Bali Dive Sites

Gili Biaha

East coast of Bali

You can be forgiven for questioning the wisdom of diving here as you are thrown around on the surface before descending at this site. A quick glance into the water below will reveal countless fish being tossed back and forth by the swell.

Once down it is unlikely to be too much trouble. Good buoyancy and position-awareness will help you enjoy what is one of the best east coast spots for scuba diving in Bali. The dive will start with a visit to cave at about eight metres. Here the swell seems to disappear remarkably but you may feel its effects as pressure variations in your ears. Concentrating on the sights will reward you with several white-tip reef sharks in this cave. Bali scuba diving is renowned for its sharks so the sight of at least half a dozen together is not uncommon. Lionfish and a few good sized lobsters also call the cave home and combine to make the first few moments of this dive more than entertaining.

Leaving the cave you will re-enter the to-and-fro of the swell as you turn right heading along the wall where above you the waves break against the island's shore. The wall is a tapestry of colours and activity. Sponges, hard and soft corals, whip corals, crinoids and featherstars are among the sessile splashes of colour. Cracks and crevices in the wall provide homes for mantis shrimps, morays, lionfish and octopus. You won't have a dull moment here as there is always something to catch the eye when you dive Bali.

For those who take pleasure in small things there are various types of colourful nudibranchs dotted around and plenty of commensal shrimps creeping in perfect camouflage along the length of the sea whips upon which they station themselves. Rising slowly along the wall you will come to a sharp point where the wall then disappears back at a sharp angle. Depending on your remaining air at the end of your dive, you will either explore this area from 15 m or so or ascend to the waiting boat as hundreds of red tooth triggers flutter their blue farewell.

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Biaha Reef Basics: Cavern diving
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 24 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round, but can be difficult June to September
Distance: ~60 km northeast of Kuta (1½ hours) or 1 km from Candi Dasa
Access: Bali dive resorts

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