Snorkeling in Bali is a good Idea, Bali’s coast is best known for its great surf beaches, but it is also known as a great place to dive because it has a lot of different kinds of dive spots. But if you don’t want to wear a tank on your back and learn how to SCUBA, Bali’s underwater world has a lot to offer snorkelers of all levels, from those who have never done it before to those who have been doing it for years.
Scientists think that Bali and all of Indonesia are part of the “coral triangle.” This means that they are in the area with the most marine life diversity in the world.
Still, if you’ve been to Bali, you know that the water can be rough and murky in some places, making snorkeling a bad idea.
So, if you want to spend your next vacation exploring Bali’s coral reefs, you’ll need to know where to go first.
Explore our list of Bali’s 7 best snorkeling spots, and you’ll find pristine reefs with crystal clear water, WWII shipwrecks, baby sharks and giant mantas, and even the largest man-made coral reef in the world!
Put on a mask, snorkel, and fins, and jump right in. Bali’s underwater world has a lot more to offer than you might think.
The wreck of the USAT Liberty and The Coral Garden – Tulamben
1-a. See beautiful coral and fish at the Wreck of the USAT Liberty, Tulamben.
Tulamben is probably the most well-known place for divers in Bali because it is home to the wreck of the USAT Liberty, an American warship that was sunk in the Lombok Strait during World War II.
The Liberty made it to Bali in the end, but it had taken on too much water and ran aground near Tulamben, where it sank.The bottom of the wreck is at about 30m, so only advanced SCUBA divers and expert freedivers can get to the deep parts. However, the top of the wreck goes up to 5m, and when the water is clear, you can see most of the huge 125m long wreck from the surface.
The best thing about the Liberty for snorkelers, though, is the huge number of fish that have made it their home. The wreck is now an artificial reef that is completely covered with bright, healthy coral.
Because the dive industry is a big part of Tulamben’s economy, the locals have agreed not to fish on or near the wreck. As a result, the number of fish has grown a lot.
The Liberty is easily one of the best places to snorkel in Asia. It is full of reef fish and has a lot of interesting history.