The USAT Liberty Wreck is Bali’s most famous dive site and one of the most accessible wreck dives in the world. Resting just metres from shore in Tulamben, this 128 meter long wreck offers a dramatic yet beginner-friendly underwater experience.
Originally a World War II cargo ship, the Liberty was torpedoed in 1942 and later pushed onto the beach. A volcanic eruption in 1963 shifted the wreck back into the sea, where it now lies across a gentle slope and fully encrusted in coral growth.
The Liberty offers something for everyone. Shallow sections begin at around 5 metres, making it suitable for training dives and newly certified divers, while deeper areas provide structure exploration and dramatic swim-throughs for more experienced divers.
The wreck is now a thriving artificial reef. Hard and soft corals cover the structure, attracting large schools of fish and pelagic visitors. Each section of the wreck feels different, so repeat dives always reveal something new.
It’s a dive we never get tired of. Whether it’s your first wreck dive or your fiftieth, the Liberty consistently delivers.
Marine life around the Liberty Wreck is diverse and often spectacular. Divers regularly encounter:
The Liberty often comes alive with schooling fish weaving through the structure, and turtles are often seen exploring the surrounding reef.
It remains one of the highlights of diving in Bali.
To kick start our honeymoon we decided to get our scuba diving certifications. We managed to do the open water and the advanced open water in 6 days (including 1 rest day). We did night dives, sunrise dives, shipwreck, drift and deep and lots more. Really good fun and Amed has enough to explore for both courses.
Wow, Wow, Wow! Could not recommend any other place to go if you are looking at diving in Amed. Myself and my friend completed our Advanced Open Water course (followed by a number of fun dives), with Wayan and the team at Bali Dive Cove. The whole experience was seamless!
At Bali Dive Cove, we typically organise two dives on the USAT Liberty when conditions allow. The first dive usually focuses on exploring the outer sections of the wreck, allowing divers to get familiar with its scale and layout. The second dive goes deeper into the wreck experience, with the option to explore swim-throughs and penetration areas for those who feel comfortable and appropriately certified.
The Liberty is regularly used for Open Water training dives, Advanced Open Water deep and wreck dives, and speciality courses. We also run Discover Scuba Diving sessions here when conditions allow.
Yes. The Liberty Wreck is considered one of Bali’s best underwater photography sites. The coral-covered wreck structure, large schools of fish and variety of macro marine life create opportunities for both wide-angle and close-up photography.
Current at the Liberty Wreck is usually mild but can vary depending on tides and sea conditions. When present, the current typically moves gently across the wreck structure and dive plans are adjusted according to the conditions on the day.
Most dives at the Liberty Wreck last between 40 and 60 minutes depending on the dive profile, depth and individual air consumption. Shallower dives along the upper wreck structure can sometimes allow for longer bottom times.
Yes. The shallow upper sections of the wreck make it suitable for beginner divers and students completing training dives. More experienced divers can explore deeper areas of the wreck while remaining within recreational limits.
The USAT Liberty can be dived year-round as conditions are generally suitable throughout the year. Early morning dives are particularly popular because the site is usually less crowded and surface conditions are often calmer.
Yes. The Liberty Wreck is accessed directly from the beach in Tulamben. Entry and exit are made over rounded volcanic stones before descending onto the wreck, which sits only a short distance from shore.
The wreck begins in very shallow water at around 3 metres and gradually slopes down the seabed to approximately 30 metres. This wide depth range allows divers to choose different dive profiles depending on certification level, experience and the planned route around the wreck.
The USAT Liberty Wreck is suitable for certified divers and is also widely used for training dives. Open Water students and Discover Scuba Diving participants frequently dive the shallower sections of the wreck under direct instructor supervision, making it accessible for a wide range of experience levels.
The site can be dived year-round. Early morning is particularly popular as it is les crowded and you experience calmer surface conditions.
Yes. The dive is accessed directly from the beach in Tulamben. Entry and exit involve walking over rounded stones.
Interested in diving the USAT Liberty Wreck? Contact us to check availability. If you would like to include the Liberty Wreck in your Bali dive plans, get in touch and we can advise the best timing based on your certification level and the current conditions.
