2 PADI Certified Dives at Tulamben from Bali

The main attraction here is the USAT Liberty, a 120-meter American cargo ship resting off Tulamben since 1963. You first visit the coral garden for 40 to 60 minutes, then return after lunch for a second underwater session along the wreck, where the depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters according to your certification.

I like the small maximum group of five and the fact that equipment, drinks, lunch, a guide, and hotel transfers are included. I also like the sensible warm-up plan: the coral garden lets you check your comfort and equipment before tackling the Liberty. The main drawback is the long day, about 10 and a half hours, with a road journey from Bali to Tulamben and back.

Key points to know before booking

• Two different underwater settings: Start among coral, reef fish, turtles, eels, shrimp, and possible black-tipped sharks before visiting the Liberty wreck.
• Depth depends on your certification: The wreck can be seen from about 5 meters, while deeper sections reach 30 meters.
• Small group size: The maximum is five participants, which should make briefings and underwater supervision more personal.
• Built for certified participants: You must show proof of certification and previous scuba experience.
• A full package from Bali: Hotel pickup, transport, equipment, lunch, morning tea, beverages, bottled water, and a professional guide are included.
• A useful refresher option: The first session can help you regain comfort if it has been several years since your last underwater outing.

Why the USAT Liberty makes this day special

Tulamben is best known for one remarkable underwater sight: the USAT Liberty. The ship is 393 feet long, or about 120 meters, and went down in 1963. You are not simply swimming over a small artificial reef. You are exploring the remains of a sizable working vessel that has become home to marine life.

The wreck visit comes second, which is a sensible order. You begin with the coral garden, where the plan allows 40 to 60 minutes underwater, depending on your breathing. That first session gives you time to settle into your mask, regulator, buoyancy, and weighting before dealing with the larger structure of the Liberty.

The wreck begins at about 5 meters and reaches roughly 30 meters. Your guide will set the route and depth according to your certification. That point matters. A participant with a basic certification will not necessarily see the same sections as someone qualified for deeper water, and you should not treat the maximum depth as a target.

The marine life is part of the appeal in both locations. Expect the possibility of reef fish, turtles, eels, shrimp, and black-tipped sharks. No wildlife sighting is guaranteed, of course, but the range of species gives the first session plenty of purpose beyond being a warm-up.

The early start from Bali

The day begins at 7:00 am, with pickup offered from the Denpasar area and other hotel locations arranged through the operator. The total experience lasts about 10 hours and 30 minutes, so you should protect the entire day rather than plan a tight evening appointment.

The road trip is the tradeoff for reaching Tulamben from Bali. You will spend a substantial part of the day in transport, but hotel pickup and drop-off remove the trouble of arranging a private car, finding the site, and coordinating with a local scuba center.

Because the trip starts early, have your personal basics ready the night before. The supplied package covers equipment, food, and drinks, but the information provided does not specify every personal item you may need. Follow the operator’s instructions before departure and allow enough time for pickup.

The group limit is five people. That is useful for a scuba day because briefings, equipment checks, and questions can take time. A small group also gives the professional guide fewer people to monitor than a large boat or coach-based operation would.

The coral garden session comes first

At Bali Breizh Divers, you receive a briefing before entering the water. The first session takes place around the coral garden and lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, based partly on your air consumption.

This first stop has a practical role. If you have not used scuba equipment recently, it gives you a chance to settle down and confirm that everything feels right. One participant used the day as a return to underwater activity after a ten-year break, with the morning session serving as a check before the Liberty visit. That makes this outing more useful for someone rusty, though it is not designed as a replacement for certification or formal refresher training.

The coral garden is also a proper attraction in its own right. You might see large schools of reef fish, turtles, eels, shrimp, and black-tipped sharks. One account described the water as clear and full of fish, with a guide reaching 18 meters. That depth is an example, not a promise for every participant, since your certification, air supply, comfort, and the guide’s plan all affect the session.

Pay attention to the briefing. Ask how the team will handle your certification level, how long the first session is expected to last, and what happens if you feel uncomfortable. A good first session is not about using every minute underwater. It is about starting the rest of the day in control.

Lunch and the pause between sessions

After the coral garden, you return for lunch at a restaurant. Lunch and morning tea are included, along with beverages and bottled water. Alcoholic drinks are not included and are available to purchase, but alcohol is not a good choice before a later underwater session.

The lunch break gives you time to eat, drink water, and recover before the wreck visit. Keep your meal sensible and follow the guide’s advice. The schedule places the wreck in the afternoon, so you should expect a real pause rather than two sessions back to back.

Specific restaurant dishes are not provided, so anyone with dietary restrictions should report them when booking. This is especially important if you need a particular meal rather than simply avoiding one ingredient.

Exploring the Liberty from 5 to 30 meters

The second session focuses on the USAT Liberty. The wreck starts in shallow water, around 5 meters, and extends down to about 30 meters. Your certification controls how deep you can go, and the professional guide will show you the structure and marine life around it.

For many people, this will be the highlight of the day. The Liberty offers shape, scale, and a sense of place that a reef alone cannot provide. You may swim along sections of the ship, look into its structure, and watch fish use the wreck as shelter.

The wording about the wreck’s depth deserves careful attention. A certified participant does not automatically have permission or preparation for every part of the site. If your certification limits you to shallower water, you can still see the upper portions, but you should not expect the full 30-meter route.

The operator describes this as a trip for certified participants with previous experience, not a first-time lesson. You must bring evidence of certification. The team will also ask you to complete a health questionnaire, and conditions such as asthma or heart problems may prevent participation. If you have a medical concern, consult your doctor before booking.

What the named team members tell you about the operation

Jean Pradal is identified as one of the guides connected with the experience, and Elouan is also named in the operator’s correspondence. Your exact guide is not guaranteed, but the presence of named professional staff gives you useful points of contact when asking about your certification level or recent experience.

The strongest service theme is patient supervision. One participant used the sessions to return after many years away, while another described two days of support during advanced open-water training, with staff who were patient and attentive. That does not turn this particular one-day outing into a training course, but it suggests the team is used to working with people who need calm guidance.

You should still be honest about your experience. Tell the staff when you last used scuba equipment and what certification you hold. If you have not been underwater for years, say so clearly before the first session. The guide can then judge whether the plan suits your condition and skill level.

What the $123.60 price includes

At $123.60 per person, the price is easiest to judge as a complete day rather than as two isolated underwater sessions. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the driver, a professional guide, all necessary equipment, local taxes, lunch, morning tea, beverages, and bottled water.

That bundle removes several costs that can add up quickly in Bali. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer to Tulamben, hire gear from another shop, or find lunch between sessions. The small group limit also adds value for people who prefer personal attention over a low-cost, crowded operation.

The price may be less appealing if you already have a car, your own full equipment, and a preferred local guide. In that case, you are paying partly for convenience and coordination. For a visitor staying elsewhere in Bali, the transport alone makes the package easier to use.

Souvenir photos are not included, though they are available to purchase. If photographs matter to you, ask before the underwater sessions how they are handled and what the cost will be. Do not assume a camera or photographer is part of the package.

Who should book this experience

This outing fits a certified participant who wants a full day at Tulamben without arranging each piece separately. It is especially suitable if you want both a reef setting and the Liberty wreck, rather than spending the day at only one site.

It can also suit someone returning after a long break, provided that person is honest about the gap and passes the health check. The morning coral garden session offers a more measured start than heading straight onto the wreck.

It is not suitable for someone without certification, someone unable to show proof of certification, or someone hoping for a first-ever scuba lesson. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants need a moderate level of physical fitness.

Plan carefully around flights. The provided guidance says scuba activity within 18 hours of flying is not recommended. That makes this a poor choice for the final day before a flight, even if the schedule seems to fit.

Practical details that affect your day

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the cutoff.

You will start and finish with transport connected to your meeting point, and the activity ends back at the starting area. Pickup details should be confirmed when booking, especially if your hotel is outside the main service area.

The provider is Bali Breizh Divers, also identified as Plongée BALI and a PADI 5 Star IDC, FFESSM scuba operation. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, so do not assume the booking is final until you receive it.

Should you book the Tulamben day trip?

Book it if you are certified, have at least some previous experience, and want the convenience of a small guided group with transport from Bali. The combination of a coral garden, a famous 120-meter wreck, included equipment, and lunch gives the $123.60 price solid value for a full day.

Think twice if you dislike long road journeys, need a first-time lesson, or have a flight within 18 hours. The best reason to choose this outing is not simply the wreck. It is the careful sequence of a morning warm-up, a break, and a guided afternoon visit to the Liberty.

FAQ

Is this experience suitable for beginners?

No. You must be PADI-certified or hold suitable scuba certification and show proof that you have participated in scuba activity before.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The experience includes two guided scuba sessions, one at the coral garden and one at the USAT Liberty wreck.

How deep is the USAT Liberty wreck?

The wreck begins at about 5 meters and reaches about 30 meters. Your permitted depth depends on your certification.

How long does the first session last?

The coral garden session lasts about 40 to 60 minutes, depending partly on your breathing.

What marine life might I see?

You might see reef fish, turtles, eels, black-tipped sharks, shrimp, and other marine life around the coral garden and wreck.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 7:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a driver and transport back to the starting area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and morning tea are included, along with beverages and bottled water.

Do I need to bring proof of certification?

Yes. Evidence of scuba certification is required from every participant taking part in a certified session.

Can I fly soon after this experience?

Scuba activity within 18 hours of flying is not recommended. Plan your schedule with that restriction in mind.