is becoming more and more popular thanks to easy access, just two and a half hours from the airport. Amed is also a great place to take in other activities on your trip like freediving and yoga. Plus, it’s a great jumping off point for other diving areas like Tulamben.

If you already have some experience or came to Bali to earn a more advanced certification, consider exploring some of the offshore islands. These dive sites aren't the best suited to beginners but instead make for a great place to hone your scuba skills. 

These islands are easy to visit as a day trip from Sanur. But, you'll likely want to stick around for longer. If you're up for an adventure, opt for an all-inclusive multiple-day expedition around the islands.

• Type of dive: Sloping reef and rock, wall
• Conditions: Challenging with strong currents, and good visibility
• Highlights: Manta rays, mola mola, drift diving 

The steep, rocky slopes of Nusa Lembongan and Penida drop well below the recreational diving limit, with overhangs, outcrops, and walls on the way down. But, the real draw here lies out in the blue. Divers drift along in the current in search of manta rays, mola mola, and other passing pelagics like eagle rays, tuna, and wahoo. Time your visit between July and November for the best conditions and highest chances of spotting supersized wildlife. 

Keep in mind that this region's diving conditions range from challenging to extreme, with powerful and unpredictable currents. This is the perfect place to get certified as an advanced diver, and get some experience under your weight belt!