Places I love to dive around Bali

I love Bali, the looming volcanoes, the lush green jungle, the beautiful beaches, the kind smiley people and the outstanding diving.  Here are a few of my favourite locations to visit when I go and dive Bali.

1. East coast of Bali offers spectacular macro diving and critter hunting.  With sites ranging from black sandy slopes to coral gardens to beautiful wrecks, there is so much to see. Favourite finds in the area include ornate ghost pipefish, blue ringed octopus and star gazer.
2. The USS Liberty Wreck off Tulamben is a delight to dive. This ship was beached on Bali in 1942 after being hit by a Japanese torpedo and then towed there by allied vessels. After tremendous tremors caused by the eruption of mount Agung in 1963, the boat slipped of the beach and now sits in 7-32m of warm water, and is home to several awesome critters, schooling fish and corals. Favourite finds in the area: schooling bumphead parrot fish, candy crab, fields of garden eels.
3. Nusa Lembongan is a smaller island about an hour boat ride from Bali. The island has some of the healthiest reefs in the region and is often visited by manta rays and mola-mola (oceanic sun fish). Critter diving here is also a delight.  The sometimes-strong currents bring nutrient rich water and lots of pelagic fish and surprises. My favourite finds include: manta rays, mola-mola, and huge beautiful sea fans.
4. North west coast of Bali around Menjangan island with magnificent walls, lush coral gardens and an amazing array of critters to be found. Favourite finds include pygmy sea horse and hairy frog fish.
5. Nusa Penida, another island off the coast of Bali, offers magnificent reefs, walls and pinnacles. Known for schooling fish and lush corals, this has to be on my list. Favourite finds include manta rays. schooling barracuda and dog-tooth tuna.