USAT Liberty Wreck Dive Site

The USAT Liberty is a United States Army Transport ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and beached on the shore of Tulamben. The 1963 eruption of Mount Agung pushed the wreck off the beach and into the water, where it now rests on a sandy slope just metres from shore.

This is arguably the most accessible wreck dive in the world. The bow sits at just 5 metres, making it reachable for snorkellers and Open Water divers alike, while the stern drops to around 30 metres for more experienced divers. The wreck is approximately 120 metres long and completely encrusted with soft corals, gorgonian fans, and sponges after six decades underwater.

The Liberty is a shore dive with no boat required, which keeps costs low and logistics simple. Night dives here are exceptional, with the wreck coming alive with Spanish dancers, hunting lionfish, and flashlight fish.

The wreck is a living artificial reef. Enormous gorgonian sea fans drape across the superstructure, and barrel sponges the size of bathtubs grow on the deck. Schools of sweetlips, batfish, and bumphead parrotfish are resident. Pygmy seahorses hide on the fans if you know where to look.

The bow section at 5-9m is home to garden eels in the surrounding sand and a resident hawksbill turtle that shows little fear of divers. At depth, black-tip reef sharks occasionally cruise past the stern. During night dives, the wreck transforms completely with hunting lionfish, free-swimming moray eels, and bioluminescent plankton in the water column.

Entry is a shore walk over black volcanic pebbles, which can be awkward in full kit. Local porters will carry your gear for a small tip and it's money well spent. The walk is about 30 metres from the car park to the water.

Currents are typically mild to non-existent. Occasionally a gentle drift runs along the wreck from bow to stern. Surge can pick up in the shallows during swell. Visibility ranges from 10m on cloudy days to 30m+ on clear mornings. The best vis is usually before 10am before day-trippers from south Bali arrive.

The wreck is fully penetrable in several sections, but penetration should only be attempted with proper training and a guide. The cargo holds are open and easy to swim through; the engine room requires more care.

Tulamben is on Bali's northeast coast, approximately 2.5 to 3 hours drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) or the Kuta/Seminyak tourist area. The road follows the coast via Candidasa and Amed, offering stunning views of Mount Agung.

Most dive operators in south Bali offer day trips, departing around 6am and returning by 4pm. For a better experience, stay overnight in Tulamben. Accommodation ranges from basic homestays to comfortable resorts, all within walking distance of the wreck site.

The site is directly off the beach in front of the car park. You literally walk in from the shore.

Standard tropical setup: 3mm shorty or full suit depending on your cold tolerance. Water temperature rarely drops below 26°C. Torches are essential for penetration and recommended even on day dives to bring out colours inside the wreck.

Reef hooks are not needed. A surface marker buoy (SMB) isn't critical for this shore dive but good practice. If you're prone to seasickness from surge, consider taking medication even though it's a shore entry, as the shallow sections can have swell.

Tulamben-based operators offer the best value and earliest access. Liberty Dive Resort and Tauch Terminal Tulamben are long-established operations with well-maintained rental gear. For day trips from south Bali, Blue Season Bali and AquaMarine Diving are reliable choices.

Tulamben is not a typical liveaboard stop, as it's easily accessible from shore. However, several Bali-based liveaboards include it as a departure or arrival point for trips heading east toward Komodo or Alor.