The USAT Liberty is the reason many divers come to Bali. It is a large wreck, it is easy to reach, it is shallow enough for beginners and it is packed with marine life. If you only do one dive in Bali, this is a strong candidate.
The story of the wreck
The USAT Liberty was a United States Army cargo ship. In January 1942 it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Lombok Strait. It was towed towards Bali and beached at Tulamben so its cargo could be saved. For two decades it lay on the shore. In 1963 the eruption of Mount Agung and the earth movements around it pushed the hull into the sea, where it has rested ever since.
Today the wreck lies on a black sand slope, roughly parallel to the beach. It is about 120 metres long and has broken into sections, which makes it easy to explore without ever entering an enclosed space.
What you will see
Eighty years underwater have turned the ship into an artificial reef. The hull is covered in hard and soft corals, sea fans and sponges.
- Big schools of fish: jacks, batfish and fusiliers often circle the wreck.
- Reef residents: parrotfish, groupers, angelfish and bumphead parrotfish in the early morning.
- Macro life: nudibranchs, shrimps and garden eels on the surrounding sand.
- The structure itself: guns, the cargo holds and the shape of the hull are still clear.
Who this dive suits
The Liberty is one of the few famous wrecks in the world that suits nearly everyone.
- First-time divers can see the top of the wreck at around 5 to 8 metres during a Try Scuba program, with an instructor at their side.
- Open Water divers can explore most of the hull, which lies between 5 and 18 metres.
- Advanced divers can go deeper along the sand slope towards 30 metres.
There is normally little current, the entry is from the beach and the water is warm. That combination makes Tulamben a relaxed day of diving.
How the day works
You are picked up early from your hotel in south Bali and driven to Tulamben on the north-east coast. After a briefing, local porters carry the tanks to the beach and you walk into the water. A typical day includes two dives, a surface interval with lunch and the drive back in the afternoon.
Best time to go
Tulamben is diveable all year. Visibility is usually best in the dry season from April to November. The wreck is popular, so an early start means fewer divers in the water and more fish activity.
What to bring
- Your certification card and logbook, if you are already certified.
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for the beach.
- An underwater camera, if you have one. The wreck is very photogenic.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners dive the USAT Liberty?
Yes. The shallowest part of the wreck sits around 5 metres, so first-time divers on a Try Scuba program can see it, and Open Water divers can explore most of the hull. Only the deepest sections towards 30 metres are for advanced divers.
Is the USAT Liberty a boat dive?
No. It is a shore dive. You walk in from the pebble beach at Tulamben and the wreck starts about 25 to 30 metres from the waterline.
When is the best time to dive Tulamben?
Tulamben can be dived all year. The dry season from April to November usually brings the best visibility. Early morning dives avoid most of the crowds.
How long is the trip from south Bali?
Plan on roughly 2.5 to 3 hours each way from Sanur, Kuta or Seminyak, depending on traffic. Most trips include two dives and lunch.
