Bali is a great dive location for divers of all levels. There are plenty of opportunities for brand new divers to get PADI qualified and intermediate divers to gain more experience. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t great dives for advanced divers. There are plenty of amazing dives to challenge even lifetime divers. Here are our top 10 dives for advanced divers around Bali.

1. Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida

Between the islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan there is a dive site famous for being a great spot to see mola-mola (oceanic sunfish). Between the months of July and October is the best time to see these giant fish, but of course you are never guaranteed an encounter so it is best to book a couple of trips if you have the time. The water here can be cooler by around 5°C compared to other dive sites in Bali so a thin wetsuit is sometimes recommended. This site drops down to around 40m so an advanced dive certificate is necessary.

2. Ceningan Wall, Nusa Penida

Just northeast of Crystal Bay is Ceningan Wall. This can be a challenging dive due to the currents in the area but it is worth the effort for the incredible marine life found here. The wall drops almost vertically down to 80 metres and is completely covered in corals, sponges, and sea fans. This site is a great dive any time of the year, but again can be cooler than other dives around Bali.

3. Mangrove, Nusa Lembongan

One of the best drift dives around Bali is definitely the Mangrove at Nusa Lembongan. Starting in the mangrove on Nusa Lembongan’s north shore, you will drift over a vast plateau of colourful corals, fans, and sponges. This is an absolute feast for the eyes. Towards the end of the dive, close to Blue Corner, there is a chance you might see manta rays, turtles, and nurse sharks.

4. Blue Corner, Nusa Lembongan

Blue corner is one of the most famous dive sites on Nusa Lembongan and one that all divers coming to Bali want to head to. However, the site is suitable only for advanced divers confident with descending and ascending in strong currents. From around 5 metres the corals are incredibly colourful and packed full of life. This site is frequented by bamboo, white tip, and nurse sharks, as well as mola-mola in season, and marble rays. Even whale sharks have been seen at Blue Corner.

5. Drop Off, Tulamben

Tulamben is well known for its shipwreck but there is plenty more to see for advanced divers there. The wall here drops to a massive 80 metres and is covered in beautiful gorgonian fans and colourful corals. This site is often used for technical dives but underwater photographers also love it for its seahorses that live in amongst the fans.

6. Seraya Secrets, Tulamben

Another Tulamben dive favored by advanced divers is Seraya Secrets. This site has a black, sandy slope filled with wonderful critters that macro photographers will love. A wide variety of nudibranchs, and harlequin shrimp are found here as well as frogfish and beautifully patterned leopard moray eels.

7. Shark Point, Padang Bai

Just a few minutes out of Blue Lagoon Bay in Padang Bai is Shark Point dive site. This site is frequented by both black and white tip reef sharks as well as turtles. This dive isn’t limited to advanced divers but the currents can be strong so make sure your dive guides check the conditions before you head out.

8. The Wall, Amed

On the east side of Jemeluk Bay in Amed is the most interesting dive in the area. This wall drops to around 40 metres and is covered in fans and corals. Drifting along the wall you may see turtles, reef sharks, blue spotted stingrays, barracuda, and schools of other pelagics. In this area there is also world-class muck diving. Ghost pipefish, clown fish and various other reef fish, as well as mimic octopus are regularly seen here.

9. Menjangan Wall, Menjangan Island

Often called the most beautiful wall dive in Bali, Menjangan Wall is an abrupt wall dropping from around 20-60 metres. There is an incredibly variety of species here, most notably massive gorgonian fans that cover much of the wall. The colours in this area are spectacular and the visibility is generally up to 50 metres making it all the more vivid.

10. Anker Wreck, Menjangan Island

Anker Wreck is a pretty easy dive thanks to calm conditions but the depth keeps it limited to advanced divers only. There are actually 2 anchors here, one at 6 metres and another at 32 metres. The wreck itself is much deeper at between 40-50 metres. It has gathered an extensive array of hard and soft corals, and sponges. The wreck is spread over an area of about 50 metres so there is plenty to explore.

Have you dived at any of these dive sites around Bali? If so, we’d love to hear which one is your favorite so leave us a comment in the box below.