If you love the idea of swimming through a coral garden with huge reef manta rays and tropical fish then snorkeling in Bali should be high up on your list of things to do on this island.
Bali snorkeling offers you the chance to experience coral reefs and some of the most diverse marine life on the planet.
Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about the best snorkeling spots in Bali and how to get the most out of your snorkeling in Bali!
Bali Beaches – Where Should I Snorkel In Bali?
You’re free to grab your snorkel and go snorkeling anywhere in Bali. However, we should point out that not every beach in Bali is created equally when it comes to great snorkeling opportunities.
The most picturesque beaches and the most popular on the South Coast in places like Kuta, Jimbaran, Sanur, Seminyak and Nusa Dua are amazing if you want to get a suntan but not so good for snorkelling.
That’s because they tend to lack coral reefs close to the short and without coral reefs, there isn’t very much marine life near the beach.
Similarly, the beaches of Southwest Bali such as Dreamland Beach, Padang Padang or the Uluwatu Beaches are not great for snorkeling either.
This is because they’re great for surfing and tend to have strong currents and big waves. This makes seeing any coral reefs around very difficult, indeed.
So, if you want to go snorkeling in Bali, it’s best to head to the Northeast, East and West coasts where the coral reef is usually present and the weather conditions tend to keep things reasonable.
Famous spots like Blue Lagoon Beach, Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, etc. all tend to be a bit further from the main tourist action in Bali and that’s good news for snorkelers because it means they get the marine creatures and soft corals to themselves!
When Is The Best Time To Snorkel In Bali?
There is no bad time to explore the underwater world of Bali, though you probably wouldn’t want to do any Bali snorkeling in the middle of an electrical storm in the wet season.
However, though Bali has a wet season, it rarely rains all day long and there are plenty of moments each day for a Bali snorkeling tour or two.
Just be aware that if the weather does turn out unexpectedly bad, then the tour may cancelled or postponed for the day.
So, make certain to check when you book if the company has a refund policy – some only allow you to reschedule the date in the event of cancellation.
The dry season, however, does offer calmer waters and that may help you really appreciate the vibrant coral reef or the white-tip reef sharks that you can see while swimming through the coral gardens of Bali.
12 Amazing Spots For Snorkeling In Bali
A full Bali snorkeling tour could take months but we’ve got 12 great places to get you started with Bali snorkeling and experience some of the rich marine life and coral reefs that lay beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean.
The Wreck Of The USAT Liberty, Tulamben: Amazing For Tropical Fish
The USAT Liberty is an American ship that was sunk by the Japanese during World War 2.
It actually made it all the way to Bali and was ditched just offshore and after the war, it was recovered and placed on the beach.
It was then reclaimed by the sea in an extreme weather event and it remains there ever since.
It’s one of the most amazing features of the underwater world in Bali and you can explore to your heart’s content.
Just be aware you will need to be an experienced diver to reach the lowest part of the wreck which is up to 30 meters below the waves but anyone can reach the top which is only 5 meters down!
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 3-4 Hours
The Coral Garden, Tulamben: A Shallow Reef & Underwater Temple
Leave the small fishing village of Tulamben behind and head out past the USAT Liberty wreck to find an amazing coral garden.
The corals here are both natural and manmade formations and there’s a real mix of soft and hard coral types.
There’s never a bad time of day to visit and you can see damselfish, clown fish, barracudas, and much more in this spot.
There is also an amazing underwater temple here and nobody should miss out on exploring that!
It’s a bit further out from shore than most tours, though, and that means it’s a bit longer than the average snorkeling trip.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 4-5 Hours
Manta Point, Nusa Penida: Massive Manta Rays
Manta Point on Nusa Penida in the Nusa Islands is one of the most popular snorkeling destinations in Bali.
That’s because it’s the best place to swim with manta rays and they are super friendly, very gentle and amazing fun to be around.
You can also observe the symbiotic relationship between the rays and their cleaner fish at Manta Point. It’s an awesome place to spend half a day.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 4-6 Hours
Mangrove Point sits between the Nusa Islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
It can be a challenge to swim here if the weather is playing up, currents get very strong, indeed.
But if the weather is fine, then you can see the endless nurseries of baby fish in long lines all over the coral reefs.
Come between May and June and you should get the result you want for your snorkeling in Bali experience.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 3 Hours
Pos Dua, Menjangan Island, West Bali National Park:: The Ultimate In Visibility
There may be no better destination for snorkeling here in Bali than the Pos Dua site at Menjangan Island.
That’s because the water here is so calm and clear that you can see up to 40 meters down below you! You don’t need to dive very deep when visibility is perfect!
The reefs here are also much less crowded than in busier areas in Bali and it’s a more personal snorkeling experience.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 3-4 Hours
The Coral Garden, Menjangan Island: Wild Sea Turtles Frolicking
Our second coral garden is an amazing place for both beginner snorkelers and experienced snorkelers alike.
That’s because it’s a wonderful place for swimming with wild sea turtles which are one of the biggest draws in Bali’s amazing marine life.
It’s such a thrilling place to be that even the most stoic of divers is said to get an adrenaline rush the first time they glimpse the turtles and other marine creatures here.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 8-10 Hours
Lipah Bay, Amed Beach: Japanese Shipwreck
If you’ve ever wanted to snorkel around the wreck of a Japanese Patrol Boat from the Second World War, this is your chance!
The Japanese shipwreck is not very far down and you can get to the top just 6 meters below the surface and the bottom is only 12 meters down!
If the seas are calm, visibility here is great and you should be able to see all the details of the wreck.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 4-5 Hours
Jemeluk Bay, Amed Beach: A Rainbow Of Fish
This is the ideal place to start for beginner snorkelers and to have a lovely day out without any stress.
Go snorkeling directly off the beach and see the amazing brightly coloured coral formations and the rainbow of fish that they attract.
The waters are calm and blue nearly all of the time.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 3-4 Hours
Biorock Reefs, Pemuteran: The Ultimate Artificial Reef
This may be the most interesting Bali snorkeling site of them all as it’s made of bio-rock.
That is marine engineers build structures out of a biological cement that is designed to attract marine life.
The structures here are amazing and will keep you entertained for hours!
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 5 Hours
Shark Island, Serangan: Swimming With Reef Sharks
This is a sanctuary for baby reef sharks and it’s one of the most breathtaking places to snorkel in the ocean.
Don’t worry, reef sharks are entirely harmless and you can swim with them without any fears for your safety.
Your trip here helps to pay for the sanctuary and the maintenance that keeps the shark species thriving in Bali. Win-Win.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 8-10 Hours
Blue Lagoon Padang Bai: Cowfish Time
Padang Bai is the transit harbour that people use to get to the Gili Islands or to Lombok.
It’s also an amazing place to swim in its Blue Lagoon and find tons of local marine life.
We’ve seen cowfish, moray eels, turtles and more here!
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last?
Virgin Beach: Unspoiled Coral Reefs
You only have to swim 5-10 meters from this beach to enjoy the reefs just below the waves.
They’re packed with fish and sometimes even see turtles too. It’s an amazing place in East Bali to go snorkeling.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 3-4 Hours
Gili Islands: Underwater Statue
Despite not being part of the Bali province, these islands are easily accessible and provide an enchanting underwater adventure. Snorkelers will be delighted to discover the mesmerizing statues hidden beneath the crystal-clear waters of the Gili Islands.
Exploring these underwater sculptures adds a unique element to the snorkeling experience, making it a must-visit destination for both beginners and seasoned snorkelers alike.
How Long Will A Snorkeling Trip Here Typically Last? 2-5 Hours
Tips For Snorkeling In Bali
If you’re going to visit these gorgeous sites for snorkeling in Bali then you should be aware that you will get more out of your time if you:
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Ensure your mask fits properly – we’d encourage you to buy a mask if you’re going to snorkel more than once, but even if you’re renting make sure it fits properly and there is no air leak or your mask will fill up with water
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Ensure your fins fit properly – this can be a real challenge if you’ve got very big or very small feet but the fins should fit comfortably, not too tight and not loose enough to fall off
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Float, don’t swim – you will get much more out of snorkelling when you just float on the surface of the water and let the natural beauty flow past you, it’s way less tiring too
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Don’t mess with the coral – seriously, the coral reefs of Bali are protected habitats and without them, there’d be no marine life to see, so don’t touch or break the coral in any way
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Consider a wet suit – you don’t need a suit to stay warm in Bali’s waters but it will protect you from little things that sting in the ocean waters
FAQs
Where Should I Snorkel In Bali?
Wherever you want, but you will find that if you snorkel in South Bali then you will have much less to see than if you head to the Northeast, West or East Coasts.
There are no laws restricting snorkeling in Bali and thus, it’s down to you to find a good spot to snorkel. We think our guide to the 12 best spots above is a good place to start.
Does Bali Have Good Snorkeling?
Yes! In fact, Bali is very well-known for its snorkeling experiences that’s because there is such a huge variety of marine life and marine environments for you to spend time snorkeling around in Bali.
What Month Is Best To Snorkel In Bali?
The best months to snorkel in Bali tend to be the dry season months that run from April to September or October.
However, if you want to swim with the manta rays then you should come from April to May as that’s when the largest numbers of rays are out.
And if you’re coming to Bali to try and swim with the giant Mola Mola fishes, then you should aim for July to September as they can be quite deep and beyond the reach of even experienced divers for the rest of the year.
Can You Snorkel Off The Beach In Bali?
Yes, in fact, beginner snorkelers might really benefit from taking a snorkel from the beach before going further out.
Just try and stay away from the sun seekers as they tend to use the water to play in and they will break up the visibility of the water.
Can Non-Swimmers Snorkel In Bali?
Yes! However, you must make sure that any non-swimmer is wearing a life jacket which will ensure that they float well enough until the boat comes to pick them up.
How Do I Book A Snorkeling Trip In Bali?
We always recommend that you book any trip in Bali through the amazing people at Bali Res Centre.
That’s because they’re a fully local travel agent with great contacts around the island to ensure you always get up-to-date valuable info before you book.
They also have a great network to get discounts, etc. and always provide you with a competitive price for whatever you want to do.
That means you should always book a Bali snorkeling tour through the Bali Res Centre, it’s just common sense.
Final Thoughts On Snorkeling In Bali
As you might expect Bali snorkeling is an amazing adventure and gives you the opportunity to see some of the most incredible marine life anywhere on Earth.
Whether you opt to see the underwater world of Bali from Blue Lagoon Beach, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, Gamat Bay or somewhere completely different, you’re going to have a great time of things!
