Tulamben and Amed

Tulamben and nearby Amed sit on the dry northeast coast of Bali, below the volcano Mount Agung. Tulamben is best known for the USAT Liberty, a US Army cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in January 1942. She was beached at Tulamben, and tremors linked to the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung later moved the hull into the sea. Today the wreck lies on a sand slope from about 3 m to around 29 m, only a short swim from the beach.

The Liberty is covered in coral and sponges and draws schools of fish, so it rewards both easy shallow dives and deeper exploration. Most diving along this coast is from the shore over volcanic stones and black sand, with little current. That makes the area a good choice for newly certified divers, for photographers and for anyone who wants several relaxed dives a day. Muck sites such as Seraya Secrets are known for pygmy seahorses, mimic octopus and other critters.

Water is usually 26 to 29°C, although it can occasionally be cooler. The dry season from about April to October brings the calmest seas and the best visibility, often 15 to 25 m. From November to March it rains more and visibility can drop to 5 to 15 m, but the coast is fairly sheltered and macro diving continues well.

Divers stay in Tulamben or Amed and dive with local shops, usually by walking in from the beach or by short trips on traditional outrigger boats. The wreck is very popular, so early morning dives are usually the quietest.