USS Liberty Bali Dive Review 2026: Tulamben Wreck

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Tulamben, Bali USS Liberty Shipwreck

Scuba Diving Guide

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When most people think of Bali, the bustling beaches of Kuta or the lush jungles of Ubud usually come to mind first.

But for certified scuba divers,

the real paradise lies on the northern coast:

Tulamben.

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Among the countless dive sites in Bali,

the USS Liberty shipwreck, steeped in World War II history,

is widely considered a bucket-list destination

that every diver must experience at least once.

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Tulamben USS Liberty Shipwreck Scuba Diving - Klook

1. Choosing the Right Dive Tour

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With so many dive shops and tour packages in Bali,

I want to share exactly why I chose

this specific tour.

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First off, since my accommodation was down in South Bali,

the drive up to northern Tulamben was no joke.

Because the round-trip travel time is significant,

I initially agonized over whether to do this

or the Manta Point dive in Nusa Penida.

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However, I had never done a shipwreck dive

with such a rich historical backstory,

so it ultimately won me over.

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During WWII, the USS Liberty was struck

by a Japanese submarine torpedo and beached on the shore.

Years later, the catastrophic eruption of Mount Agung

pushed the vessel back into the ocean,

giving it a truly dramatic history.

Because it rests just 165 feet (50m) from the shore,

it's incredibly accessible as a beach dive.

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The fact that I could explore

a world-class shipwreck without

enduring a long boat ride

was the deciding factor for me.

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Furthermore, no matter how experienced you are,

safety is paramount in unfamiliar foreign waters.

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This particular Klook tour had a ton of great reviews,

and knowing it was led by professional dive coaches

gave me a lot of peace of mind.

Many reviewers praised their meticulous attention to detail,

from gear rental to underwater guiding.

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The price was also very reasonable, which was a huge plus!

The cost per person drops

the more people you have in your group,

making it a great deal for dive buddies traveling together.

Check out the link below for more details.

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[Book the Bali Tulamben Liberty Scuba Dive Tour Here]

Tulamben USS Liberty Shipwreck Scuba Diving - Klook

2. The Underwater Experience

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We geared up and walked right into the ocean.

Since this is a beach dive where you walk in from the shore

rather than back-rolling off a boat,

balancing on the rocky pebble beach was

a little tricky at first.

However, the guides were right there to steady me, ensuring a safe entry.

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As soon as I submerged and began my descent,

I was absolutely blown away.

On days with good visibility, you can practically

see the massive silhouette of the wreck

with your naked eye from the surface!

True to its reputation for incredible accessibility,

the grand structure reveals itself almost immediately.

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The vibrant marine life starts showing off

at just 16 feet (5m) deep, and time simply flew by

as I explored the artificial reef.

The itinerary included two dives,

giving us a generous 30 minutes per dive,

which felt like the perfect amount of time.

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Our coach also doubled as an underwater photographer,

capturing some incredible shots of us around the wreck.

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As a side note, because this activity

requires a scuba certification to participate,

the buddy etiquette among the group was excellent,

and the entire experience ran incredibly smoothly.

3. Post-Dive Lunch & Facilities

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Surfacing after that first dive,

a pleasant wave of exhaustion hit me,

followed immediately by serious hunger.

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After stripping off the gear and taking a quick rinse,

our guide led us to a nearby restaurant.

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We enjoyed a delicious Indonesian lunch

while taking in the beautiful coastal views.

Since it was a meal included in the tour package,

I had kept my expectations low, but the quality was surprisingly good!

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After a short rest, we geared up for dive number two.

During the second dive, we penetrated deeper

into different sections of the shipwreck,

exploring its hidden corners.

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4. Essential Tips for the USS Liberty Dive

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After wrapping up our dives and packing our gear,

we hopped back into our private transport.

We were scheduled to arrive back at our hotel around 6:00 PM,

and I definitely slept the entire ride back! Haha.

It’s a full-day commitment,

but it was a day packed with unforgettable experiences.

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1. Certification Required:

This tour is a fun dive, not a discovery dive for beginners.

You must bring your physical or digital

Open Water (or higher) certification card

to participate.

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2. Footwear Tip:

Because this is a beach dive over a rocky shore,

bringing your own neoprene dive socks

or booties is highly recommended

to protect your feet.

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3. Flight and Accommodation Planning:

Because Tulamben is quite far from the south,

booking an evening flight on the same day you dive

is strictly prohibited due to Decompression Sickness (DCS) risks.

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You must finish diving

at least 18 to 24 hours before your flight,

so do not schedule this on the day before you fly home.

Keep this timeline in mind

when booking your flights to Bali!

To cut down on driving time on your dive day,

I also recommend booking your accommodation

in Sanur or Ubud instead of the far south.

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If you're a certified diver planning a trip to Bali,

stop hesitating and add this to your itinerary.

You definitely need to experience this!

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Tulamben USS Liberty Shipwreck Scuba Diving - Klook

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