Bat Cave - Bali

Bat Cave isn't the prettiest dive in Bali, we'll tell you that upfront. It’s a bit of a weird one, actually, and that's precisely why we love it. The name gives it away: you’re not here for sprawling coral gardens. You're here for the cave itself, a dark, slightly spooky chamber where hundreds, maybe thousands, of fruit bats hang upside down. Entry is usually a shore dive, a bit of a scramble over some rocks, and then a fin out across a sandy, seagrass bed. Don’t rush this bit; look for Bloodspot pipefish or those tiny Yellowskin Dwarfgobies darting into their holes. We often spot Common Sandpipers foraging near the water's edge before we even get wet. Once you hit the cave opening, it’s a gentle swim in. The light quickly fades, and the air above you fills with the faint squeaks and rustling of bats. It’s an eerie, cool sensation, a real shift from the bright tropical sun. Our favourite part is looking up from below, seeing their silhouettes against the distant daylight, a ceiling of leathery wings. It’s a unique sensory experience, something you won’t get many other places. It suits divers who appreciate the unusual, the atmospheric, and aren't solely chasing vibrant reef scenes. Come for the bats, stay for the strange sense of wonder.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.093384, 114.528980
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Bali Barat

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 Bat Cave

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 Bat Cave

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