Why You Should Try Scuba Diving on Your Solo Trip to Bali
If you are someone who has an affinity towards the ocean and its magnificent water, I am sure you must have considered exploring the fascinating world that sits under the sea. From the stunning water bodies, exotic marine life, and historic shipwrecks—exploring the ocean in Bali is something that takes your breath away.
The most fun way to explore the ocean is through scuba diving! And the best part about it is that you don’t even need to be an expert at swimming to try it out!
I tried out scuba diving on my solo trip to Bali. And it turned out to be one of the most memorable highlights of my trip. Even though I am not a pro at swimming, I was taught and trained well by the experts before I took a dive into the ocean! So if you are looking to make your solo trip to Bali more fun and adventurous, then definitely try out scuba diving.
Now let’s get into the blog to know everything about this fun experience in Bali!
Reasons why you should try scuba diving in Bali
Before we dive into everything that you need to know about scuba diving in Bali, let’s have a look at the reasons that make it a worthwhile experience on your solo trip.
1. Scuba diving: works as a great workout session
In just a single scuba diving session, you will end up burning hundreds of calories trying to make your way around in the water. This is one of the reasons that make the professional divers hog like there’s no tomorrow after just one session!
Scuba diving requires you to make use of all your four limbs to move around in the water. Additionally, you also need to learn how to regulate your breathing and heartbeat underwater! I know this sounds a little scary, but trust me, it’s not.
2. Scuba diving: helps in relieving your stress
Getting away from the world and spending time in this other fascinating world under the sea is quite therapeutic in itself. The first time you dive into the water may be a little scary. But trust me, once you get the hang of how to navigate your body and practice breathing in the water, you will find scuba diving much easier!
3. Scuba diving: a way to meet new people
Meeting new people on your solo trip is quite a fun experience. Usually, with scuba diving, you will have at least one person with you to guide you in the water. Once done with the diving session, you will even have a beautiful story of your underwater experience to share with your friends and family.
And the joy of bumping into someone who loves scuba diving and is also on a solo travel mission is an amazing feeling! I met a few solo female travellers while I was training for scuba diving in Bali. And trust me, there’s a lot that you can talk to people about scuba diving.
4. Scuba diving: inspires you to travel to more fun destinations
Once you get into scuba diving, you will be open to explore a new world that is under the water. Every time you travel to a new destination, you will look out for diving spots and coastal areas. You will come across different types of marine animals, flora, and fauna, keeping you curious and making you want to explore more of the ocean!
One of the reasons you should try out scuba diving in Bali is that it has some beautiful beaches! And the best part is that most of them offer scuba diving sessions.
Check out my blog on Why an Island Destination is Perfect for Solo Female Travellers?
Best time to go scuba diving in Bali
You can try out scuba diving in Bali at any time of the year. However, the visibility underwater is best witnessed between the months of May and October. The time of the year between these months is also known as the dry season. But during this time, the water in the ocean is usually on the colder side. You can expect the temperature to be anywhere from around 18°C to 26°C.
Types of scuba diving in Bali
Now, let’s take a look at the different types of scuba diving that Bali has to offer.
1. Discovery or introductory dive
An introductory dive is perfect if you are a beginner. If you are on your solo trip and looking to try out something different, this diving course will be great. You can find several resorts and beaches in Bali that provide introductory dives to beginners. You will also get a certificate after you finish the program!
This introductory dive program aims at teaching you the basics of scuba diving, like breathing underwater, hand gestures, and handling the diving equipment well. The experts will first take you to a shallow pool for the practice sessions. Once you pass the training, you will make the real dive in an ocean!
Although you do not have to be an expert at swimming for this, the course demands that you undergo a medical test to ensure you are medically fit to try out scuba diving in Bali.
2. Open water dive
Once you become an open water diver, you will be diving independently and exploring the beauty of the water on your own! Quite exciting, right?
This course has three basic steps that you need to follow. First, you will be trained for an open water dive in theory. Second, you will be put to test but in water pools. You will be using all the skills you have learnt from the course here. Finally, you will be going for the actual dive in the ocean!
3. Scuba diver course
If you want to learn more dives in a short time, then the scuba diver course is the right option for you. But here’s the thing about this course, since it aims at teaching you more dives in a limited time, not all resorts and beaches offer the course. So select your trainer wisely to ensure you get the most of this course.
However, you need to know at least the basics of swimming to master the scuba diver course!
Top spots for scuba diving in Bali
Now that you know the reasons why trying scuba diving in Bali is a great opportunity and the different scuba diving courses that are available on the island, let’s take a look at some of the top spots for scuba diving.
1. Nusa Penida
This gorgeous island located just a few miles away from Bali is one of the best spots for scuba diving. The best part about scuba diving here is that you get to witness rare marine species, including ocean sunfish, manta rays, and sometimes even whale sharks.
Although Nusa Penida has a huge number of diving spots, the famous ones are Manta Point and Crystal Bay. And most of the diving spots open up to the Indian Ocean. Because of this reason, I would suggest that you choose a diving spot that has a lesser intensity of water currents. And also don’t forget to get an experienced trainer too!
The best months to visit Nusa Penida for scuba diving in Bali – May to September
Approximate cost for three scuba diving sessions – 2529725 Indonesian Rupiah ($174.55)
2. Amed Beach
Initially, Amed Beach was famous for its traditional salt farming. But over the years, it has developed as one of the top spots for scuba diving in Bali. The beautiful marine life under the sea is something that cannot be expressed in words. You need to witness on your own! Furthermore, the experiences of being underwater and surrounded by sea turtles, tropical fishes, and reef tip sharks are worth a try! Apart from scuba diving, you can also try fishing and snorkelling here.
The best months to visit Amed Beach for scuba diving in Bali – May to September
Approximate cost for one scuba diving session – 311350 Indonesian Rupiah ($21.48)
My scuba diving experience at Amed Beach
Scuba diving on a solo trip had always been a dream. When I visited Bali for my first ever solo trip, I was excited to give scuba diving a try. I chose Amed Beach since it was closer to my hotel in Bali.
The experience of scuba diving in Bali couldn’t have been better! The beach had a small course where experts taught me (and my fellow scuba divers) everything that was needed. Honestly, I was a little scared in the beginning, but as I got the hang of it, I became more confident.
Although I could not spot any exotic marine species apart from several groups of colourful fishes, I had fun trying scuba diving!
3. Pemuteran Bay
One of the most pristine scuba diving spots in Bali, Pemuteran Bay is a great place for all of you pro scuba divers out there!
An interesting thing about Pemuteran Bay is that you will be scuba diving around the world’s largest artificial reef project. Throughout the year, the waves at this spot remain comparatively calmer. It is because Pemuteran Bay has the largest number of coral reefs in the world!
Under the water, you will see many stunning artificial reef gardens, which are quite breathtaking! Some reef gardens have statues and shrines of goddesses too! Marine animals that live near the Pemuteran Bay are lobsters, sea fans, morays, among others.
The best months to visit Pemuteran Bay for scuba diving in Bali – April to October
Approximate cost for three scuba diving sessions – 1517835 Indonesian Rupiah ($104.73)
If you are interested in trying out scuba diving at Pemuteran Bay, you can check out this resort named Taman Sari. It offers some amazing scuba diving lessons from experts. If you stay at the hotel, you may even get to dive at a discounted rate!
4. Menjangan Island
Menjangan Island is one of the prettier islands in Northern Bali! It is quite a picturesque island and is surrounded by lush greenery. From the coastline, you can easily see the crystal clear water and feel the waves radiating calmness. Additionally, the rich marine life and stunning coral gardens under the sea are a pure delight to the eyes!
You can also see many tourists from all around the world visit Menjangan Island for scuba diving and snorkelling.
However, here is something you need to know before planning a visit to Menjangan Island for scuba diving. The island requires you to have a permit to visit the island. But don’t worry, you can easily get it from the tour operators around the region in Menjangan Island.
The best months to visit Menjangan Island for scuba diving in Bali – March to November
Approximate cost for two scuba diving sessions – 2500000 Indonesian Rupiah ($172.50)
5. Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is located in the Southeastern area of Bali. It constitutes one of the three islands that form the Nusa Penida district. If you happen to visit Nusa Penida, you can easily reach Nusa Lembongan as well. This island is famous for its calm and lush greenery, and many tourists visit here to spend some peaceful time away from the crowds of Bali.
If you are a beginner at scuba diving, then Nusa Lembongan will be the best spot for you. It is particularly famous as a scuba diving spot for beginners! The island also has some amazing diving schools with experienced instructors, so you know you are in good hands.
The best months to visit Nusa Lembongan for scuba diving in Bali – July to October
Approximate cost for one scuba diving session – 642161 Indonesian Rupiah ($44.31)
Are you all set to try out scuba diving in Bali?
This brings us to the end of the blog. I have included everything that will be helpful for your scuba diving sessions in Bali. Trust me, it seems a little difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can have so much fun underwater!
Do let me know of your scuba diving experience in the comments below. I would love to know all about it! Till then, happy travelling!