Tulamben Shipwreck Dive in Bali

Tulamben is a famous multi-adventure underwater location where the historic Liberty shipwreck can be found coupled with an impressive expanse of marine life!

Tulamben is well-known to be a diving site where the USAT Liberty shipwreck lies underwater. The Liberty, a US warship, was hit by a Japanese rocket in 1942. The ship laid stranded along the coast until the 1963 eruption of Moung Agung pushed it into the sea, where it remains even till today, less than 30m from the shore.

🚀 How to get to Tulamben?

Tulamben is a quiet fishing village on the north-east coast of Bali about 2-3 hours by road from south Bali or Ubud, depending on traffic jam conditions. On the way to Tulamben you can enjoy the scenic rice terrace views that Bali is so famous for.

The Tulamben beach serves as the entry point for the dive and has black stones and volcanic gravel from the Mount Agung volcano located nearby.

Bali does not have public transport options that can get you to the beach. The best way to get to Tulamben beach is to rent a motorbike or a car. You can also opt to go for a scuba dive package; many operators are based in south Bali and Ubud that will provide pick up and return transfer services as part of the package. Pick up points can be one of the following places: Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Tuban, Jimbaran, Sanur, Denpasar, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, Ubud, Padangbai, Candidasa, and Amed.

Tulamben is a very small area, the main attractions being underwater. So there’s not much to do here besides diving which can be covered on a day trip. You could stay overnight in one of the few guesthouses located on the seafront if you choose to do multiple dives at various locations in Tulamben. Otherwise you can also choose to stay in Amed, 20 minutes away, since there’s a wider range of accommodation and activities there.

🚀 What to expect out of the Tulamben US Liberty Wreck Ship dive?

Tulamben has a warm underwater environment (around 28°C), steady currents, and excellent visibility. The conditions are tranquil here, and is suitable for all divers and snorkelling enthusiasts.

Beginners who aren’t certified divers can also do this dive with the help of instructors who will train you before the dive, and will also accompany you underwater as a guide at all times.

The top of the ship wreckage is just 3 metres below the water surface and the bottom is at 29 metres. The ruins of the 120-metre long ship that’s underwater consist mainly of rusted parts with a whole lot of marine life thriving on, in, and around it. While you may not get to go into the chambers of the ship and can only dive over and around it, the marine diversity will catch your attention throughout the dive.

The combination of man-made and natural disasters have turned this site to be an ecological wonder. The artificial cave created by the wreck has become an ideal shelter for coral, gorgonians, and sponges which in turn host an incredible variety of fishes. The mineral-rich waters running from the slopes of Mount Agung also adds fertility to the site, which is proven by how some corals have managed to grow and thrive from nothing despite the damages caused by El Niño in 1998 and the mudslides in 2002.

While diving, you’ll be acquainted with ghost pipefishes, blue ribbon eels, lionfishes, bumphead parrotfishes amidst giant clams, great sea fans, and an infinite collection of soft and hard corals. The black sand underwater lends dramatic colours to the fishes in the foreground.

🚀 Caring for the environment while diving

Well the act of going diving alone isn’t so much of an environment-friendly thing to do. But while you are at it, do stay clear from the reefs to avoid kicking the corals. Resist the temptation to touch and displace rocks and corals. Let nature be as it is. Don’t feed the fishes to attract them, as that can harm their health, destroy their feeding habits, and eventually unbalance the ecosystem.

🚀 Is the Tulamben dive worth doing?

Scuba diving can be done even in Kuta, Tanjung Benoa, and Nusa Dua where knock off and cheaper versions are available. Diving packages at these spots cost around IDR 300,000-400,000 (USD 20-28) and you don’t need to be well-trained to accomplish these dives.

However, for a more adventurous diving experience coupled with some historical significance of the shipwreck, and mesmerizing sights of underwater marine life, it is worth the drive to Tulamben and to pay twice/thrice the amount. It is important to note that you need to be trained to dive successfully and comfortably, if you’re not a certified diver.

🚀 How much does it cost to dive in Tulamben?

If you make your own way to Tulamben, you only need to pay for the diving fees to the company you choose to dive with. Average rates for the Tulamben shipwreck dive are as follows:

• One dive: IDR 400,000 (USD 28)
• Two dives: IDR 650,000 (USD 45)

Alternatively, you can choose a complete package that includes hotel pick-up and drop-off in Tulamben, a professional instructor, all scuba diving equipment, Balinese lunch, mineral water, coffee or tea, as well as changing room, shower and lockers facilities. Average rates for the complete Tulamben shipwreck dive tour packages are as follows:

• One dive: IDR 1,000,000 (USD 68) for one dive with inclusions mentioned above
• Two dives: IDR 1,450,000 (USD 100) for two dives with inclusions mentioned above

Besides the USAT Liberty Cargo, the Coral Garden, Paradise Reef, Drop Off, and Batu Kelebit are also incredible diving sites to explore if you stay in Tulamben for more than just a day trip.

It’s amazing to see how things transform from land to sea. The ship has truly transformed to be a magnificent wreck as it has made a home in the deep blue which is also home to stunning marine life. Fun fact about the USAT Liberty – it is sitting on its side. Is this experience something you’d like to add to your bucket list?

Read more about Ubud and our adventures in North and East Bali!