Tulamben
This small village on the North East coast of Bali is the most popular dive area of Bali. Tulamben is 15km
to the North of Amed and lies at the foot of Gunung (mountain) Agung, a stratovolcano that forms the highest point (3014 metres) on the
island and had the last eruption in 1963.
This volcano dominates the surrounding area and has a big influence on the climate so that the
West of Bali is lush and green and the East dry and barren.
There is a weekly market that is interesting to visit. There is also a
possibility to climb the Mt. Agung ( see hiking the Agung mountain ).
The name Tulamben was taken from the word Batulambih which means many stones.
The area is littered with stones caused by the explotion of Mount Agung. In time, this word changed into Batulamben and eventually pronounced as Tulamben.
Most holiday makers prefer Amed over Tulamben, but the serious divers like to stay here for at least a couple of days. You can stay in
one of the hotels only a few minutes away from the bay and dive-sites or stay in one of the private villas a little further down the
road (see photo).
General dive conditions:
Most dive sites in this area are accessible directly from the coast which is covered with volcanic rocks and cobbles. The seafloor changes at a depth of around 6 metres from rock to sand.
There is an abundance of marine life in this area, ranging from reef inhabitants like Corals, Sponges, Gorgonians, Frogfishes,
Ghost Pipefishes, Boxer Crabs and many kind of reef fishes. Also the larger marine life can be encountered here like the Mola mola
(Ocean Sunfish), White and Black tip reef Sharks.
Non-divers will have a pleasant time snorkeling in this area. Conditions are good with normally no or mild north-west flowing currents
and water of pleasant temperature.
The best conditions to dive Tulamben are at late March until July and the months October and November. During these periods the South
East monsoon visits Bali which is responsible for the dry season. Visibility can reach an awesome 40 metres when you diving in Tulamben
at the right time of year. Many dive operators from the South organize day trips to dive on the famous wreck from the USAT Liberty Glo
so it is a must to be in the water before 9.00 am. It is advisable to stay here at least one night so you can do early morning and
night diving.
USAT Liberty Glo wreck - [1]
The USAT Liberty Glo, which was beached on Tulamben's shore during world war II and in 1963 pushed into the sea by the lava flow from the Gunung Agung, is one of the most easy wreck dives in the world.
The Liberty is just 30 metres off shore and lies parallel to the beach
in depths between 3 and 29 metres. The currents are usually mild to moderate with a visibility between 10 and 25 metres.
This 128 metres long wreck is totally covered with Corals and Sea Fans and offers a home base for a large variety of marine life!
Many times you will see a gigantic swirl of schooling Jack fish above the wreck.
A night dive on the wreck is a must and if you are lucky you have an encounter with a huge Bumphead Parrotfish!!
Coral gardens - [2]
This reef is in the middle of the bay, between the Liberty and the Drop-off, and just of the beach.
The depth of this shallow reef is between 3 and 18 metres and is covered with beautiful table and fire Corals. You will see Ribbon Eels of all blue-yellow or black-yellow colour
live here as well as Cuttlefish, Octopus, Titan Triggerfish and cleaner Shrimps.
Further down the reef towards the steeper sand slope
circle small black and White tip reef Sharks. Here are barrel Sponges and you may encounter young Angelfishes, Lionfishes and schools of
stripped Eel Catfish. Like the wreck the Coral garden is a great and easy night dive due to the shallow depth and the location.
the River area - [3]
This site is at the end of the bay and offers good protection for young fish in between the rocks.
It has a sloping sandy bottom with a rocky area at the side where the bay ends.
Many times you will see a large Barracuda patrolling this area.
On the sandy bottom you can find the Mantis Shrimp and some Anemones with their inhabitants.
There are Trompetfishes, Cuttlefishes, blue spotted Rays, Titan Triggerfishes and at dusk small Black tip reef Sharks swimming around.
This is a shallow dive excellent for beginners, but also very interesting
for the more experienced divers.
Drop-off / the Wall - [4]
This dive site is reached from the stony shore at the end of a (most of the year) dry river.
It is formed from three old flows of lava from Mount Agung and drops to a depth of over 60 metres.
The Drop-off can be dived on various levels depending on experience and makes an excellent multi-level dive.
Current is moderate, but can be strong during full and new moon.
It starts off with a steep sloping sandy drop with Nudibranchs, Shrimps, Leaf Scorpionfishes and Crinoids.
The slope becomes a magnificent reef which develops to a vertical wall,
beginning at 15 metres descending down to 60 metres.
At 30 metres you cannot miss the amazing sight of a 3 meter sized Gorgonian.
It is likely to come across White tip reef Sharks, big Napoleon Wrasses, Triggerfishes, Bumphead Parrotfishes and Moray Eels.
In the shallows from 5 metres and above there is an abundance of reef fish and other small marine life therefore a nice
place to do your safety stop.
Other dive sites in the Tulamben area
A few minutes drive either east or west of Tulamben are many dive sites that haven't been named yet or are still waiting to be discovered. We will describe some of the already known sites......
Back to map
Batu Kelebit - [5]
Located east from Tulamben bay and is reached by Jukung in about 10 minutes. Batu Kelebit consists of two large underwater rocks and
three steep ridges which drop to a depth between 30 and 50 metres.
The water temperature is colder than Tulamben due to a coldwater
whirlpool and the current can be strong with a visibility between 15 and 20 metres.
The plankton in the water and the steepness of the
ridges give you a good chance to see big fish like Sharks, Mantas, Tuna and Barracudas.
Seraya secrets - [6]
A 10 minute drive to the East of Tulamben brings you to the beach in front of the Seraya resort.
The bottom drops steadily to a depth
between 3 and 9 metres and is known as "Top Secret" and visibility is between 10 and 15 metres. There is not much Coral, but an
abundance of small marine life and Frogfishes, Eels, Scorpion and Lionfishes.
On the sloping bottom from 10 metres to 35 metres you enter the site known as "Deep Secrets" where you are likely to find Seahorses,
Cuttlefishes, mimic Octopuses, striped Catfishes, Harlequin and Tiger Shrimps
and larger Frogfishes.
Kubu (not on the map)
Just a few kilometres to the West of Tulamben is the village of Kubu from where you can make a shore dive. This site has a healthy reef
with hardly any current, visibility up to 30 metres and a depth between 5-40 metres. Here you will see a large variety of fish including
regular sightings of Barracuda, Sharks and Bumphead Parrotfish.
This is a site where you might see the Pygmy Seahorse!