Bali
Bali is one of my favorite diving spots in Asia. The scuba diving is great and diverse, the topside attractions are numerous, and it has a wonderful laidback culture that makes it a joy to visit.
The best thing about diving in Bali is the diversity. It is a big island and the diving in each part of the island is different, so you can pick and choose what suits your interests. Personally, the diving highlights are, in no particular order:
- the chance to see mola molas and manta rays at Nusa Penida (not for beginners due to rough and unpredictable currents).
- the AMAZING wreck of the USAT Liberty in Tulamben.. This can be done as a (long) day trip from most parts of Bali, but to really enjoy it, stay in the area for a few of days and do some dawn dives on the wreck. It is covered in hard and soft coral and there are many fish that call it home (grouper, snapper, sweetlips, etc.).
- the black sand muck diving around Tulamben and Seraya. These areas are a macro photographers' heaven, with all manner of strange tiny critters like frogfish, seahorses, pipefish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and sea slugs.
- beautiful reefs that are easy to get to at Padang Bai. In addition to the typical reef fish, white tip and reef sharks and turtles roam the area.
Topside attractions are also great. There are a number of cultural landmarks such as temples, villages, and historical sites worth visiting. Biking down Mount Agung is one of the most fun topside activities. There are lots of other more laidback options, such as dining out, lounging by the beach, and going to the spa.
