Tulamben Liberty Wreck Dive Trip from South Bali

Summary

Certified Diver Day Trip: Tulamben’s Shipwreck & Reefs

You’ll get picked up early from your hotel in south Bali for a full day of diving at Tulamben’s famous Liberty shipwreck plus two other sites like Coral Gardens or Drop Off. With local guides handling gear and logistics (and lunch included), you’ll spend more time exploring underwater than worrying about anything else — it’s one of those days you’ll remember long after you’re back on land.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the way the morning light hit the rice fields as we drove out of Ubud — kind of misty, with those skinny palm trees poking up everywhere. Our driver, Kadek, showed up right on time (7am sharp) and grinned when he saw my tangled hair. “Long night?” he joked. The drive to Tulamben took about two hours but honestly, it didn’t feel that long. I kept watching scooters zip past us with entire families squeezed on one seat — still don’t know how they do it.

At the dive center, everyone seemed half-awake but friendly. There was this faint smell of coffee and neoprene in the air — not unpleasant, just…divey. Our guide, Wayan, handed me a slightly oversized wetsuit and laughed when I tried to pronounce “Selamat pagi.” (I think I said it wrong every time.) After sorting out gear and paperwork (quick), we talked through the plan: three dives today — Liberty wreck first (no way I’d skip that), then Coral Gardens and the Drop Off if we felt up for it.

I still remember dropping down onto the Liberty wreck for the first time. It’s bigger than you expect, all twisted metal covered in soft corals and clouds of fish darting around. There was this moment where a school of bumphead parrotfish drifted by — massive things — and everything went quiet except for my own bubbles. Between dives we hung out back at the center; tea in chipped mugs, some fried noodles for lunch, everyone swapping stories about currents or weird creatures they’d seen (“Did you see that nudibranch?”). The wifi worked well enough to send a photo home — my mom replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

The last dive at Tulamben Drop Off felt almost meditative. Sunlight filtered down in these weird blue shafts and Wayan pointed out a tiny shrimp I never would’ve spotted alone. By then my hair was full of salt and my fingers wrinkled from hours underwater but I didn’t really care — there’s something about surfacing after a long dive that makes everything else fade out for a while.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tulamben 3-Dive Day Trip

• Hotel pick-up at 7am
• Arrival and welcome at Dive Concepts Tulamben
• Administrative procedures and equipment fitting
• Dive 1: USS Liberty shipwreck
• Dive 2: Choice of Tulamben dive site
• Lunch break at dive center
• Dive 3: Choice of Tulamben dive site
• Return to hotel drop-off

Top questions

How long does the drive from Ubud or Kuta to Tulamben take?

It takes about two hours each way between south Bali (Ubud, Kuta, etc.) and Tulamben.

Are hotel pickups included for this Tulamben dive trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Ubud or nearby areas.

How many dives are included in the day trip?

The trip includes three dives at Tulamben dive sites.

Is lunch provided during the diving day?

Yes, lunch is included at the dive center between dives.

Can I choose which dive sites to visit in Tulamben?

You’ll always dive the USS Liberty wreck; you can choose two other sites like Coral Gardens or Drop Off.

Are certified instructors guiding the dives?

Yes, all dives are guided by certified instructors familiar with Tulamben sites.

Is scuba equipment provided or do I need to bring my own?

All necessary scuba equipment is provided as part of your booking.

Are underwater cameras available to rent?

Yes, digital underwater cameras can be rented at the dive center.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from south Bali locations like Ubud or Kuta, all scuba equipment rental, guidance by certified instructors at three Tulamben dive sites including the Liberty wreck, plus lunch with tea or coffee back at the center before returning to your hotel in the evening.