7 Best Bali Snorkeling Spots That You Should Try in 2024
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Bali is not only known for its beautiful beaches and culturally vibrant places but it is also famous for some of the best spots for snorkeling in Southeast Asia. Due to the island’s crystal clear blue waters and abundance of various sea life as well as colorful sea corals, Bali is paradise for snorkeling lovers. No matter if you are an old hand of snorkeler or just a beginner, you must include snorkeling in your Bali itinerary. Given below are the top 7 Bali snorkeling spots that you should not miss in this year.
1. Menjangan Island
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Menjangan Island is located on the North West of Bali which is a snorkeling paradise and has beautiful floating gardens. Surrounded by National Park West Bali, the island is very much known for its calm waters, clear visibility and robust coral gardens. Expect to see vibrant fish, sea turtles and exotic species of corals. Its very gentle currents make it a perfect destination for both snorkelers and scuba divers alike. As a bonus, there are a few historical sites beneath the waters such as temple ruins and old relics that truly make snorkeling here a wonderful experience.
Why Visit Menjangan Island?
- Protected underwater life in national park
- Best visibility ranges up to about 50m
- Located conveniently on the North West coast of Bali
2. Blue Lagoon, Padang Bai
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The Blue Lagoon is reportedly a secret spot situated in the economically poor fishing village, Padang Bai, which is located on the Eastern side of Bali. The lagoon is host to numerous fish species, which include, clownfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and many more. It is a shallow lagoon with soft sand, the perfect combination for children and beginners. There is an opportunity to snorkel alongside the shore to see a few tropical fishes or head deeper into the sea.
Interesting features of Blue Lagoon:
- Only a short boat ride is needed to travel from Padang Bai
- Great biodiversity and scenic coral reefs
- Accessible with children as waters are shallow
3. Nusa Penida – Crystal Bay
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Nusa Penida is included in the three Nusa islands around Bali, and probably the best site for snorkeling in the region is crystal bay. With a name of crystal bay, one can imagine how clear and calm the seas on the beach are. It is quite a spot to look out for the mola mola (ocean sunfish) at the right time of the year. Crystals bay also includes stunning coral reefs and possibilites of larger animals such as reef sharks and rays to be seen.
Why Choose Crystal Bay
- Tourists like to put themselves in exciting environments and Crystal Bay Beach Tanjung Benoa suits the bill perfectly.
- Another great factor about Crystal Bay Beach is the fish that can be found there.
- Accessible by boat from Sanur, making it a great day trip
4. Amed Beach
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Amed Beach is a fishng village with a quiet snorcheling area located on the northeast coast of the island of Bali. Its black sand and quite seas with an array of underwater life and coral gardens makes Amed to be a magnificent beach. The main feature here is a Japanese ship sank just two hundred yards from the beach, making even the most novice snorkeler’s experience unforgettable. It also has sunken ships, shallow reefs, sea turtles, colorful fish, and many reefs.
What’s So Great About Amed Beach
- Wreck of a Japanese ship within swimming distance
- Its dark sand bottom makes it an ideal backdrop for snorkeling
- Shops where you can get snacks and cafes and relax
5. Tulamben – USS Liberty Wreck
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Tulamben lies on the northeastern coast of Bali and is famous for the USS Liberty wreck, This is a well known snorkeling and diving sites. The American merchant vessel got sunk in the Second World War. The ship is located in shallow water off the coast and is now home to large patches of reef. As the base is at a depth of only 5 meters, this is a nd endors a different and fun snorkeling experience for those who want to explore something.
Reasons to Swim Around the USS Liberty Wreck:
- Historic wreck that you can easily access from the shore.
- Chance to see larger marine species such as barracudas and groupers.
- Perfect sighting conditions for good underwater photos.
6. Nusa Lembongan - Mangrove Point
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Another one of the Nusa Islands which is popular for snorkeling is Nusa Lembongan. The north part of the island Mangrove Point is famous for its vast coral and mangrove forest. This particular Bali snorkeling spot is good for catching a glimpse of small tropical fish, and at times even larger reef sharks and rays, depending on the time of year. The adjacent mangroves also serve as a breeding ground for many fishes, making the area ecologically valuable for snorkeling.
Main Features of Mangrove Point:
- Leisurely still water with low wave movements
- Rich coral reefs with a lot of fish
- Presence of a mangrove forest offering an exclusive snorkelling experience
7. Pemuteran Bay
Photo source: yoshua_surjo (Instagram)
The last one but certainly not least is Pemuteran Bay which has one of the best and most sustainable and beautiful snorkeling experience in Bali. This bay has the Bio-Rock Project, where people have started to build artificial reefs, to assist with the rehabilitation of coral tissue. A very good location and well cared, where snorkelers come seeking for a different view under the sea. Here, you will see varieties of colorful corals, small fishes residing on reefs, and even big moray eels.
Reasons Why Pemuteran Bay Will be Your Favorite:
- Unique reefs surrounded with different species of corals and fishes
- Snorkeling which do not harm reefs and helps restore them
- Calm and clear waters providing the best conditions for seaming less snorkelling
Guide to Finding the Best Bali Snorkeling Site
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Best Season
The period between April to October is a great period as who want calm seas with good view range.
Must Have Equipment
It is quite easy to rent them at most beaches and bays. It is more convenient to carry your own mask and snorkel if you have plans to snorkel at more than one place.
Coordination with Marine Inhabitants
Do not touch the corals or feed the fishes as this could disrupt the fragile ecosystem.
Drink Sufficient Amounts of Water
It can be overwhelming to snorkel in the sun in Bali. Keep a lot of water along and maybe a light snack for energy purposes.
Photo source: erlinkal (Instagram)
Those who want to see Bali from underwater should try snorkeling as it allows people to see the island’s spectacular scenery and a variety of fascinating sea creatures. Whether it is ancient shipwrecks, stunning coral reefs or constructed reef balls, each snorkeling site on this list has something different to offer. If you want an exciting experience at Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida or just a calm day at the Blue Lagoon, one look at the underwater world of Bali will make you forget about everything else. So get your snorkel, head over the water and enjoy the best bali snorkeling spots
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