BAWEAN EXPRES - Bali

The Bawean Expres isn't your typical Bali dive. For a start, it’s shallow, really shallow, topping out at 7m, which makes it perfect for longer bottom times and less air consumption. We love it for its unusual history; a steamship that ran aground, now broken into sections and scattered across the seabed. You can poke around the boiler, engine parts, and hull plates, all encrusted with sponges and soft corals. It feels like an archaeological dig sometimes. Visibility here can be a bit hit or miss, so pick your day carefully; we’d suggest late morning after the initial boat traffic has settled down. We’ve had some truly fantastic encounters here with schools of snappers and bannerfish darting through the wreckage, and if you’re patient, you might spot a stonefish or two camouflaged against the rust. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, especially for photographers looking for unique wide-angle opportunities. Not a deep thrill, but a wonderfully atmospheric wreck dive for anyone who enjoys a bit of maritime history.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-7.116944, 112.650830
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - BAWEAN EXPRES

Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
unknown

The Bawean Expres is a mysterious and exciting wreck located in the shallow waters off Bali. Little is known about the history of this old steamship or the circumstances of its sinking. Today, it lies in just 7 meters of water, making it an incredibly accessible site for divers of all levels. The shallow depth means the wreck is bathed in bright, natural light, allowing the colors of the encrusting corals and sponges to truly pop. However, the site is classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck,' and divers should exercise caution, watching for sharp, collapsing sections of the hull and potential entanglement hazards. For the careful diver, the Bawean Expres offers a thrilling exploration of a historic vessel teeming with the vibrant marine life that makes Bali a world-class diving destination.

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 BAWEAN EXPRES

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 BAWEAN EXPRES

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