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Tulamben Beach

Black-pebble beach above one of the world's most-loved dive sites — the USAT Liberty WWII shipwreck sits 30 m off shore.

Best for: Wreck diving and snorkelling

About Tulamben Beach

Tulamben is a black-pebble fishing village on Bali's remote north-east coast that has become one of the world's most accessible wreck-diving destinations. The 120-metre USAT Liberty — a US Army cargo ship torpedoed in 1942 — lies just 30 metres off the beach in 3 to 30 metres of water, so you reach it on a short surface swim rather than a boat trip.

Because the wreck is so shallow and close to shore, Tulamben is just as rewarding for snorkellers and first-time divers as it is for experienced ones. Beyond the Liberty, the same stretch of coast holds a vibrant coral garden and a dramatic wall known as the Drop-Off, all teeming with reef fish, bumphead parrotfish, turtles and the occasional reef shark.

The village itself is quiet and low-key — a handful of dive resorts, warungs and dark volcanic sand backed by the slopes of Mount Agung. Most visitors come for a day trip from Amed or stay overnight to catch the calm early-morning conditions before the day-trippers arrive.

Quick facts

Waves
Calm
Sand
Black pebbles
Crowds
Divers only
Accessibility
Drive-in coastal road

Things to do at Tulamben Beach

  • Dive the USAT Liberty wreck — The 120 m WWII shipwreck starts just 30 m offshore in 3–30 m of water — Bali's most famous shore dive, encrusted in coral and reef life.
  • Snorkel from the beach — The stern of the wreck and the coral garden are shallow enough to enjoy with just a mask and fins, straight off the pebble shore.
  • Explore the Drop-Off wall — A steep coral wall at the eastern end of the bay, full of gorgonian fans, nudibranchs and schooling fish.
  • Dive at sunrise to beat the crowds — Get in the water before 8 AM for the clearest visibility and the wreck almost to yourself.

Beaches near Tulamben Beach

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