Diving at USAT Liberty Wreck Tulamben: 1 or 2 Dives

The wreck sits in water shallow enough for beginners to reach it safely on their first dive.

A diving lesson and guided dive at the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, Bali, where you learn basic skills in a pool, then descend to explore a sunken ship in gentle currents. The dive center is based on location, so instructors know the reef and its inhabitants. Groups stay small. You choose between one dive or two; a local lunch comes with the two-dive option. Hotel pickup is included, as is all equipment, weights and cylinders.

The Experience

You arrive at the dive shop in Tulamben around 8 am, or you're picked up from your hotel. An experienced PADI instructor walks you through the basics in a pool session before you ever enter the ocean. This is where you get comfortable with the gear and the breathing—the part that matters before the water gets deep. Once you're ready, you move to the actual dive.

The USAT Liberty Wreck is one of the most accessible wrecks in the world, which is exactly why it works for beginners. The current around the site is usually gentle, and the wreck sits shallow enough that a first-time diver can reach it. You descend with your instructor and explore the underwater structure, seeing what twelve years of coral and fish life have done to a ship that sank in 1942. If you book the two-dive option, a local lunch happens between dives, and you get a second descent to see more of the wreck or different parts of the reef. Either way, the day is built around what your body and mind can handle on a first dive.

The dive center operates year-round from a fixed location in Tulamben, so the guides live there and know the reef by season and by tide. Groups are kept small so every diver gets the attention they need. All equipment—wetsuit, tank, weights, the works—comes with the booking, along with cylinders and the logistics that usually get sorted out separately. If you take two dives, mineral water and a meal are included. The only things you bring are your willingness and a valid ID.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 8 am or direct meeting at the dive shop.
• pool training session with a PADI instructor.
• one or two guided dives at the USAT Liberty Wreck.
• full scuba equipment including wetsuit, tank, regulator, weights and cylinders.
• local lunch and mineral water (included with the two-dive option).
• all community contributions and site fees.

Good to know

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

Operated by Bali Diving Academy

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so if you're comfortable following instruction in English and want a small group where the instructor can focus on you, this setup works. If you're a complete beginner or nervous about diving, the pool session and the gentle current at this wreck site remove the guesswork—you learn on the ground before you go underwater.

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Top questions

Can I go diving if I've never done it before?

Yes. The pool session teaches you the basics before you enter the ocean, and the USAT Liberty Wreck is designed for beginners because the current is gentle and the wreck is shallow. You must be at least 12 years old and in moderate physical fitness.

What's the USAT Liberty Wreck and why is it good for a first dive?

The USAT Liberty is a sunken ship that rests in shallow water off Tulamben, making it one of the world's most accessible wrecks. Beginners can reach it safely, and the reef around it is home to fish and coral that have colonized the structure over decades.

How long does the whole day take?

The experience runs about 7 hours from pickup to return, including the pool session, the dive or dives, and lunch if you choose the two-dive option.

What equipment do I need to bring?

You bring nothing except yourself and a valid ID. The dive center provides the full scuba kit—wetsuit, tank, weights, regulator—and all cylinders. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and a towel.

Does the price include everything?

Yes. The price covers hotel pickup, the pool training session, one or two guided dives with a PADI instructor, all diving equipment and cylinders, lunch and water if you do two dives, and local fees for the dive site.

What's the water like at Tulamben?

The current around the dive sites is usually gentle, which is why the area suits beginners. Water temperature and visibility vary by season, but the reef is active year-round with fish, coral and the wreck structure itself.