Destination · Karangasem
USAT Liberty Shipwreck
Busy 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Found on Google Maps 1 Oct 2026
The USAT Liberty Shipwreck is a world-renowned dive site situated just offshore from the pebbled volcanic beach of Tulamben in northeastern Bali. Torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 during World War II, the American cargo ship was beached on Tulamben's shore until tremors from the 1963 eruption of Mount Agung pushed it into the sea. Today, the 120-meter-long wreck lies on a black sand slope between 5 and 30 meters deep, making it remarkably accessible directly from the beach for both scuba divers and snorkelers. Fully encrusted with colorful coral fans and sponges, the wreck serves as a thriving artificial reef home to a resident school of giant bumphead parrotfish, trevally, and moray eels.
Insider tips
-
01
Dawn Dive for Bumphead Parrotfish. Arrange an early morning dawn dive around 6:00 AM to witness the resident herd of giant bumphead parrotfish waking up and swimming out from within the ship's cargo hold.
-
02
Snorkeling the Upper Hull. Non-divers can clearly see the top section of the wreck (starting just 4 to 5 meters below the surface) simply with a snorkel mask during high tide and calm sea conditions.
-
03
Sturdy Booties Required. The beach consists of smooth, melon-sized volcanic river stones that can be slippery and difficult to traverse while carrying heavy dive gear; wear hard-soled dive booties.
Good to know
- Entry & Porter Fees
- A local village dive ticket fee of around Rp 20,000 to Rp 25,000 applies per diver, and local women porters carry dive tanks to the water for a standard tip.
- Certifications & Safety
- Open Water certification is sufficient for the upper sections of the wreck, while Advanced Open Water is recommended for penetrating deeper sections; hire a licensed local dive guide for safety and marine navigation.