REVIEW · KUTA
Shipwreck Diving in Tulamben
Book on Viator →Operated by Neptune Scuba Diving · Bookable on Viator
A WWII wreck sits off Bali’s coast. This full-day shipwreck scuba trip from Tulamben targets the famous USAT Liberty, torpedoed in January 1942. You get a full package—hotel pickup, guided support, and set underwater timing—so you can focus on the experience, not logistics.
I like the practical flow: a morning briefing, the drive to Tulamben, then scheduled bottom times with surface intervals built in. I also like that you’re not piecing things together yourself, since lunch, snacks, and scuba gear are handled for you.
One consideration: it’s a long day (about 8 hours), and the schedule depends on conditions at sea—good weather matters. If you’re sensitive to early starts or motion, plan for a bit of patience.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- From Sanur Pickup To Tulamben: How the Day Runs
- The USAT Liberty Shipwreck: What You’re Going To See
- Boat Time and Water Sessions: The Schedule That Shapes Your Comfort
- Your Guide Underwater: Support That Makes the Wreck Feel Understandable
- Food and Breaks: Snacks, Drinks, and a Diver’s Lunch
- Getting Set Up: Equipment, Sizing Requirements, and What to Prepare
- Who This Trip Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)
- Price and Value: What $150 Gets You in Real Terms
- Practical Tips for a Smoother Shipwreck Scuba Day
- Should You Book This USAT Liberty Trip?
- FAQ
- Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?
- How long is the trip, and when do we come back?
- What shipwreck is the focus of the trip?
- How much time will I spend underwater?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is alcohol included?
- Do I need scuba certification?
- Is there a vegetarian meal option?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

- USAT Liberty wreck is the main draw, torpedoed in January 1942
- Hotel pickup and drop-off keeps the day moving without extra planning
- Gear, lunch, snacks, and drinks are included (alcohol is not)
- Underwater timing is set with 45–60 minute bottom times and 45–60 minute surface intervals
- Small, private format means only your group participates
From Sanur Pickup To Tulamben: How the Day Runs
This is a full-day outing on Bali’s east coast built around one location: Tulamben. You’ll start at the scuba center with a morning briefing, then head out by air-conditioned vehicle toward Tulamben. The drive is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, with exact timing influenced by traffic and the time of day.
The goal here is to get you to the water sessions without wasting energy. You’re not responsible for arranging gear, coordinating transfers, or figuring out when to eat—those pieces are part of the plan.
A nice detail: they confirm your booking at the time of reservation, and the trip operates with the idea that your group is together the whole time (it’s private, just your group).
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Kuta
The USAT Liberty Shipwreck: What You’re Going To See

The headline is the USAT Liberty shipwreck. It’s the wreck torpedoed in January 1942, and it’s the reason most people plan their Bali scuba around Tulamben in the first place.
Because the USAT Liberty is the center of the itinerary, your whole day has a clear purpose. Instead of bouncing between random sites, you go where this wreck is and spend your scheduled water time exploring it.
This trip is designed for certified divers. It’s noted as suitable for both beginner and advanced certified divers, which usually means the team will match your plan to your level and comfort in the water.
Boat Time and Water Sessions: The Schedule That Shapes Your Comfort

Once you’re in Tulamben, you’ll head out by boat from the fishing village area. From there, the day runs on a rhythm:
- Bottom time is scheduled for 45–60 minutes
- Surface intervals are scheduled for 45–60 minutes
- This pattern repeats between the water sessions of the day
Why this matters: scuba days can feel rushed if timing is sloppy. Here, the pacing is planned. You’ll get time to recover, regroup, and breathe before the next underwater segment.
Also, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all “go as far as you want” setup. The structured timing tends to help with safety and energy management, especially if you’re still working on buoyancy control or just want the day to feel calm.
Your Guide Underwater: Support That Makes the Wreck Feel Understandable

This trip includes a professional guide, and they offer support and guidance underwater. That’s not a small detail—it changes how the wreck feels during your actual time in the water.
From the operator’s track record, their instructors and dive staff are known for keeping things organized and patient. Names like Julian, Agus (as a dive master), Gede, Piyo, Dhika, and Yoga show up in feedback tied to underwater guidance and smooth equipment setup.
You can take that as a signal that the team is used to different comfort levels. If you’re a newer diver, guidance can help you stay relaxed and reduce the tendency to fight your buoyancy. If you’re more experienced, it helps to have someone who can point out how to see the wreck efficiently during your scheduled time.
Food and Breaks: Snacks, Drinks, and a Diver’s Lunch

Between the underwater sessions, you’ll have freshly prepared snacks and drinks. That’s a real quality-of-life upgrade on long scuba days. Even if you eat breakfast, you’ll often be hungry once you’ve spent time gearing up and working through the rhythm of breathing and timing.
After the underwater work is finished, you’ll be served a diver’s lunch before heading back toward Sanur. Lunch isn’t an afterthought here—it sits right in the middle of the day’s structure, which helps you avoid the end-of-day crash.
Also included: bottled water. Alcohol is not included, but it’s available to purchase.
Getting Set Up: Equipment, Sizing Requirements, and What to Prepare

All diving equipment is included. That means you won’t be hunting for rentals on your own.
But the operator does ask for specifics at booking so they can fit the gear properly. You’ll need to provide:
- passenger heights
- passenger weights
- passenger shoe sizes
If you’ve ever shown up with the wrong sizing and felt miserable in gear that doesn’t fit right, you’ll appreciate this. Getting the fit correct helps comfort and reduces the fuss later.
They also note that service animals are allowed.
Who This Trip Fits Best (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a great match if you want a shipwreck-focused Bali day and you’re already trained as a scuba diver. It’s also described as suitable for beginners and advanced certified divers, so if you’re comfortable following instructions and staying within planned timing, you’re in the right category.
You might want to think twice if:
- You hate long days with lots of transferring and waiting
- You get motion sick easily (you’ll be on a boat)
- You’re not comfortable with the idea of scheduled underwater timing
Good news: the private group format means you aren’t stuck with a crowd pace that doesn’t match yours.
Minimum age is 10 years old, so families that meet the certification/comfort requirement may find it doable.
Price and Value: What $150 Gets You in Real Terms

The price is $150 per person for a full-day experience.
That number looks better when you list what’s covered:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide and underwater support
- Scuba equipment
- Lunch + snacks + drinks (including bottled water)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Scuba diving insurance
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges
At this price, you’re paying for the whole day’s logistics and services, not just access to a site. If you were pricing this yourself, you’d likely spend time and money on transport, equipment rental, and arranging guided support separately.
In short: for a shipwreck day built around the USAT Liberty, the value is strongest when you want everything taken care of.
Practical Tips for a Smoother Shipwreck Scuba Day
Here are a few ways to make the day feel easier once you’re on the ground:
- Arrive rested. The day runs long, and the morning briefing is part of how smoothly the plan works.
- Bring the sizing info they ask for. Height, weight, and shoe size aren’t busywork—they help gear fit.
- Ask about vegetarian needs early. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.
- Keep expectations realistic about timing. You’ll have planned bottom times and surface intervals. That structure is part of the safety and comfort.
- Plan for weather. The experience requires good weather.
Should You Book This USAT Liberty Trip?
I’d book this if you want a well-organized shipwreck day where the plan is clear: Tulamben, boat out, USAT Liberty as the focus, meals and gear handled, and an actual schedule for underwater time.
You might skip it if you’re looking for a quick, casual outing. This is built as an all-day program with transfers and set timing, so it fits people who enjoy the full scuba day rhythm.
If you meet the certification/comfort expectations and you like the idea of being supported underwater by a structured team, this is one of the most direct ways to see the USAT Liberty wreck on Bali.
FAQ
Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the day uses an air-conditioned vehicle for the transfer.
How long is the trip, and when do we come back?
The experience runs about 8 hours. Return time is scheduled for approximately 5–6pm at the dive center.
What shipwreck is the focus of the trip?
The main target is the USAT Liberty shipwreck, torpedoed in January 1942.
How much time will I spend underwater?
Bottom times and surface intervals are scheduled for 45–60 minutes each.
What’s included in the price?
Included are all taxes/fees, lunch, snacks, bottled water, a professional guide, hotel pickup/drop-off, scuba equipment, an air-conditioned vehicle, and scuba diving insurance.
Is alcohol included?
No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they are available to purchase.
Do I need scuba certification?
This trip is designed for certified divers. The operator also notes that evidence of certification is not required for people participating in Discover Scuba Diving.
Is there a vegetarian meal option?
Yes. A vegetarian option is available—tell them your needs when booking.
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If you tell me your certification level (Open Water, Advanced, etc.) and your rough location in Bali for pickup, I can help you decide whether the timing and schedule are a good fit for your trip length.































