ALPHINE - Bali

Alright, let's talk about the Alphine. It's not the grandest wreck in Bali, but we’ve always had a soft spot for it. Lying at a comfortable 19m, this old motor vessel is perfect for a relaxed extended bottom time, making it our favourite choice when we want to just drift and soak it all in. You’ll find the Alphine reasonably intact, a good-sized cargo ship that now feels more like a living reef than a steel hulk. The superstructure is still there, and you can duck into the cargo holds, where sunlight streaks through, illuminating schools of glassfish that swirl like liquid silver. Look closely in the darker corners and you’ll often spot a shy reef shark or a cruising eagle ray passing overhead. We love exploring the bow section; the mast is a magnet for barracuda, and we’ve seen some seriously large groupers lurking under the deck plates. It’s a pretty easy dive, even if you’re newer to wreck diving, and the currents here are generally mild. We’d suggest going in the morning to catch the best light filtering into the holds, it really brings the wreck to life.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-7.195666, 112.714320
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
19m

Wreck History - ALPHINE

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The story of how the motor vessel Alphine came to rest on the seabed off Bali is shrouded in mystery. With no official record of its sinking, it remains an enigmatic destination for divers. What is known is that it sits at a shallow and inviting depth of 19 meters, making it a perfect site for divers of all levels. Its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' suggests it may be broken up, with sharp metal and collapsing sections, demanding careful buoyancy and awareness from those who explore it.

Rather than a deterrent, this broken state has created a spectacular artificial reef. The warm, nutrient-rich Balinese waters have encouraged prolific coral growth across its scattered remains, and the structure provides a perfect habitat for a huge variety of marine life. Divers can expect to find scorpionfish camouflaged on the hull, moray eels in pipes, and clouds of colorful reef fish swarming the wreckage. The Alphine is a testament to the ocean's power of transformation, turning a forgotten vessel into a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Marine Protected Area: PKK-003 Bangkalan

Best Time to Dive in Bali

The warmest water temperatures in Bali occur in December, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 29.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 30.1°C
  • February: 29.7°C
  • March: 30.1°C
  • April: 30.7°C
  • May: 30.6°C
  • June: 30.2°C
  • July: 29.4°C
  • August: 29.1°C
  • September: 29.3°C
  • October: 30.1°C
  • November: 30.9°C
  • December: 30.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Bali

Nearest Dive Centres to ALPHINE

Marine Life in Bali

Home to 528 recorded species including 359 reef fish, 73 hard corals, 42 sharks & rays, 12 other, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 11 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALPHINE

Based on average water temperature of 30.1°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories