U.S.A.T LIBERTY WRECK
The Liberty wreck is one of the most easily dived wrecks in the world. Located just 25 metres from shore, and resting between 5 - 30 metres deep, it is accessible to all levels and variety of divers: introduction (1st time) divers, beginners, experienced, freedivers, and snorkelers can all enjoy this enchanting wreck.
In 1942, the USAT Liberty, a United States military cargo ship, was torpedoed by the Japanese while stationing off the strait of Lombok. Damaged, the Unites States towed the ship towards Bali, hoping to make it to the northern region of Singaraja, but the ship began to break apart and instead was beached onto the shore of Tulamben.
In 1963, the earthquakes caused by the volcanic eruption of Mount Agung pushed the ship into the sea where it sank onto its side and was forgotten until the early 1980’s. During the last 50 years it remained underwater, and a marine life of all colors, shapes, and sizes have colonized the 120 metre- long vessel. Night dives are also unforgettable! Each night the numerous Parrot fish arrives on the wreck and sleep there together as one big family (there are about 20 individuals).
CORAL GARDEN
From the beach, just south of the wreck, macro-life and photography enthusiasts will be delighted ! The flora and fauna here is very rich and also abundant, even in the shallows (4-10m).
A number of artificial reef structures attract a large quantity of fishes, including species such as damselfish, butterfly fish, and surgeonfish, and also important numbers of “cleaning stations” where morays, groupers, snappers and other species come to partake in a symbiotic relationship with the shrimps that “clean off” or eat the parasites living on their bodies. This is an ideal location for a night dive.
DROP-OFF OF TULAMBEN
The large wall of Tulamben, fittingly called Drop Off, is one of the most popular dive sites in Bali. The reef descends from 3 metres down to 70 metres deep; the sheer wall was created by the lava flow from the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963.
This wall is covered by a great number of corals, gorgonians, and sponges. The topography of the site is incredible thanks to its sheer underwater cliffs, where you can encounter “cleaning stations”,as well as a multitude of enormous, vibrantly colored sponges and gorgonians. The dive continues to an undulating plateau of coral where you can find morays, mantis shrimp, and varieties of pipefish hiding in the crevices.
KUBU WRECK
North of Tulamben, Kubu is a tiny village. Just out from the beach, and positioned upright on the sloping sandy bottom, you can fing a wreck measuring 85 metres in length and asleep between 13 - 30 metres deep.
The ship is still completely intact, and decorated with many interesting features such as Buddhist statues, a war-era Volkswagen convertible car, glass bottles, ceramic pottery, and more. With an interestingambiance, b lack sand, and a coral garden just in the shallows, this is an intriguing dive with very few divers exploring it!