Underwater Cave - Bali

The Underwater Cave on Bali’s north coast is one of those sites that always makes our "best of" list, even if it’s a bit of a trek to get to. It's not a true cave, more a deep overhang with a series of swim-throughs, but the light play inside is phenomenal. We love drifting into the main chamber, watching the shafts of sunlight pierce the surface, illuminating the redlight eviota and yellowskin dwarfgoby that often shelter in the shadowy crevices. Look carefully, and you might spot a banded sea krait slithering through the staghorn coral. Entry can be a bit choppy sometimes, but once you descend, the water usually calms down, and the visibility opens right up. Our favourite part is the feeling of entering a different world, the shift from bright reef to the muted blues inside the cave. We'd suggest going in the late morning, around 10 or 11 AM, when the sun is high enough to really put on a show. It’s a great site for photographers or anyone who appreciates dramatic underwater scenery, though beginners might find the swim-throughs a little tight.

Location
Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-8.097420, 114.526310
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 Underwater 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 Underwater 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