Tulamben · USAT Liberty · Northeast Bali
Snorkel the famous USAT Liberty WWII shipwreck — the top deck sits just 3 meters below the surface, surrounded by schools of jackfish, garden eels, and colorful coral.
The Experience
A WWII shipwreck just 3 meters below the surface — no boat or certification needed.
Four steps from Bali hotel to a WWII shipwreck just off the beach.
Your driver collects you from your hotel in south or central Bali early morning — about 2.5 hours northeast through rice terraces to Tulamben village.
No boat needed — the USAT Liberty wreck sits just 25 meters offshore. Gear up on the volcanic sand beach with mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket.
Swim over the 130-meter wreck — the top deck is only 3 meters deep, covered in coral and swarming with jackfish, barracuda, and garden eels. Your guide points out the best spots.
Paddle a kayak along the coast, enjoy a beachside Indonesian lunch, then transfer back to your hotel by late afternoon.
Photo Gallery
The USAT Liberty wreck, coral gardens, and tropical fish schools — captured by guests.
Book Your Experience
Select your preferred date and time. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Explore Bali's famous shipwreck from the surface or go deep — compare your options.
| Feature | BUDGET PICK Shipwreck Snorkeling + Kayak | Snorkeling Tour with Liberty | Open Water Course at Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $30/per person | $70 | $388 |
| Duration | 8 hours | 6 hours | 2 days |
| Experience Level | Beginner friendly | Beginner friendly | No experience needed |
| Depth Access | Surface (1–5 m) | Surface (1–5 m) | Up to 18 m |
| Equipment | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Full dive gear |
| Lunch | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Certification | ✗ Not needed | ✗ Not needed | ✓ PADI Open Water |
| Hotel Pickup | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Budget snorkelers | Comfort & convenience | Future divers |
| Book Now | Browse Options | Browse Options |
More Options
6 tours available — from budget shipwreck trips to premium dive + kayak combos.
SHIPWRECKDiscover the natural and cultural highlights of East Bali on a full-day adventure. Swim, snorkel, or dive above a historic WWII shipwreck in Tulamben and explore the Taman Ujung Water Palace.
SHIPWRECKDiscover the underwater world of Bali on a snorkeling tour. Explore the USAT Liberty shipwreck, teeming with colorful fish and coral.
SHIPWRECKSnorkel above the USAT Liberty shipwreck in Tulamben on a day trip from Bali. Discover a vibrant coral garden, swim with tropical fish, and enjoy a delicious Indonesian lunch.
ADVENTURESnorkel in Jemeluk Bay or other Amed spots, explore coral reefs, underwater sculptures, and enjoy a coastal kayak ride!
PREMIUMGet PADI certified in Bali with a 3-day Open Water Course, dive with multilingual instructors and enjoy kayak adventure.
Guest Reviews
"Die Aktivität war ok, als der Guide keine Lust mehr hatte meinte er, dass er Kopfschmerzen hat und geht. Der Transfer war eine 2 stündige Fahrt im Ameisennest, ohne Klimaanlage. Aufgrund von Gästen die eher heim wollten, war unser Rücktransfer nicht möglich, weil kein Auto verfügbar war und wir mussten über eine Stunde warten, bis es für uns zurück ins Hotel geht."
"Très chouette activité ! On est venue nous chercher à notre hôtel à 10-15 minutes en voiture de l’hôtel qui organise cette activité. Nous sommes ensuite partis en direction de la plage sur laquelle on démarre le snorkelling, à environ 15 minutes de voiture également. On a ensuite nager durant environ 1h près de l’épave de bateau, les courants à cet endroit était assez fort mais pour notre groupe (6 personnes) il y avait deux personnes qui nous encadraient et nous accompagnaient donc on s’est senti ensuite nager sécurité. Ensuite on est retourné sur la plage pour un petit snack et un peu d’eau, puis nous sommes retournés nager, toujours depuis la même plage, dans un endroit un peu moins profond et avec moins de courant et nous avons pu voir une torture. De retour à l’hôtel, on a pris notre lunch et avons ensuite fait 1h de paddle. Très chouette activité, je recommande !"
"garnicht. Was super long time in the car than waiting at the dive company…not good"
"Nous avons réservé la veille pour le lendemain, et tout s’est très bien passé ! L’équipe est venue nous récupérer à l’hôtel et nous avons passé une excellente journée. Très bon accueil, organisation au top, et un délicieux petit repas compris le midi. Du coup le lendemain, nous avons plongé en bouteille avec eux, toujours dans la même dynamique : bienveillance, professionnalisme et bonne humeur. Un grand merci à toute l’équipe pour ces superbes moments !"
"Nous avons été bien accueillis pour une journée dans ce centre de plongée. Le matin 2h de Snorkeling, bon repas inclus et prêt de kayak et de Paddle l’après-midi. Nous recommandons !"
Read all 11 verified reviews
See All Reviews168 tours across 6 locations, rated 4.5+ by thousands of guests. Equipment, transport, and lunch included. Free cancellation on every tour. Starting from $30 per person.
Check Availability & BookEverything you need to know about snorkeling at Tulamben.
The USAT Liberty was an American cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in January 1942 during World War II. The damaged vessel was beached on the shore of Tulamben. In 1963, the eruption of Mount Agung shook the wreck off the beach and pushed it into the sea, where it now rests at 5–30 meters depth along a black sand slope.
Yes, you can absolutely snorkel it. The top deck of the wreck sits just 3 meters below the surface, making it clearly visible from above. Snorkelers can see the bow section, coral-covered hull plates, and fish schooling around the superstructure. Diving lets you explore the interior, but snorkeling gives you a rewarding view of the upper wreck.
No. The USAT Liberty is a shore-entry site — you walk across the black pebble beach and swim about 30 meters out to reach the wreck. This makes it one of the most accessible shipwreck snorkeling sites in the world. No boat fees, no seasickness, just walk in from the beach.
The wreck attracts massive schools of jackfish (bigeye trevally) that swirl in tornado-like formations, plus garden eels in the sand nearby, bumphead parrotfish, sweetlips, barracuda, and pygmy seahorses. Over 400 species of reef fish have been recorded here. Coral growth on the hull is extensive, with sponges, sea fans, and soft corals throughout.
Early morning (7–9 AM) is best. The water is calmest, visibility peaks at 15–25 meters, and large pelagic fish like bumphead parrotfish visit the wreck at dawn. By midday, afternoon swells can pick up and tour groups arrive in larger numbers. The Liberty Shipwreck Snorkeling & Kayak tour ($30, ID 1084265) departs early to hit optimal conditions.
The tour ($30, 8 hours) includes hotel pickup and drop-off, all snorkeling equipment, a guided kayak session, lunch, towels, and an English-speaking guide. A minimum of 2 participants is required. Basic swimming ability is recommended since the wreck area has occasional mild currents.
Tulamben is one of Bali's most popular snorkeling and diving sites, so expect company — especially between 10 AM and 2 PM when day-trip buses arrive from south Bali. Going early morning or late afternoon avoids the peak crowds. Staying overnight in Tulamben lets you snorkel at sunrise when you may have the wreck nearly to yourself.
The dry season (April–October) offers the best conditions, with visibility regularly exceeding 20 meters and flat seas. July through September is peak. The wet season can reduce visibility to 5–10 meters and bring stronger currents, but the wreck is snorkelable year-round thanks to its sheltered bay position.
Still have questions? Email us at info@snorkeling-bali.com