Truthfully, I was skeptical if there are any good snorkelling spots in Bali.

It is either overtouristed or the corals are wrecked — the main spots of Bali are nowhere near pristine.

If you want solid snorkelling spots away from the crowd, the best snorkelling spot in Bali is hands-down at Amed and Tulamben.

You’ll see blue-ish waters and interesting wrecks like the US liberty wrecks or Japanese wrecks with depths ranging between 4 to 30m and a variety of diverse marine life from corals to fish and turtles.

But there are also other spots closer to Bali if you don’t want to make the long trip all the way to other end of the island.

For instance, the closest spot near Bali’s centre like Sanur is actually Nusa Penida — since it is just a 30 minute boat-ride away.

Here are some of my recommended spots to find the best snorkelling spots in Bali:

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Best Snorkelling Spots in Bali

1. Lovina Beach: For snorkelling with Dolphins

The highlight of this in bali is being able to snorkel with dolphins (yes, dolphins!)

If you’re staying in the North of Bali, Lovina beach is a pretty good spot to go snorkelling here.

The highlight of this is being able to snorkel with dolphins (yes, dolphins!). The best part is being able to watch the sunrise, see the dolphins and swim in the reef with tons of stunning fishes. Most of the dolphins appear in the morning when it is peak feeding time.

If you go with a tour, it goes on for 3 hours and we could take our time to watch and take pictures or videos of the dolphins!

The road leading up to the spot takes you through some mountainous terrain and winding roads so I would recommend being prepared if you have motion sickness.

How to get there: From the main town of Singaraja, Lovina Beach is about a 15-minute drive. If you’re coming from southern Bali, like Ubud or Kuta, expect a 2.5-3 hour drive.

Recommended tours: Lovina/Bali: Dolphin Watching Tour, Swimming and Snorkeling

Best hotels to stay in:

2. Nusa Penida: Nearest to Bali Centre & For Manta Rays

The main point for snorkelling here is at Manta Point and several other shallow spots like Gamat Bay.

Imagine swimming with manta rays and getting panaromic views of the Kelingking beach.

Sure, most people explore the islands and head to the viewpoints. But the best part of Nusa Penida is the snorkelling!

The main point for snorkelling here is at Manta Point and several other shallow spots like Gamat Bay.

Even if you’re not a strong swimmer, going here is highly recommended simply because of its crystal clear waters at their Secret Bay.

If you go with a shared tour, as a solo traveller they’ll usually take you to the usual spots but snorkelling is kinda rushed here.

If you’ve some time, I would recommend the private tour simply because there are few secret spots that it is absolutely worth it if you’re looking for abundance of coral life.

How to get there: There’s a 30-45 minute speedboat ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida.

Recommended tours: From Bali: Snorkeling at Manta Point Nusa Penida & Land Tour (shared) / From Bali: Nusa Penida Private Snorkeling Tour with Lunch

Best hotels to stay in Sanur:

3. Blue Lagoon in PadangBai: Nearest from Ubud & For Family-Friendly Snorkelling + Beginners

The best part about this is how family-friendly it is for people looking to snorkel in calm waters

If you’re staying in Ubud or Sideman, the Blue Lagoon in Padang Bai is the best snorkelling spot to see the coral life of Bali.

It makes sense to take a tour like this, as the costs to get from Ubud to here can be pretty pricy.

The best part about this is how family-friendly it is for people looking to snorkel in calm waters — you get to see cuttlefish, angelfish, cowfish, moray eels and even spot a turtle.

There’s two hours of snorkelling where the first stop is usually at Blue Lagoon and another hour of snorkeling at Amuk Bay. Some of the tours also take you to the Kanto Lampo waterfall or ends with a nice lunch.

How to get there: It is a 1.5 hour drive from Ubud but the tour options have transport arranged for you which is worth it than going alone.

Recommended tours: (waterfall option) Blue Lagoon Snorkeling & Waterfall Tour with Lunch / (just lunch) Blue Lagoon Snorkeling & Waterfall Tour with Lunch

Best hotels to stay in Ubud

4. Amed Beach: Best Spot for Epic Snorkelling

If you love history coupled with marine life, amed is a good spot to explore

I am going to say it as it is but Amed has got to be hands-down the best snorkelling spot in Bali.

There’s everything you need here — calm waters, stunning coral reefs with clear visibility, laid-back vibes that let you linger for longer without the touristy frills.

For those who want more independence and without any tours, you can go snorkelling right off the beach. One spot that’s pretty epic is Jemeluk Bay — the corals are vibrant with plenty of fishes.

But if you want a truly local tour that’s chill and not touristy, I highly recommend taking the tour.

The 3-hour private snorkelling tour covers all the main four sites like the famous Japanese Shipwreck, Turtle point, Lipa bay and Jemele Temple underwater (yes, a ancient temple right underwater!)

If you love history coupled with marine life, this is a good spot to explore

How to get there: From Ubud, Amed is about a 2.5-hour drive. But I would suggest staying in Amed so you’re not rushed.

Recommended tour: Snorkelling tour & underwater temple

Best hotels to stay in Amed

5. Tulamben: Next Best Spot for Snorkelling With Shipwrecks from WWII

If you’re fascinated by history and want to go off-the-beaten path, Tulamben is the right spot

Another shipwreck that’s absolutely worth the detour from seeing all the big and colourful fishes but however, the main attraction of Tulamben has got to be the shipwrecks from WWII.

The USAT Liberty is a World War II cargo ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and is now a diving hot-spot in Bali.

If you’re fascinated by history and want to go off-the-beaten path, Tulamben is the right spot. You get to see blue-spotted stingrays, octopus, scorpion fish, sweet lips, triggerfish, moray eels and more.

The only con is that it is a bit far from the usual spots. But if you’re in Amed, it is just a 30-minute drive from here.

How to get there: Tulamben is about a 3-hour drive from southern Bali. If you’re staying in Amed, it’s just a 30-minute drive.

Recommended tour: Tulamben: USAT Liberty Shipwreck Full-Day Snorkeling Trip

Best hotels to stay in Tulamben

6. Menjangan Island: For Smaller Crowds

menjangan island is one of the most biodiverse places in bali

This is perhaps the least explored part of Bali with the best snorkelling and even diving spots.

Menjangan island is located in the West Bali National Park — it takes extra effort to get here and rightly so. It is one of the most biodiverse places in all of Bali — if you’re lucky enough you can even spot deers here before you snorkel.

There are tons of beautiful fishes or eels and even reef sharks.

It’s 30 minutes by boat to the island from Permuteran and you are not allowed to stay in the island as it’s protected.

The highlight of it is the fact that the vibe is peaceful, and it’s a good spot if you want to avoid the busier snorkeling hubs.

How to get there: It is a 8 hour drive to-and-fro to this side of Bali. If you don’t want the long drive, you can stay in Munduk and the drive will be only 2 hours one way or just stay in Pemuteran for longer and have access to the beach.

Recommended tour: All Include Snorkeling Menjangan Island

Best hotels to stay in Pemuteran

When’s the best time to snorkel in Bali?

If you want clear visibility, less rain and calm seas, the best time to snorkel in Bali is during the dry season, which runs from April to October.

If you’re obsessed about manta rays, they can mostly be spotted year-round at sites like Nusa Penida’s Manta Point, but the calmer seas make it much better ofcourse.

P/S: You’ll want to avoid the rainy season from November to March when there are strong currents and bad visibility.

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