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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

Beach-specific planning notes

Best fit

Wreck diving and snorkelling. Sand and setting: Black pebbles.

Conditions and timing

Calm Waves; Divers only Crowds. Check local sea conditions before swimming or entering the water.

Access to confirm

Drive-in coastal road Confirm current access and fees locally before setting out.

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.

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How to get to Tulamben Beach

  • From Amed — The closest base — about 30 minutes (20 km) along the coastal road by scooter or car.
  • From south Bali (Kuta/Seminyak) — Roughly 3–3.5 hours by car. Most divers book a day-trip package with transport and gear included.
  • From Ubud — About 2.5 hours by car through the eastern highlands.

Tulamben Beach FAQs

Can you snorkel the Tulamben shipwreck?

Yes. The stern of the USAT Liberty sits in just 3–5 metres of water, so confident snorkellers can see much of the wreck and its coral from the surface. The nearby coral garden is also shallow and easy to snorkel.

Do you need to be a certified diver to dive Tulamben?

No. Because the wreck is shallow and reached from shore, Tulamben is a popular spot for Discover Scuba try-dives and Open Water certification. Certified divers can also explore the deeper hull and the Drop-Off wall.

When is the best time to dive Tulamben?

The dry season (April–November) offers the calmest water and best visibility. Arrive early — mornings are calmer and far less crowded than midday, when day-trip groups roll in.

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