Batu Belah - Bali
Batu Belah is a Bali site we always make time for, especially if we’re looking for something a bit quieter than the usual Nusa Penida spots. It’s got a relaxed, unhurried feel. We love dropping in here mid-morning, after the earlier boats have moved on, and just letting the current drift us along the sloping reef. What you'll definitely notice here is the sheer density of coral, particularly the staghorn. It stretches for metres in every direction, forming these intricate, branching fields that are just mesmerising. Look closely among the branches and you’ll find those tiny treasures like the pudgy pygmygoby or Gardiner's headshield slug. We’ve had some cracking encounters with freckled anglerfish here, too, their camouflage so good you almost swim right past them. The visibility usually holds strong, giving a clear view down to where the reef merges with the sandy bottom. If you enjoy macro life and a slower pace, Batu Belah is a solid choice. It's a proper dive for photographers who don't want to feel rushed.
- Location
- Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- -8.307856, 115.620840
Marine Protected Area: KK Karangasem
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
- Air Kecil Island (reef)
- AKISHIO - 40m (wreck)
- ALKEN PENDA - 2m (wreck)
- All 4 Diving Indonesia
- ALPHINE - 19m (wreck)
- Amed wall (wall)
- Amed Zen Divers - 5-15m (reef)
- AMUKTI - 20m (wreck)
- Anchor Wreck (wreck)
- Anchor Wreck (cenote)
- Anchor Wreck (wreck)
- Ayer Sedang (reef)
- Bali Aqua Diving
- Bali Dive Trek
- Bali International Diving Professionals (BIDP)
Nearest Dive Centres to Batu Belah
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
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
- Fluted clam (Tridacna squamosa) - Clams & Mussels
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- chocolate chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus) - Starfish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
- Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
- Pinkfish (Holothuria edulis) - Sea Cucumbers
- Philippine Spurdog (Squalus montalbani) - Sharks & Rays
- Gendarme Fish (Acanthurus olivaceus) - Reef Fish
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora cerealis) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Hoeven's wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Batu Belah
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