Best Dive Sites in Amed and Tulamben: Liberty Wreck, Coral Garden & More

Located on the northeastern coast of Bali, the twin regions of Amed and Tulamben have become iconic for divers seeking the island’s most thrilling underwater experiences. From vibrant coral slopes and dramatic drop-offs to ghostly wrecks rich in history, these dive sites offer something for everyone — whether you're a first-time diver or a seasoned pro.

Warm waters, gentle shore access, and a wide range of biodiversity make this region a favorite for photographers, macro lovers, wreck explorers, and fun divers alike. At Bali Dive Center, we are perfectly situated near all the top dive sites and offer guided access to the very best.

In this article, we’ll take you through the top dive sites in Amed and Tulamben, what makes each special, and why they should be on every diver’s bucket list.

Tulamben Dive Sites

1. USAT Liberty Wreck

• Depth: 8–30 meters
• Access: Shore entry
• Diver Level: All levels

Arguably the most famous dive site in Bali — and one of the best in Southeast Asia — the USAT Liberty Wreck is a 120-meter-long World War II cargo ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942. After being grounded near the beach, the ship was pushed into the water by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963. Today, it lies just 30 meters off the shore in Tulamben.

The wreck is covered in hard and soft corals, with schools of bumphead parrotfish, barracuda, turtles, and even reef sharks making frequent appearances. Its shallow depth and easy shore access make it suitable for both beginner and advanced divers. At night, it transforms into an eerie, glowing wonderland filled with shrimp, crabs, and sleeping fish.

Why we love it: Historic structure, amazing for underwater photography, diveable day or night.

2. Coral Garden

• Depth: 3–25 meters
• Access: Shore
• Diver Level: All levels

Just a short swim from the Liberty Wreck lies the Coral Garden, a beautiful site known for its vibrant reef and shallow depth, ideal for long, relaxing dives and snorkelers. It's teeming with ribbon eels, clownfish, blue-spotted rays, and a carpet of anemones.

Photographers love this site for its natural light and macro subjects. Occasional visits by black-tip reef sharks make it even more exciting. It’s also a perfect site for Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) sessions and Open Water students.

Why we love it: Shallow, colorful, calm — great for beginners and photographers.

3. Drop Off

• Depth: 8–40 meters
• Access: Shore
• Diver Level: Intermediate to Advanced (good buoyancy required)

To the east of Coral Garden, the Drop Off is a sloping wall dive that descends into the blue. Known for its dramatic topography and excellent visibility, this site is home to nudibranchs, scorpionfish, and octopuses hiding among the crevices.

Look out for pelagic visitors like trevallies and tuna cruising the deeper water. This site is also favored for deep dives and advanced courses.

Why we love it: Stunning wall dive with rich marine life and big blue vibes.

4. Kubu Wreck & Monkey Reef

• Depth: 15–40 meters
• Access: Shore
• Diver Level: Advanced

The Kubu Wreck is a lesser-known gem located just 10 minutes north of Tulamben. This 45-meter-long patrol boat was intentionally sunk in 2012 and now rests upright on the seafloor, waiting to be explored. It has fun structures, including an old car inside, and is surrounded by lush coral growth.

Next to the wreck is Monkey Reef, a sloping reef area that makes a perfect second dive on the same trip. Expect sightings of reef sharks, batfish, and schools of fusiliers.

Why we love it: Quieter than Liberty, fun photo props, deeper challenge.

5. Batu Kelebit

• Depth: 5–40 meters
• Access: Boat only
• Diver Level: Advanced

This site is known for its steep pinnacles, deep finger reefs, and potential for big fish sightings. Cold upwellings bring nutrient-rich water, keeping coral growth healthy and attracting large pelagic species like trevallies, barracuda, and even the occasional shark.

Because of strong currents and deeper depths, Batu Kelebit is best reserved for experienced divers.

Why we love it: Beautiful deep reef with a chance to see something BIG.

Amed Dive Sites

6. Lipah Bay

• Depth: 3–21 meters
• Access: Shore
• Diver Level: All levels

Located just steps away from our dive center, Lipah Bay is a relaxed dive site with sandy slopes and scattered coral bommies. It’s great for macro lovers, with sightings of frogfish, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and octopus.

The calm conditions make it ideal for training dives or slow-paced exploration.

Why we love it: Convenient, chill, and macro-rich.

7. Japanese Shipwreck

• Depth: 2–30 meters
• Access: Shore
• Diver Level: All levels

This small wreck lies just a few meters from the beach in shallow water. Although less famous than the Liberty, it offers an incredibly photogenic scene with thriving coral cover and a picturesque reef extending beyond.

Expect to see lionfish, mantis shrimp, and clouds of reef fish. The shallow entry also makes it a hit with snorkelers.

Why we love it: Colorful, easy access, and perfect for wide-angle photos.

8. Bunutan

• Depth: 6–35 meters
• Access: Boat
• Diver Level: Advanced

A short ride from shore takes you to Bunutan, a spectacular drift dive filled with garden eels, sponges, pink gorgonians, and occasional reef sharks. It’s one of the most scenic dive sites in Amed and great for Advanced Open Water courses.

Drifting gently over vibrant terrain while spotting rays and schools of barracuda is what makes this site unforgettable.

Why we love it: Epic drift dive with rich biodiversity.

9. Jemeluk Bay & Wall

• Depth: 1–40 meters
• Access: Shore or boat
• Diver Level: All levels

This site offers two dives in one: a protected bay that’s great for beginners and macro hunters, and a dramatic wall that drops to over 40 meters for more experienced divers.

The area features artificial reef sculptures, ghost pipefish, mackerel schools, and beautiful soft corals lining the wall.

Why we love it: Something for everyone — snorkelers, students, and deep divers.

10. Pyramids

• Depth: 5–22 meters
• Access: Shore or boat
• Diver Level: All levels

As the name suggests, this site features concrete pyramid-shaped structures placed in the 1990s as artificial reefs. Now fully encrusted with marine life, they attract frogfish, pygmy seahorses, and leaf scorpionfish. Nearby natural reef adds more to explore.

Great for drift dives and photography, especially with calm morning conditions.

Why we love it: Unique structures and lots of critters to discover.

When to Dive in Amed and Tulamben?

You can dive year-round in Amed and Tulamben, but the best visibility and calmest conditions are typically from April to November. Water temperature ranges from 27°C to 30°C, though it can drop with deep or drift dives (especially in Batu Kelebit).

Why Dive with Bali Dive Center?

• Small Groups: Max 4 divers per guide
• Free Nitrox: For certified divers
• Multilingual Instructors: English, French, Chinese, Bahasa
• Beachfront Accommodation: Stay at Ariana Beach Resort Amed
• All-In-One Packages: Dive, stay, relax, and explore

Whether you want to explore legendary wrecks, drift along coral-covered walls, or photograph the tiniest macro life, we have the right dive package for you.

From the historic Liberty Wreck to the stunning reefscapes of Jemeluk and Pyramids, Amed and Tulamben offer some of the best dive experiences in all of Indonesia — if not the world. Their easy access, rich marine biodiversity, and variety of dive conditions make them a dream destination for beginners, advanced divers, and underwater photographers alike.

At Bali Dive Center, we’re proud to offer guided fun dives, full PADI courses, and all-inclusive dive & stay packages that bring you closer to these unforgettable underwater landscapes.