Diving trips in Bali are one-of-a-kind. You come in close contact with marine life, witness the stunning coral reefs, explore shipwrecks, and take some underwater photos and videos.
Thinking about getting certified and doing more of those fun dives on your own? Check out our list of the best diving schools Bali has to offer first!
Things To Know Before Joining A Diving School In Bali
There are certain levels of divemaster certificates and courses. Some are more recreational, but some allow you to dive deeper, perform research, or even become a rescue diver.
The minimum age for taking a diving course is 10 years old.
The best months to scuba dive in Bali are April to November – the best time to learn diving and practice, with calm water and clearer visibility. From August to October, you can spot Mola Mola around Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Candidasa diving areas.
It takes just 3-4 days to get scuba certified in Bali, but to become an advanced diver or diving guide you will need not only account for hours of training but also hours of personal practice. For ex., for level 2 you need 40 dives. Even if every day has amazing weather conditions and you will do one dive a day, it will take more than a month.
The average cost of a beginner open water dive certificate according to the official PADI website is 230 USD (336 AUD). However, in Bali, the prices for 3-day PADI courses may range from 440 USD (676 AUD) as they include transportation, accommodation fees, and food. If it is a non-PADI-certified dive centre, the price can be much lower.
Diving equipment is always included in the course price, but any photo or video footage should be paid for separately.
What Is PADI? An Important Acronym To Know
PADI or Professional Association of Diving Instructors is a global membership-based diving organization, a leader in the scuba diving industry, uniting dive centers across the world to provide the safest and most professional training.
If a dive centre has PADI certification it means their divemasters comply with the highest international standards, their courses follow the safest (for both humans and the ocean) and most comprehensive curriculum (and also comply with ISO standards), and all their trips do not disrupt the underwater world in any way.
When if you’re looking for a school, make sure to check if they offer PADI diving certification or not. A PADI certificate will allow you to dive anywhere in the world.
Another similar organisation that oversees and trains divers is Scuba Schools International (SSI) and its certificate has similar benefits.
Open Water Diving vs. Scuba Diving
Scuba diving encompasses any underwater diving, including open water diving and diving spots like tanks, caves, wrecks, etc.
So scuba diving certification will include more skills but the entry point will anyway be an open water diver course. Only advanced divers can be allowed to explore closed spaces, do deep dives, rescue or technical diving.
Sometimes you will also see a 2-day scuba diving course for beginners in Bali. It is technically half of the open water diver course and was created for tourists with limited time.
Diving Certification Levels
Beginners start with a Padi open water diver course, the first level, that includes diving and gear training both in the pool and during shallow dives for up to 18 m deep maximum.
Advanced open water diver course prepares certified divers who can go deeper underwater, for up to 30 m. It includes night diving, learning how to use a compass underwater and many more dive skills.
After that, you can take specialty courses in scuba diving, like wreck diving, technical diving, etc. Do not overlook safety courses as they can literally save lives.
PADI Divemaster certification is the top level that allows you not only to dive but also to lead diving groups. It has a few requirements you need to meet including 40 personal dives.
French system ANMP has three levels of mastering diving:
Level 1 – you’re allowed to dive up to 20 m with a guide,
Level 2 – you’re allowed to dive up to 40 m with a guide, and by yourself up to 20 m, and
Level 3 – can dive alone for up to 60 m deep.
Best Diving Schools & Scuba Diving Courses in Bali
If it is a PADI-certified dive centre, the courses will be all pretty much the same, as the structure and materials are centralized and reviewed by the head organization. Same with SSI or French or any other country-based diving association.
What can be different in schools is the quality of service, location and the dive sites they take you to, languages they can teach courses, and, of course, the price.
Specialty courses will differ based on the team and how experienced the divers are in specific areas.
Bali Diving Academy
Bali Diving Academy is an award-winning school that offers a Padi and Green Fins-certified open water diver course, specialty courses, pro courses, freediving training, underwater photography course, and dive trips for anyone interested in diving in Bali since 1991.
Professional scuba divers here can teach in Indonesian, English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Italian, and even Japanese. They have an impressive 100% safety streak during all these years.
Most importantly, they only promote sustainable and environment-friendly dives, even for fun, and collaborate extensively with marine biologists to restore dying reefs and protect marine life.
Where Is It: Bali Diving Academy has an office in Sanur, Tulamben, Nusa Lembongan, and Pemuteran.
Online: Scubali
Neptune Scuba Diving Bali
PADI-certified dive centre where passionate divers take you to the best dive sites to learn scuba diving. The courses are standard PADI courses, where the 1st day is a theory and pool training day, and days 2 and 3 are diving days.
The centre is in Sanur which is a great area for learning. Training pricing starts from 530 USD (774 AUD) and it is available in Indonesian, English, Chinese, and Romanian.
Where Is It: Jalan Suka Merta, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Neptune Scuba Diving Bali
Abyss
Abyss is a 5-star dive centre training professional divers and organising fun dives in Amed since 1996. The location is amazing as Amed has so many spots for diving for both beginners and advanced divers.
The school has American SSI and French ANMP certifications and can offer both courses. A 3-day program for beginners costs around 429 USD (626 AUD).
Where Is It: Jl. I Ketut Natih, Purwakerti, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Online: Abyss
Blue Season
Getting an open water diver course with Blue Season gets you 4 amazing dives in some of the most famous spots: Amed and USAT Liberty Wreck.
The training price starts from 770 AUD (528 USD).
Beyond courses, Blue Season divemasters with thousands of dives locked in, can take you to the best spots and dive safaris, including a 10-day itinerary covering the whole island.
Where Is It: Gg. Wana Sari, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali
Online: Blue Season Bali
Dive Concepts
Dive Concepts is one of the best diving schools in Nusa Lembongan, Bali. Thousands of students got certified and witnessed underwater wonders, including Mola Mola, Mangrove Gardens, manta rays, and other marine life.
They have courses and dives for more advanced divers too, and are experienced in drift diving and dealing with strong currents and Nitrox diving. The prices at Dive Concepts are also very reasonable, open water diver certification course is around 250 USD (365 AUD).
Want to venture beyond Bali? Dive Concepts organizes diving cruises all around Indonesia!
Where Is It: Dive Concepts has shops in Pemuteran, Tulamben, Amed, and Nusa Lembongan.
Online: Dive Concepts
Bali Scuba
Bali Scuba’s divers have taught and dived with tourists since 2000. It is a top-rated PADI dive centre in Sanur that offers PADI courses from zero to pro level.
Available languages are Malay, Indonesian, English, Italian, Mandarin, Swedish, and Norwegian. If you don’t have much time, you can sign up for a 2-day only scuba diving course with Bali Scuba and do your first dives in shallow waters (up to 12 m).
Pricing for open water training starts from 500 USD (720 AUD).
Where Is It: Jl. Danau Poso No.46, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Bali Scuba
Dune Atlantis
Dune Atlantis is one of the oldest and best diving schools in Bali. Since 1996 this French-owned PADI-certified Instructor Development Centre has been getting raving reviews from students and divers.
This dive club is registered with PADI and FFESSM (French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports) and takes you to dive sites in Bali, Nusa Penida and all around Indonesia on their own authentic Penisi sailboat made in Sulawesi.
Where Is It: Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai.96E, Sanur Kauh, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Atlantis Bali
Blue Corner Dive
Blue Corner Dive School is mostly focused on the Nusa Penida and Lembongan diving scene and freediving. So if you want to learn to dive longer and deeper without relying on oxygen tanks, this team is probably one of the best to teach you that.
Full 4 days of open water training cost around 437 USD (635 AUD). If you wish to become an instructor, the centre offers both PADI and IDC-certified courses, and, by the way, Blue Corner was the first school to train instructors on Lembongan.
Where Is It: Jl. Jungutbatu, Jungutbatu, Kec. Nusa Penida, Kabupaten Klungkung, Bali 80771
Online: Blue Corner Dive
Crystal Divers
Crystal Divers shop is PADI recognized and certified to teach both divers and professional instructors. They do it so well, that PADI classifies this centre as a Career Development Center (CDC) – one of the first in the whole of Indonesia.
They offer a wide range of courses from standard scuba diving courses to special courses like Aware – training focused on identifying corals or fish and even boat driver training. Basic training pricing starts from 430 USD (625 AUD).
Where Is It: Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai Gang Griya No.6, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228
Online: Crystal Divers
AquaMarine Diving
Aqua Marine is a PADI and Green Fins-certified 5-star Dive Resort and training centre – one of the OG diving schools in Bali, operating since 1999. They take great pride in contributing to sustainable tourism and coral preservation.
The centre focuses only on diving and divemaster courses which highlights their professionalism. You can learn how to dive with Aqua Marine starting from 500 USD (730 AUD).
Where Is It: Petitenget St No.2A, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
Online: AquaMarine Diving
Ok Divers Resort
A resort with a spa, a school and a dive centre in Panand Bay opened in 2002. The location is amazing, right next to the port so you can hop on a boat and go diving without being stuck in Bali traffic.
The school has all of the PADI courses from beginner to pro and special programs. Have some free time after diving? The team can help you organize some day trips and tours around the island.
Where Is It: Jl. Silayukti No.6, Padangbai, Kec. Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80871
Online: OK Divers
Geko Divers
Geko Divers is another great diving school in the Padang bay port area. Geko does offer standard PADI open water diver courses but what is special about this school is the technical diving training.
The centre is a certified member of the International Technical Diving Association and PADI TecRec and offers in-depth training in decompression, nitrox, and overhead diving.
If you’re on your path to becoming a pro, you certainly should check them out.
Where Is It: Jl. Silayukti No.5, Padangbai, Kec. Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80871
Online: Geko Divers
Diving School @ Tauch Terminal Tulamben Resort
Tulamben Tauch Resort is not just a beachfront resort with nice rooms, a relaxing spa, and a restaurant. It hides one of the only two SSI Diamond Diving Instructor centres in Indonesia.
The majority of the schools are trying to limit the groups and provide one instructor for every 4 divers. A huge bonus of training at Tauch is that it is completely private training no matter the level – newbie or pro.
All the courses are available in Indonesian, English, and German.
Where Is It: PHFV+C82, Jl. Kubu, Tulamben, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852
Online: Tauch Dive Center
Eco Dive Amed
Eco Dive Amed is a school and diving shop owned by a passionate diver with more than 40 years of diving experience! The school is IDC and PADI certified and is one of the OG shops in Amed – a snorkelling and diving destination for tourists from all over Bali.
The team is dedicated to immersing you not only in the diving scene and showing you the best sites around Bali but also introducing you to Balinese food and culture.
Courses here are affordable – open water training is 375 USD (545 AUD).
Where Is It: Jemeluk Beach – Amed – Abang, Purwakerti, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852
Online: Eco Dive Bali
Adventure Divers
A 5-star diving in Bali is with Adventure Divers. You can dive to see the Liberty Wreck, Emerald Bay, and pyramids, or do a fun night dive, or learn diving from A to Z here!
We couldn’t confirm if they have an active PADI membership but they definitely have PADI-certified divers who will train you.
Where Is It: JI, Amed, Jl. I Ketut Natih, Purwakerti, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852
Online: Adventure Divers
Ena Dive Center
Ena Dive Center is not just a school but a 5-star gold palm PADI resort based in Sanur with a selection of PADI courses and diving trips for you.
Year after year the team excels at what they do and in 2023 they received the PADI award for 35 years of outstanding diving services. That says a lot!
Where Is It: Jl. Tirta Ening No.1, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227
Online: Ena Dive
Legend Diving
Legend Diving has two centres – one in Nusa Penida and one in Nuse Lembongan – to offer beginner and advanced diver training, as well as freediving.
If your kids want to learn diving, Legend Dive shop has a special course for them too! Every course can have a marine conservation add-on – a module that can teach you how to identify marine life and better understand their needs and threats.
Where Is It: Nusa Lembongan, Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida, Klungkung Regency, Bali 80771
Online: Legend Diving
Best Dive Sites To Practice After Your Certification
Bali is luckily located in the centre of the coral triangle which means Bali offers a lot of top-level dive spots with access to 75% of the world’s corals.
These Bali diving sites are the sweetest spots to get dive hours after your scuba diving training.
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Amed is a diving gem for new divers. From snorkelling trips to wreck diving – you can have it all here. A lot of beginner-level fun dives to watch turtles and tropical fishes. Lots of dives in French!
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Sanur is a great spot for beginners with diving in shallow waters and snorkelling trips.
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Gili islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air) have many dive centres and dozens of certified PADI divemasters. Highlights of your first trip here will be turtles at Turtle Heaven (Gili Meno) and Shark Point (Gili Trawangan), colourful nudibranchs, myriads of fishes and eels, Gili Meno Coral wall, and more. Gilis are also great for night diving and wreck dives. An experienced diver may be interested in drift diving at Shark Point and Deep Turbo.
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Nusa Penida. Manta Point is the best spot to see massive manta rays around Bali, while Crystal Bay is where you can see Mola Mola (Sun Fish). Nusa Penida is easy to reach by a speed boat from Padang Bai (Padang bay ).
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Pemuteran is a dive site in Bali like no other: it has a unique reef where you can spot some whale and reef sharks, mantis shrimps, octopuses, tropical fishes, lobsters, a 2000 years old bio wreck, eel garden, a temple wall reef, and so much more!
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Menjangan. Fewer divers come here but Menjangan has a lot to offer – gorgonian sea fans, corals, fishes, reef sharks, and turtles.
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Tulamben. Here advanced divers can check out the USAT Liberty wreck of WWII, a shallow reef and coral garden nearby, and a 60m drop-off wall full of marine life.
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Nusa Lembongan. Bali Diving Academy offers 6-week diving internships in marine biology here. Lembongan has a lot of diving opportunities for more experienced divers who can dive up to 40 meters and see slopes and drop-off reefs, Sental sponge reef, ToyaPakeh hard coral reefs, and more.
South Bali doesn’t offer an extraordinary diving experience as it is mostly surfing. But any of the sites above are super easy to access even if you’re staying in Canggu if you pre-book some day trips.
Final Thoughts On Diving Schools, Bali
Bali is one of the best beginner-friendly places to learn scuba diving and do your very first dive into the underwater world. If you plan to visit Bali, spare a few days to experience diving.
