BEST SNORKELING SPOTS IN BALI

BEST OVERALL

Amed: Bali’s Best Overall Snorkeling Area

Best for: Coral reefs, easy beach snorkeling, turtles and relaxed coastal stays
Location: East Bali
Access: Shore + boat
Swimming level: Beginner to intermediate
Recommended stay: 2 to 4 days
Best time: May to October
Main downside: Far from South Bali

If somebody asked me where to go for the best overall snorkeling in Bali, I would send them to Amed.

The big advantage is that you do not need to book an elaborate snorkeling excursion every time you want to get in the water. Several of Amed’s reefs can be reached directly from the beach, which means you can grab a mask, walk into the sea and snorkel for an hour without turning the whole thing into an organized military operation.

Amed also feels completely different from South Bali. The coastline is lined with black volcanic beaches and traditional fishing boats, Mount Agung dominates the landscape behind you, and the entire area moves at a much slower pace.

→ READ NEXT: Complete Bali Travel Guide for Amed, East Bali and how to work this part of the island into your itinerary.

Best Snorkeling Spots in Amed

Jemeluk Bay is probably the easiest place to start. The bay has coral gardens, tropical fish and relatively easy shore access when conditions are calm.

Lipah Beach is another good option for snorkeling directly from shore, with coral starting reasonably close to the beach.

Around Amed you can also snorkel near the Japanese Shipwreck, explore artificial reef structures around the Amed Pyramids, or take a local jukung boat farther along the coastline.

Indonesia’s official tourism site also lists the Japanese Shipwreck, Amed Wall and Bunutan Point among Amed’s snorkeling locations.

What Can You See Snorkeling in Amed?

Expect tropical reef fish, coral gardens and occasionally turtles. What you see will obviously depend on the exact site and conditions that day.

The main appeal for me is not one giant bucket-list animal. It is the fact that Amed gives you consistently accessible snorkeling without having to take a speedboat somewhere every morning.

You can snorkel, have lunch, get back in the water somewhere else and then watch the sunset without spending your entire day being moved around on somebody else’s schedule.

Is Amed Good for Beginners?

Yes, especially around calmer bays such as Jemeluk.

That said, sea conditions change. Beginners should still stay close to shore, use flotation support if needed and ask locally about currents before entering.

Good to Know Before Snorkeling in Amed

Go earlier in the morning when possible. Conditions are often calmer and visibility can be better before wind and boat traffic pick up.

Some beaches are rocky or covered in larger pebbles, so water shoes are useful. Never stand on coral, even if it looks like a convenient little underwater platform.

I also would not visit Amed as a rushed day trip from Canggu, Seminyak or Uluwatu. Stay at least one or two nights. Spending half your day sitting in Bali traffic simply to snorkel for 45 minutes slightly defeats the point.

SHIPWRECKS

Tulamben: Best Snorkeling Spot in Bali for Shipwrecks

Best for: Shipwreck snorkeling, underwater history and confident swimmers
Location: Northeast Bali
Access: Shore
Swimming level: Intermediate
Best as: Half-day from Amed or one night in Tulamben
Main downside: Rocky beach entry

Tulamben is famous for the USAT Liberty shipwreck, one of Bali’s most recognizable underwater sites.

It is primarily famous as a diving location, but parts of the wreck sit shallow enough for snorkelers to see when visibility and sea conditions are good.

This is not your classic soft-white-sand snorkeling day. Tulamben Beach is covered in volcanic stones and getting into the water can be awkward, particularly while wearing fins and trying to maintain any sense of elegance.

→ READ NEXT: Complete Bali Travel Guide for Amed, East Bali and how to work this part of the island into your itinerary.

Is Tulamben Good for Beginners?

I would put Tulamben slightly above Amed or Blue Lagoon in terms of comfort level.

The rocky entry and deeper sections make it better suited to confident swimmers.

Is Tulamben Worth Visiting If You Only Snorkel?

The wreck has become part of the marine environment, you can see fish moving around the wreck, coral growth and that slightly eerie shipwreck atmosphere that makes you feel like you are in a very low-budget ocean documentary, in the best way.

What to expect when snorkeling in Tulamben?

Tulamben is best if you are comfortable in the water. The beach entry is not as easy as Blue Lagoon or some parts of Amed, and the water can feel deeper quite quickly. If you are nervous, go with a local guide. If you are confident, it can be one of the most memorable snorkeling experiences in Bali.

Good to know before snorkeling in Tulamben

Wear water shoes or proper reef booties. The stones are not kind to delicate little city feet. Go early if you want calmer conditions and fewer people. If you are not a strong swimmer, use a guide and do not push yourself too far from shore just because someone on Instagram made it look casual.

BEGINNER SNORKELING

Blue Lagoon, Padang Bai: Best Snorkeling in Bali for Beginners

Best for: Beginners, families and easy day trips
Location: Padang Bai, East Bali
Access: Shore + boat
Swimming level: Beginner
Best as: Half-day or full-day trip
Main downside: Can get busy

Blue Lagoon is one of the easiest choices if you want simple, accessible snorkeling without travelling to one of Bali’s more remote regions.

This is particularly convenient if you are staying around Ubud, Sidemen, Sanur or East Bali.

Trips often combine Blue Lagoon with another nearby site such as Tanjung Jepun.

Expect tropical fish, patches of coral and occasional turtles.

Is Blue Lagoon Good for First-Time Snorkelers?

Yes.

This is probably the easiest place on this list to recommend to somebody who is nervous in the water or has never snorkeled before.

You still need to pay attention to the conditions that day, but compared with exposed parts of Nusa Penida, the learning curve is considerably gentler.

Is Blue Lagoon Actually Worth It?

Yes, as long as you understand what it is. I would not rank Blue Lagoon above Amed, Menjangan or the Nusa Islands for overall underwater scenery. Its strength is accessibility.

Good to know before going to the Blue Lagoon

Go in the morning if possible, because conditions are often calmer and visibility can be better. Check recent reviews before booking a tour, because boat quality, guide quality and group sizes can vary. Also, do not expect perfect visibility every day.

BEST MARINE LIFE

Nusa Penida: Best Snorkeling Near Bali for Manta Rays

Best for: Manta rays, reef snorkeling and dramatic boat trips
Location: Southeast of Bali
Access: Boat
Swimming level: Intermediate to strong
Best as: Day trip or 2 to 4 night island stay
Main downside: Strong currents and rough conditions

If swimming with manta rays is high on your Bali bucket list, Nusa Penida is the obvious place to look.

Popular snorkeling areas include Manta Point, Crystal Bay, Gamat Bay and Mangrove Point, although the exact route should always depend on that day’s sea conditions.

This is not where I would pretend every snorkeling site is beginner-friendly.

The waters around Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan can have strong currents, swell and rapidly changing conditions, so I would choose snorkeling sites based on your actual swimming ability rather than assuming every stop is beginner-friendly.

→ READ NEXT: Complete Nusa Islands Travel Guide for the best beaches, snorkeling spots, things to do, where to stay and how to divide your time between Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Are Manta Rays Guaranteed in Nusa Penida?

No. They are wild animals.

A good operator should never promise guaranteed manta sightings, and you should not be disappointed if conditions make Manta Point unsuitable on the day of your trip.

Boat Safety Between Bali and the Nusa Islands

The fast-boat crossing between Bali and the Nusa Islands is common, but it is not something I would treat casually. There have been several serious boat accidents on this route in recent years. In August 2025, a speedboat travelling from Nusa Penida to Bali capsized near Sanur after being hit by large waves, killing two Chinese passengers and leaving an Indonesian missing. Earlier that year, a snorkeling boat travelling toward Nusa Penida also capsized in rough seas, killing an Australian tourist.

I would personally choose a larger, established ferry or fast boat rather than the smallest speedboat available, especially when sea conditions look rough. Check the weather and swell before travelling, avoid operators that appear overloaded, make sure life jackets are actually available and accessible, and do not be afraid to postpone the crossing if conditions look bad. A cheaper ticket is not worth gambling on.

My rule: if the sea looks rough, I would rather lose the ticket and travel later than force the crossing because it is already booked.

Nusa Penida

Exploring Nusa Penida

Come along for dramatic cliffs, beaches and island exploring on Nusa Penida, just off the coast of Bali.

Watch the Nusa Penida vlog →

RELAXED SNORKELING

Nusa Lembongan: Best Relaxed Snorkeling Island Near Bali

Best for: Island stays, reef snorkeling and easy access to the Nusa Islands
Location: Southeast of Bali
Access: Shore + boat
Swimming level: Beginner–Intermediate
Recommended stay: 2 to 4 nights

Nusa Lembongan is one of my favourite bases if you want snorkeling without making the entire trip about one single boat excursion.

It is smaller and easiergoing than Nusa Penida, while still giving you access to snorkeling around Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida.

Conditions still matter, particularly around exposed channels, but choosing a good local operator gives you much more flexibility to go where the water is suitable that day.

Also, it is much easier on Nusa Lembongan to simply walk into the water and start snorkeling. You do not always need a boat trip. Several beaches have coral, reef fish and surprisingly good visibility just offshore, especially once you swim roughly 50 to 100 metres out when conditions are calm. Mushroom Bay is one of the easiest options thanks to its sheltered water and reef close to shore, while Song Lambung/Coconut Beach is another very good walk-in spot with coral in relatively shallow water. Around the north of the island, Mangrove Point can also be reached from shore in the right tide and conditions, although it is better known as a boat-snorkeling site.

→ READ NEXT: Complete Nusa Islands Travel Guide for the best beaches, snorkeling spots, things to do, where to stay and how to divide your time between Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan for Snorkeling?

Choose Nusa Penida if dramatic landscapes and manta rays are the priority.

Choose Nusa Lembongan if you want a more relaxed island base and easier access to snorkeling tours around all three Nusa Islands.

Menjangan Island: Best Snorkeling in Bali for Clear Water & Coral

Best for: Coral reefs, visibility and quieter snorkeling
Location: West Bali National Park
Access: Boat
Swimming level: Beginner–Intermediate
Best as: Full-day trip or 1–2 nights around Pemuteran
Main downside: Very far from South Bali

I think Menjangan Island deserves more attention than it gets.

It sits within West Bali National Park, away from Bali’s busiest tourism areas, and is surrounded by reef walls, coral gardens and clear water. Indonesia’s tourism authority highlights the island’s coral reefs and sites such as Coral Garden and Eel Garden.

The fact that it takes considerably more effort to reach is both its greatest inconvenience and part of the reason I like it. You do not accidentally end up on Menjangan after brunch in Seminyak.

What Is Snorkeling at Menjangan Like?

Snorkeling trips are normally done by boat, moving between different reef sites around the island.

Expect coral walls, reef fish and deeper blue water beside the reef drop-offs. Depending on the day, turtles and larger marine life may also appear. Menjangan is especially good if you care more about the reef itself than ticking off one particular animal.

It also works beautifully as part of a North and West Bali road trip, particularly if you stay around Pemuteran rather than attempting an extremely long return journey from South Bali.

Amed vs Menjangan: Which Is Better?

Choose Amed if you want easy shore snorkeling, several nearby spots and a relaxed coastal town where you can stay for a few days.

Choose Menjangan if coral quality, clear water and a quieter boat-based snorkeling experience matter more than convenience.

If snorkeling itself is one of the biggest reasons for your Bali trip, I would make room for both.

TINY ISLANDS

BONUS: Gili Air & Gili Meno, Best Snorkeling Near Bali

Best for: Turtles, clear water, beach snorkeling, island hopping and relaxed Gili Islands vibes
Location: Gili Islands, northwest of Lombok
How long to stay: 2 to 4 days
Best time to visit: Dry season, especially May to October
Good for families: Yes, especially Gili Air and Gili Meno
Vibe: Tropical, relaxed, car-free and much slower than Bali
Getting around: Walking, bicycle or horse cart
Main downside: Not technically Bali, and some beaches have coral underfoot, so water shoes are useful

The Gili Islands are not Bali!

But they are easy to combine with a Bali itinerary and have some of the most enjoyable snorkeling in the region, particularly if you want to see turtles.

Gili Air is the better all-round choice if you still want restaurants, cafés and a little atmosphere.

Gili Meno is much quieter and is especially popular for turtle snorkeling and the famous underwater sculptures.

→ READ NEXT: My Lombok Travel Guide for the Gili Islands, beaches, Mount Rinjani and how to combine Lombok with Bali.

You can join boat trips around all three Gili Islands or snorkel directly from shore in certain areas. The water is often beautifully clear, although some beaches have dead coral and sharp pieces underfoot, so water shoes are useful.

If you already plan to visit Lombok, adding a few nights on Gili Air or Gili Meno makes much more sense than treating this as a Bali day trip.