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Bali Diving Course

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Bali Diving Course on Sanur

Bali Diving Course

Bali, famously known as the Island of the Gods, is home to many diving centers that offer a wide range of services to divers, from beginner to advanced. It is not an understatement to say that some of the best dive centers in the world are located in Bali. However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

What is a Bali Diving Center?

A Bali diving center is a scuba diving facility that provides diving related services as well as snorkeling, scuba diving courses, and more. Each and every dive center is different and so are the services and products provided.
For example, the larger dive centers may also provide Freediving courses or the brand new Mermaid courses, while others may only focus on organizing the typical fun dive trips to Bali's most popular dive spots. It all depends on what you are looking for but you will definitely find precisely what you want in Bali.
Either you are planning for going snorkeling and you wish to maximize safety, or you simply want to do scuba diving for the very first time, a Bali diving center is your ideal choice and for very good reasons.

Where are the dive centers located in Bali?

Bali is big island, bigger than most people can imagine. You will find diving centers of different sizes all of Bali's coasts but here is where you should look for the best ones:

Kuta

Kuta is located on the islands West coast and it's perhaps Bali's most popular town. Here you will find a couple of local operators certified as PADI dive centers but with limited services and mainly organizing local trips such as: fun dives, introductory dives or snorkeling.

If You're not keen on doing much research and if you are looking for a cheap price, these small establishments in Kuta will do the job. But we do recommend you to research prior to booking and mainly look at the reviews on TripAdvisor and Google.

Divers surrounded by the school of fish
A girl snorkeling

Seminyak

Also located on the West coast of Bali, north of Kuta, Seminyak has a couple of old and very good dive centers operating from here. Take a look at AquraMarine for example in this area.

The disadvantage for choosing a diving center from Seminyak is the long distance to most of the Bali dive spots.

Sanur

Sanur is a small quiet town in the South central part of the island and it's without a doubt where you will find the best Bali diving center. Most of the PADI 5 star rated diving centers as well as the Instructor Development Centers (IDC) and Career Development Centers (CDC) are found here.

To make a quick summary of the diving centers found in Sanur:

Panorama aerial view of Sanur beach
Padang Bai dive spot

Padang Bai

Padang Bai is one Bali's most popular dive spots but also where some of the best dive centers are also found. Placed on the South-East coast of the island, the dive centers here have immediate and easy access to Padang Bali's 9 beautiful dive sites.

A quick list of dive centers in Padang Bai:

  • Ok Divers
  • Gekko Divers

Tulamben

Tulamben is another popular dive spot in Bali, primarily because this is where the USAT Liberty shipwreck is found. Of course, the wreck has attracted large numbers of divers from all around the world which in return has created several dive centers and dive resorts here.

When thinking of dive resorts in Tulamben, two come in mind above all:

  • Villa Alba
  • TauchTerminal

These are just a few of the dive centers and dive resorts that should be considered for your upcoming diving trip or diving course in Bali. More can be found in Amed, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.

dive site on Tulamben

Services Provided by Bali Diving Centers

Diving Courses

Bali diving centers offer a variety of courses for divers of all levels, from beginner to advanced. These courses cover theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be developed in confined and open water. Some of the most popular courses are:

  • Open Water Diver
  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Rescue Diver
  • Divemaster
Diving Courses in Bali

Guided Dives

This is by far the most popular service among any dive center in Bali and in the world. Guided dives, more popular known as fun dives are services specially designed for certified divers who are interested in discovering the underwater world. In Bali the dives are guided by professional Divemasters or Instructors who know the best diving spots in Bali.

It's a general safety rule that divers should never go diving in new locations without a local guide.

Guided Dives

Diving Trips

Diving trips are organized by Bali diving centers to explore the best diving spots around Bali in more remote areas otherwise not accessible by the normal guided day trips. These trips usually include transportation, accommodation, and guided dives and one location for example is Menjangan. Some diving centers also offer liveaboard diving trips, where divers can spend several days on a boat and explore different diving sites.

A diver glide through the ocean current with Manta Ray

Snorkeling

For the non-divers, snorkeling is a fun activity generally taken at least once during a tropical holiday like Bali. Although local operators can organize snorkeling trips, Bali diving centers can organize with better logistics, higher safety and overall better quality.

A freediver swim with Manta Ray

How to Choose A Bali Diving Center?

Bali has more than 200 diving centers all across the island. With so many options, choosing the best one is not an easy task but there are a few guidelines to follow.

Mola-Mola or Sunfish dive with Neptune Scuba Diving

Read the reviews

Reviews never lie and they are the best judge for the reputation of any dive center. Best places where to find reviews are on Google and TripAdvisor. Look at the good ones but look at the bad ones as well because you will learn what other people have found bad about the dive center.

Contact our Neptune Dive Center on Sanur

Contact the dive center

Some of the dive centers offer online booking which makes it easy to reserve your spots. However, contacting the dive center first will give you a first feel of how they talk, how they act, and the information they provide. Do it either on a traditional phone call, WhatsApp or Instagram, anything works as long as you get a good feeling from them.

The best dive centers offer exceptional customer service which doesn't take long to see.

Visit our Neptune dive center on Sanur

Visit the dive center

Nothing beats an old walk to one of these dive centers, especially if you are somewhere nearby them. It's true what they say, how you look also tells a lot about who you are so take that as an advice if you can do it, visit the dive center.

Frequently Ask Question

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See More FAQs
What types of diving courses are available in Bali?
Bali offers a wide range of diving courses, catering to beginners as well as experienced divers alike. Some popular courses include PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, as well as Divemaster. Technical diving and specialty courses are available, such as Nitrox, Wreck Diving, as well as Underwater Photography.
What is the minimum age requirement for taking a diving course in Bali?
The minimum age for participating in a diving course varies depending on the course. The minimum age for the PADI Open Water Diver course is ten years old. However, some courses may have higher age requirements.
How long does a typical diving course in Bali take?
The course duration in Bali depends on the type and level of the course. For example, the PADI Open Water Diver course usually takes 3-4 days to complete, while the Advanced Open Water Diver course takes about 2-3 days. Some specialty courses may only take a single day or two.
Do I need any prior diving experience to take a diving course in Bali?
Prior diving experience is optional in most beginner diving courses, such as PADI Open Water Diver course. However, advanced and specialty courses often require previous certification or diving experience.
How much does a diving course in Bali cost?
The cost of a course varies depending on the course type, location, as well as the diving center. Generally, the PADI Open Water Diver course ranges from $350 to $500, while advanced and specialty courses may cost between $200 to $600.
What is the best time of year for diving in Bali?
Bali has a tropical climate, making it suitable for diving year-round. However, the best diving conditions are typically from April to November, when the waters are calm, and visibility is excellent. The rainy season, from December to March, may result in lower visibility and rougher sea conditions.
Are there any health requirements or restrictions for taking a diving course in Bali?
Most diving courses require participants to be in good health and have a basic fitness level. Divers with certain medical conditions, such as asthma, heart problems, or diabetes, may need medical clearance from a physician before participating.
Do I need to bring my own diving equipment for the course?
Most diving centers in Bali provide all the necessary equipment for their diving courses, including BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. However, some divers prefer to bring their items, such as masks and fins, for a more comfortable fit.
What languages are the diving courses taught in?
The primary language for diving courses in Bali is English. However, many dive centers also offer courses in other languages, such as French, German, Spanish, and Indonesian. Be sure to check with the specific diving center to confirm the availability of your preferred language.
Are there any specific safety guidelines or procedures to follow during a diving course in Bali?
All reputable diving centers in Bali adhere to international safety standards and guidelines set forth by organizations like PADI, SSI, or NAUI. Instructors will provide thorough safety briefings, ensuring you comprehend and comply with all safety procedures throughout your course.

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