There’s something mysterious and thrilling about exploring a shipwreck that’s concealed underwater. From battered warships to intentionally sunken vessels, each wreck has its own story to tell.
It’s fascinating to witness how nature effortlessly reclaims these massive man-made structures. As their rusty hulls transform into artificial reefs, wrecks provide an excellent refuge for marine life. Oh, and did we mention that they’re also pretty fantastic dive destinations?
Here in Bali, we’re lucky to have not just one, but multiple wreck dives that you can discover! Each one is different and special in its own way. Read on to learn about the wreck dives that you can explore on your next trip to Bali.
USAT Liberty Wreck – Tulamben
The USAT Liberty Wreck should be at the top of every diver’s bucket list. Not only is it the largest wreck in Bali at 120 meters long, it’s also one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world!
After being torpedoed and abandoned on Tulamben’s beach during WWII, the Liberty slid into the water when Mount Agung erupted in 1963. Now, the ship lies just offshore with its highest point only 3 meters below the surface. This means that even beginners divers and snorkelers are able to discover the magnificence of the Liberty Wreck.
After being submerged underwater for decades, the ship’s structure is now covered in coral and teeming with countless varieties of fish. It is estimated that the wreck is home to more than 400 species of fish, including sweetlips, damselfish, groupers, angelfish, and surgeonfish just to name a few.
The Liberty Wreck also offers plenty of excitement for advanced divers who can explore inside and head down to the deepest part of the ship. Sunrise and night dives are some of the most memorable experiences on the wreck, offering divers the chance to see the school of bumphead parrotfish that sleeps at the wreck.
Boga Wreck – Kubu
Located just up the road from Tulamben, the Boga Wreck is Bali’s newest wreck diving site. This 45 meter long ship was intentionally sunk off the coast of Kubu village in 2012 to create a new habitat for marine life. Because the wreck has only been submerged for a decade, it is only beginning to be colonized by coral.
But the wreck’s infancy also means that it hasn’t disintegrated much and is still mostly intact. Along with the wreck itself, divers who visit this site will also discover other interesting objects including a sunken car.
Because the Boga Wreck is located at a depth of 18 to 40 meters, it is best suited for advanced divers. This also makes it a great place to try deep diving and we often visit it during our Advanced Open Water Course.
Japanese Wreck – Amed
About 30 minutes down the coast from Tulamben in the opposite direction is another wreck diving site. The Japanese Wreck is located in Banyuning, one of the small fishing villages in the Amed area.
Unlike Bali’s other shipwrecks, it remains a mystery where the Japanese Wreck came from and how it ended up here. As with any good mystery, there are various theories surrounding the wreck’s origin. While the most common belief is that it was a Japanese patrol ship that was sunk during WWII, some speculate that the term “Javanese” was actually mistaken for “Japanese.”
Regardless of its past, it’s obvious that the wreck has been lying in Banyuning Bay for a long time. Though there’s not much left to see of the wreck itself, its dilapidated remains are full of life. Over the years, the ship has been overtaken by corals, sponges, and gorgonians. This diverse habitat now attracts swarms of fish, pygmy seahorses, and other little critters to hang out around the wreck.
The Japanese Wreck is a much smaller wreck than both the Boga and the Liberty. The ship itself is only about 20 meters long and rests between 2 to 12 meters deep. Because the wreck is so shallow and can be accessed via a short swim, it’s a popular destination among snorkelers and divers alike. For those divers looking to go deeper, there’s more to explore on the slope behind the wreck.
Jepun Wreck – Padang Bai
Bali’s final wreck is located at the Jepun dive site, which is about a 10 minute boat ride from the beach town of Padang Bai. The small fishing boat that lies at around 17 meters deep is just one of the underwater attractions that divers come to see here.
Along with the small wreck, the Jepun dive site features a white sandy slope with both natural and artificial reefs. This is a good place to spot blue spotted stingrays as well as other marine animals like eels, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, lionfish, and frogfish.
Book Your Bali Wreck Diving Adventure
Have we piqued your curiosity? There’s certainly a great deal to discover at Bali’s wreck diving sites. If you’re hankering to explore Bali’s fascinating wrecks, please send us a message to book your diving excursion today.
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