Tulamben is a small fishing village on the northeast coast of Bali, Indonesia. It may not be as popular as other destinations in Bali, such as Ubud, Kuta, or Seminyak, but it has something that none of them can offer: a world-class diving site that attracts divers from all over the world.
Tulamben is home to the USAT Liberty shipwreck, one of the most famous and accessible shipwrecks in the world. The USAT Liberty was a cargo ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942, and later pushed into the water by a volcanic eruption in 1963. The ship now lies on a sandy slope, about 30 meters from the shore, and is covered with coral and marine life.
The USAT Liberty shipwreck is not the only attraction in Tulamben. There are also other diving sites, such as the Boga shipwreck, the Suci Place (an underwater temple with statues and sculptures), and the Coral Garden (a shallow reef with colorful corals and fish). Tulamben also has a beautiful black-sand beach, where you can relax and enjoy the views of the ocean and the mountains. And if you are looking for something more adventurous, you can visit the Rumah Pohon (a treehouse complex) and experience living in the nature.
If you are a diver, or want to become one, Tulamben is a must-visit destination for you. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Tulamben, including how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and what to do. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a solo traveler or a family, you will find something to suit your needs and preferences in Tulamben.
How to Get to Tulamben
Tulamben is located about 100 kilometers from Denpasar, the capital city of Bali. The easiest and fastest way to get to Tulamben is by car. You can either rent a car and drive yourself, or hire a driver and enjoy the ride. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, depending on the traffic and the road conditions. You can also take a bus, a taxi, or a shuttle, but they may take longer and cost more. Here are some tips on how to get to Tulamben by car:
The best route to take is the one that passes through Sanur, Gianyar, Klungkung, and Amlapura. This route is more scenic and less crowded than the one that passes through Kuta and Karangasem.
You can rent a car from various places in Bali, such as the airport, the hotels, or the online platforms. The average price for a car rental is about 300,000 IDR (21 USD) per day, excluding the fuel and the driver. You will need an international driving license to drive in Bali, or you can get a temporary one from the police station for 50,000 IDR (3.5 USD).
You can hire a driver from the same places where you can rent a car, or you can ask your hotel or dive center to arrange one for you. The average price for a driver is about 500,000 IDR (35 USD) per day, including the fuel and the car. Hiring a driver is more convenient and safer than driving yourself, especially if you are not familiar with the roads and the traffic in Bali.
You can also book a private transfer from the airport or your hotel to Tulamben online. The average price for a private transfer is about 800,000 IDR (56 USD) per car, for up to 4 passengers. Booking a private transfer is more comfortable and reliable than taking a bus, a taxi, or a shuttle, as you can choose your own time and place of departure and arrival.
When to Visit Tulamben
Tulamben is a year-round destination, as the weather and the water conditions are generally good throughout the year. However, there are some factors that you may want to consider before planning your trip, such as the temperature, the visibility, the marine life, and the crowds.
Here are some information on the best time to visit Tulamben, based on these factors:
- The average air temperature in Tulamben ranges from 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F), and the average water temperature ranges from 27°C to 29°C (81°F to 84°F). The hottest months are April, May, and October, and the coolest months are July, August, and September.
- The average visibility in Tulamben ranges from 15 meters to 30 meters (49 feet to 98 feet), depending on the season, the tide, and the plankton. The best visibility is usually from May to November, and the worst visibility is usually from December to March.
- The marine life in Tulamben is diverse and abundant, with over 400 species of fish and 100 species of coral. You can see various kinds of fish, such as barracuda, jack, grouper, snapper, triggerfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, and more. You can also see turtles, sharks, rays, octopus, squid, cuttlefish, nudibranch, and more. The best time to see the marine life is during the full moon and the new moon, when the currents are stronger and the fish are more active.
The crowds in Tulamben vary depending on the season, the day, and the time. The busiest months are July, August, and December, and the quietest months are January, February, and March. The busiest days are the weekends and the holidays, and the quietest days are the weekdays. The busiest time is in the morning, when most divers go to the USAT Liberty shipwreck, and the quietest time is in the afternoon, when most divers go to the other sites.
Based on these information, the optimal months and seasons for diving in Tulamben are May, June, September, and October, as they offer the best combination of temperature, visibility, marine life, and crowds. However, you can still enjoy diving in Tulamben at any time of the year, as long as you plan ahead, book in advance, and prepare for unexpected changes.
Where to Stay in Tulamben
Tulamben offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury, to suit different needs and preferences of travelers. Most of the accommodation options are located along the main road, close to the beach and the diving sites. Some of the accommodation options are also dive centers, which offer diving packages and services for their guests.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Tulamben, based on the location, facilities, services, prices, and reviews:
Matahari Tulamben Resort Dive & Spa:
This is a 3-star resort that offers comfortable rooms, bungalows, and villas, with air conditioning, TV, minibar, and private bathroom. The resort also has a restaurant, a bar, a spa, a pool, and a dive center. The resort is located right in front of the USAT Liberty shipwreck, and offers free access to the dive site for its guests. The price for a room starts from 300,000 IDR (21 USD) per night, including breakfast and taxes.
Liberty Dive Resort:
This is a 4-star resort that offers spacious rooms, cottages, and suites, with air conditioning, TV, DVD player, fridge, and private bathroom. The resort also has a restaurant, a bar, a spa, a pool, and a dive center. The resort is located about 100 meters from the USAT Liberty shipwreck, and offers free shuttle service to the dive site for its guests. The price for a room starts from 600,000 IDR (42 USD) per night, including breakfast and taxes.
Ocean Sun Dive Resort:
This is a 5-star resort that offers luxurious rooms, bungalows, and villas, with air conditioning, TV, iPod dock, coffee maker, and private bathroom. The resort also has a restaurant, a bar, a spa, a pool, and a dive center. The resort is located about 200 meters from the USAT Liberty shipwreck, and offers free shuttle service to the dive site for its guests. The price for a room starts from 1,200,000 IDR (84 USD) per night, including breakfast and taxes.
What to Do in Tulamben
The main attraction and activity in Tulamben is diving, as it offers some of the best diving sites in Bali, and in the world. However, diving is not the only thing to do in Tulamben. There are also other things to do in Tulamben, such as snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, biking, and more. Here are some of the top things to do in Tulamben, besides diving:
Snorkeling:
If you are not a diver, or want to take a break from diving, you can still enjoy the underwater beauty of Tulamben by snorkeling. Snorkeling is a great way to see the coral reefs, the fish, and even the shipwrecks, without the need of any equipment or training. You can rent snorkeling gear from your hotel or dive center, or bring your own. The best places to snorkel in Tulamben are the Coral Garden, the Suci Place, and the USAT Liberty shipwreck, as they are shallow, calm, and clear.
Swimming and Sunbathing:
If you want to relax and soak up the sun, you can head to the Tulamben Beach, which is a black-sand beach that stretches along the coast. The beach is not very crowded, and offers a stunning view of the ocean and the mountains. You can swim in the warm and clear water, or sunbathe on the soft and smooth sand. You can also find some shade under the palm trees, or enjoy a drink or a snack at the beachside cafes and restaurants.
Hiking and Biking:
If you want to explore the nature and the culture of Tulamben, you can go hiking or biking around the village and the surrounding areas. You can see the rice fields, the forests, the temples, the markets, and the local life of the people. You can also visit some nearby attractions, such as the Mount Agung (the highest and most sacred volcano in Bali), the Tirta Gangga (a royal water palace with pools and fountains), and the Amed (a neighboring village with a scenic bay and a salt farm). You can rent a bike from your hotel or dive center, or join a guided tour.
Rumah Pohon:
If you are looking for something more adventurous and unique, you can visit the Rumah Pohon, which is a treehouse complex that offers a different way of living in the nature. The Rumah Pohon consists of several wooden houses that are built on the trees, connected by bridges and stairs. The houses are equipped with basic amenities, such as beds, fans, lights, and toilets. You can stay overnight in the Rumah Pohon, or just visit for a day. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean, the mountains, and the stars, and feel the breeze and the sounds of the nature.
Tulamben is a diver’s paradise in Bali, as it offers some of the best diving sites in the world, especially the USAT Liberty shipwreck. However, diving is not the only thing to do in Tulamben, as there are also other things to do, such as snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, biking, and more. Tulamben is a perfect destination for anyone who loves the ocean, the nature, and the culture of Bali.
If you are interested in visiting Tulamben, you can book your trip online, through platforms such as Tripoto, Skyscanner, or Expedia. You can also find the best deals, compare options, and read reviews on platforms such as Tripadvisor, Trivago, or Kayak. You can also contact your local travel agency or dive center to help you plan your trip.
Thank you for reading this article, and we hope you found it useful and informative. If you have any feedback, questions, or comments, please feel free to share them with us.
We would love to hear from you. And if you are ready to dive into the amazing underwater world of Tulamben, don’t hesitate to book your trip now. You won’t regret it. Happy diving!
