DIVE SITE
USS LIBERTY SHIPWRECK

For scuba divers, one of the most fascinating areas of exploration when swimming in the waters near Bali is the famous Tulamben Liberty wreck. The vessel lies off the eastern shores of Bali and is visited by many scuba divers each year thanks to its combination of exotic sea life, healthy coral formation and the many structural holes in the vessel which allow for additional exploration.
Arguably one of the most beautiful locations for diving, the Tulamben Liberty wreck lies in 30 to 100 feet of water off the beach area. Temperatures remain comfortable year round in Bali and range from 22 to 26C for most of the year, making it the perfect location to do scuba diving and exploration.
Because of the location of the wreck, it is well suited for beginners during all the year and there are a number of places nearby that offer training dives as well.

Launched on June 19th, 1918, the USAT Liberty was a cargo ship that transported general and animal cargo during the final year of the First World War. On January 11th, 1942, the Liberty was en route from Australia to the Philippines when she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine 1-166. Although taken in tow, the ship was taking on too much water and was beached at Tulamben, the eastern shore of Bali where she sat for the next 22 years.
In 1963, the tremors caused by the eruption of Mount Agung pushed the ship off the beach where she settled on a sandy slope on her starboard side. Today, the USAT Liberty is one of the most popular attractions for scuba divers who come from the world over to visit this remarkable site.

Around the wreck you can see the large species of exotic fish that call the Liberty home, including the great barracuda, Napoleon fish, sunfish and scribbled filefish. In addition, the reef fish that are common in the Bali area include the coral trout and peacock grouper. Plus, when heading back to shore you may spot goatfish or a colony of spotted garden eels.
For those who are more adventuresome, there are night visits to the wreck that bring out the nocturnal sea creatures including a seemingly endless amount of shrimp along with marigold cup corals. You may also see the common lionfish and the dwarf lionfish as well. There are certainly many strange, interesting and wonderful sights to behold when swimming around the wreck in the dark.

Dive sites in Tulamben are suitable to dive all year round. The high season is from May to Septembre. During this period the wreck can be crowded. The conditions from Octobre to April are still good but the visibility can be reduced sometimes due to the rainy season.
For those who are considering expanding their diving frontiers, the Tulamben Liberty wreck is one of the most stunning in the area. In fact, Tulamben itself offers numerous diving opportunities beyond the wreck, which makes it the perfect place to spend your vacation.