Indonesia – Tulamben diving has been recognized as one of the best snorkeling spots in Bali. But before we go into that, let’s take a look at this town in particular first. The name of the town, Tulamben, is taken from batulambih. Batulambih means ‘many stones’, that has something to do with the Mount Agung’s eruptions that have occurred from time to time. If you are looking for a nice sandy beach, then Tulamben beach will not be the suitable beach for you. Unfortunately, the beach isn’t made of white sparkling sand, but mostly layered with pretty big but smooth stones. After some time, the name itself has evolved, at the beginning it was called ‘Batulamben‘ and then currently known as tulamben (stone).
Diving in Tulamben
Located on the northeast coast of the island of Bali facing the lombok Strait, Tulamben is very rich in food for marine life. If you happen to be a routine divers there, you might have a chance to see Mola Mola fish, hammerhead sharks and whale sharks in the waters of Tulamben. This is why Tulamben has become one of the best dive spots not only in Bali Indonesia, but also in the world in terms of diversity of marine life. Not only marine life, divers can also see the sunken ship of USS Liberty, which sank in 1963 because of the earthquake and eruption of Mount Agung (some say the Japanese tropedoed the ship not faraway from Lombok, and later the wreck was towed to Tulamben beach). This is also what makes Tulamben a famous tourist destination. Divers with all levels of certification can enjoy the underwater wreck because the ship rests just 30 meters deep and approximately 25 meters away from shore. You can even swim from the beach to reach the sunken ship location.
If you wish to dive in Tulamben, make sure you go during Oct and Nov, because throughout that time, the weather is normally calm. Alternatively, you can begin your diving adventure during the beginning of southeast monsoon, that generally goes from May to July.
Diving Spots in Tulamben
There are many good spots for divers in Tulamben. I have listed some of them down below:
The Wreck of USS Liberty
Renowned as the most accessible dive on the wreck in the world. You can reach the USS Liberty with a short distance of 30 meters from the beach with a maximum depth of about 30 meters. Diving begins with a welcome from very tame surgeonfish, bumphead parrotfish, barracuda, along with various snails in beautiful colors.
Tulamben Wall (Drop Off)
At first Tulamben Wall, also known by the name of the Drop Off was only used for an alternative for the dive operators after the USS Liberty. But in its development, it turned out that Tulamben Wall has special characteristics that are not less interesting than the USS Liberty. Tulamben Wall is essentially at a depth of about 60-70 meters. Many divers at these depths has encountered a few large fish such as reef sharks or hammerheads. At the top of the wall, you can see colorful coral reefs, fishes and other beautiful sea creatures. In addition to the beautiful underwater scenery, Drop Off also offers a variety of macro objects in very diverse kind.
Suci’s Place
Began in 2012 until 2013, Matahari Tulamben Resort has opened a new dive spot, which is located right in front of the resort. The new dive spot, which is called “Suci’s Place” can be reached at a depth of 9 meters to 17 meters below the sea surface. Suci’s Place is a park with sculptures such as “Buddha” and his mother, the goddess “Tara”, as well as a variety of different artifacts. This diving spot is not only popular among divers, but also favored by many kinds of fish, murane, cleaner fish, and other marine creatures as their new ‘home’.
Matahari Reef
Right in front of Matahari Tulamben Resort, it turns out that in every small coral reef (patch), you can always find a wide range of rare creatures. This is also a good place to practice underwater photography. Shallow areas can be an interesting spot to see the beautiful and colorful coral reefs and many species of fish.
Paradise Reef
Diving usually begins in the north of Resort Paradise, at a depth of 3-4 meters. You will find artificial reefs in a form of a plane skeleton. Some divers refer to it as the Aeroplane Wreck. At this location, you can see various marine snail, shell and various types of crabs and shrimp. This shallow spot is also an ideal place for night dives because the under water night life is quite diverse. If you dive to the south, this will bring you to a place where you can see a variety of colorful hard and soft coral reef. If you want to see Ribbon Eel, this is the most suitable place to look for it.
Seraya
Accessible from Tulamben with boats (traditional fishing boat) or by road for about 5 minutes to the south, this diving spot is ‘the heaven’ for underwater macro photographers. Harlequin shrimp and seahorses are part of the everyday objects. In addition, many rare macro objects can be found here such as various types of sea snails and the mimic octopus, and various beautiful and rare crabs and shrimp.
Kubu
About 15 minutes journey by road to the north of Tulamben, and then turn to the right, this is also a diving spot that is quite interesting. Many healthy coral reefs and many species of fish can be encountered.
More Diving Spots around Tulamben Area
Name: Batu Kelebit
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tulamben area
Characteristics and Marine Life: Great Variety of hard and soft coral, scorpion fishes, barracudas, leaf fishes, eagle rays, white tips, reef sharks, sweetlips, trigger fishes, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Batu Niti
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tukad Abu Village
Characteristics and Marine Life: Many barrel sponges, big black corals, barracudas, leaf fish, giant frog fish, sweetlips, trigger fishes, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Seraya Secrets
Required level: Advanced, highly recommended for photographers
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tukad Abu Village
Characteristics and Marine Life: Sponges, feather stars, sea fans, cowries, harlequin shrimps, bumble bee shrimp, cleaner shrimps, blue ring octopus, wonderpus, frog fish, bobtail, cuttlefish, lionfish, scorpion fish, bat fish, angel fish, sweetlips, trigger fishes, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers. Shore dive, unforgettable night dive especially for photographers and macro lovers!
Name: Noisy Reef
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tukad Abu Village
Characteristics and Marine Life: Hard corals, sponges, gorgonian fans, nudibranches, shrimps, moray eel, soft coral crab, frog fish, leaf fish, pink squat lobsters, crinoids , clingfish, cowfish, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusilier, damsels, surgeons, puffers.
Name: Melasti Point
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 30 m
Location: Tukad Abu Village
Characteristics and Marine Life: Hard coral, sponges, leaf fishes, ghost pipe fish, gobies, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Emerald
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tulamben
Characteristics and Marine Life: Hard coral, slope, white tip reef sharks, school of bat fishes, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Alam Anda
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tulamben
Characteristics and Marine Life: Acroporas, sponges, sea fans, bump head, parrot fish, napoleon fish, black tip sharks, reef sharks, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers. Nice wall and very interesting macro site.
Name: Wall
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Tulamben
Characteristics and Marine Life: Steep wall with table corals, gorgonians, lion fishes, butterfly fishes, scorpion fishes, frog fish, cuttlefish, bump head parrotfish, sweetlips, file fish, ghost pipe fish, cleaner shrimps, long nose, hawk fish, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Coral Garden
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 15 m
Location: Tulamben
Characteristics and Marine Life: Soft coral, hard coral, sponge, nudibranches, anemone fish, cuttlefish, ribbon eel, mantis shrimp, snapper, black tip sharks, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: US Liberty Wreck
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 30 m
Location: Tulamben
Characteristics and Marine Life: Soft coral, sea fans, table coral, sponge, Jack fish, barracuda, sweet lips, leaf scorpion fish, scorpion fish, surgeon fish, blue spotted stingray, garden eel, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers. Easy dive site for every level of diver.
Name: Kubu
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 30 m
Location: Kubu (Tulamben area)
Characteristics and Marine Life: Soft corals, sponges, gorgonians, table coral, nudibranches, barracuda, bat fishes, scorpion fish, leaf scorpion fish, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Name: Magic Rock
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Baturinggit (Tulamben area)
Characteristics and Marine Life: Table coral, soft coral, gorgonians, cuttlefishes, octopus, white tip, reef sharks, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers. Very interesting for photographers
Name: Mystery Rock
Required level: Beginner
Depth: 35 m
Location: Baturinggit (Tulamben area)
Characteristics and Marine Life: Table corals, soft corals, cuttlefishes, octopus, white tip, reef sharks, sweetlips, trigger fish, fusiliers, damsels, surgeons, puffers
Resort in Tulamben
Matahari Tulamben Resort Bali in association with the Tulamben Dive Center, was founded in 1991 by Komang Suci. Matahari Tulamben Resort provides lodging, restaurant and dive shop. Tulamben Dive Center has been running for more than 20 years. In front of this resort you will find a nice coral Garden. The Liberty wreck and the drop off can be reached by a short walk. This is the place for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the underwater Tulamben.
Matahari Tulamben Resort comes with various facilities for relaxation including Balinese massage, with free WiFi for guests staying at Matahari Tulamben Resort. Matahari Tulamben Resort serves you a variety of excursions to all areas in Bali, such as: Nusa Penida, Amed, Menjangan, etc. Not only that, Matahari Tulamben Resort also cater to individual journey to get around. Additionally, Matahari Tulamben Resort also offers transportation from or to the airport, so you can enjoy your holiday with ease.
They also offer a 1-day travel package for divers and those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the underwater Tulamben. For those who are not a diver, you can enjoy the beauty of Tulamben beach.
Learn to dive into the underworld and surround yourself with magnificent creatures of the underwater. Set yourself to the new world.
Jl.Bangka Raya 39a, Pela, Jakarta 12720
Phone : +6221 7199045
