Best Snorkeling in Bali

Bali is a popular and famous island in Indonesia. It is known for its spectacular beaches, luxurious retreats, and stunning landscapes.

Here you can find some of the absolute best snorkeling locations in the world. Whether you are here on a couples, family trip, or solo trip, there is beautiful snorkeling to enjoy for everyone.

How to Get to Bali

When you are traveling to Bali, you are more than likely going to fly in and land at the only international airport on the island. Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport, which is in the south of Bali.

Getting Around Bali

Buses are always available throughout the island. They are extremely affordable, and there are several routes that can take you through most of the island. However, they are the slowest option.

A popular mode of transportation throughout the island is renting a moped. They are relatively cheap to rent and make getting around the island fairly easy. Just remember to wear a helmet!

Grab and Jogek are the Ubers and Lyfts of Southeast Asia. So if you want to opt for an easy to use taxi service, Grab and Jogek are cheap and efficient. Traditional taxis are also an option.

You can also rent a driver for the day, it is the most expensive of the options but still relatively affordable, depending on your budget.

Common Marine Life in Bali

Bali is home to hundreds of exciting and unique fish species. One funny-looking fish you may see is called the Cornetfish. They are long gray fish that are so flat they almost resemble a popsicle stick. You can find trumpet fish who have faces that will remind you of (you guessed it) a trumpet.

There are also popular reef fish that thrive in the coral, you may run into clownfish or “Nemo,” butterflyfish, and different times of angelfish, just to name a few.

One of the more exciting fish is the huge Mola Mola fish. They are enormous and weird looking and so exciting to find! If you are lucky, you may spot one.

Manta rays are pretty popular in Bali, and you can even book tours to actually go swimming and snorkel with them. Alternatively, you can also go swimming and snorkeling with turtles too in Bali!

The Best Snorkeling Spots in Bali

Menjangan Island

A few miles off the coast of Bali, you can find an island that offers incredible snorkeling. It is a gorgeously preserved reef that allows visitors a chance to see a variety of colorful coral and exciting swarms of reef fish. You can find clownfish, sea stars, angelfish, and a ton of soft coral.

The island is only accessible by boat, and several tour companies in Bali offer full-day tours. It takes roughly an hour by boat from the pick-up area in Pemuteran, Bali.

The island itself does not have any restaurants or hotels. So do plan accordingly. Make sure your tour offers food and snorkeling gear for the day.

Nusa Islands

One of the best places to enjoy snorkeling is in the three Nusa Islands, located about 20 km or 12 miles off the coast of Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.

Manta Ray Bay

If you are interested in a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go snorkeling with the giant Manta Rays, you can do so by booking a tour in Nusa Penida.

These gorgeous giants are the second largest species of Manta Rays called Manta alfredi. They usually range between roughly 3 to 3.5 meters (9.8-11.5ft) in size! Despite their enormous size, they are safe to swim with, they also lack a poison stinger, which makes them extra safe.

This exciting snorkeling experience is available all year round, so no matter when you visit, you will have a good chance to spot them. If you are looking for the best time to see them, it is going to be between April and May.

Ultimately, they are wild animals, and they are not held in captivity, so there is still a chance that they wander away. However, tour guides always do their best to ensure you get to see them.

Crystal Bay

If you stop in Nusa Penida, perhaps on your way to snorkel with the Manta Rays, there is also an option for shore snorkeling here! Crystal bay offers one of the few shore snorkeling options in Nusa Penida.

This is a great option for beginner snorkelers who benefit from shallow waters. This area is known for offering amazing visibility. Between the clarity of the water and the beautiful coral reefs, this is a great stop for all snorkelers.

Buddha Temple near the Nusa Islands

If you are looking for another unique snorkel experience, you can visit the giant underwater Buddha temple. It is actually a submerged art project from 2005 that wanted to discuss the environmental changes that are negatively affecting marine life.

The artist wanted to address the issue of the declining numbers of marine life. This art piece actually works as a way to help biodiversity by attracting more marine life and creating another home for them.

Many Nusa Penida and Lembongan tours offer this snorkeling experience as a stop. So if you are interested in seeing this amazing underwater temple, make sure your tour has it in its itinerary!

Toyapaken Wall

Another amazing snorkel spot in Nusa Penida is the Toyapaken wall. As the name suggests, it is a wall of coral reef. Snorkelers can run into the famous Mola Molas, different rays, sharks, eels, turtles, and other exciting fish species. All behind the backdrop of incredible coral reefs. It is understandably a popular and loved snorkeling location

Tulamben Shipwreck / USAT Liberty Shipwreck

Go and see the incredible USAT Liberty (also known as USS Liberty) shipwreck in Tulamben. Over 50 years ago, the USAT Liberty met its demise by a Japanese Submarine in 1942. Originally it was brought to Tulamben beach, and after a volcano eruption, the wreck was swept to its current location at the bottom of the ocean.

Now, it is swimming with plenty of fish, such as batfish, parrotfish, and other reef fish. There is also other exciting marine life, octopus, stingrays, and garden eels. Also, home to soft and hard coral.

It is a busy and popular snorkeling location, so it is best to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The beach access is free, and you will have to swim to the shipwreck, which is about 20 to 30 meters from the shore. The ship spans 120 meters (393 feet), the shallowest portion being 5 meters (16 feet) and the deepest, 30 meters (98 feet).

Coral Garden

Nearby the USAT Liberty shipwreck, there is the beautiful Coral Garden. If you are in the area, it is a great spot because it is also located in the small village of Tulamben. Many visitors go to both sites.

Here there is a naturally formed coral reef, roughly 2 to 15 meters (7 to 50 feet) underwater. Which makes it a great spot for beginner snorkelers too.

Amed

There are several popular and beautiful snorkeling experiences in Amed. Many of the beaches have black sand beaches, making these snorkeling locations extra unique and special. All alongside a stunning view of the Agung Volcano in the back, hence the black sand beach!

Lipah Beach

Great place to start your snorkeling adventures in Amed. Here you can swim out to visit the coral reefs. It is one of the black sand beaches that Amed is famous for. On the way to see the beautiful coral reefs, you will run into many parrotfish and blackbelly triggerfish, and other marine life. It is a great snorkeling location, especially if you are already in the Amed area visiting other popular coral reefs.

Jemeluk Bay

Jemeluk Bay is a popular snorkeling spot in Bali that many visitors enjoy. You can swim to the coral reef from the beach. Here is also where you can see the famous underwater temple, which is one of the reasons this snorkeling location is so popular. It is marked with a buoy so it will be easy to find.

Aside from the underwater temple, there are some small statues nearby too. This is to help stimulate coral growth in the area and promote marine life. The bay also has natural coral reefs which are well preserved and teeming with marine life. Some snorkelers can find reef sharks and sea turtles alongside the beautiful reef fish that call coral reefs their home.

The village that surrounds the bay has snorkeling gear to rent or buy. There are restaurants on the beach and hotel accommodations nearby.

Japanese Shipwreck

A unique snorkeling experience can be found in Lipah Bay. The shipwreck has been naturally turned into a home for a variety of corals and marine life. It is a unique and popular snorkeling experience that visitors love to come and enjoy. It is accessible by swimming from the black sand beach.

Best Time of Year To Go to Bali

Bali has a wet and a dry season. Knowing when each occurs can help determine what time of the year you should visit the island.

Rainy season

The Rainy or monsoon season is between November to March.

Some days, it does not rain the whole time, other days, it can rain for a few days in a row, day and night. This may make it more difficult to completely enjoy snorkeling. The rain showers can make the water murkier and have stronger currents.

There are also more mosquitos, the ones that are striped with black and white, that carry dengue fever during this time of the year. If you are bitten by a mosquito and start experiencing fevers, headache, vomiting, pain in the joints and muscles, and skin rashes, seek medical attention. Sometimes symptoms can start as late as 14 days after the bite.

The low season is February to April. This time of the year, there will be a lot less crowds and more deals on accommodations and tours. This encompasses the rainy season, so keep that in mind if you are traveling with the sole purpose to snorkel.

Dry Season

The dry season is considered April to October. Which is going to be the most ideal time to visit. The waters will be clearer and calmer.

The Manta rays (April to May) and the Mola Mola (July to September) are more active at that time of year. Just try to avoid July to August if you want better deals and fewer tourists.

The peak season is between July to August and December to January. Bali is very touristy during this time, and you should expect higher prices.

General Tips

Bali is a tropical destination, and it is hot throughout the year. Temperatures range between 23C (73F) at night and 34C (93F) during the day. Pack accordingly.

Do not forget to either bring or buy your own sunblock! If you forget to apply your sunblock, Aloe Vera gels are great for treating sunburns. You can find different aloe treatments in Bali if you do not bring your own gel. In case you do get a really bad sunburn, in Bali, there are even sunburn treatments available at salons. Dry suits are also a great way to stay afloat and stay protected from the hot Indonesian sun!

Be courteous to Bali. This includes the locals, the wildlife, and the environment. Even if you see someone litter, do not do the same. If you decide to go swimming with the Manta Rays, please do not touch them or disturb them.

Remember never to touch any coral and be mindful of your fins. Coral reefs are extremely delicate and are already struggling in the midst of climate change. If you touch coral, they will either get damaged or die, this is because touching them damages their protective layer. Also, that protective layer will likely irritate your skin.

A great packing trip for beginner snorkelers is to bring a dry bag! This is an excellent way to help keep your important items dry. You can get one on amazon or in Bali once you arrive. If you intend on taking photos, do not forget to either buy a waterproof case for your phone or bring a waterproof camera.

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