Tulamben Scuba Dive: USAT Liberty Wreck & Coral Garden

Descend to a World War II wreck and live coral walls 30 meters down.

A private fun dive for certified divers in Tulamben, Bali, combines two separate dives: the USAT Liberty, a sunken cargo ship from World War II now covered in coral and marine life, and your choice of Coral Garden or Wall Coral nearby. The dive depth ranges from 12 to 18 meters on average, with a maximum of 30 meters, and each dive lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Full scuba equipment, a certified dive instructor, lunch and hotel pickup from South or Central Bali are included; the activity runs about 10 hours from pickup to return.

The Experience

The USAT Liberty Wreck is the centerpiece—a cargo ship that sank during World War II and now sits on the seafloor as an artificial reef, its hull and superstructure colonized by coral and surrounded by schools of reef fish. You descend to explore the wreck structure itself, moving through sections where the marine growth has transformed the metal into a living landscape. The wreck sits shallow enough that the dive stays within recreational limits, and the visibility and abundance of life make it one of Bali's most distinctive dives.

After the first dive, you surface for rest and a local lunch with a non-alcoholic drink at the diving resort, then choose your second site: either the Coral Garden, a shallow reef garden less than 40 meters from shore, or Wall Coral, a vertical drop-off in the same area. Both sites showcase the diversity of hard and soft corals and the fish species that inhabit them. Each dive runs 30 to 45 minutes, giving you time to move through the site without rushing.

The dive starts at 10:00 AM in Tulamben if you arrange your own transport to the meeting point. If you book with hotel pickup, the driver collects you at 7:30 AM from South Bali (Kuta or Denpasar) or Central Bali (Ubud or Gianyar), so the full day from pickup to return is about 10 hours. A certified dive instructor leads the dives in English, Malay or Japanese. All scuba equipment—tank, weight belt, full gear set—is provided, along with life insurance through Jasa Raharja and entrance fees to the dive site.

What’s included

• Full scuba equipment including tank and weight belt.
• certified dive instructor leading both dives.
• two dives at USAT Liberty Wreck and Coral Garden or Wall Coral.
• local lunch with non-alcoholic drink at the diving resort between dives.
• life insurance.
• entrance ticket to the dive site.
• hotel pickup from South Bali (Kuta, Denpasar) or Central Bali (Ubud, Gianyar) on the option that includes transport.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Master Bali Tour

Is this one for you?Book with hotel pickup if you're staying in South or Central Bali and want the full day handled—the driver collects you early so you arrive rested and on time. Choose the option without transport if you're already in Tulamben or prefer to drive yourself to the 10:00 AM start.

Top questions

What is the USAT Liberty Wreck like underwater?

The USAT Liberty is a World War II cargo ship that sank and now sits on the seafloor as an artificial reef. Its hull and superstructure are covered in coral and surrounded by schools of reef fish, creating a wreck dive where you explore the ship's structure itself while moving through a living marine environment.

How deep do you dive at Tulamben?

The average dive depth is 12 to 18 meters, with a maximum depth not exceeding 30 meters, keeping the dives within recreational limits for certified divers.

What happens between the two dives?

After the first dive at the USAT Liberty Wreck, you surface and rest while a local lunch with a non-alcoholic drink is served at the diving resort. The second dive then begins at either Coral Garden or Wall Coral, both located less than 40 meters from the beach.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Tulamben?

Hotel pickup is included if you book the option with transport; the driver collects you at 7:30 AM from South Bali (Kuta or Denpasar) or Central Bali (Ubud or Gianyar). If you book without transport, you arrange your own way to the meeting point in Tulamben, and the dive starts at 10:00 AM.

What scuba gear is provided?

Full scuba equipment is included: tank, weight belt, and a complete dive gear set. You bring only your certification card and any personal items like a dive computer if you own one.

What languages does the dive instructor speak?

The certified dive instructor conducts the dives in English, Malay, or Japanese, depending on the group's needs.